Falling Away (Fall Away #3)

Fallon pulled her hair up in a ponytail. “Baby, if this is the only way, he’ll let her—”

“I’ll go,” Juliet groaned, climbing down from the bleachers. “I’ll go with Adam.”

I dropped my arms, staring down at her like a warning.

She cut me off before I started. “Just be quiet for a minute. It’s a three-minute race.” She peered up at me, handling me. “Let Madoc have his fun and calm down. The guy’s car is pretty intense. I’m sure he knows how to handle it.”

I steeled my jaw, not liking her talking about his ride. “You’re trying to make me feel better, right?” I joked. “I mean, that is your goal? Because it’s not working.”

She laughed into my chest. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

“He can go alone,” I said, annoyed. “I make the rules, and I choose when to break them.”

“You’re being silly.” She started to back away toward the cars. “Especially when you’re the one I might let take me home tonight,” she teased.

“Might?” I shot out. “I really don’t like you sometimes.”

“I don’t like you, either,” she singsonged, walking toward Adam’s car.

“Shit,” I breathed out, raking a hand through my hair and watching her head to Adam’s car. Was I being silly?

He wouldn’t touch her if he knew what was good for him, and she wouldn’t let him. I trusted that.

And I’d be absolutely fine with Jared or Madoc driving with her. It wasn’t that I never wanted her to be on the track.

No, I was simply worried he’d get her hurt. I didn’t know him or his driving, and I was real damn unhappy about this.

Both cars roared to life, filling the air with the whir of Adam’s high-pitched 3.7-liter engine and the heavy rumble of Madoc’s 6.0 LS2. I didn’t breathe as I watched Juliet buckle herself in, her black-and-white feather earrings dangling against her neck.

I breathed out a sigh, heading back down the track. I swung myself around the stairs and jogged up to where Zack already stood, ready to announce the next race. Both cars traveled slowly down the track, coming to a stop below us, revving their engines.

“We need to meet this week,” Zack said to me as he inspected the scene below. “I want to talk about your plans to expand to street racing. I’m concerned.”

I gripped the railing, watching every movement of Adam’s ride. “Not now.” I shook my head. “That’s at least a year out. We’ll talk later.”

The crowd cheered, welcoming one of their favorite sons home. So many people remembered Madoc, and everyone flooded the night with noise. The crowd at the Loop used to be mainly high school students, but now it was more eclectic, and since it was summer, a lot of our high school friends were here.

“Announce it,” I said to Zack. “Madoc Caruthers and Adam One Direction.”

He laughed under his breath. “This is an odd matchup.”

I nodded, knowing it wasn’t really a race. Madoc had to know he was going to win.

Zack leaned on the railing, microphone in hand, booming voice hitting the crowd. “I know you all remember him!” he taunted, and the crowd cheered.

“If you don’t, then I know you’ve heard of him!” Zack’s deep voice echoed through the night air, and they shouted louder.

People held up their cups and cans, howling over the track. The GTO shook as it revved, while the 370Z’s high-pitched hum matched it, both drowning out any coherent thought in my head.

“Give it up for Madoc and Fallon Caruthers,” he sang out, going long, “going up against K. C. Carter and Adam One Direction!” he yelled.

The sea of spectators cheered, holding up their phones and iPads, probably taking either pictures or video. Since the couples’ races were only once around the paved track, we never installed GoPros. No reason to dumb down the audience. They had a perfect view anyway, so it worked.

“Come on,” I nudged. “Get this over with.”

He walked around me to my other side, lining up with the starting line. “Ready!” he shouted, and the stoplight stayed on red. “Set!” And the stoplight switched to yellow, the engines revving over and over again as the crowd went wild. “Go!” he roared, and my heart leaped into my throat as both cars saw the light change to green and spun their tires, trying to take off so quickly.

I swallowed, seeing Madoc shoot off first, and I gripped the railing, watching the 370Z speed after him. Both cars gained speed, and I listened for the change of gears, hearing when each shifted up, increasing its pace.

Madoc knew the track, knew when to speed up, and knew at exactly which point he needed to lay off the gas to round the turn effectively. He spun around, drifting into a slight skid, but I gritted my teeth, seeing Adam fishtail left and then right as he corrected himself.

I rubbed my hand over my face, walking around the stand, following them with my eyes as they circled the track. Adam would speed forward, and Madoc would swerve on the track, joking around to stay in his way.

I’m going to kill him.

Zack laughed next to me. “Madoc’s back.”

“He’s being stupid,” I bit out. “Pulling that shit with his wife in the car …”

“And Madoc’s never been in an accident. Calm down.”

Madoc straightened out after that, so I let it go. He was stupid, but I guessed not that stupid.