Demolition Lovers

Chapter 16

The air between Drew and Jake seemed to have shifted since that night. It was subtle, but they were less tense, and Jake found himself feeling more comfortable than before in Drew's presence. Their taunts and threats seemed to be more teasing rather than malicious.

That wasn't to say that the tension wasn't still there though, it just seemed to transform into something else, something Jake couldn't necessarily put his finger on.

It was another warm night out as Jake shoved his helmet on over his head, opening his derby car with a squeal of protest from the rusted metal. He already stripped off his jacket and was down to a tank top, body hot in the sticky summer air. The sun beat down on his shoulders from where it hung low in the sky, and he hoped once it set then the temperature would cool.

He sat down, closing the door after him as he pulled on his seatbelt, starting the car after a bit of struggling from the engine. It growled loudly, before rumbling to life. He hadn't run into Drew yet, but they were marked together in the line up so it wouldn't be long until he saw him.

He felt a bite of adrenaline in his chest as he switched gears, his current demo car being a stick shift. He hadn't had too much experience with cars like these, but he was determined enough to make it work, plus he'd driven one before, back when his mom's friend had a mechanic shop and he was far too young to be driving without a license.

The crowd was extra noisy tonight, despite the hot weather. Jake didn't even want to imagine being packed onto those bleachers with hundreds of other people. The sweat from the sun combined with the body heat.. He shuddered. Even the thought alone made him cringe.

They'd really been getting in their matches of derbies this summer, considering it's been a good year for sales. Jake wasn't complaining, and if he was in a less fortunate situation where he couldn't find cars for cheap, he probably would be more upset and how much they were scheduling matches. His grip on the wheel tightened and he sucked in a deep breath as his eyes made contact with Drew's car. The shade of purple was exactly the color he expected.

If he was paying any less attention, he would've missed the nod, barely there that he probably imagined it. The slight acknowledgment of Jake. Just the thought alone made a smile grow on his face, and he looked away, focusing on his hands on the wheel.

With the blow of a horn, and the rev of engines, the match started. This time, Jake didn't know anyone else in the match, and so he didn't really pay them any mind.

And with the guaranteed ruining of cars, smoke hazy in the air, and the roar of engines, the match was narrowed down fast. Jake was separated from his task to hunt down Drew at the start when a '91 plymouth acclaim cut him off. The deep maroon car would've looked beautiful if it was in better shape, and Jake almost had it in himself to be upset that they even used to car in the derby. But he knew that there must be something wrong with the car for it to be used in a match in the first place.

Thankfully, Jake skillfully cut off the acclaim with a quick turn, and the person in the car broke off their stick. He managed to get another car out before he looked over, adrenaline pumping blood loudly in his ears. His eyes scanned for Drew, but when he couldn't find him scattered around, he knit his eyebrows together.

Finally, he spotted Drew's car pushed up into a barrier, mud covering it in a pale layer of brown. His stick was still up though, and he reversed out from where he was pushed against. Jake immediately steered towards him.

He ground together his teeth as he hit him from behind, and the back of Drew's car fishtailed in the mud. Jake cringed as Drew's car spun around, the engine growling loudly as he charged at him.

Jake swerved and Drew hit his side. The door dented in with a loud pop.

The match ended all too soon with the blow of a horn, Drew breaking off his stick and Jake ending up with the lead. He got out of his car with ease despite the door being dented in, wiping mud off of his jacket with a couple flicks of his wrist. Drew came rushing towards him, stumbling slightly when his foot slid on a particularly wet patch of mud.