|chapter 44|
ACE
{A few hours earlier .. before Ariana saw the news}
All I can remember is someone mentioned drag racing like it was nothing.
Just another reckless idea tossed into the air between empty bottles and bad judgment. But I didn't turn it down, instead I did the complete opposite.
"Yo, Ace," Jax said, leaning back against the counter, eyes blown wide. "That Porsche still got the new tune on it?"
I looked up from the couch. Lacy was half on my lap, her legs draped over mine, fingers tracing lazy circles on my chest. The room felt too hot, too loud, spinning just enough that I had to blink a few times to focus.
"Yeah," I said slowly. "Why?"
His grin spread. "Let's take it out."
A few people laughed. Someone clapped. Someone else yelled, "That's what I'm talkin' about!"
You see, I should've shut it down right there.
I knew that.
But the thought of speed—of drowning everything out—hit something ugly and desperate in my chest.
Lacy tilted her head up at me, eyes glassy, lips curved into a smile. "You gonna show me what that thing can really do?"
I smirked, even though it felt forced. "You sure you wanna ride with me?"
She laughed softly. "Always."
That word landed heavier than it should have.
Always.
Across the room, Cameron was already shaking his head.
"Bro," he said, pushing off the wall. "Don't do this dumb shit tonight."
I frowned. "What?"
"You need to chill." Cameron said making me look at him-waiting for the joke.
Cliff stepped in closer, voice low. "Ace, man. You're not straight right now."
I waved them off. "Relax. It's just a drive."
Cliff's jaw tightened. "That's never what it ends up being. You're fucked up right now, and you got no business behind a wheel."
Cameron nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
Before either of them could say more, music swelled again, laughter rising, someone shoving keys into my palm like a dare.
I stood, the room tilting for a second before I steadied myself. Keys were pressed into my palm like a challenge I couldn't refuse.
The studio emptied fast.
Music cut. Laughter spilled out into the street. Engines roared to life one by one, echoing through the night like warnings nobody planned to listen to.
The air outside was cold, sharp against my face. For a split second, it almost sobered me up.
Almost.
I opened the passenger door for Lacy. She climbed in, smoothing her dress, still smiling like none of this could touch her.
I slid into the driver's seat, hands wrapping around the wheel.
The Porsche purred.
Too smooth.
Too ready.
We pulled out in a pack, engines snarling as we tore through the city, lights blurring past, music blasting from open windows. Lacy leaned out the window, laughing, hair whipping wildly.
