Rafael Jackson Cameron

I need your help.
Come over.

No.

I have a present for you.

Still no.

Why?

Ana.
Please.

Anastasia read his messages multiple times. But she didn't know what to answer. She was curious about the present he had been talking about, but at the same time she was enjoying spending time with her friends.

Her gaze trembled across the porch and stopped at JJ, who just finished rolling a joint and Anastasia's mouth ran dry.
She had no idea he was smoking weed.
Suddenly everything in Anastasia's body was telling her to get away.

But she tried to stay calm, while her Phone pinged multiple times more. All messages from Rafe, trying to get Anastasia to come over.
It was working surprisingly.
Looking at the joint in JJs hands, made Anastasia weak in her knees. She was so close yet so far.

Her mind was somewhere else entirely: Trying to figure out what was going on with Rafe Cameron. What he had planned and why he needed Anastasia's help. If he would've messaged her like this a year ago, Anastasia would've already been on her way.

"You want?", JJ asked Anastasia and offered the joint he was holding in between his index and thumb. He watched Anastasia swallow hard, she quickly got up and smiled while she excused herself. Within seconds she was gone without another word.
She just ran away, towards her car. Buckling the seatbelt and revving the car to speed off.

Her mind was blank once she came to a halt in front of Tannyhill. She got out of her car and stared at the house in front of her, wondering if she was doing the right thing - helping Rafe Cameron with god knows what.

"You came". Rafe smirked, walking up to Anastasia, who was resting her hip against the Nissan.

"Don't let it get to your head", Anastasia winked and pushed herself off of the car,"Where's my present?".

A chuckle fell off Rafes lips, looking down at the girl in front of him, who still didn't learn what patience meant. "Follow me".

Without another word Anastasia followed Rafe blindly. She couldn't keep her eyes off his broad shoulders. Anastasia was still heavily attracted to Rafe Cameron, even though she tried to bury her feelings. There'd always be something about him, that she couldn't shake off. Like he was a magnet, pulling her closer every time she'd be close to him.

Rafe Cameron on the other side had to walk in front of Anastasia, because if he'd have to watch her hips sway in front of him he'd loose himself. Anastasia was still wearing the clothes from earlier today: short low rise pants and his shirt. She was a walking goddess.

"Here's your present", Rafe smirked once he stopped right in front of Anastasia, walking her almost bump into him. Once he stepped aside Anastasia could see the present.
A red 1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5.

"Wow", Anastasia gasped and walked around the car slowly, taking everything in. This car was a dream come true: 183 MPH top speed, 4.5 seconds to 60 MPH.

"I knew you'd like it". Rafes voice was husky from behind Anastasia, making her turn around to face him.

"Why do you need my help?". Her hazel eyes twinkled viciously and Rafe knew he just woke the devil in her.
She had always been daring and fearless, but being behind a wheel and racing was what made Anastasia the happiest; Rafe knew.

"We need to win a race". His lips curled up into a smirk. There was something about the grin on her glossy lips and the way she looked at Rafe and the car in front of her, Rafe knew tonight would be fire.

"Oh so you want me to drive", Anastasia chuckled, taunting him casually,"'Cause you know you wouldn't win no matter the car".

Rafe laughed shortly. "Or I'm just doing you a favor".

Anastasia's gaze settled on his face and the two looked in each others eyes in silence. No words needed to be spoken, they just understood each other.
He knew he just made Anastasia the happiest person in the world.
And she knew she had to help him no matter what, the race was just a nice addition. Somewhere deep down they both knew Rafe still had a place in Anastasia's heart.

"You driving?", Rafe chuckled, the keys jingling in front of Anastasia's face. She smirked and a chuckle fell of her lips:"Of course, after I parked my car in the garage".

"Alright", Rafe smiled and tried hard to contain his excitement. He didn't expect Anastasia's help. After Kelces party and what Anastasia said to him he believed he had lost her for good. But thank god he was wrong.

Because Anastasia was sitting in the red Corvette with him. While Anastasia kept her eyes on the road, Rafe could only look at her. In disbelief he was actually doing this with her. Just like the old times: on their way to the races just for some money and fun. Back in California they raced for the kicks, the adrenaline pumping in their veins.

"What do you need the money for?", Anastasia asked, shifting the gear. She knew he wouldn't just take his dad's car only to impress Anastasia. Rafe wanted to win this race - he needed the money.

"I need to pay my dad back. I bought that motorcycle with money I should've used for the company", Rafe explained.

"A motorcycle is still better than buying drugs", Anastasia shrugged casually. Rafe swallowed hardly about the change of topic. Drugs was something he didn't like to talk about, especially not with Anastasia.

The continued to drive in complete silence. The only sound was the engine of the car that Anastasia had control over. It was already dark outside and suddenly everything felt nostalgic. Anastasia missed this. Midnight rides over to a race spot where she'd crush another man's ego.

Once Anastasia got out of the car, she heard the cheers, loud music, people laughing and engines revving. Rafe was already next to her, taking a look around. "I'll take the first two rounds".

"And if you won't mess up I'll drive the last one", Anastasia smirked and locked eyes with him. Rafe just chuckled in response and turned around to grab some drinks. There was still time to pass before he had to drive the first round. He had to win both rounds in order for them to get to the finals and race against the best. Pressure was on to say the least. He didn't want to disappoint Anastasia nor come back empty handed.

Anastasia knew just by checking out the race cars around her, that they could win. None of these cars were even close to the C5 behind her. Only if an exceptionally good driver would be here they had a chance of loosing. But Anastasia trusted Rafe enough that he'd at least win the first two rounds, considering she taught him how to race in the first place.

A wolf-whistle caught Anastasia's attention and she slowly turned towards the direction the sound was coming from.
A tall, strong dark haired guy was coming her way. Anastasia leaned back and stared at the man, who was now standing in front of her.

"It's your first rodeo, huh?".
It was something between a laugh and a scoff. Anastasia's lips just curled up into a smile and she tilted her head sideways.

"Is it so obvious?", she chuckled and ran her hand through her long hair. The man opposite of her just smirked and looked down at her. Anastasia certainly intrigued him, because she didn't look like the normal groupie girls that desperately tried to get laid by a guy somewhere in the back of his car. No, the girl in front of him was different.

"What's your name?".
"-Anastasia".

He smiled. "I'm David".

"David", Anastasia's voice was as soft and smooth as ever,"How does this work?".

"First of all", he cleared his throat and eyed the Corvette behind Anastasia,"Let me show you some real cars. You can't win a race with an old thing like this one".

A giggle fell off Anastasia's lips and she let David take her hand to lead the way.
Rafe Cameron watched her disappear into the crowd with some man, almost as tall as Rafe himself. He swallowed hardly and tried to get the jealousy out of his system, or he'd probably kiss the next tree with 140 MPH if he'd try to race.

Rafe didn't know Anastasia only went with David to check out the opponents.
Neither did David.

He told Anastasia every little detail about the race track, difficult curves and turns. Within seconds she sucked up every little bit of information possible. Anastasia knew everything about the other racers and their cars. And David would be the biggest competitor. He won the last race and therefore whoever would win the first rounds, would have to beat him in the last and final one.
Which meant: Anastasia would probably race against David. And he had not a single clue.

David was very sure Anastasia was just some girl, who came with her friends to have some fun, who had no idea about cars or racing.

"Let me buy you a drink", David smirked, looking Anastasia up and down,"Next up is the old Corvette. I know a spot from where we can watch that prick loose".

"That sounds great. I'll wait here". Anastasia smiled even though it hurt her heart to hear David talk shit about the Corvette. David smiled and left, after promising Anastasia he'd be right back, considering he had 'VIP status'.

Anastasia just rolled her eyes and left. She pushed herself through the crowd with long and elegant steps. Just when the cars rolled forward to the staring line, Anastasia reached the track and quickly ran up to Rafe, who was already looking at her.

"Alright so at curve 4 you gotta be careful cause it's wet and I wouldn't wanna risk it. Let him overtake you at 4. Then at turn 7 you're gonna push that gas pedal. Do not hit the brake. This guy", Anastasia pointed to the opponent in the car next to Rafe,"He's an anxious little bird. He's gonna break at 7 and you're gonna pass him and win the race. You have to go full speed. Got it?".

"Got it", Rafe smirked - his Anastasia just played a little game in order to get details for him to win; she was still on his side.

Anastasia looked Rafe in his ocean eyes and was debating whether or not she should say something else - like break a leg. But she didn't. She just stepped away from the Corvette and disappeared back into the crowd before she'd say something she'd regret later on..

Her hazel eyes were locked on the red Corvette Rafe was driving the seconds he sped off. Anastasia watched him in silence with the crowd around her shouting and yelling.
After curve 4 Rafe was behind the other driver, just like Anastasia told him to, David whispered into her ear:"Here you are. I told you that old thing would loose".

Anastasia didn't answer. She just took the cup he offered her in silence and continued to follow Rafe with her eyes. In her mind she was going through everything: gear shifts, gas and brake, steering.
David was rambling something about how Rafe was doing everything wrong. Anastasia didn't even listen.

Rafe didn't realize how dangerous curve seven would be until he approached it, right behind his opponent. He wanted to brake so badly, but Anastasia told him not to. So instead he pushed the gas pedal down.
Anastasia was holding her breath. She was waiting for the opponent to brake. He had to brake.
Last minute the opponent pushed the brakes very hard before he'd fly out of the curve and Rafe passed him with a crazy speed.

"How the hell did he do that?!". David screamed next to Anastasia, completely mind blown by how tired of life the driver of the C5 must be in order to drive a curve like this. Anastasia just smiled to herself.

Rafe won this round. He got out of the Corvette, with people applauding and cheering for him.
But Anastasia wasn't one of them.

His ocean eyes were looking for her in the crowd, only to find Anastasia's hazel eyes already staring at him. Both were smiling at each other.
Until Rafe saw that David had his arm wrapped around Anastasia's waist and whispered something in her ear.
"How about we go for a drive in my car?".

Before Anastasia's head whipped around to David and walk off with him, she winked at Rafe.
Even though Rafe was surrounded with plenty of pretty girls, he was looking at her.
And Anastasia was looking at him, even though David was right next to her.

Anastasia left with him. She needed to know more about his car and how he'd drive, considering she was gonna race him eventually.
She liked to keep her friends close and her enemies even closer.