Page 16 of Need for Speed

He sighs while scrubbing his hands over his face. “Brendon had a fake ID made for me as a gag gift for my last birthday. I’ve never used it before and never planned on it. It was a rash decision.”

I don’t know what I feel right now. I’m relieved that he’s never bought any before but angry that he even has a fake ID. “Well, as soon as we get home you are giving me that fake ID.”

“Yes ma’am.” We drive home in a comfortable quiet. Jovi gives me the ID as soon as we get home. I cut it up and toss it in the trash. Jovi gets back to his chores around the house and Axell is at work, so I decide to start packing. Tomorrow is Ace and Kynlee’s wedding, and I’ll be leaving the following morning. Between now and then I have to find a way to tell Axell everything and hope he still loves me.

****

Axell

When Jovi left to go have lunch with Sadie, I decided to go check on things at the shop and JamesTown. After his stunt last night, I needed a break. It wasn’t even the stunt it was his attitude about the stunt, like we were supposed to just be okay with it. I know he is probably going through a hard time right now with trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life.

Ace and Jovi were the only two that really had a choice to make when graduating high school. The moment our mother passed away I knew my fate was sealed. I knew I was going to have to step up and finish raising my brothers. We all had college funds at one time but when mom came down sick and the insurance wouldn’t cover treatments, Bowie, Jagger, and I quickly decided college wasn’t something we needed. I also figured that if we all put a portion of our race winnings into an account we could have enough for Ace and Jovi to go to college. Luckily, we were able to get their accounts set up and enough money for their schooling if they decided they wanted to go.

I can’t pretend to understand having to make a life changing decision. The closest decision I’ve made that was life changing was picking Sadie over racing. At the time it seemed like a no brainer for me. I gave up something I loved for something I loved more. It didn’t seem so life changing when I made thedecision, but now that I look back, I guess it was life changing. I picked a path, one that I wouldn’t change for anything.

Tomorrow Ace is getting married, his second life changing decision he’s making. Sadie will leave for South Carolina the following morning. That’s going to be a huge adjustment. We’ve never been apart for long periods since graduating high school. Not having her around to come home to is going to be the oddest part. I know she needs to go. She needs to make amends with her mother and she needs this time for closure. Also, I don’t doubt her mother needs the help and having a nurse like Sadie around definitely couldn’t hurt.

It’s funny, things seemed so calm and in order of just a few months ago and now it seems like everything is spinning at super speed. Jovi graduating and his antics, Sadie leaving for who knows how long, Ace getting married. Maybe, things will simmer back down once everything is taken care of. I just hope that Jovi doesn’t act up too much while Sadie is away. I’ve never been very good with certain parts of parenting. Sadie always wants to get to the bottom of everything. She always asks the questions of why they are acting the way they are. Not me, nope, my initial reaction is to go hard ass drill sergeant on them. That was our dad’s way and I guess it’s mine too. It’s even more difficult when it’s Jovi. He’s always been the one to walk the line and make good decisions. He’s never been like the rest of us, so it has allowed me to expect more from him.

That’s the problem with expectations; when the person falls short the disappointment is suffocating. I’ve learned to expect disappointment but not when it comes to Jovi or Sadie. I’m so lost in thoughts that I don’t hear Ralph, one of the mechanics, holler for me. When I look up it’s like seeing a ghost from my past. He’s slightly taller and a lot broader with tattoos peeking out from under his sleeves but his smile still has the boyish charm to it. “James!” he calls out to me.

“Tillman?”

He nods, “I heard this was your place a few months ago and I had to check it out.”

“Well, I’ll be damned,” I tell him. “If you weren’t the last person I expected to see walk into my shop. You want to grab a drink next door and catch up?”

“Hell yeah!”

We make our way through the hallway that connects both buildings. We grab a couple of stools and order from Farrah. “So, how’d you end up in L.A.?”

“Well, I was racing a few nights ago and my girl knew a guy there said he was from here. I mentioned you and come to find out he’s best friends with your brother and she’s an ex of yours,” he explains.

“I’m guessing Jaxx as the guy but I’m not sure what girl you’re talking about. I’ve never actually had a girlfriend aside from Sadie.”

“Jemma and she didn’t really say ex. She said you guys used to date,” Tillman comments.

I chuckle. “Yeah, we dated when we needed a date for something but nothing serious.” Tillman shakes his head. “What?”

“Man, I thought you were dead when you disappeared on us.”

“Dead?” I say with a laugh. “Really, you thought I was dead?”

“Well, you just disappeared, no comment, never to be seen again, what the hell was I supposed to think?” he asks.

I shrug, “I’m sorry. It was just after we talked, and you told me about you and that girl, I kept thinking about Sadie. I knew I had to make a choice and honestly, hearing you talk made it an easy choice for me.”

Tillman smiles. “So, you got her back?”

I hold up my hand to show him my wedding ring. “Yep, I got her back and I’m never letting her go again.”

“Damn, you’re married?”

“Yeah, just recently actually, but we’ve been together since I talked to you. That night actually,” I tell him.

“Okay, this I gotta hear,” Tillman says while rubbing his hands together.

I let my mind drift back to that memory.

---