He shoves in the clutch and slams on the gas as the light switches to green.
My body thrusts back into the seat.Lurching forward, he shifts to second in an instant, the engine purring like a damn tiger.It vibrates through the hood, into the passenger seat, and through my body.My fingers dig into the edge of the leather cushion.In goes the clutch again, followed by Ford jerking the stick shift into fourth, skipping the third gear entirely.Adrenaline rushes through my system as we peel ahead, taking advantage of the long, straight path in front of us.When we pass a bright red sports car, my neck threatens to snap from the view.
Holy crap, we’re hauling!
I grip the seatbelt strapped across my chest, holding on for dear life while simultaneously pulling a laugh from the man beside me.
“Grab the oh-shit handle,” he orders.
“The what?”
Moving his right hand from the gear shift between our seats, he reaches over the center console, tapping the handle above the door before settling back behind the steering wheel.Patient.Relaxed.Like we’re on a leisurely Sunday drive instead of hurtling toward our demise.“There’s a turn coming up,” he explains.“Grab it.”
A turn?At this speed?We’ll freaking die!
In goes his left leg again as he pushes the clutch, shifting into a lower gear and tapping the brakes to keep us from spinning out of control.
Holy crap!
Blindly, I reach up, fumbling for the oh-shit handle like my life depends on it while refusing to tear my attention from the road.I don’t know why.It’s not like I can do anything from the passenger seat, but I can’t help myself.We have to be going at least a hundred miles per hour, maybe more.Or at least, we were before Ford tapped his brakes to slow us down for the first turn.
“Only crashed twice, huh?”I choke out.My fingers squeeze the oh-shit handle with all my might as Ford takes the turn at what feels like top speed.I clench my butthole, my muscles turning to cement, and wait for the car to start rolling.It doesn’t.Heck, the tires never leave the blacktop.They don’t even squeal.
Okay.Okay.We’re okay.I’m not dead.We’re not dead.
I compel my lungs to release the pent-up oxygen as Ford picks up speed again.
We.Are.Flying!
My mouth lifts into a smile.Holy crap.Talk about an adrenaline rush.I lean my head against the headrest and try to soak up the moment.The rush.This is insane!And kind of amazing.
Ford must see my smile in his periphery because his smirk returns with a vengeance.“Told ya you’d like it.”
He’s right.I do.A lot.
He picks up speed again on the straightaway, shifting into sixth gear and catching up to a black car ahead.The tail lights glow in the dark abandoned airfield as the car eats up the distance separating us.We’re totally going to catch up.
“This is insane,” I murmur.
“It’s a high,” he agrees.“One you can’t get anywhere else.”
I glance over at Ford, surprised at the trust he’s already gained from moments ago when we shot off the starting line.This should be terrifying, but it isn’t.It’s…it’s one of the most exhilarating moments I’ve ever experienced.He’s in his element.One hand on the wheel, the other grasping the gear shift.Nothing but absolute joy painting his handsome features.Maybe it’s the moonlight filtering in through the windshield.Maybe it’s the image of the long-since faded mark his father left on him that still haunts me.Maybe it’s the music blaring from the stereo.I’m not sure, but all I know is that I'm pretty positive he’s never looked more carefree or less guarded.It's quite the sight.One I hope to remember for the rest of my life.
“Hold on,” he warns.“We’re coming up on another turn.”
I brace for the inevitable slam of the brakes, my grip on the oh-shit handle tightening once more.Just like before, the seatbelt pins me in place as we lurch forward.Ford shifts down, slipping between the inner edge of the ring and a black car.“Do me a favor,” he orders.
“What?”
“Roll down the window and give Rome the bird for me, will ya?”
My jaw drops.“That’s Roman?”
“Yeah, hurry!”
“You want me to flip him off?”I all but screech.
He checks his rearview mirror.“Hurry, or it’ll be too late!”
