A/N - Thanx to all who reviewed. It's nice to know that people are enjoying my story. Here are a few shout outs.
Isabelle8888 - Thank you sooo much for all your wonderful reviews. They are much appreciated. I know Brian's the Best!...lol. Anywho, thanx. ps - I love your story too.
Emma - Don't worry girl. Dom will be in this story. We just gotta give him some time.
Ellie - Sorry girl, not my story. But thanx for the reviews.
gurl420692005 - You want romance? How about we start right now?
To everyone else who reviewed - Thanx. Now, go read and review.
Chapter 7: At the Races
~~~~~ Thursday at Harry's ~~~~~
It was mid-afternoon when Chanda walked into The Racer's Edge. Her car had been giving her fits for the last few days and she had stopped at a garage earlier to have it fixed. The garage told her that they didn't have the part in stock but if she went and got one, they would be more than happy to install it. When she asked them where to get it, they had told her that Harry's was the place for parts.
Chanda walked up to the counter to order the part. After Harry took her order and then disappeared into the back to find it, she began to wander the store. As she was looking around, a group of Latinos walked in. They began looking around as well. One of them walked up to her.
"Hi. The name's Hector."
"Hello. I'm Chanda."
"Is that your Supra outside?"
"Yeah, it's mine." She said smiling.
"That's a nice ride."
"Thanks. I'm just in getting a part for her."
"That's cool, that's cool. So, where you from?"
"Northern California, Frisco actually."
"Really? So, what are you doing in L.A.?"
"Well, I'm trying to track down my brother. His name is Brian O'Connor."
Hector thought for a moment then replied, "Sorry, don't know him. So, how long you gonna be in town?"
"Awhile, why?" Chanda asked cautiously.
"You doing anything tomorrow night?"
"Not particularly."
"Well you see, we here in L.A., we street race. There's a race tomorrow night and if ya want, you can come." Hector offered.
"Street racing? Sounds exciting! I'll be there." Chanda replied.
"Good, here's the address. Race starts at eleven and there's gonna be a party at my house afterwards." Hector quickly scribbled an address on a piece of paper and handed it to her.
"Great!" Chanda said as she took the piece of paper from him.
Hector pointed at her as he left the store. "See you there."
"Excuse me, miss?" Harry said trying to get her attention. "I have your part."
Chanda smiled as she stuffed the piece of paper in her pocket and walked over to the counter.
"Umm, miss? Excuse me for eavesdropping, but did you say you were looking for a Brian O'Connor?"
Chanda's heart skipped a beat. "Yes, why? Do you know where I can find him?" She asked quickly.
Harry shook his head and said, "Sorry ma'am, I don't know where he is. But why are you looking for him, if I may ask?"
"He's my half-brother." She replied.
"Well in that case, you might not want to mention his name at the races tomorrow night. There will be people there that he is not on good terms with and I would hate for you to get hurt."
Frowning, Chanda replied, "Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful."
After paying for her part, Chanda left Harry's and went back to the garage to have the part installed. As she drove she wondered, Brian street raced? He was a police officer, that illegally street raced? Wow! The mystery that is my brother is beginning to get bigger. Maybe I should to go to the races and get a feel for my big brother.
~~~~~ Friday at the Race ~~~~~
As she pulled up to the address, she was amazed at what she saw. It was in an old warehouse district and in between two buildings, was a huge crowd. She couldn't believe this many people came to an illegal street race. She parked her car between two others and got out. Stepping out of her car she adjusted her clothing. She was wearing black leather hip huggers, a violet spaghetti strap top with a her black leather jacket and a pair of black boots. She wore her naturally curly brown hair down around her shoulders. After smoothing herself, she scanned the crowd for Hector. Suddenly, he showed up at her elbow.
"Hey Chanda! Good to see ya found the place."
Startled, Chanda jumped. Then smiled and said, "Hey Hector! Yeah, it wasn't that hard to find."
"So, how are you tonight?" He grinned.
"Fine. This is amazing. I've never been to anything like this." Chanda said looking around at all the people with their cars lined up and music blaring from each one.
"Well then, sit back and enjoy. We're about to get started. We're just waiting on our final racer."
Just then, three cars pulled up. All three drivers got out of their cars and headed towards Chanda and Hector. The first guy was tall and broad shouldered, sort of rough looking. The next driver was a girl, she looked to be a tough bitch. And the last guy, was tall but slim, and good looking. Chanda thought. She caught herself staring and quickly looked away.
"Hey Hector! Wasup, brotha?" The rough looking man said extending his hand.
"Hey Vince! Not much, not much. Glad you finally made it. We've been waiting on ya." Hector said as he did some sort of hand shake with the other man and gave him a half hug.
"Sorry, man. Got hung up." Noticing her he asked, "So, who's she?" Vince nodded in Chanda's direction.
"Vince, this is Chanda. Chanda, this is Vince, Letty and Leon."
"Hey." They all said.
"Hey." Chanda said smiling at Leon. He was wearing a L.A. Lakers jersey with a black pair of running pants and a pair of Nikes. She caught herself staring again and looked away quickly.
"So, Hector, how we doin' this?" Vince asked.
"It's a 2g buy in, winner takes all."
"Perfect! Let's roll!" Vince yelled slapping money into Hector's hand and heading for his car. Letty and Leon turned and headed for theirs as well. Halfway to his car, Leon turned back to glance at Chanda again.
Then three others handed in their money and got in their cars to head for the street. As Chanda got back into her Supra to follow the crowd, she told herself, God, he's gorgeous! I hope he didn't catch me staring at him. When they got to the street, everyone lined up their cars on the sidelines.
Leon parked his yellow Skyline in an intersection and began listening to the scanners. But soon, the sound of the scanner drifted away as his thoughts took over. Man, she was beautiful. I couldn't help but see the way her smile reached those baby blue eyes of hers. I probably sounded like an idiot back there. I wonder how Hector knows her? Maybe she'll be at his party later on tonight. Leon, wake up dawg! Leon shook his head to clear it and tried to concentrate on the scanner again.
Chanda was searching for a spot, when she saw the car Leon had been driving parked in the middle of a road, blocking an intersection. She pulled up and parked next to him. Before getting out of her car, she checked her makeup. Please, Chanda, don't make a fool of yourself. Pull yourself together. He hasn't said two words to you, yet. Convinced she looked okay, she stepped out, smoothed her clothes and shut the door. Then she deliberately leaned against her door, crossing her arms over her chest and crossing her legs at the ankles.
"Hey." Chanda said trying to get Leon's attention.
Leon turned his head to see Chanda leaning on a deep purple Toyota Supra. "Hey." Leon grinned. "That your car?"
"Yep, sure is." Chanda replied smiling.
There's that smile. Leon thought. "Nice. You race?"
"Oh, no. In fact, this is the first one I've ever been to."
"You're kidding! Right?"
"No." She replied shaking her head while biting her lower lip.
"Then, where are you from?"
"San Francisco."
"Frisco? Then what you doin' in L.A.?"
"Searching for my brother."
"Really? What's his name?"
Remembering Harry's warning, Chanda hesitated. "Oh, you wouldn't know him. So, are you going to Hector's after the race?" She said quickly changing the subject.
"Sure. You gonna be there?" He asked mentally crossing his fingers.
"Yeah, of course." She smiled.
"Yo Leon, are we good to roll?" Came Hector's voice from a radio inside Leon's car.
"Excuse me, I need to be listening for cops. So, I'll see ya there?"
"Sure." Chanda said smiling at him.
Leon smiled back before turning his attention to the scanner. Chanda got up and stepped over to the street to watch the race.
Meanwhile, a few places down, someone was watching her from inside a candy apple red Nissan Maxima. He had been watching her as she talked with the guy in the Skyline. Watching her flirt with the driver had begun to piss him off. How could she do this to me? I love her. He thought.
Before long, Leon gave the all clear and Hector gave the racers their cues. With the drop of Hector's hands, the race was off and barreling down the street. Chanda watched as the crowd cheered for the racers as they zoomed past at over a 140 mph. The race was over almost as soon as it had started. Leon's friend, Vince, had won. The crowd gathered around Vince's car as he pulled it to a stop not too far away. As he stepped out, his friend Letty went up and congratulated him.
As Hector handed Vince his prize money, the crowd cheered. Hector quieted them down and yelled, "Party's at my place!" The crowd broke into cheers again. A minute later, Leon screamed over the radio, "OH SHIT! WE GOT COPS! GO! GO! GO!" Everyone scrambled to their cars and scattered. As Chanda got to her car, she noticed that Leon had waited for her. He yelled, "Follow me!" and Chanda nodded. She slipped behind the wheel and took off after Leon.
An hour and a million turns later, Leon and Chanda pulled up to a house where a party was in full swing. Chanda quickly rechecked her makeup and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Satisfied, she went to open her door. But, it was already being opened. She found Leon standing there with his hand out ready to help her up. Blushing, she slipped her hand into his. He gripped it gently and slowly pulled her to her feet. He smiled as she looked up into his gorgeous green eyes. Oh, my god! She thought. I don't know if I can walk? Her knees felt unstable.
"Hey." Leon said making eye contact and holding her gaze.
"Hey." Chanda replied unsure if the sound had escaped her mouth.
"You look beautiful, by the way."
"Thank you." She whispered. Her heart was doing flip flops. She was certain Leon could hear her heart hammering in her chest.
"Your welcome." He replied, lost in her eyes. Time stood still. A sound coming from a few cars away brought Leon to his senses. Looking away nervously, he said, "We better go in. I need to find V and congratulate him."
"Sure." She nodded, more to clear her head, than to respond.
Leon let go of her hand and headed for the house. Instantly Chanda felt her hand tingle. It was as if her hand had noticed that the warmth of Leon's hand had disappeared. Chanda shut her car door and took a deep breath. Quickly smoothing her clothes, she followed him up to the house.