Page 3 of The Walls of Levi

I wouldn’t know what that felt like. When Ron came into my life, I left my parents behind. I’m waiting for them to show up any day now, wanting a hand out. I’ve been waiting for several years really. Surprisingly it hasn’t happened yet. That doesn’t mean it won’t. They aren’t dead yet.

“Listen to your mom. I can tell she knows what’s best for you. When you do start racing, take it in small steps. For starters, just learn how to ride good.”

“Yes sir.” It’s never easy hearing anyone call me sir, but after all this time, I’ve learned to take it in stride. I am old to most of these kids after all.

He and his mom walk away and the next person in line steps up. I go through the motions of signing my name on everything that is thrown at me, but the boy, Chance, is never far from my mind.

I’ve been called a role model several times. Micah has tried to help me accept it. It took some time, but she’s shown me that people only see the good that I show them. I used to think that everyone could see the scars on my body from the monsters that are my biological parents, but they can’t. I know that, because I prevent anyone from seeing them. I never take my shirt off in public, and I’m always conscious of everything around me. I am good at keeping the terrible things hidden from those that I don’t want to show. It’s just part of my lifestyle. It’s who I am.

After several hours of signing, it’s time to get ready to race.

Chapter 2

Kathleen

“Come on Katie. Come out with us tonight. It won’t kill you. It’s not like you have anything else to do.”

I grimace at Charice’s words. I hate lying to the only friend I have, but she wouldn’t understand.

“Char, I just don’t feel like it.” I’m lying in the bed with the blankets pulled up to my neck and a wet rag on my forehead. I’m sweating like a pig, but I know I won’t for long. Charice will get tired of begging soon and be on her way.

“Ugh,” she groans before doing a spin in my room out of desperation.

“When I get to feeling better, I promise to go out and party with you all night long.”

“You promise?” her pleading face is so annoying, but she’s the only friend I have, so I put up with it.

“I promise,” I respond through clenched teeth. I hate partying. I despise it, but I make a point to go out with her every so often to keep her happy.

“Ok,” she says in a high-pitched voice that makes my ears scream. “I’m going to go so I can get a good parking spot at the house. If you get to feeling better, you know where to find me.”

“I know. I doubt this fever will go away tonight, though.” My overheated body, that is buried beneath too much cover, is agreeing with me at the moment.

“You, poor baby. If you need anything, text me.” After that, she bounces out of my room.

Yes. Bounces.

I hear the front door close, and her car start, before I throw the blankets off and take several deep breaths. God, I almost suffocated.

Standing up, I straighten my closes before going into my attached bathroom. I splash cold water on my neck, trying to cool my body down. I thought she would never leave.

Why would I go to a party with her, that Ineverwant to go to, when Levi James is racing in town?

I take a deep breath when his face crosses my mind. That man.

Before you go thinking that I only think he’s hot, let me explain.

He is hot.

But he also races like a dream.

I’ve secretly loved racing all my life. I’m not sure when it happened, but it started with cars. The beauty of a race car. A Chevelle. A Nova. A Mustang. Muscle cars. Antique cars. You name it, I probably love it.

The smell of the rubber when it’s burning.

The stench of gasoline in the air.

Grease when it’s all over the pavement.

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