Midnight

17

That was all I needed to see.

I swiveled quickly, stepping to rip the booth's door open and charge to the boys—when Asher stepped in front of me.

"What?" I demanded. "We need to go see them!" I tried to reach around him.

"It doesn't end here," He mirrored my movements, blocking my hand. "They have to collect their money, and then you can see them."

"How long will that take?" I tried not to pout.

"Not too long," He glanced through the window, back at the track. "It just...wouldn't be the best if you were seen with Everett or Grayson right now. Especially with that asshole on the track."

"How come?" I gave up trying to sneak around him to the door, trudging back to the stool in defeat.

"Because you could get hurt," He followed behind me. "You could become a target, especially if a competitor is that aggressive. It's just too risky, and if—"

"Asher!" We were both shocked to see Vera enraged as she removed her headphones. "What did Everett say about all of this?" She hissed through gritted teeth.

"Er..." He hesitated, trying to recall what she was talking about.

She slammed a finger to her lips, before pretending to zip them shut, her eyes bulging urgently.

"Oh...yeah," He hung his head, taking a few steps towards her. He stood between us, leaning on the control panel. "Don't say anything to him about this, please?"

"It's not me you should be worried about, dumbass," She put her headphones back on, returning to concentrate on the many buttons and switches.

Asher turned slowly, his ink black eyes horrified as he realized I wouldn't keep my mouth shut.

"Cel, please," My nickname I didn't know he knew of came out as a plea.

"No promises," I held my hands up. "I'll...try. Okay?"

"Thank you," He sighed, shaking his head before glancing out at the track again. "Let's go."

Asher was holding my wrist and tugging me out of the booth before I could notice. I called goodbye to Vera, who waved over her head.

I happily let him drag me through the diminishing crowd once more, anxious to see the boys quickly. I caught sight of the warehouse, and then suddenly, it seemed like I was the one pulling Asher along. He caught up quickly though, just as we entered the garage.

I broke free from Asher's grip with strength I didn't know I had when I saw the boys next to Everett's usual car.

I ran as quickly as I could, not realizing tears were forming along my water line. The two caught sight of me when they heard my chaotic steps approaching. They looked surprised by my expression, but they didn't have enough time to further analyze before I yanked them down by the neck into a hug.

Grayson laughed, and Everett caressed my back, before I unwillingly pulled back.

"That was...insane," I shook my head in disbelief. "Everett, you won! The crowd loved you! And your racing name, is that what they call it? Cool...! And you," I glanced to Gray. "You could've died! I mean, both of you risked your life's doing this, but you went out of your way, Grayson! I can't... I can't believe you would so carelessly put your life on the line like that...I could just—punch you, or slap you, or, I don't know!" I ran my hands through my hair as sudden irritation bubbled inside of me. "I'm just, glad you're both safe. That was intense."

Both of them had wide eyes, and I realized I just said every thought that passed through my mind instead of thinking first.

"I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much at once," Grayson chuckled, but his smile faded when he winced. He pushed back his golden curls, and I gasped to see blood trickling down his temple.