Gray {discontinued}

s e v e n

if you get this photo, i love you🙄👆🏻😂😂

So, my writing style probably changes midway through this chapter, simply because I've tweaked it. I hope you guys will still stick with me😅

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CHAPTER SEVEN | r a c e

    DUST FLOATED IN THE AIR, polluting the lungs of the crowds of people. I coughed, bringing a hand to my mouth. The man and I had rode to what looked like an underground racing place, men with alcohol-tainted breaths and girls with fishnet crop tops. The man's hand was no longer entwined in mine, and I pushed away the thought of missing the warmth.

    Some of the people recognized him. They seemed to leaned towards the man's presence.

"Aye! Elijah! It's nice of you to show up, you fucking loser!" a large man with a goatee clasped the man on the shoulder, bellowing and laughing afterwards.

So his name was Elijah.

Elijah didn't show any friendliness. "Can I get in the next show?"

The grungy man laughed again. I wonder if he would die choking on his spit. "Straight to business, just the way I like it! Of course! There aren't many shoes out here today, but...."

Metaphorically, his jaw dropped to the ground when his loose gaze landed on me. He tried not to gawk, and then I realized I recognized this guy.

"Fucking hell. Is that you, Viper?"

    I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. A frown wrinkled my brow as I stared at my old manager, Joe. Street racing was an old addiction of mine, but due to some.... circumstances, I had left the illegal sport at the height of my 'career'. I didn't have time for it anymore.

    "Yes." I confirmed, not embarrassed by the confrontation.

    Joe walked straight past Elijah and sat both of his hands onto my shoulder like we were good buddies. I guess in a way we were. His hands sat heavy, similar to the way that my burdens felt at times. Elijah mouth hadn't moved, but his eyes shone surprise. I reveled in it.

    "You look good! But, you would've looked better if you had continued racing, you know." his hands tightened. I guess he wasn't over the fact that his best shot had quit the game.

    I didn't miss a beat to respond. "And ended up in jail or a ditch?"

    His face tightened, like his hands were on my shoulders. I felt the urge to push the beefy flesh away. "I wouldn't let that happen, Viper. Anyways — " one of his hands fell from my shoulders and gestured towards the race track.

    "Are you back in for tonight?"

    Maybe racing would shoot my veins like before. Besides, I could use the winning money to payback Elijah for protecting me at the club.

    "Yeah, deal me in — " my voice got cut off.

    "No way. She's with me, Joe. She's not gonna race tonight." Elijah cut in, swiftly coming in front of me. His back was wide and attractive, yeah, but I'd prefer it if he didn't shove it in my face.

    "What? Don't decide for me— " I got cut off again.

    This time it was Joe. "Whatever you say, Elijah." just like that, huh?

    Elijah only gave me a glance in the eyes before grasping my hand with his. I ignored the way my stomach dipped at the small gesture. Instead, I focused on the track before us, the tire prints deeply ingrained. Elijah pulled our clasped hands towards his car.