Leon was a little upset, but I just drove. I drove to my favorite park on Maine and 29th street. I got out and walked to a park bench with a bag of Skittles in my hand. Leon followed. He was a little irritated with me I could tell. He's like me when it comes to cars, they clear your mind and help you deal with shit. That's one of the reasons I fell so in love with him. Leon sat across from me. "What is so important that we have to talk about?" he asked irritated. "Do you mind if I work up to that, I can't just spit it out right now," I said popping a Skittle in my mouth. "That important huh?" he said his attitude changing to kind and caring. "Alright. You did great in that race last night. You really smoked him in the end. I didn't think you'd make it, but you did." "I couldn't believe it. I really thought I would loose, but Dom told me we were in debt and needed it, so I shoved all my shit aside and made it first priority. I was going to make a bet with myself on the race last night, but changed my mind when Dom talked to me," I said popping another Skittle in my mouth. Leon knew that my bets with myself were always important, not some childish shit. "So, what was the bet about?" he asked looking at me intently. "Remember Lindsey?" I asked. When he nodded I continued, "You know the kind of work I did for her, well she is engaged to that Detective now. She has a job for me. 20 thousand if I do it. It's in New York. The bet was whether or not to go. If I won I would stay, but if I lost I would go. I have nothing here but the team and you. Papi left after the shooting and isn't coming back," I said. He knew Papi was like my dad and that I cared about him a lot. I mean shit I took two bullets for him. That tells you I care. I saw him swallow hard. He had that tough guy attitude, but inside he was soft as jelly. "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" he asked looking at me intently. I just shook my head. I couldn't bring myself to say the words yet. "Alright I can wait a little more. So, I saw you talking to that guy last night, did you two hook up last night?" "No. I don't hook up with just anyone. I'm in love right now and I don't know what to do about it," I looked at the bag of Skittles, then said, "You sure know how to hook up with someone every chance you get though." A fire blazed through his eyes, "Is this what you wanted to talk about? I am friends with Shelia. Her and her friends were there last night and next thing I knew she was kissing me. I didn't do shit with her. I barley know her Nell. Damn do you think I'd really hurt you like that?" he stood up and looked down at me. I looked up at him now, "You did though. I got out of the car and the first thing I wanted was you and I saw you two kissing, but that isn't why I need to talk to you. I don't blame you though, but I want you to know I haven't kissed, or done anything with anyone. I will love you always and I don't know what to do about it Leon. Truthfully, if I hadn't found out what I found out this morning I would have gone to New York, but I don't know now. I don't want to leave, but if you truly have nothing more to say to me, then I don't know what to do," I said. "Please sit Leon, you're making me really nervous." He sat and put his hands on his face and rubbed. He opened his eyes and looked at me, "Nell, what did you find out this morning? If it is this important I need to know." I took a deep breath and let it out. I bit my lip and looked at him in his eyes. I didn't know how this would affect him. I grabbed the indicator out of my pocket and placed it in front of him, "Do you know what this is?" I asked, but he just shook his head so I continued. "I went shopping the other day and bought two of them. The other is in the car. I thought, you know what the hell, I need to know. So I bought them. I peed on that part there like it says, then I let it set until this morning when I looked at it," I was mumbling, I knew, but what was I supposed to say. There was no way to just say it. I kept mumbling, "And I didn't know what it the plus meant so I looked on the box. Then I sat at the wall and had to think for a little while, and then I looked at the clock and was late for work. But when I left, that damn police officer that I talked to on the phone last night was there in his cruiser cruising by." Leon interrupted me, "Whoa, slow down Nell." I looked at him. I had almost forgot he was there. "First, what police officer are you talking about?" "Umm. he called from the front office last night around three wondering where I was because someone thought they saw my car racing last night, so I denied it and said I went out to dinner, shopping, and to the park. He believed me and hung up," I said grabbing another Skittle. I was almost out. I had another bag in the car. I sounded like a fucking addict. "Alright, we have to talk to Dom about that," Leon said. I like the way he said we, not I or you, but we. "Alright, what did you find out this morning?" he asked. I looked down and put a hand on my stomach where our child was growing. "I am pregnant," I said looking at him. It felt like a big weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn't know how he would react. I watched his look change from wonder to shock. He didn't say anything so I continued, "I will understand if you don't want it, but we have to decide now. I love you and would love to raise our child, but not alone. I can't do it alone. I want to be with you always, but the ball is in your court. I need to know what you want to do," I said with more courage than I had. "You're pregnant?" he asked. I nodded giving a weak smile. I ate the last of the Skittles. He didn't say anything else. He just sat there looking at his hands. I was going to tell him to take all the time he needed to decide when my cell rang, "Hello?" "Hey Nell its Jesse. We need you guys here now. Dom wants to have a team meeting. It's about race wars I think." "Ya, Jess," I said his name so Leon would know who it was, "We're coming right now." I got up and told Leon. I grabbed the indicator and threw it in the trash with my trash and got in the car. I got into the car and turned the car on, radio up and drove. I drove slowly not wanting to be away from Leon. I pulled into the garage and shut the car off. I opened the door to get out and Leon grabbed my arm. "You and me need to talk tonight. I'll meet you at your hotel room tonight when the race is over," Leon said and got out. I followed him in and sat on the hood of the Jetta. Everyone was sitting down waiting. It was dead silent when we walked in. Dom looked at me as if asking if I had talked to him and I shook my head. He nodded and started. I spaced out during some of it. What the hell could Leon want to talk to me about that we have to meet me in my hotel room? And how the hell did he know where my hotel was? I didn't know. Dom said race wars weren't for another month, but we had to start getting ready. Racing more, 4 or 5 races a night instead of just one. I sighed. I was tired of racing every night. I looked forward to one race on Friday and one on Saturday, now there was going to be 4 or 5 a night. I hope it wasn't just me racing. After the meeting we got back to work. I didn't take my lunch break, afraid to hurt Mia's feelings if I had puked, so I just worked on the Jetta a little more, putting the final touches on it. The dude that owned it came in and took it, giving me a fifty-dollar tip. I did a lot of little extras. It looked great. I thought it could use a new paint job though, but I didn't tell him that. I helped Vince with a Toyota Celica. I changed brake pads while he was working on changing the oil. When that was done I went and asked Letty if she wanted help, but she didn't. I went and watched Jesse prepare the layouts for a new car they were building with a bunch of different parts from all different cars. It was coming out pretty good, but he didn't need me, so I just went over to the restaurant. "Mia, can I have a sprite?" I asked as she looked up from a magazine. "Sure," she smiled. "That should help with your stomach." My mouth dropped, "Ya my stomach is hurting today," I lied seeing if she knew. "Well if you hadn't of puked twice this morning in the bathroom I wouldn't of, but if I'm guessing right that is morning sickness isn't it?" she asked smiling. I just nodded and we talked until closing time when Dom walked over, "Mia, your not supposed to take my employees and spoil them when they are supposed to be working," he said sarcastically. "Well a woman in her position should be able to take a break," Mia said back. They did this so much it was cute. "Well, she isn't that far along, she can work as well as anyone," Dom said back. "Excuse me," I said interrupting. "I'm standing right here and if you had a car for me to work on I would, but you don't so I'm here." Mia was all, "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" We all laughed. "Closing time?" Mia asked. Dom just nodded so I walked back over with him and we started to close. I went back to my hotel and they went to the house. I changed into a long black spaghetti strap dress and stilettos. I was comfortably. I liked being comfortable. I poured the tequila and beer down the toilet. No more of that for a while. I threw the bottle and cans in the dumpster when I left. I got to the house right as Mia was bringing the roast out of the stove. The boys were at the door of the kitchen drooling. Mia sure did have a knack for cooking. I set the table and got the salad ready. I sat in between Letty and Mia tonight. Jesse sat across from me, Vince across from Mia, Leon across from Letty, and Dom on the end. Letty said prayer. Kind of scary one, but one nonetheless it was prayer. The roast was to die for. I helped put away dished and the leftovers. I went to the bathroom with Mia and helped her get ready. By the time we finished getting ready the boys were ready. I drove myself. Starbucks first, like always. I got a black and white iced mocha like always. I drove there and Dom was talking to Edwardo. When I got out Leon was standing near that girl. I just looked away, I didn't want to see Leon kiss her again. I walked over to Dom. "So. who am I racing and for how much?" I asked Dom with no heart. I wasn't in the mood to talk. I wanted to lie down, but I didn't want to say anything. I couldn't disappoint Dom though. "Well, there's going to be 2 races tonight. One for 15 grand, and one against Leon for no money, no slips, nothing," Dom said seriously. "Leon? Are you sure?" I asked shocked. "Yup," Dom said smiling, "he said he had a bet for you, but that was between you two." I dropped my mocha and walked over to Leon. He was standing next to Vince talking about a new Mercedes that had pulled in. "Leon! We need to talk. What the hell is this bullshit about you and me racing?!" I asked almost yelling. People started looking over. "Excuse me Vince," Leon said walking me over by a Honda where no one was near. "C'mon, what's going on Leon!" I said. "You and me are going to race. If I win, we're going to Las Vegas this weekend and getting married. If you win, we are getting engaged and having a big wedding. No arguments," he said smiling. "So I have to marry you? What if I don't want to marry you?" I said jokingly. "We race," Leon said as Dom signaled us to come over. "Leon and you race now, then we go to the pits and you're going to race the Mercedes. Unless you want it vice versa?" he asked me. "Ya, I'll race rich boy over there first," I said thinking it over my head. If I had to race Leon first I wouldn't want to race the Mercedes, or maybe I'd be so happy that I wouldn't be interested in racing. Oh my god, I'm getting married. I'm pregnant. I'm happy. I want a big wedding. I have to win. I want to win. I smiled. I'm getting married. I walked over to the rich kid who thought he could beat me, "you ready rich boy?" I asked smiling. He just looked at me checking me out, and then snorted, "Whenever you are precious," he said licking his lips. I didn't like him. Not one bit. He had a look in his eyes like he thought I was going to give him something when the race was over. As if. I looked at him disgusted and said, "Right now. I want to raise the stakes though. If I win I get your car and 15 grand. If you win you get my car and 15 grand. Deal?" He just smiled, "But if I win I get a date too," he said with an evil look in his eyes. "Sure, but your not going to win," I said smiling and I walked to my car and drove it to the starting line. I called Dom on the cell and told him the change in plans. "Are you sure you want to put your car on the line?" he asked concerned. "I know what I'm doing," I said smiling. The race was a breeze. I guess he'd never raced before cause he used his NOS first, then the second. I breezed and caught up to him, then before the end I hit the second and won. I pulled over and waited for him to sign the car over to me. I gave Dom the keys. "I'll be working on it tomorrow," I said. I knew Mia would drive it to the shop for me. We drove to the pits. I took a second to think. Did I want a big wedding or to get married in Vegas. Big, I thought. I wanted a big one with flowers, and bridesmaids, and so on. I was going to win. I never thought someone would propose to me with a drag race, but hey it's a way of life.