Ride Home To Me

Chapter 31

There's no way. She can't be here. I left her back in Florida along with all the bullshit that I've finally started to get past. Suddenly I'm jostled by Vince and my attention is turned back to the finish line just in time to see Letty pull ahead and win. I glance back at my car but she's disappeared, so I focus on my team.

Letty climbs out of the car being her usual loud and proud self, and I come up and hug her, whispering, "That's my girl."

"Damn right it is," she grins, before placing her hands on my face and kissing me in front of everybody. Butterflies explode in my stomach both from shyness at the extreme reaction from everyone here, but also just from the feeling of her lips against mine and her hands sliding around my neck. How it's been almost six months and she still manages to make me feel like that is beyond me. But regardless, we pull away and I grin at people as Letty smiles and hides her face in my neck. In a moment, though, the mood switches faster than lightning when we hear a voice break through the cheering.

"Yo we got cops on the way let's move!"

In less than a minute the crowd scatters and separates. Mia and Letty hop into one car, Vince takes Jessie, and Leon and I climb into our own rides. Before I slam the gas pedal, though, I see her again, standing in the middle of the crowd, looking confused and unsure. I grip the wheel, debating, and finally I groan in frustration before pulling up next to her and rolling the window down.

"Get in!" I yell. Before she's even closed the door all the way I floor the gas and we're off. I cut through small streets and avoid drivers on the main roads, all while my passenger is sitting next to me freaking out.

"What are you doing! Holy shit! You're gonna get us killed! Look out-!"

"Will you shut up and let me drive!"

Finally I see the lights behind me growing dim and the sound of sirens fades away. I pull into a parking garage to wait them out. As soon as I park I huff and cross my arms, turning to the girl next to me.

"I see you've never been in a drifting car. What the fuck are you doing all the way out here Nati?" I say, not bothering to hide the venom dripping from my voice.

"Could ask you the same. I thought your mom would've moved you guys to Maryland at the most, not fuckin' California."

"You know exactly why I'm here."

"Fair enough. It's good to see you again princesa."

I grit my teeth. "You don't get to call me that anymore. You gonna answer my question or what?"

She smiles at me. "I transferred, actually. USC baby." I scoff internally. Of course she's at a rich private school. "Hey how's your mom by the way? She miss me?"

My jaw tightens so much it hurts and my knuckles turn white on the wheel. "She passed away. Car accident." I look at my hands, refusing to cry in front of her. "A couple months ago."

Her smug smile softens. "Oh. I'm sorry."

A buzz from my phone catches my attention and I gladly look at my phone to see a new message from Letty pop up.

Letty: You good?

I sigh in relief and ignore the look I get from Natalia.

Gabi: Yeah I'm good. U?

I almost tell her who I've run into, but then decide against it. She's worrying enough about me as it is.

Letty: You know I got my own ass covered ;) There's a party out at Hector's, wanna go? If not we can just go back home.