Chapter 7

The present

Emma's POV:

"What, 'Pretty Boy' ignoring you?" Grey asks as he follows my gaze, only to see Xavier flirting with some random, brunette girl.

I nod. "He's been ignoring me flat this entire week," I answer, not bothering to explain to Grey why. Knowing Grey, he'll find out by himself in any case. "He's just being real childish," I mumble to myself, slightly irritated in the fact that he won't even acknowledge me. 

Landon, on the other hand, is surfing cloud nine now that Xavier has backed off from me. He couldn't be happier.

"He's always been immature," Grey retorts, shaking his head at the sight of Xavier hitting on someone else other than me.

"True," I reluctantly agree. 

"I see your brother's been busy," Grey adds, changing the subject after sensing that I'm done commenting on Xavier. "That's new."

I glance to the beautiful girl on my brother's arm before making a remark, "Yeah, I know, it's weird, right?" 

Landon doesn't date often. When he does, it's usually something serious and lasting. He doesn't play around when it comes to relationships. He's a faithful guy. 

"Very," Grey agrees.

Our friends, including Grey, are aware that Landon kind of gave up on the dating scene about the same time our dad passed away. He stepped in and became accountable for both of us. He was deprived of his own life and therefore didn't make time to meet new people.

"You know her?" Grey asks me, inquisitive.

It's always nice to see Lan making an effort once in a while. I've been hoping for a great girl to come around and just snag him up already. Lan needs someone good in his life, someone who will support him in all his many issues.

I nod. "Sort of. He introduced me to her a few weeks ago when they were still just friends," I explain. "Seems they have progressed since then," I conclude with a smile. All I want for Landon is for him to be happy. "Either way, she seems like a great person."

"Good," Grey replies. "Now, it's just you," he motions over to Xavier with a mischievous grin, insinuating something else altogether.

"No," I huff in refusal. "Not him."

Grey chuckles. "You two would be indestructible together," he says. "Actually, maybe it's a good thing you hate him."

I don't hate him, I just don't particularly like him or his attitude.

"Grey..." I exclaim, exasperated. He knows that in some twisted way, I do consider Xavier as one of the people most closest to me.

"Just saying," he teases further, flashing me a half-smile.

I shake my head at him, biting back a smile. Grey's a nice person when he wants to be. Credit to him, he's one of my best friends. He's incredibly loyal and you can talk to him about pretty much anything and everything without being judged.

"So, what are your plans today, Ferrot?" I prod. "Hot date with Nancy?" I joke, getting revenge. 

"Funny," he scowls at me before correcting me, "actually, I set JT up on a date. He doesn't know it yet but he's going. He hasn't been coping after the psycho left. He needs this." 

"I agree," I nod in response. "Make him go. Who knows, he might just learn to like her as much as he liked Aqueela."

This can only be good for Jay. It might help him move on and stop living in the past.

"I'm hoping so because this girl is a lot better than Aqueela...well, to be fair, most are," Grey tells me, making his dislike for Aqueela apparent. "But, then again, Jay has a thing for weirdos."

"So mean," I laugh. "She was a bit on the insane side," I agree in spite of being an Aqueela fan. I can't deny the fact that she was entertaining to be around. She was full of life and took living to the extreme.

"She was out of her mind," Grey corrects me in a harsh tone -- it's becoming clear to me that he's taken Aqueela's absence personally. "Mia is very interested in JT. She's liked him all throughout high school but he never noticed her. She's way better than Lawson."

"Sure, Grey, whatever you say," I humor him before strapping my helmet on. "Now, if you don't mind, I have a race to win."

The streets have been checked and apparently we're good to go -- no cops in sight.

"You better," Grey fist-pumps me before heading over to Jay.

A couple of minutes later, I approach the starting line in my car.

Grey, JT, and Xavier are not enlisted for this minor race, which means I can actually win. Plus, Lan seems distracted. I have a good feeling about this one.

The flag comes down quicker than expected and we all take off at high speeds.

Joe, another racing acquaintance of mine, takes the lead from beside me. She's known to race dirty. Annoyed, I speed up, trying to pass her. She reacts by nudging me off the tracks. However, I'm quick to swerve back onto the track and make a comeback.

I shoot her the finger as I speed past her, taking the corners well.

Cheaters never win.

I glance in my rear view mirror to see Landon taking the curves effortlessly, allowing him to gain on me. Just when I think he'll catch up, he rams straight into Joe, pushing her off of the track entirely. 

I roll my eyes -- he and his short temper. If you want to get on his bad side, just mess with me. 

He glances up and sees me watching. He winks before saluting me. I grin, offering up a wave in thanks. 

It's times like these when I'm grateful for an older brother. Landon always has my back in spite of everything. Blood will always be thicker than water. I truly do believe that.

I end up crossing the finishing line first but the win feels unsatisfactory knowing that Joe cost Landon the race. Landon basically let me win. I only enjoy competing and winning if it's fair game for everyone. This win was an unfair one. 

"I'd say congratulations but your brother basically forfeited the race for you," Xavier snarls, pushing me out of his way as he strolls over to Joe, the two of them complaining about how the race went down.

I internally sigh, tearing my gaze off of Xavier.

He's right.

Joe probably would have won had it not been for Landon. If not Joe, then Landon himself.

I shove my way through the crowd, disappointed in myself once again. 

"Emma! Wait up!"

There's only one person who calls me 'Emma' all the time instead of 'Ems' for short. He's never been one for nicknames. 

I turn to see JT making his way over to me, his sunglasses on as he forces his way through his many fans. He keeps his eyes trained on the floor, refusing to answer any questions from all the people following him around. 

I hold back a smile at the sight. He's a street racing god and yet he couldn't care less. He's unfazed by all his adoring fans.

"What's up?" I question, genuinely curious. It's not often that JT comes to you to talk. In fact, it's extremely rare.

"I just wanted to say that you shouldn't listen to Xavier. I can see that you're gutted about the race but I was watching, Joe wouldn't have caught up. Her weakness is curves and it was only curves up ahead. Same with your brother. Landon didn't make you win, you won all on your own. Give yourself some credit. Xavier's obviously just frustrated about something and taking it out on you," Jay tells me, sincere in his words.

I can't help but smile.

"You're a good racer, no one can take that from you," he concludes, meaning it.

JT doesn't hand out compliments easily, so when he does, then you know it has been earned and that you're hella good at what you do.

I nod appreciatively up at him, already feeling better. "Thanks," I reply. "But why tell me this?"

He shrugs. "I've been beaten down a lot too. Racing was my outlet, still is. I figured that I'd let you know my opinion."

"I really do value your opinion. Thank you," I tell him with a smile.

JT is a speed legend, how can I not idolize him?

"Don't let people like Xavier take your racing abilities away from you. It's the one thing that you can actually keep because you've worked hard for it. No one can take it away from you, not even Thorman," Jay reminds me, his words hitting home.

Perhaps I do place too much value in what Xavier thinks...

Feeling like I owe it to him, I decide to tell JT what Grey has installed for him. "I should probably tell you that Grey has a date lined up for you tonight." I grin at him, "Consider this my thanks to you."

I stifle a laugh at the sight of JT's mortified expression. He's definitely not up to date any girl unless she's Aqueela.

"Later, JT!" I call over my shoulder as I head over to my brother. I might as well hear what he has to say.

"Ems!" Landon cheers upon seeing me. "Nice race, Sis." He lifts his hand up for a high-five, a genuine smile on his face.

He's sure enthusiastic for someone who didn't win.

"Where's the complaining?" I frown, confused by his reaction. Nonetheless, I lift my hand to high-five him. "You always whine. You're the biggest sore loser I know." 

This is exceptional behavior for him. He's either finally making progress via his anger management classes or he's lost his mind. I'll go with the latter seeing as he did just ram Joe right off of the road.

Landon ignores my comment and introduces me to his girl instead. "You remember my girlfriend, Sarah?"

"I remember your friend, Sarah, yes," I answer, reminding him that he has yet to tell me that he's officially seeing someone now.

"Right, right, we're dating now," Landon debriefs me all too quickly.

"So, I see," I answer before turning to smile politely at her. "Hi again, Sarah."

She returns my smile sweetly. "Hey, Emma."

I already like her. She seems like a good fit for my brother. 

"Well, here's hoping you two last," I congratulate them both, discreetly offering my blessing to Sarah.

"And here's good riddance to Xavier," Lan retorts, straight after me.

I glower at him before walking off.

Xavier is a pest but he's got some good deep, deep, deep down. You just have to find it within him.