Loving the Buster//Brian O'Conner

Six

Dom took me out of California and we went our separate ways.

With Dom headed for Central America I found my way down to Miami. My friend Suki has a crew of her own down here. It's an all girl group and I wish we had one like it back home. Suki introduced me to Tej her on again off again boo who referees the street races down here and to Jimmy a mechanic and car tuner who helped me get a new car when I got down here. My car got left in LA so I needed a new one. I found a blue Dodge Viper SRT-10. Jimmy and I have been fixing it up to my standards. I had Suki make me some sick decals.

I won my race tonight so we're celebrating at Tej's garage. Tej's is the place to be if you're in the racing scene in Miami. People are always coming and going and it's usually a good time.

"Cruz!"

I turn and see Tej walking towards me. "Congrats on the win."

I smile. "You know it's what I do."

Tej laughs. "So humble." I chuckle. "I got someone I want you to meet. Says he's a racer. I don't know though."

"Well see," I tease.

"Maricruz?"

"You've gotta be shitting me," I remark.

Standing there is Brian.

"You two know each other?" Tej asks.

"Yeah," Brian says.

"From LA," I explain.

Tej makes a face of realization. "Nah. Y'all two weren't a thing were you?"

I nod my head. "Until Brian broke my trust."

"Mari..." Brian starts.

I grab onto Suki's arm. "Let's go, I need a beer."

I stand out back of the garage by the water. Tej lets me stay in his house boat. So long as I keep winning and kicking some of the money back to him we're good.

"Maricruz."

I don't bother turning around. "I don't want to talk to you."

"So you can listen," Brain tells me.

I turn around. "No." I laugh. "I don't listen to cops."

"Maricruz please," Brian starts.

I cut him off again, "You looked me in the eyes and told me you weren't a cop. You lied right to my face. You should have told me you were a cop."

"What would that have done?" Brian counters. "You were running around with Dom robbing 18 wheelers."

"So you were gonna arrest me?" I ask.

"I think it's obvious I couldn't," Brain confesses.

"You could have at least told me your real name." I take a breath. "I need time to... to trust you again."

Brain nods. "That's fair."

"You think you'll be sticking around?" I ask.

"Tej says I can stay out here on his house boat," Brian tells me.

I make a face. "That asshole." Brian looks at me curiously. "I already live in his house boat."

"Oh." Brain looks surprised. "I can always find somewhere else to stay."

I wave him off. "No. It's got enough space."

Brian smiles. "Wanna give me a tour?"

"Cruz!" Suki shouts. "Come on. We're toasting to your win."