Page 107 of Fast

Just when I think that my curiosity will remain unsatisfied, a bright light shines inside the building. More than one, actually.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I see in there. I knew that whatever they came here to do, it must not have been above board. All this secrecy and the desolate location make that obvious.

Five motorcycles are lined up in the empty hangar style building.

I can’t hear exactly what’s being said in there, but I catch something about this being an initiation task. The pledges will have to race down the abandoned road that must go into the periphery of Star Cove.

There’s some debate about it, but eventually, the bikes and a few wireless lights are dragged outside.

There’s no way in hell I’m going to miss whatever this is. However, I don’t dare get too close. I observe everything hiding behind the side of the building closest to the makeshift racetrack.

I do my best to stay out of sight and keep my face hidden by my hood. Not only would a girl out here in the woods stick out like a sore thumb, but like Heather noticed earlier, the back of my hoodie saysStar Cove Sheriff Departmentin bold, white letters. I’m pretty sure this is the last thing the Gammas want to see right now.

Chapter 24

Outlaws

LEV

“Pledges,” the Gamma president opens his arms to encompass the motorcycles hidden in the dilapidated hangar. “Your initiation task is to race to the finish line that two of our brothers set out further down this road. As you know, the race will be filmed. A copy of your initiation video will be sent to our central chapter, and stored there until your graduation. It’s an insurance policy, as you all know, to ensure your undying loyalty to the Gamma brotherhood. To pass your initiation, you must get to the finish line without stopping or falling off your bikes. We’re going to have two heats. Five racers will compete each time. Tucker here will be keeping times to make up the final rankings.”

Murmurs of excitement sound around us. By the brothers’ reaction, I assume that most of them didn’t know what our initiation would be.

“There are two things you need to know,” Dave adds. “First off, the two racers who end last are out. But the pledge with the fastest time, gets one of the three rooms with an en-suite bathroom on the top floor. An honor normally reserved to seniors, or to members of our executive board.”

“No.” Chance’s fists are clenched to his sides, his jaw ticking so hard, I’m surprised his teeth aren’t shattered.

Dave barks out a laugh. “What do you mean, no, pledge?”

“What I mean is,” Chance bites out. “You need to find some other initiation task. Motorcycles are illegal within city limits. I don’t know where you even got these bikes, but if someone reported them, we’d all get arrested.”

My best friend is correct, but I doubt he gets the reaction he expected from our frat president.

“I’m well aware of the town’s laws, pledge.” Dave rebukes him. “But you’re a legacy, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that initiation tasks are supposed to be challenging.”

That was the wrong thing to say. “Challenging, yes. But this is fucking illegal. If we’re caught?—”

Dave’s lips curl into a sardonic smile. “We’re all sworn to secrecy, and we took precautions. No one knows about this place and that we have bikes in here. So the only way we’re gonna get caught is if you go and tell your daddy. And even then, would the mayor arrest his own son? I doubt it. The way I see it, you’re our insurance policy.”

Chance shakes his head. “You don’t know my father. If this gets out…”

Dave cuts him off. “Then make sure you don’t snitch to your daddy, pledge. Now, Tuck has some helmets for you and the names of who races in the first heat, and who goes second.”

The hockey team goalie, Tucker Prescott, steps next to the president, reading from his phone. “First heat: Levin Reilly, Chance Hunter, Josh Everton, Oliver Jackson, and Winston Warren.”

One of the other guys, Josh, objects. “Hold on a second, that’s unfair. These two,” he says, pointing at me and Chance. “Have racing experience. It’s hardly fair to put us against them.”

Dave rubs his chin, considering Josh’s words. “Hmm, that’s true. We could either have them race separately, or give them a handicap to even the field. What do you think, Tuck?”

I intervene. “I think you should find me and Chance another initiation challenge. Josh is right. Racing against us wouldn’t be fair.”

The Gamma president’s smile widens. “What’s up, Reilly? Are you scared you’re going to be embarrassed by a few noobs? This should be a walk in the park for you and Hunter, and yet you’re the only ones who are whining like two little bitches. You better not be like this on the ice too, or Coach will make sure you never get any ice time during games.”

I’m not scared. I’m actually surprised by how much I’m looking forward to feeling the power of a motorcycle between my legs. Even if the bikes they got are average models, nothing like what we used to race. My worry is of the consequences if we do get caught breaking the law, and for Chance. He’s looking at those motorcycles as if he were about to be sick.

“This is not about fear,” I say, fighting to keep my tone calm and collected. “Chance is right that if we got caught, we would be in a very tough position. Him especially. The motorcycle ban is strictly enforced in town. And we haven’t been on a bike for over two years, since…”

I can’t bring myself to say it, but I don’t need to. Everyone here knows.

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