Page 8 of Drifting

CHAPTER THREE

The next week flies by.

On Wednesday, I have my test for my 2nd Kyu Brown belt, which I pass with flying colors.

Then, there are finals. I think I did all right; I’m just glad it’s all over.

On Friday, Cin and I head over to the guys’ house for a bi-weekly dinner and bonfire. They rent a house with a beautiful backyard where the previous renter installed a firepit.

We use it a lot during the summer months.

Tonight, I didn’t feel like going. My whole body feels achy, and there’s a spot in the back of my throat that’s bothering me, causing me to cough. But Cin would have a shit fit if I told her I’m not feeling well.

We walk around to the back of the house where Mark stands beside the grill with a guy I don’t know, while Billy sits in a chair by the fire.

“There they are!” Mark puts his hand on his hips. His shaggy brown hair hangs into his eyes. I don’t know how he can work on a car with those bangs always in the way. But, besides Cin, he’s one of the best mechanics around. “We were starting to think you guys were going to blow us off.”

Cin smiles. “Chill. We’re only five minutes late.”

Mark rolls his eyes and goes back to paying attention to the new guy, who must be Mark’s latest conquest. I don’t think he’s the same guy Mark went home with last Friday, after the race. He’s the slut of the group--doesn’t matter if they’re male or female.

“Here, Shelby, take a seat.” Bill taps the chair right beside him. “Or are you planning to take Serenity out?”

This is usually the time I take her out and ride her for a few hours. I enjoy the time away, just me and the scenery. But, tonight, I don’t think I have enough energy to keep her upright.

“No, I’m not riding tonight.” I take the chair he offered, moving it a bit away from him in case I’m really getting sick.

Billy frowns at the distance but doesn’t comment as I flop down and put my feet up on the bricks around the pit.

Up on the back deck, I spot Ricky’s sandy-blond head tipped close to his girlfriend, Amber, who wears her strawberry-blond hair in its usual ponytail.

Ricky’s six-foot seven and towers over everyone, even his girlfriend, who’s five-ten. He’s the oldest of us and has a terrible habit of trying to take charge. He’s going to Westridge University, studying business with the goal to open an auto parts store. He met Amber at college, where she’s studying to become a large animal vet. The best thing about her is she doesn’t get jealous of Cin and me, since we’re always around the guys. They’re perfect fit for each other.

When Ricky spots us, he and Amber come down to join us, bringing with them a tray of shots.

He stops next to me and holds one out.

I lift my hands. “Not tonight.”

When his eyebrow shoots up, though, I take it. I don’t want to go into the reason why I don’t feel like drinking tonight.

Once everyone has one, he raises his shot glass into the air. “First, I’d like to say congratulations to Shelby on her brown belt.”

“Yeah, Shelby!” Cin yells.

“Congrats, girl!” Amber shouts with a big smile.

“We’re in the finals! To The Devil!” Mark hollers.

We all yell, “The Devil!” then throw back our shots.

Everyone grabs drinks and takes a seat around the fire, except for Mark and his date, who stay in their lust-bubble by the grill.

“Are you coming to the race, Amber?” I ask.

“Yes!” She claps her hand in excitement. “School’s finally over, so I can go. Ricky said I could stand in the crowd along the side. Will your parents be there? Maybe I can stand with them?”

Amber doesn’t know Cin and I are runaways. It’s just never come up. But now that she’s asked, we can either tell her the truth or lie.

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