Chapter 55

FIFTY-FIVE

I think it's too soon, but Evan insists it's time.

The school reopened two days ago after shutting down for the investigation and damage, and Evan and Alice haven't been back yet, but they insist on going today.

"Alek." Evan sighs as I block the door to the car I borrowed from Sky, since mine needs to be fixed. "It's time. I can't hide at home forever, and as much as we would both enjoy it?—"

"Disgusting." Alice coughs, making us both smile. She moved out the other day, but like she promised, she came back for breakfast and let me look after her, just a little.

"It's time. This place doesn't scare me, and I refuse to let him ruin the happy memories I've made here. I need to get back to normal." He steps past me and takes my hand. "But how about you walk me to class?"

"Oh, walking the rich boy to class, I've never done that before. Fine." Shutting the door, I grab his bag and throw it over my shoulder, ignoring his sigh and pointed look at my side where I was stabbed. Honestly, it twinges every now and then, but it's a good kind of pain because it reminds me I'm still alive.

We walk toward the building, and everything looks like it's back to the way it was, like nothing happened, and I know Evan and Alice feel it as they stare up at the doors we ran through a week ago, scared and chased.

"It's all the same," Evan whispers before rolling his shoulders back. Pride fills me at his courage as he leads me up and inside to the very hallway where his friend died. His strength staggers me, and I know I need to be equally as strong for him. He lost someone important. You don't just get over that, and he might be acting unaffected, but I know he's hurting, and I'll be right here for him the entire time.

There's a crowd down the hallway, though, and Evan hesitates. "What?" He tugs me after him when I try to stop, but when I see Lally, I nod, and we push through.

Evan gasps, his eyes filling with tears as we stare at the wall. Tommy's blood and body are gone, but in their place is a permanent reminder—a good one.

His name is scrawled in graffiti, alongside skateboards, flowers, and paint splatter, with candles and flowers placed before it. I wasn't sure if it was going to be ready in time, but when Lally reached out about it, I knew I wanted to help in some way. I did the art, but she did everything else, and as I stare into Evan's eyes, I know it was worth sneaking out during the night.

"Do you like it? Lally told me his favorite colors—" I'm cut off as he jumps into my arms, and I catch him.

"I love it," he mumbles. "Thank you."

"I've got you, pretty boy. You aren't alone, remember? This way, when you come here, it will be a place to remember him, not just that night. We are turning the bad into good, aren't we?"

He nods as he pulls away, then he pulls Lally into a hug, all of us looking back at the memorial for the man who saved my love's life.

I pull the flowers from my bag and place them before the candles. "I didn't get to say thank you, Tommy, for saving him that night. I couldn't live without him. I would have died right alongside him. I know you did it because you loved Evan, but I wanted to thank you, and I promise I won't let him blame himself. I'll try to keep him in check as much as he lets anyone." I crack a smile as I straighten some of the candles and pictures. "Thank you for being his family."

Stepping back, I take Evan's hand, and a while after everyone else has headed to class, we stand there until I drop his bag at his feet, kiss his cheek, and retreat, letting him stand with Lally and talk to Tommy.

When he's done, I walk him to class. Ignoring the calls and whistles, I kiss him goodbye and promise to pick him up after.

It's hard to walk away and leave him alone, but I manage it.

I hate being away from him for this long. I've gotten used to being at his side twenty-four seven and knowing he's okay. Maybe I'm clingy, but I don't care. I check my phone for the tenth time in the last two minutes. He hasn't replied to my latest text, which might have been the twentieth this hour, but still.

"Will you chill out?" Sky calls, sprawled out on my couch, watching TV as I work on my car. I don't know why he followed me here. I have a sneaking suspicion Evan asked him to, but he's wearing out his welcome. I only like having Evan in my space.

"He didn't reply," I tell him.

"So whipped," he retorts. "He's fine. He's at school. Focus on fixing your baby so I can have my car back."

"Shouldn't you be practicing?" I counter as I wipe my hands. It will take me a couple of weeks to fix it up for good, but it will be better than new. I understand cars better than I ever understood people, but luckily my boyfriend doesn't seem to care, and neither does the little family I seem to have adopted—including this lazy asshole eating all my snacks.

He reaches for a packet, and I snatch it away as he raises his eyebrows. "They are Evan's favorite. Eat something else."

"Whipped." He nods. "What's the point in practicing? There aren't any good competitors."

I frown as he sighs and looks away. "I'm tired of street racing. I guess it lost its thrill after . . . Anyway, someone like me will never become a real racer. We both know that."

"So what, you're just giving up?" I scoff.

He shrugs. "Maybe, but I did put in a good word for you."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I saw some ads for experienced mechanics and submitted your information." My eyes widen, and he grins. "Before you get mad, Evan helped. He knew you wouldn't do it alone. Hell, even your boss, that scary?—"

"Whistler," I add.

"Yeah, him, he helped. He actually said, ‘Good, take the grumpy asshole. He's better than this stinking job anyway.'" He arches his eyebrow. "Evan seems to think that means he likes you. You wanted a garage of your own, and you'll get there someday, but for now . . ." He shrugs. "Something new can't hurt."

"Like anyone will want me. I have no qualifications," I mutter as I head over to my car.

"But would you try if you were offered something?" he asks.

"Maybe," I admit. "I guess I was a little stagnant before. I love racing and working at the garage, but something different might be good."

Then, as if fate intervenes, my phone rings. I grab it, expecting Evan, but it's a number I don't recognize, and Sky grins like he knows something I don't. Flipping him off, I answer with a gruff, "Yes?"

"Um, yes, hi, is this Alek Anders?"

"Who's asking?" I mutter as I stare into the engine. Something is out of place, but I can't figure out what.

"It's Noah from Starfire Racing. You submitted an application for the head of our garage last week. We would be thrilled to offer you an interview. We have seen your work, and after speaking to your boss and some connections in the industry, we think you would be a great fit."

"Me?" I gape, pulling my phone away. "Is this a joke?"

"Um, no?" Noah replies.

"I'm a brute," I say. "I have no qualifications?—"

"So? Neither do I," Noah says, "yet here I am, running a racing team. Interview is tomorrow at eleven. I hope to see you. Qualifications or not, Alek Anders, we want you."

He hangs up, and I'm left staring at my phone in shock.

Interview? Me?

Starfire?

What the fuck?

"You've got this," Evan says, straightening my jacket. I refuse to wear a suit, but I did put on my clean boots and nice pants and shirt. I just happened to add my leather jacket. Either they hire me as I am or not at all. I'm not changing who I am for anyone, not even a job—even if it is with the most renowned racing team around.

They are at the top of the industry, which makes me that much more suspicious. Why would they want me? They could have their pick of mechanics.

Their base is a large, white-brick garage with two open doors, rock music blasting from inside. One of their smaller tracks is to my left, the bigger one spread out behind them just outside of Pine Valley.

It's the team Skylar always wanted to race for, and I hate that I'm here and he isn't, but he wished me luck this morning and told me not to be a total prick and to impress them. Alice cooked me breakfast, and Evan drove me here. All of them are supporting me, so even if I wanted to chicken out, I can't. I owe it to them to discover if I want it. It isn't something I had ever thought of before, but I can admit it's a great opportunity.

Being their mechanic would allow me to do what I love and be in charge of a garage. I try not to get my hopes up too much though.

Evan pats my chest, bringing my eyes back to him. "Knock them dead. Just try not to glare at everyone, okay?"

"I'll try," I reply before stealing a kiss. "Be back soon. "

He nods, leaning back against my car as I head to the open door two minutes before eleven.

The inside of the garage is exactly what I expected. Race cars are everywhere, and there are even some of their older models and their champion car on display. Photos cover the walls, as does their logo. Mechanics and techs bustle between cars as I head through to the back where there's a partial wall. Around it, I find a table and chairs and doors beyond that lead to locker rooms and offices.

There aren't any racers about or anyone else, so I hesitate until a voice sounds behind me. "So you came." I turn to find a middle-aged man grinning at me. He is lithe, with blond hair and mismatched eyes. He's wearing overalls tied at his waist, revealing an oil-stained tank underneath. "You must be Alek, right? I'm?—"

"Noah Fletcher," I finish for him, and he grins. "I used to watch you race when I was a kid."

"Ouch, now I feel old." He laughs, shaking my hand. "I'm in charge of the team now. Come, let me walk you through the garage." I fall into step at his side as he shows me around.

"That's Mackie's car." He nods at a vehicle on jacks, the engine roaring as they test it. "That's Whip's car. We do all our own tuning and tech here. We are a tight-knit family. Our old head of the garage left to help take care of his youngest daughter who's going through chemo. He was actually the one who suggested you. We like to keep our eye on talent, and it seems he did too."

I look around at the magnitude of the garage. "I'm used to working in a tiny garage filled with nude magazines," I admit. "I don't have qualifications for this, like I mentioned. I just like cars, that's all."

"We want talent. We want drive and attitude. I don't need qualifications. I can teach everything else," he murmurs. "Honestly, I saw you race a couple of times, and I would have hired you for that, but I have a feeling you prefer to be in front of the engine rather than driving it. Am I right?"

I nod, and he smiles. "The job is yours." My eyes widen, and he laughs. "Seeing you was a formality. I like to look a person in their eyes before I bring them on, but I knew it was going to be you anyway . . . if you want it?"

What do I want?

Evan's voice fills my head, daring me to dream.

"I want it."

"Good, then welcome to Starfire Racing, Alek Anders. I can't wait to see what you're capable of."

Neither can I.