Page 39 of Ride

“Mr. and Mrs. Roxbury, I’m glad you could come today.”

“Thank you for having us. My husband is a big fan of the sport along with our grandson.” The older Black couple motioned to a kid, probably no more than fourteen, sitting in a chair, wearing a hat and jacket with my number and name across the side.

“What’s up, young man? How old are you?” I walked around the table holding out my fist to dap him up.

Their grandson took out his phone, snapping pictures. “You’re Laikin Trenton?”

“I am… and your name?”

“Uh… what’s my name again, Grandma?” Marlon held a perplexed frown. The entire room erupted in laughter at him.

“Marlon, his name is Marlon and normally he would talk you to death,” Mrs. Roxbury joked, and removed her shades from her eyes.

“Yes, Marlon. I am really standing with Laikin, the star driver of Pierce Motors,” Mr. Roxbury boasted.

Marlon ecstatically lunged forward with his arms around me for a hug. I chuckled, patting his back. Normally, I liked to keep boundaries with fans, but he was a kid and excited.

“Okay, Marlon, let the man go so we can start the tour,” Mr. Roxbury remarked.

Marlon released me, and I gently shook his shoulder to calm him down.

“You’re good kid, chill. I'm normal like you.”

Marlon stood in awe. “Seriously?”

“Laikin, time to go.” Malik rushed the meeting and escorted everyone to follow me out as security held the elevator doors.

The revving of the engines pulled everyone’s attention to car #34 in the lineup, driven by Ledger Holloway. He'd signed on with the team a few months back. He already had endorsements and companies wanting to recruit him, but he loved being at Pierce Motors because we treated him like family. I strolled to the crowd surrounding him and held a hand up for Marlon and the rest to stay to the side of me to keep safe. Ledger hopped out with his helmet and gloves on. There was a camaraderie at Pierce Motors; some of us got together, kicking it outside of driving, which was where Ledger opened up to me about being new in the industry and the downside of fame. With Sarai taking him under her wings, he was welcomed with open arms and genuine support. The tight-knit community, the trust, and respect they showed him made Pierce Motors the perfect fit for Ledger. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw me.

“Motherfucking Laikin Trenton, tonight is the night.” Ledger's green eyes peered over my shoulder. I followed the line of contact to Amena. He knew she was off-limits from the moment I told him I picked her up from the highway and she was permanently back in town.

“Eyes up here, asshole.” I held two fingers up in front of my eyes and gestured from me to him.

He chuckled and slapped his hands, giving me a one arm hug. “Off-limits, I gotcha… but introduce me, because she is fine.” Ledger wiggled a hand at her.

Amena simpered like something was funny, and I wanted to choke him and slap her on the ass for thinking it was cute to flirt in front of me. My chest tightened with a mix of jealousy and possessiveness as I watched Ledger's eyes linger on Amena.

Being that she’s not my girl, I shook those thoughts away. “Ledger, this is Mr. and Mrs. Roxbury, and their grandson, Marlon. You remember me telling you about Amena and her son, Kayne?”

Ledger cupped Mrs. Roxbury’s hand to kiss the back of it, then took Amena’s hand, kissing both of her cheeks. Amena grinned, and I yanked her hand away. Everyone laughed.

“Stop playing, bro.”

Ledger’s hands raised in mock surrender. “I can't have new friends?”

As I waved my thumb toward Amena, I said, “Not this one.”

“Stop being rude, Laikin,” Amena hissed, making my blood boil.

“Laikin, time to get dressed!” one of the pit crew members named Assah yelled out, and I nodded.

“Marlon, come check out the car really quick before the show starts.” I directed him and Kayne over to Ledger’s car.

“This is so cool.” Marlon poked his hand inside and touched the steering wheel.

“Nonstop rush and remember if you ever want to get involved in this industry, you have to practice and learn. Put in the hours like the rest of us on the field.”

I peered up at the crowd of people walking to their seats, as more cars came out to line up.

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