Page 7 of Refuel

“Jackson, let me drive one time and see what I can do. Please, if I do a terrible job, I’ll never mention it again.”

“Let me think about it, but we need to discuss this situation with Kamden Coleman and you.” Jackson brought up the scandal that had exploded across the media.

I knew who Kamden was when I decided to sleep with him, and I wasn’t looking for anyone to tell me I was being stupid for doing what other single women did every day.

“My personal life is none of your business or Malik’s.”

“It is when your situation comes across my desk in a phone call from reporters and social media bringing up how my little cousin is pregnant and engaged before the family has even met this guy,” Jackson explained.

“It was one night, Jackson, I can promise. Kash and I will probably never see each other again,” I exclaimed.

“Arianna, you can’t be serious. He races for CD Enterprises, which you work for part time,” Jackson insisted.

“One race, and I’ll forfeit my fee for the charity event,” I threw in as an added bonus.

“Jackson, think about the publicity that can come to Pierce Motors with having a female driver, another African-American woman pushing the barriers,” Essence implored on my behalf.

“Please, cousin, you’re my favorite,” I pleaded as I put my hands in prayer form.

“One race, Arianna,” Jackson responded, and I jumped up screaming in joy.

I heard Malik groan behind my back.

“Yes! Thank you. I promise you won’t regret this.” I pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek.

I clapped my hands and locked my right arm with Essence as we danced out of his office.

Two hours later, I was at my mom’s house, and I called Ry and Sarai over to celebrate with Essence and me. My mom made margaritas, chips, salsa, and quesadillas. It was lunch time and rather than heading back to the office, I decided to take the rest of the day off to prepare myself for what was to come.

“I can’t believe Jackson agreed to let you race,” Rylee said.

I dipped my chip in the salsa, biting into the spices.

“Believe it, best friend, and you’re going to help me practice,” I said.

“What did Malik say again?” Mom quizzed, pouring sour cream on top of her chips and salsa. She set the patio up with food and drinks. Cicely was off today, and my dad was away at work as the head of acquisitions for Pierce Motors. Having the family involved in the industry helped me to get forward in the business, but working hard and going to school was another requirement before branching out on my own with my career.

“Tell me about this Kamden person,” Chavonne commanded.

“He’s cocky and rich, Auntie, and that’s the best reason to see him again,” Essence blurted out.

Chavonne tossed her head back, laughing at Essence’s statement.

“OMG! Weren’t you making out with some guy at the club, too?” Ry challenged, making Essence choke on her drink, so I patted her back.

“Yep, she sure did. Kash is sexy with a dangerous look about him that will have you drunk off his kisses. Tall, I think about five-nine or five-ten. I’m five-four, so it was the perfect combination,” I explained.

“Has dark, low-cut hair, wide nose, dark brows, deep-brown eyes, and he had one of those square jawlines and full lips,” Essence ran down his list of attributes.

“Did you sleep with him or did Essence?” Mom chortled, motioning between us.

All three of us laughed at her comment.

“No, Auntie, your daughter had the pleasure of seeing all the glory of Kamden Kash Coleman,” Essence spoke in an amused voice.

“Rylee, what do you think about me driving for Pierce Motors opposite of CD Enterprises? You think Colton will be mad?” I questioned.

“No, he supports your dreams. Same as me. Just be careful; some people can be vicious. And I did hear that Kash has a few women he deals with so make sure you don’t fall in deep,” Ry explained.

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