Page 15 of Drifting

“I’m sorry, Shelby, it’s a total loss,” Ricky blurts out.

“Shit.” I hit the bed. “I don’t remember what happened. I was in the lead, then next thing I know, the car spun sideways, and I was flipping.”

“We’re not a hundred percent sure, but we think the other driver crossed the line and pitted you, causing you to spin, and he hit your driver door, causing you to flip three times,” Billy states.

A memory flashes in my mind of me putting my hand out and glancing at the other car. He smiled when he hit me.

He wanted to hit me.

Billy steps closer to my bed. “What did you say?”

I blink. “Right before he hit me, I glanced over to the other driver, and he smiled at me. He hit me on purpose. Who was he?”

A worried expression mars Ricky’s face. “We don’t know, you were supposed to race Chucky, but right before the race, someone locked him and his crew in their trailer and stole his car. By the time we reached the cars and sprayed them down with foam, the driver had split.”

“We were worried and scared to move you. The fire department used the jaws of life to cut you out of the car. Glass from the window cut your face and arms, and a freaking bone was pushing through your arm.” Mark’s body shivers. “Don’t need to see anything like that again. You were so pale. You scared us good.”

Billy blows out a breath. “They didn’t find Chucky until after most of the people left.”

I grin. “You guys are making that up. Are you pulling my leg?”

Mark shakes his head, unable to look at me. “I wish we were. It’s all true.”

I can’t believe someone would go that far just to stop me from winning the race. I have a feeling that wasn’t their only agenda. Whoever it was wanted me out of the way.

I let out a deep breath. “What happened to Cin?”

Billy’s eyes widen. “Oh, she’s right pissed at you. We tried to get her to leave so only one of you got caught, but she wouldn’t leave you. Every swear word you could think of came out of her mouth the whole time they were checking you at the site and on the ride here. Social services snagged her as soon as she jumped out of the car and ran to the ambulance. We can’t figure out how they found her so quickly. When I pulled up right behind the ambulance, they let me talk to her for a bit. She wanted me to tell you that you’re a stupid, stubborn bitch, but she loves you, and she’ll see you the second she turns eighteen.”

As I wipe away my tears, Ricky hands me an envelope.

I stare at it. “What’s this?”

He chuckles. "We won the fastest time of the season.”

Laughing, I throw my head back, then immediately regret it, put two fingers to my temple, and rub. “Ow.”

“It’s only a hundred, but it’s yours.”

“No, you guys take it.” I try to give the envelope back, but Ricky refuses to take it. “Split it between the three of you. It’s not a lot, but you deserve it.”

I hang my head. They deserve so much more.

A chorus of refusals goes around the room.

“Guys.” Exasperation fills me. “Patty’s coming to get me. I don’t need the money.”

Ricky’s mouth drops open while Billy’s eyes widen, and Mark shakes his head. I’ve told them all about Patty; they know how I feel about her.

“We’re not taking it, Shelby,” Ricky says. “We already talked about it. You might need it. We’ll be fine.”

My hand tightens around the envelope, crumpling it. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to get the Little Devil back up and running. Where is she?”

“We rented a storage unit and have her stashed there. It’s paid for through the year. We also put your motorcycle in there, since you won’t be riding her anytime soon.” Mike winks at me. “Call us, and we’ll bring her to you.”

I don’t blame them for hiding my car away. With all the fixing up we did at the guys’ house, I wouldn’t want a mangled piece of car in my driveway, either.

“Why would you guys do that?” These guys amaze me. They’re in college and watching over two younger girls while trying to take care of their problems.

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