A/N - Thanx for all who have reviewed. I hope to receive more.
Just to let you know, I have a mental block. I have a pretty good idea on where the rest of the story is going but I just can't seem to get in the mood. I haven't felt like writing in a week or two. I think it's because I feel this story has become something I have to do and not something I want to do. So, I think I will try and put it down for a little while and see if the mood comes back. Don't worry though, I still have about 6 more weeks of chapters I can post. Let's all hope the feeling comes back real soon. I will finish it, I just don't know how long it will take to do that. Sorry.
Anyway, here is the next chapter. Enjoy. Oh, and please R&R.
Chapter 10: Meeting the Team
Jennifer pulled Chanda's Supra into a parking space in front of a garage and killed the engine. The girls got out of the car and headed inside with Jennifer leading the way.
"Hey Bitch!" Jennifer yelled at a girl who was under the hood of a car.
The girl turned around ready to kick Jennifer's ass when she realized who it was. "Hey bitch. Wasup?" the girl answered. Chanda realized suddenly that it was the girl from last night at the races.
"Nothin' much, Let. My friend here just got into town recently and her car needs help. I was wondering if I could use the tools to fix her car?"
"Sure. Whose your friend?" Letty asked as she leaned back against the car she was working on.
"Letty this is Chanda. Chanda, Letty." Jennifer said in introduction.
"I remember you. You were at the races last night with Hector." Letty said recognizing her.
"Yeah. It was the first one I've ever been to." Chanda said when suddenly Jennifer cut her off.
"Wait a sec! YOU went to the races last night?" Jennifer asked in shock.
"Yeah, Jen. I went to the races last night." Chanda replied smiling at her friend. "I was in at Harry's on Thursday when that Hector guy came in and invited me to the races. And since I wasn't doing anything else, I went."
"Oh my god! I can't believe how much you've grown. I'm so proud." Jennifer said in mock pride. "Going to the races, all by yourself?"
"Yeah, well apparently you wore off on me in high school." Chanda said as she punched Jennifer lightly in the arm.
"Good! You needed it." Jennifer smiled.
"That, and the three years with Danny helped."
"Danny?! You mean.." Jennifer started before Chanda cut her off.
"Don't even start, Jen. We'll talk about that later. Okay?" Chanda said pointing a finger at her.
"Okay!" Jennifer said as she threw her hands up in defeat. "So, Let, where are the guys?"
"They went to Harry's to pick up some parts for Jess's car. They should be back soon." Letty answered her.
"Okay. Is Mia at the store?"
"Of course she is. Why?"
"Well, I figured we'd stop in there on the way home. I want to see if she can help me with something."
"Oh, okay. Hey, since you're going anyway, could you tell Mia we'll be late for supper. We have some extra shit to get done tonight. That is if I can drag their stupid asses off of Jess's car when they get back."
Suddenly, the three of them heard the distinctive sound of two modified engines pull up outside. Followed by three car doors slamming shut. "That would be them." Letty said. A few seconds later, three guys appeared at the open door. Chanda recognized two of them instantly.
"Hey guys. You get the parts?" Letty asked them.
"Of course we did. They're in V's car." The guy that Chanda didn't recognize said. "I'll get 'em later."
"Hey Jennifer! What you doing here? I didn't see your car." Vince asked.
"Came to use the tools to fix my friend's car." Jennifer said pointing to Chanda.
Vince looked at Chanda and said, "Hey, you're that girl from last night at Hector's."
"Yeah, I was there. I meant to congratulate you on your win last night, but as you know, I didn't stay very long." Chanda replied.
"So, you're okay?" Leon asked noticing the small bruise on her arm.
Chanda smiled at him. "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt too much."
"Hurt? How did you get hurt?" Jennifer asked.
"Danny showed up at Hector's party last night and tried pulling me outside to talk. He just pulled a little too hard, that's all." Chanda answered showing Jennifer the small bruise on her right arm. "It's nothing really."
Jennifer's hands started to ball up. "Ohh, that punk is going to get the beatin' of his life." Jennifer seethed.
"Sorry Jen, but I beat you to it." Leon smiled. "Bloodied him good."
Chanda smiled. "Thanks, Leon, for walking me to my car last night. And if we're still on for later, you can pick me up at Jennifer's. I'll be staying there until I hear something about my brother."
"Okay, but what makes you think we wouldn't still be on?"
"Because, Letty said you guys have extra work to do tonight."
"What extra work?" Leon asked glaring at Letty.
"Nothing much. I just figured I'd never be able to get your asses away from Jess's car." Letty told him as she hitched her thumb over her shoulder at Jesse's car parked in the back of the garage.
"Can't you guys handle it?" Leon asked looking at his friends.
Vince smiled, "Sure brotha. We can handle it."
"By the way, I'm Jesse. Leon's friend." Jesse said introducing himself.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Chanda. Jennifer's friend from San Francisco. Nice to meet you." Chanda said smiling as she extending her hand.
"You too." Jesse said smiling back at her while shaking her hand.
"So, where are you two going tonight?" Letty asked with a smirk on her face.
"Not sure. We never talked about it." Chanda replied looking to Leon for help.
"Nowhere you guys need to know about." Leon said glaring at Letty again.
Letty just kept on smirking as she got up from the car she had been leaning on and got back under the hood.
"So, what's wrong with your car?" Jesse asked.
"Ask her." Chanda said pointing to Jennifer. "I don't know much about cars."
"I think her fuel pump is getting clogged. But why don't you come with me and give me your opinion Jess." Jennifer told him.
"Sure, is it that Supra parked out front?" He asked her.
"Yeah, that's it. Come on. I want to get started on it."
Jennifer turned around and left the garage with Jesse, Leon and Chanda on her heels. Vince stayed behind to see what Letty was doing. As they reached the car, Jennifer reached in the drivers window and popped the hood. Jesse opened the hood and started to drool.
"Holy Shit! Leon, look, another 2JZ engine." Jesse said looking at Leon with wide eyes.
"Like Brian's?" Leon asked in shock. Hearing her brother's first name, Chanda snapped to attention.
"Yeah, although obviously this car is in much better shape than that one was when he brought it in." Jesse smiled.
"Yeah, and that car turned out to be one sweet ride, dawg." Leon said. "I still can't believe he let Dom have that car."
"Was Dom driving it when he caught up to ya?" Jesse asked.
"Naw dawg. He traded it off for some red Camero." Leon replied.
Jesse and Leon grew silent for a moment. Both seemed lost in thought. Jesse shook his head and then looked to Chanda. "So, how did you get this car?"
"I bought her from a used car dealer in San Francisco two years ago." Chanda replied.
"Have you ever raced?"
"No. I don't know how. I'd never even been to a race until last night." Chanda told him. "Why?"
"Because this car would definitely be a challenge if you were to put some money into it." Jesse smiled as he reached into the engine.
It was almost five o'clock when Jennifer, Jesse, and Leon finally finished fixing Chanda's car. Chanda looked at her watch and said "Hey Jen, when does your friend Mia close up shop?"
"What time is it?"
"Almost five."
"Shit. We've gotta go. Thanks guys for letting me use the tools. We gotta go talk to Mia about something." Jennifer told everyone as she wiped her hands on an oil rag and closed the hood.
"Okay Jennifer. Catch ya later." Letty told her as Jennifer tossed the rag and got into the car. "And don't forget to tell Mia about us being late."
"I won't." Jennifer replied as she started the engine.
Before Chanda got in, she called to Leon, "Remember, I'll be at Jennifer's."
"I'll remember. See ya in a few hours." Leon told her as Jennifer drove out of the garage and took a left at the street.
Ten minutes later, Jennifer pulled up in front of a small store called "Toretto's". She and Chanda got out, walked up to the counter, and sat down.
"Hey Mia. How's it goin'?" Jennifer asked her.
Turning around, Mia said, "Hey girls. Just getting ready to close up shop. What are you two doing here?"
"We just left the garage and stopped in to ask you a question." Jennifer replied. "Chanda could use a job while she's in town. Do you think she could work here in the meantime?"
Mia thought about it for a minute then replied, "Sure. I could use the extra hand with Dom being gone and all. When could you start?" Mia asked Chanda.
"Is Monday okay?"
"Monday's fine. Be here at ten in the morning." Mia replied.
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Chanda said shaking her hand.
"You're welcome." Mia said smiling.
"By the way, who's Dom?" Chanda asked.
"Dominic is Mia's older brother. Together they own this store and the garage we were at. Which reminds me," Jennifer said as she turned to Mia. "Letty said to tell you that they won't be home till late. Extra shit at the garage."
"Good. Then I won't have to start supper right when I get home." Mia sighed.
"Well, we gotta go. Leon is taking Chanda out to dinner later." Jennifer said as a smile spread over her face.
"Really?" Mia grinned.
"Yeah." Chanda said blushing.
"Then you better get going. Have fun tonight and I'll see you on Monday." Mia smiled at her.
"Thanks. Bye." Chanda said getting up from the counter.
"Bye guys." Mia waved as Jennifer and Chanda left and headed home.