Page 122 of Heartless Legacy

“My mother’s gonna freak out if she finds out I was here.”

“I wasn’t planning on telling your mom. Are you?”

“No, but someone might.” She looks around as if expecting this someone to pop out from between the cars.

“Doubtful. Anybody here that knows your mother is breaking the same law you are, and would be too embarrassed to rat you out because it would bring down their status if they’re caught socializing with the type of people who come here.”

“Good point.” She still looks nervous, but asks, “So, what do we do? Just stand around and watch?”

“We can, but we’re early, so I thought we’d take in the car line-up first. Look under a couple of hoods and try to figure out who’s got the best odds.” I say, leaning over the open hood of a Mustang.

A deep voice says, “I can answer that.” I look up to find Kaden standing behind me. I haven’t seen him since the league party.

“Let me guess, it’s you?”

“You tell me.” I feel LJ giving me pointed looks, so I make a quick introduction. “Kaden, do you know LJ?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t believe so.”

She glances at me, then says, “Actually, I think we went to camp together one year.” I hear what she doesn’t say. That he didn’t notice her because she didn’t fit in with the crowd he probably ran with.

“I’m sorry I don’t-” He steps closer. “Wait. I do remember you. It’s Layla-Jean, right? You did this little tap dance routine in a dress full of ruffles one year for the talent show.”

She looks adorably embarrassed. “I was seven, and my mom picked it out.”

“It was cute.”

I glance over at LJ and smirk, “That’s her. Cute little LJ.”

“LJ, huh?” He says, testing the name out on his tongue. “Do you like cars, LJ?”

“I don’t really know anything about cars.”

Kaden beams at her. “Then let me give you your first lesson.”

We follow him down the row past a few more vehicles and come to a stop in front of a Lancer that looks nothing like I remember. “Damn, Kaden. Is this her?”

“It is.” He pulls a rag out of his pocket and rubs it across the fender, buffing out imaginary spots.

“She’s gorgeous.” I pull the door open to look inside. “You should let me take her for a spin.”

“I’ll take you for a drive, but you’re not getting behind the wheel of this baby. Ever.”

LJ mutters, “Oh god.”When I ask, “Care to place a wager on it?”

She tugs me away from Kaden, flashing him an apologetic smile. “Are you here to watch the races or find cars to go joyriding in?”

I turn, getting one last look at the Lancer. “Can’t it be both?”

“With you? Yes, itcanbe. But should it be?”

“Yes.” I answer without hesitation.

“No, Thea. It shouldn’t. I don’t want you going back to jail, and you shouldn’t want to go back.”

“I don’t. I want my freedom, but it doesn’t hurt to think about test driving these beauties. Some people fantasize about cabanas and margaritas. I dream about fast cars, knife wielding, and base jumping.” Admittedly, those are things I haven’t dreamt of in far too long. I’m taking risks doing the league challenges, but it’s my personal side missions when I feel more like myself.

We walk a few more rows of cars, then they announce the first qualifying race is about to start. “We won’t be able to see anything from here.” LJ says, sounding a little disappointed. I bite back a smirk. The energy at the race is infectious. I knew she’d like it here.

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