Page 41 of Crash Course Omega
It’s the same as when we kissed. I don’t have to be anyone here. I’m not Harmony, or Reggie Grace's daughter, or even a female omega. I’m just a person listening to Jaxx talking nonsense over the mic to try to keep me relaxed as we speed off at nearly 200kmph.
I’m gaining on him, even if he’s slowing down just to humor me, I don’t care. It’s the thrill of the hunt, of getting to the top of the pack, even if it’s just one overtake.
We speed together, going through laps two and three, learning each other’s styles and rhythms to make it easier to drive together. I’ve watched enough of his races to know that he loses his position easily on corners, but he always gains it back on the straights. And that makes it easier to catch up to him and race with him on an even footing.
As we push into our third lap, it’s time for me to take control.
“I hope that ass is ready for me,” I growl at Jaxx.
“I’m still here, Harmony,” Jacob says dryly, but I just laugh.
It’s been so long since I’ve had this much fun. I won’t let my brother spoil it.
We fly down the first straight under the starting lights, and the moment we hit that sharp corner, I take my chance.
My tires screech as I brake late and hard, flying into the corner, taking it tight enough to overtake him, and speed off into the straight.
“Fuck, that was hot. You need to over-take more often. But it’s not going to work, sweetheart,” he purrs.
“Could you two stop flirting and just focus on the track?” Jacob asks. I can basically feel his glare through my earphones.
There’s silence from both of us, but I can tell Jaxx is grinning just as hard as I am.
I start playing with the steering wheel, weaving in wide left-to-right curves like we were stuck behind a safety car, just so Jaxx can’t get past me. I might like my speed, but I also like seeing him trying to get one up on me.
Now that I’m more used to the car, it’s time to play.
Jaxx and I race for four more laps, taking each other over, driving side-by-side, poking fun over the radio.
And the rest of the world disappears as I lose myself in the race.
My body is so lit up that perfume is streaming from me. I can’t stop it. The combination of the powerful engine and Jaxx’s voice in my ear is making me so hot that it's only the suit that stops my slick from spreading over the seat of my shiny new car.
But after everything that has happened since the Ross incident, it is amazing to have this kind of freedom.
“Okay, sweetheart, we’re going to box you. You still remember how to do a pit stop?”
“Unless there’s been any kind of change, I’m all good.”
“Don’t worry, Everest will take care of you.”
“I’m sure he will,” I murmur, remembering so vividly the way his huge hands covered my chest. If I hadn’t stopped him, he would have torn my bra off. And maybe I should have let him.
He probably only remembers me as the person who annoyed him in the mornings and spilled coffee over myself, but I am suddenly nervous again.
Because I am about to speed into the pits where my scent match waits for me, while covered in slick and perfume.
Everest
I take the side jack this time. As the Chief Mechanic, I usually stand back, count the pit time, and approve the car release by pressing the button that lights up a green light that tells the driver they can go.
Everything has to be completely precise and on point. If we do over three seconds, we can cost our driver too many places and essentially ruin the race.
If we do under two seconds, Maddock and Jaxx can keep up their stride.
That’s why we practice. Day in, day out, for weeks on end. All we do is dismantle and put together the cars as quickly as possible.
Wheels are the most important, but we also have four jacks. One at the front and back, which hoist up the car, and two people in the center on either side who raise the car by hand and hold it steady.
