Brian had put seeing blue eyes out of his mind; it would do no go good to dwell. If it was meant to be then they would meet again and if not well…
What Brian really wanted to do was immerse himself in the racing underground. It wasn't hard for him though as the person he was renting a boat off was the local point man. However while he knew this – his landlord wasn't aware of who he was, and much to his delight when he pulled up in front of the boat, the man in question, Tej, was outside.
He smirked, "Hey everything okay?" He was trying to be nice, really, "You said rent wasn't until the first."
Tej nodded back, "Yeah well it ain't."
"So ..." Brian was curious and hoped to prompt Tej into revealing – well, anything.
Tej looked the skyline up and down, and knew he must have some rep, but he didn't know whose and known Brian while but he'd yet to see him race. He pointed at the Skyline that he was appreciating, "You know how to use it?"
Brian shrugged, "The person whose pink slip I took would say yes."
Tej put the clues together, and figured out exactly who Brian with no name was. "You're called Bullet."
Brian nodded and was engulfed in a massive hug from a pixie like woman announced as Suki. Tej knew exactly what he would do, "So what say you work in my garage and race when I can fit ya in."
Brian thought the deal was too good to be true and was canny enough to know there would be a catch. "And what will it cost me?"
Tej had a wicked smirk, "Well I don't want your ass or soul but an appropriate monetary recompense is always welcome."
Brian snorted and was glad. In his jaunt across the country he'd had to dissuade several from the idea that he was amenable to payment by way of him trading his ass. He was fickle that way, but was more than happy with this arrangement, "I'm sure we can work something out."
Tej had kept Brian on ice mainly because he knew that after the first night - he might struggle to get ridiculous pots seeing the skill. The third driver had dropped out and Tej knew exactly who to call. Not a minute later, he was on his cell calling Brian. He was good and did like Brian asked calling him by his street name. When he'd sat down with Brian; Brian had told him about needing to keep a low profile. If Brian needed to keep a low profile he'd help him in any way he could.
Brian answered on the second ring and listened to Tej's eager question, "Wanna make some quick money?"
"You gotta spot?" Tej didn't have to see Brian to know that he'd have a smile a mile wide at just the prospect of the race. "How long do I have?"
Tej pursed his lips, "You got four minutes."
Brian smirked knowing that he didn't need that long. He took a deep breath and let the racer come forward. After all in Miami there was no reason to hide his talent or do anything other than race. It was kind of refreshing; and if he wasn't always on the lookout for cops he would even enjoy himself.
If there was one thing that he'd learnt from Dom was that racing was only one part of the legend. If you wanted to be someone, then you had to have a presence - something that made others take notice when you spoke to them.
His car had some special mods that were purely for show - say what you like but the smoke made people takes notice. When he got out of his Skyline he did his best to look unassuming, or like a pretty bored wannabe actor looking for something exciting.
One, who later he'd learn to be Helix sneered, "We ain't got time for pretty boy to be worried about his looks."
Brian had the perfect opening and timed his retort perfectly, "Well when I look to see you in my back mirror ... I'll spare a glance for you."
Helix was rattled not liking the hard stare of the newcomer – In his opinion this newcomer was a little more dangerous than the usual racing folk. "Yeah and what can you put up?"
Brian smiled, "I was thinking five large."
He casually handed over the roll to Tej who was hiding his own smirk by this point. He knew about Brian but hadn't guessed he'd be so amusing.
Helix paled but felt the shove from his girlfriend. He knew why everyone thought that blondie was fresh meat but there was something off. The man was too cool, and his smile suggested he knew a really fun joke that he hadn't shared yet. He had no choice and it was his fault - he'd started the trash talk and the driver had expertly raised the stakes.
He threw his money into the pot, and watched as the other three racers put their money into the control-man's hands.
Brian slid into his car and started to rev the engine. He knew the route and was off as the soon as the flag was down. He didn't care about anything but the race. He was thinking in simple seconds and how to get the best out of the car. The cars, which were already on the street were minor annoyances that Brian navigated around with ease. The other racers were at his heels like yapping dogs but never a threat. This race was in the bag.
He got out of the car at the finish line and soaked up the atmosphere and accepted the congratulations. He was surprised, and maybe a little delighted to hear blue-eyes voice once again, "Wasn't hard to find you. I just needed to find a race ice-cool."
Brian tilted his head to the side as he took in the complex person before him. Secretly he was glad that Carter had taken an interest in him, and let's just say, he wasn't too disappointed. "I have nothing to hide." Which was a huge lie, but he'd always played it cool his adult life.
Carter regarded him with shrewd eyes, and Brian would be blind to have missed the lust. "I think you have more than most - Do I get a name at least?"
Brian stepped closer; he'd always been quick to play with fire. "Not sure. Names have power. What might you do with it?"
Carter smiled and edged closer, "Well I was thinking that we should get to know each other better. So I have a solution."
"Oh?"
Carter smirked, "Yeah, you and your friends are invited to the Pearl."
Brian was well aware that the Pearl was the club to be in Miami and he guessed that blue-eyes, Carter, was the owner. Well, it would be meant to refuse. Plus his friends would probably kill him if they ever found out that he'd refused.
Brian smiled, "In that case my name is Brian. Pleased to meet ya."
Carter pulled him close and Brian sucked in a breath. It had been a little while since he'd had let anyone close, and the heat from Carter was driving him wild. He stood on his tiptoes to whisper in his ear, "I'll save the first dance for you."
"See you there." Carter said and left with his shadows following him.
Tej waited for Brian to come back from his little talk, "You know you're playing with fire."
Brian shrugged, "People keep saying that and it's never stopped me before."
Tej was the type to go with the flow. He liked Brian so would warn him, but after that it was all on Brian. "So what did the King of Miami want?"
Brian really did know how to pick them. "Well he wants to get to know me and invited us all to the Pearl."
Any chance of Tej saying no, on the grounds of common sense was gone the minute Suki squealed and hugged Brian, "We're going right?"
"Yeah we're going." Tej said barely able to hide the sigh from escaping. He wasn't sure this ended well but he'd be there to support Brian. "You seem ... intrigued by Verone."
Brian wasn't sure how to frame the response mainly because he wasn't sure what to say. "You know I think I am, but I'm trying to keep away from cops remember?"
Tej smirked, "Oh I think your new friend might be able to help you there."
Brian had no idea just how much help he could be. He also knew that he was going to be in for an intense amount of ragging from Tej and the crew – strangely he didn't care. He did know one thing he was gonna go change - he wanted to impress ... and tease.
Authors Note: SO thank me having happy feelings from having seen Fast and Furious 6. I will say that there will be no spoilers or potential sequels will not be posted until the 24th of May as it would be cruel.
Oh and rest assured for a few people who've queried the plan is for this story to take us up to the wedding :)
