Chasing Her Beauty

Chapter Three

       Harrison was having a good time in his Aston Martin driving down the street. He wasn't far from the warehouse but he took the long road to get there, he loved his car too much. His music was lightly playing in the background as he kept his eyes on the road enjoying the scenery. He had his usually dark shaded sunglasses on, he called them his driving glasses. He never wore sunglasses while driving until he picked up the habit from his Uncle Scott.
       He bobbed his head to the music while lightly swaying his body in the seat. He had a grin peering on his face with a scruffy shadow on his jaw as well. His thick, brown hair was messy from his hard work and his hands were still slightly dirty from working on the car earlier. The sun was starting to come down and the sky was turning orange. Sunsets, that was another thing he loved. The beauty of a sunset was hypnotizing for him.
        The warehouse was only a few feet away from his car. He pulled into the parking lot. He took of his sunglasses and sat them on the dashboard of the car. He took his keys out of the ignition and opened his car door. Taking a deep breath, he climbed out of the car and locked it. Before he walked in the warehouse he ran his fingers through his hair. He was inches away from the door handle until he heard a sound he hasn't heard in a long time, the engine of a Cuda 426 HEMI Plymouth. He looked over in the direction of the sound. His eyes grew big, there were at least seven cars lined up as if they were about to race in an open field right by the warehouse.
       Tempting, that was the word for how he was feeling. Racing was a passion despite how dangerous it was and how his uncle hates Harrison's involvement, it was hard to resist. Harrison was a good young man and a man of keeping his word. He shook off the feeling and entered the warehouse. A chime rang on the door and he closed it behind him. There was a receptionist man behind the front desk. He was a middle aged man, Asian, wearing a black polo and a pair of jeans.
       Harrison smiled and walked up to the front desk, "Hey Bruce."
       Bruce looked up from his computer screen and grinned immediately when he saw Harrison. Harrison was a returning customer and a good man, anytime he steps through someone's door he's a joy. It was no wonder why the man immediately smiled at Harrison.
       "Harrison! It's great to see you. More parts for another few cars I assume?" he asked cheerfully smiling at Harrison.
       "Yes," Harrison grinned back, "Is Preston here?"
       "Yes sir he is. Right down that hallway in his office," he pointed.
       Harrison nodded and thanked the receptionist. Preston Oxford was an old friend of Harrison. They had known each other since Harrison moved to Breesport. Preston was a good man like Harrison. He might've been a little too cocky at times or full of himself but overall Preston was a good guy. He was darker skinned, dark eyes and a short buzz cut. He was muscular and a shorter guy.
      Harrison opened up the office doors. Preston got up from his chair while a smile crept on his face.
       "Harrison?" he said with enthusiasm in his voice, "I haven't seen you in the longest time. Come in friend."
       "It has been a long time indeed Preston. I can't stay long though, I came in for some parts and then I need to get back to my shop."
       Preston raised an eyebrow, "Shop? Did you finally take it over from your uncle?"
       "Oh no. Not yet, one day I will thought but not yet," Harrison clarified.
       "Ah, well what brings you here today friend?"
       Harrison cleared his throat and looked around the office. It was the same as the last time he saw it. He was surprised Preston never changed it.
       "I just need some new brake parts, clutch, new transmissions, it wouldn't help to get some more screws and metal plates too."
       Preston nodded and walked out of his office, motioning for Harrison to follow him, both men left the office. Preston lead Harrison down a long hallway. The walls were white and they had pictures of cars on them. Some newer generations, some older. A couple of the posters they had hanging he actually had at he and his uncle's home.
       Preston opened up another set of doors revealing a high ceiling room. The walls were dark and it was full of boxes and labels. Some men passed by carrying boxes and different car parts. The floor was white and clean unlike some of the walls, scratched. Preston found a box full of some the materials Harrison required.
       "So are you competing?" Preston asked making conversation while packing up some of the parts.
       "Pardon, competing in what? Harrison asked confused raising his eyebrows.
       Preston looked up from the boxes and chuckled, "Surely you saw the cars outside."
       "No, I did. I just didn't understand what you meant."
       Preston smirked and squinted his eyes, "Oh Harrison, you're a terrible liar."
       "Liar?" Harrison asked confused, "I'm not lying about anything, what are you talking about?"
       "My co-workers. They're racing in the back and I was wondering if you're gonna compete in your car."
       Harrison vigorously shook his head, "Oh no...no I need to get out of here after you get me the parts. I really need to work."
       "Harrison...you love racing."
       "Yes I do," he replied, "However, it's not my call."
       "Yes it is, you're twenty-years-old. Make your own decisions."
       Preston had a point. Harrison's Uncle was only protecting him and making sure he was aware of consequences of racing. So what if he goes for a little spin? It was a race against co-workers of Preston and it was in a safe environment. Surely, his uncle wouldn't mind...or have to know.
       "Last time I raced, I wrecked badly Preston," Harrison replied, "I can't wreck again."
       "Harrison. You love racing, don't let it hold you back. It's a safe race...and there's a certain car racing out there."
      "1971 Plymouth, I know," Harrison replied extremely quickly.
       "Woah. See man, you're a racer. It's in your blood and you love it. Don't let the old man hold your back."
       Harrison bit his lip and started to think. His mind, going one thousand miles an hour, he couldn't say no to this. Preston shrugged and finished up his boxes.
       "I'll go out these in your car," Preston said, walking away towards the door with his boxes.
       Harrison's theist got dry and his palms got sweaty. He cracked his knuckles in nervousness. "Preston?"
       Preston turned around still backing out. He had a grin on his face and replied, "Yes Harrison?"
       "One race. You better not tell Scott."
       "Deal."
       Harrison and Preston left the warehouse, putting the boxes in the trunk of Harrison's Aston Martin. Harrison was very hesitant, he was raised not to give into peer pressure, especially bad things. Harrison just couldn't help it. It was his weak spot and he truly couldn't resist. After they closed the trunk, Harrison was ready to hand Preston the money until Preston held his hand up giving the signal of not wanting to accept it.
       "Why do you not want my money for the parts?" Harrison asked.
       "If I get to ride with you in the race, the parts are free."
       Harrison rolled his eyes and snickered, "Sure, why not? Come along."
       Preston and Harrison entered the car. Harrison took his sunglasses of the dashboard and instead of putting them on, he put it in his collared shirt's pocket. It was getting darker out, no sense to wear his shades now. They both buckled up as Harrison drove towards the mini track.
       "You have a sweet car man," Preston complimented.
       "Thanks," Harrison replied with his eyes on the road, "I tinkered it from junk to a treasure...is there any rules in this race."
       "Have fun."
       "Simple enough."
       Harrison pulled up near the other cars. Some of the drivers glanced at him. Some was angry faces and some didn't seem to care. Harrison made a lot of enemies in his old racing days. He was a good racer and when it comes to street racing, it brings the worst out of people. People would get desperate and they would pull out anything to win. It's part of the reason people find Harrison so odd now.
      "People are gonna be mad you're racing again," Preston whispered.
      Harrison slowly looked over at him. "No they won't...no one finds out about this."
       All the racers got lined up and ready. One drove off, either in fear from Harrison, or from how much they despised him. Harrison shook it off and gripped his steering wheel tightly. There was a man sitting in a chair in the middle of the road. He held up a blow horn and counted down. Preston gave Harrison a quick throw down of the track so he wouldn't be so oblivious to the road and he would be more aware. It was going to be a short and sweet race for thrills to come back to him.
       The man finished his countdown and was a few seconds from cranking the horn. Harrison looked at Preston, he then glanced to people to his right and then back in front of him. He took a deep breath and got his hands ready. The horn went off and Harrison slammed his foot on the gas. All the cars including his launched fast and took off. Thankfully for Harrison not many of the cars were impressive automobiles compared to his, it was a piece of cake to win.
       Harrison's car took off, staring in third place. It wasn't a bad start. The ground was full of gravel and hay, it wasn't the best thing to drive on for tires but also for the racers, especially for Harrison's roofless car. Bits of dust started to fly in Harrison's face. He quickly grabbed his sunglasses as Preston complained. Other drivers were either fine due to their roofs or others started to swerve from being like Harrison's. A few cars started to pass Harrison. It was unfortunate but he still had time to come back and pass them.
       "Come on Harrison, bring out the old you I know," Preston said trying to pump him up.
       Harrison squinted his eyes and kept focusing. He gripped his steering wheel even harder and gritted his teeth. He wasn't ready to lose a simple race in the backyard of a warehouse. He sped up the car and quickly moved to the right side of the path. Harrison at all costs was trying to avoid even the smallest wreck. One wrong move and his uncle will see the damage on his car. A car in front of Harrison's started to swerve and slow down. It was coming right for Harrison's until he quickly drifted over to the other side. The car lightly crashed into a railing, avoiding Harrison.
       Harrison was able to then pass in front of two other cars. The race was already close to a closing. Harrison knew what he needed to do next. Preston looked nervous for Harrison but he didn't need any extra luck or sympathy to win. He just needed his own mind. Harrison moved closer to the Mercedes-Benz that was in first place. A small grin started to peer on Harrison's face. He was feeling the butterflies he hadn't felt in the longest time. The rush, glam, and feeling gave him flashbacks to his old racing life. It made him miss it desperately.
       "I'm coming for you Benz," he muttered himself before slamming the breaks again.
       Preston grabbed onto the car's side in fear. Harrison moved in right behind the Benz. He quickly drifted to the side and passed the car on a turn. The finish was incredibly close at this point. The Benz tried smashing into Harrison's car but Harrison slammed the breaks last second, causing the Benz to spew foreword into a fence as Harrison slowly passed over the finish line in first place. The rush he hadn't felt, came back.
       Harrison moved his car out of the way and took off his sunglasses. Preston stopped panicking and started to laugh. Harrison joined him in an assuring laugh. They both were shaky from the experience but also thrilled they came out unharmed from it. Harrison drove bad to the normal rode by the entrance of the warehouse.
       Preston exited the car and couldn't stop smiling, "See Harrison. The racing industry needs you."
      "Hey last race I said so. Thank you for making me race man."
      "Anytime pretty boy," Preston responded teasing him, "I hope the parts help."
      "I will, thank you."
       Preston patted Harrison's shoulder before turning his back to walk back into the warehouse. Harrison smiled to himself before turning his steering wheel and turning his car around to head back to the auto shop.