Page 54 of Rear View
“My cousin Earl owns the place. He also owns the team.” Castillo glanced down, then back up. “I talked to him about giving you an opportunity to drive.”
My head cocked, ’cause there was no way I’d heard him right. “Driverally?”
A sharp nod. “That chase was blasted all over the news. Most of the country saw it. Including Earl.” He laughed, dry and even. “You had half the EPD on your ass that night. And till the day I die, I’ll never believe you didn’tletthem catch you.” He shook his head. “You’re good, Xavier. Earl knows it. And he’s willing to give you a shot.”
What the hell?My stomach knotted. The good kind of knot, one that felt a bit too much like hope. I tapped a finger over my pant leg. I’d been a minor when everything went down, so the media couldn’t broadcast my face or name. I bit the side of my tongue and tugged my orange jumpsuit. “He know about my situation?”
“He knows everything.”
I hadn’t looked past the end of my bars since I’d been tossed inside them. One day at a time. That’s how I did prison. Looking further was a good way to lose your mind. Yeah, there was a countdown on my clock there, but I needed to stay focused. Watch my back. Survive.
The thick muscles of my chest and arms bunched when I rolled my shoulders. “I don’t get it.” My stare met his. “Why?”
“In the seventeen years I’ve done this job, I can count on one finger the number of cases I regret bringing forward. I’ve seen what places like this do to people, Xavier. I don’t want you to become your father or get lost in the system. I can’t play a part in that.” He tapped the pocketwith my brother’s note in it. “It’s a chance forthis. Take it. Please.”
I stared at him. If anyone’d asked how I thought my day would go down, Castillo showing up like a guidance counselor with a career plan would’ve never made the list. We might’ve started on the wrong foot, but I wasn’t an idiot. I knew a good thing when it bit me in the ass. For the first time since I’d stepped into juvie, I imagined my life after. My hand flexed like I was gripping the steering wheel. I wanted it.
Wanted itbad.
My nod was tight as I thumped the side of my fist against the counter, trying to hold back my excitement. “I’ll do it.”
The tension pulling Castillo’s expression eased. “Earl will set you up with what you need when you’re out. The training, car, co-driver. Everything.”
A co-driver. A quick thinker I’d need to trust with my life. No question who that was. I didn’t know what he was up to, but the guy was my best friend, so I knew he’d drop whatever it was for this. Plus, I owed him. He’d say different, seeing as I was the one locked up, but I had to live with myself. And a debt needed to be paid. “Nah. Tell Earl I’ve got the co-driver.”
“You’ve got one?” Castillo’s gaze narrowed, knowing. “Anyone I might know?”
I popped a taunting shoulder. “You might.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Who should I tell him?”
A smirk twisted my face as I leaned back in my seat, giving it my weight. “Alec Hawkins.”
Castillo’s heavy laugh carried across the line. “I’ll pass it along.”
I rolled my neck, shaking the memory and my uncle Derek off. I wouldn’t let the prick get under my skin. Clicking his message, I deleted it, then blocked him just as a response from Miles pinged through.
Thank Christ!
Miles: Hey, man! How’s it going? Ready for tomorrow? I shot your message over to Ry. I wondered what was up with her.
My throat tightened.
Me: She alright?
Miles: She’s been off this week. I thought it might’ve been something else, but I get it now.
Something else? Something specific? Someonespecific? Fuck. I hated the idea she’d felt some kinda way. Even more that I’d caused it.
Me: I’m using Alec’s phone. Would’ve tried calling your sister but couldn’t remember her digits.
Miles: Wouldn’t have mattered. Ry won’t answer numbers she doesn’t know, anyway.
Made sense. Still, my dream girl’s security walls were straight-up killin’ me.
Another message popped up.
Miles: Just heard back from her.
