“Hey, London. How are you?”
I stand back up and see a man walking our way with a couple other guys trailing behind him. They’re wearing shirts with the words Tyler Motorsportsacross the chest.
Dash gives me an encouraging smile before asking, “Do they look familiar to you?”
The two guys behind the one who spoke don’t. But as for the other guy, something about him does. I have no clue why and I can’t explain it, so for now, I keep it to myself.
“Uh, no. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. This is Dillan, Troy, and Jackson,” Dash says.
“They’re part of Lennon’s pit crew. Oh, and Jackson races for Tyler Motorsports too,” he adds.
Jackson crosses his arms and smiles. “I’m probably his best racer. Aside from Lennon, of course.”
“Of course,” I say with a hint of sarcasm.
Jackson studies me like I’m a specimen under a microscope. He’s sizing me up like I’m his competition. Does he think I’m going to slide into Lennon’s shoes, or better yet, slide into the driver’s seat of her car and take Dad’s number one spot at Tyler Motorsports again?
Troy and Dillan excuse themselves to get back to work after exchanging a few words with us. Things like condolences and well-wishes.
Dash follows them and says something before shaking their hands.
Jackson is still beside me. “We were good friends, you know.”
“Who? Us?” I ask.
“All of us. I grew up with you and Lennon. And even Dash.”
“Is that so?” I ask.
“Yeah. There isn’t a childhood memory I have that doesn’t include you two.”
“I’m sorry. My memory is…”
I don’t know what else to say, so I stop mid-sentence, feeling both frustrated and ashamed.
He smiles. “It’s okay. I know you have amnesia from the accident. Has anything started to surface at all about it?”
I shake my head. “No. Not yet. Maybe not ever.”
He reaches out to rub my right arm. “Sorry. Let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
“I have a new phone. Would I have had your number?” I ask.
“Yeah, you had it. If you want, I can program my number in your new phone,” he offers.
“Oh, sure,” I answer as I pull my phone from my pocket and give it to him.
“I texted my number from yours, so I have your number too. I added Troy’s and Dillan’s numbers as well. Good luck, London. I’ll be around. Don’t be a stranger.”
I accept my phone back from his outstretched palm, and I can’t shake the feeling I should know him. But I guess it’s because we grew up together like he said. It sounds like he’s been in our lives for a long time.
He steps backward taking one last look at me before he turns and walks away.
Dash is back beside me and the garage is empty again. The breeze from outside blows in and caresses my skin gently.
“Anything?” he asks.
