Racing for Freedom

chapter Eight





“Dasha, please don’t leave.”

I stare over at my father with a sorry expression, as I pull the last suitcase out the door. I have to do this, not just for me, but for him. If I don’t he will continue to drown himself and I will end up drowning with him.

“I have to dad, I have to find myself and my own life. I’ll come back every few days and have dinner with you. I have to do this.”

He nods weakly, defeated. “I’ll miss you.”

I rush over, dropping the suitcase, and leap into his arms. “I’ll miss you too, dad.”

“Please, come and see me.”

“You know I will, maybe you could come and see me? I only live just up the road, you could walk.”

He smiles painfully. “Maybe.”

I hug him once more, then I walk out the door. I struggle to hold back my tears. This house has been my home since I was a child. My family had such beautiful moments here and such tragic ones too. I have to step away, to tear myself away from my father and hope he finds himself again. I stare at my beautiful house once more, and then I turn and walk towards the street.

I was lucky, Lucas managed to find me a little unit by the beach just six blocks down. It’s close and I can walk back and forth. It’s good for me, and maybe one day, it’ll be good for dad too. I roll my suitcase down the road, deep in thought when a car pulls up beside me. I know that charger, I’ve known it since the day he got it. Slade. I sigh, I really can’t deal with much more today.

“Hey Dashy, daddy kick you out?”

I see we’re back to being an a*shole. Magic. I turn and glare at him. He takes my damn breath away, wearing those black sunglasses and running his hands through that messy brown hair.

“No, I moved out. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Need a ride?”

“I’d rather burn and die.”

He laughs loudly and parks the car, getting out. I sigh. He falls in step beside me, but I don’t look over at him. I just continue walking. I can smell him and my skin begins to prickle. I struggle to show no emotion on my face.

“Where’s the new place? You live alone?”

“It’s none of your business and no, I don’t live alone. I am looking for a housemate.”

His eyes widen. “Well, that’s interesting, because I’m looking for a place.”

I snort, rudely. “I don’t think so.”

“Scared?”

“No, I just don’t want to have to look at you every day.”

“Come on Dash, I need a place. You won’t even know I’m there.”

“Go live with daddy.”

He stiffens and I notice, I turn and stare at him. His face has gone blank and he stares ahead of us. Then, as though he realizes what he’s doing, he smirks again.

“No, he’s got a new woman and doesn’t have the space.”

“Aw, poor Slade’s getting kicked out.”

He growls at me. “No, he only got a one bedroom place.”

“On purpose no doubt.”

Slade grunts. “Come on Dash, I need a place.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Just admit it, you’re scared. Scared of having a winner in your house when the races are over.”

I spin on him. “What happened the other day was a mistake. I could beat you Slade, I’d bet on it. I stuffed up the other day, it won’t happen again. “

“You believe what you want, we both know you’ll lose.”

“I could take you and you damn well know it.”

“Fine, prove it. Later today, down on the old beach tracks. You win, you get whatever you want, except asking me to leave the race. I win, you let me move in with you.”

“What? No!”

“I knew it,” he laughs, “you know you’ll lose.”

“It’s got nothing to do with that, I don’t play childish games.”

“Dashy’s scared…” he taunts.

My anger boils over and I snap, “FINE! But you won’t win, so get that cocky smile off your face.”

He grins and extends his hand, I shake it and he laughs. “See you at the track, Dashy. Four pm.”

I close my eyes as he disappears. What the hell have I gotten myself into? I begin walking again, and I hear his car roar to life and speed off. Dammit, dammit, dammit. If he wins…no, I’ll just have to make sure he doesn’t win. I’ll have to be on my game. I grumble the entire way down the street, wondering what the hell is wrong with me. Slade has a damn good chance of winning, and I have a damn good chance of getting a new house mate I don’t want. Good one Dasha.