Page 64 of Race to Me

His boots scuff against the floor as he walks away.

When I feel like enough time has passed, I grab the phone. When I unlock it, there’s a picture of Foster staring back at me. He changed the background, and it almost makes me text him ... almost.

∞∞∞

I stay in bed for most of the day, sulking and trying to find out what I’m going to do with my life. I’m going insane in this tiny dorm.

I need a place to think. Somewhere quiet.

Kate comes back when the sun sets, dangling a set of keys in her hand, surprised to still find me in bed.

She pushes about what’s going on with me, but I tell her I’m fine. I’m going to talk to her soon—I am. I just don’t want to right now. It doesn’t take much convincing until she hands me her mom’s keys and I climb into the car for a long drive to clear my head.

But I don’t get far. I find myself pulling over on the side of a desolate road, a familiar tree my destination.

I step out and breathe in the salty air for a moment to clear my mind.

When I walk to the tree, our tree, I hear the mellow strumming of guitar strings.

I’m surprised to find Foster already sitting there on one of the branches. His feet dangle while an acoustic guitar sits in his lap.His body is facing the tree, away from me. I nearly turn around, but I don’t. I can’t.

Foster doesn’t turn when I walk up. He simply says, “Hey, Freckles.”

“I didn’t know you would be here.” I reply quietly. The more I close the gap between us, the more butterflies flap around in my stomach.

I sit on the ground, leaning my back against the wide trunk. He follows, turning to rest his back as well. I look at his face. The sliver of moonlight illuminates his features, casting long streaks down his angled cheeks.

He’s been crying.

Breathlessly, I cup his chin in my hands and turn him to face me. “I’m so fucking sorry.” he whispers, his voice taut with regret.

I don’t know what to say, and I can’t take much more of the broken look on his face, but I at least deserve an explanation. The distant sounds of waves calm me, giving me a little strength to not dive into his arms. “Why was it even a choice, Foster?”

He looks at me so intently that I flush crimson under his gaze. “Skyler, it was never a choice. Ever. I truly had no other option, I swear to you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s the crew,” He shrugs. “Our rules are simple but absolute.”

“Like a motorcycle gang?” I ask, and he laughs.

“It’s not like the cheesy gangs you see in movies. We’re a family, and once you’re in you can’t be turned away. We ride together, race together, and go through life together. Envy was a part of that.”

“Was?” I ask, trying to hide my happiness when he smirks.

“Yeah, she’s out. The house voted to remove her. Between drugging me and what she did to Kate—and you, and her bullshit antics, she won’t be coming back.”

“Oh,” I respond, feeling a hint of guilt. But it’s immediately gone when I remember she put herself in that situation.

Foster frowns. “I know it’s dumb, but it’s how we run as a family. It’s also why Callum is still there after he pulled that shit with you.” He balls his fist but calms when I place my hand over his.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” I ask.

“I didn’t have a chance. You bolted.” He looks at me intently. “You never have to run from me. Ever.”

“I just don’t want to be the second choice.” I say quietly.

A dimpled smirk spreads over his face. “There is no fucking choice when it comes to you, Sky.”

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