Ride Home To Me

Chapter 5

We say bye to Mia at the bodega as soon as we pick up some food for ourselves and extra sandwiches for the boys. When we get there Dom greets us and Vince is drawn out at the mention of food.

"Calm your man tits V, it's just a burger," Letty says as he grabs for the bag and she jerks it back.

"Yeah well I been working all day, Let, cut me some slack." He finally manages to get a hold of it and snatches his food out of the pile.

I chuckle, but am stopped by Dom saying, "Letty's gotta go change so come on, I'll show you around."

I follow him and look back at Letty roughhousing with Vince. He shows me the office, which is a mess, the place they keep finished cars, and the room where they work on them.

"You know if you need any help with keeping stuff organized in that disaster office I'm pretty good with numbers and organizing stuff," I chuckle.

"Oh really?" Dom laughs. "Honestly I might take you up on that. Letty ain't got the patience for it and my dad, V, and I have tried but it always goes back to how it was in two days."

"Oh damn for real?" I stare at him. "I was kind of kidding actually."

"No for sure I'll talk to my dad," he says. "You know your way around cars?"

"Only how to drive 'em," I chuckle. He smirks.

"Get over here, I'll show you some stuff."

Working on the cars is surprisingly relaxing. And, as I learned, Dominic Toretto is dangerously easy to be around.

"So what's it like in Miami?" he asks.

I shrug. "Big latino scene out there, great music, cool beaches, hella sun. It was really nice. I liked it there."

"Thought your ma said you guys had problems there?"

"We did."

"The fight?"

"That was part of it."

"Why'd it happen?"

"There need to be a reason?"

"You don't seem like the kinda person who would pick a fight for the fun of it."

I look at him, and he stares back at me expectantly. I sigh, trying to choose my words carefully.

"The kids at school found out something they didn't really like. Girl that was supposed to be my best friend spread that shit like wildfire, and about a month before we got here they jumped me at break. It wasn't my fault. It ain't something I got control over but they beat me up for it anyway." I shrug. "She got me good but I ain't a pussy so I gave her some bruises of her own to cry to her mami about."

I honestly expect Dom to ask me to leave then and there but he just laughs and finishes tightening the bolt in his hands.

"Mama ain't raise no mensa, right?" he stretches his hand out. I laugh and clap it.

"Damn right she didn't," I grin.

I stick with Dom the rest of the day. He shows me the things he's working on, and though I don't understand a lot of it I really enjoy watching him and learning about the different parts and how they fit together. I get to know Vince as well, he's basically a big puppy. Step on his territory and he can be a bit harsh but give him some food and a little love and he just turns into a big softie. He's real fun to mess with, too. Letty and I take our queen of sass competition to the poor guy, seeing who can get a bigger reaction out of him. Dom calls winner when I ask Vince how he could let two 17-year old girls bother him so much, was it because he had the self security of a middle schooler?

One thing I did notice through the day though was strange. On several occasions I caught Letty watching me and giving me dirty looks. I hope I haven't done anything to piss her off. She's my ride home, and I'd hate for the drive back to be weird. Unfortunately, as soon as we close up shop and step into the car, the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. It only takes two minutes for me to groan and speak up.

"What is your problem Letty? I thought you said we were fine this morning!"

She doesn't take her eyes off the road. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's bullshit and we both know it. Why the dirty looks? I saw you watching me. Don't play me aight I ain't stupid."

"It's nothing Gabi just drop it."

"No, it's obviously not, and I ain't gonna just sit here and act like I wasn't getting an attitude from you today. I was and I deserve to know why, so-Letty what the hell!"

She suddenly pulls over and parks on the side of the street, glaring at me.

"You wanna know? I don't know what you're trying to pull with Dom but you better cut it out. You never once mentioned being into cars even though it's all we talked about at dinner, so don't get all interested just because he offered to show you."

I pause for a moment as the words click in my brain.

"Letty, are you...jealous?" I ask, stunned.

The question catches her completely off guard and she stammers, trying to come up with a response. I burst out laughing.

"Letty you literally have nothing to worry about. Jesus I just met him! Do you like him? Oh my god you totally have a crush on Dominic Toretto!"

"I do not! I'm just trying to look out for him, he already has way too many skanks crawling all over him, I-"

"Letty you totally like him," I laugh. "You were totally jealous of me for a second, I don't even-"

I stop myself before saying anything else.

"Look, Dom is a good dude but we're only ever gonna be friends I swear. He's just an easy guy to be around, but I know you already know that."

Letty just huffs and curses under her breath.

"Please don't tell Mia," she says, fiddling with the steering wheel.

"What? She doesn't know?"

"No, and she shouldn't. Dom ain't never gonna see me as anything but a little sister and he's Mia's older brother, not to mention just one of my best friends. I just don't wanna ruin the way things are."

I place a hand on her shoulder.

"Okay fine, I won't tell anyone. Don't worry Let, I'm a pro at keeping secrets."

"You promise?"

"If only you knew, hermana," I chuckle. "If only you knew."