Chapter 8, The meet.
That Thursday was the first race night that she was going to go to as part of team Torreto. She was not racing she was just going as part of the team to see and be seen. She took careful pains with her appearance. She left her hair down, she hated to leave it down because it was such a pain in the ass but she knew it made the most dramatic statement that way. She wore a dark blue tank top with orange and red flames licking up from the hem and dark blue pants low on her hips. It left most of her belly bare. She wore her black driving boots. She did her makeup rather dark and it made a striking picture with her pale skin and dark hair. She made her way downstairs. Everyone else was ready to go. She got wolf whistles from all the guys and Brian got a poke in the ribs for his trouble. She laughed and grabbed her keys. Dom spoke.
"Hey Torrie, I want you to ride with me tonight. There will be lots of time for you to have your own car later."
"Sure I will ride along with you when you race Dom, I would love to really."
"I mean we will just leave your car home."
Everyone saw the look on Torrie's face and they headed out to their cars. They did not want to be around for the first of what they thought would be many explosive fights between the newest member of the team and it's captain. They were quite use to Dom clashing with his girl, and even if they were not a couple yet, it felt inevitable to the team that they would end up as one. Plus they wanted Torrie to take her own car. It was a cool car and would add to the look of the team. Leon did not want to see Torrie get her face slapped off by some racer chaser either.
"Dom how do you expect me to be taken seriously if I show up in your car? I will seem more like some racer chaser girl you picked up then part of your team. I want to drive my own car. I don't want to race it but I want to drive my own car. I like to drive my car and show it off." She was obviously not impressed with Dom.
"Well I want you to ride with me and see what you can learn. No one will dare say anything about it."
"No they will just think it and no one will ever take me seriously. Besides I can ride with you during races and still take my own car down. Is that the whole point Dom? You don't want me to be good in my own right? Besides that I can still ride with you during races and take my own car there." She was repeating herself but she did not think he was getting the picture at all. She thought this all stemmed more from Dom wanting her to be dependant on him for her ride home then anything. He was scared she would take off on him. She was about to bring that into the open when he flipped about her earlier comment.
"I can't believe you would think that of me and if that's how you want to be then take your own car. I don't care." He turned to storm away.
What a baby to start this fight over something so trivial. She could not figure his reasoning at all. They were nose to nose yelling at each other. 'Fine' she thought 'I will take my own car. It's what I wanted anyway.' She thought it over and decided to apologise though. If she took her own car Dom would just be in a snit all night over it. Even though she did think that she should be allowed to take her own car. She did not want to have a bad night because Dom was sulking over their fight all night. How was she to learn if she did not drive her own car? But anyway sometimes you had to be the bigger person and she guessed Dom was so proud it would not be him. She grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking away.
"You're right Dom, I am sorry to start a stupid fight. Of course I will ride with you. I am sure I will learn lots."
"I am not trying to keep you from becoming a winner in your own right you know. I want you to win and I want you to become famous so that you will bring a good name to us because you got your start with us you know." He looked so earnest that she was touched and ashamed of all the rude things she said. He thought this was really for the best. He really did not understand why she would be upset. She didn't know much about guys and she would guess that Dom did not really know that much about how to treat woman to keep them happy. She hugged him, she did not even think about it. She was embarrassed after she did it but it just seemed so right. She told him,
"I'm sorry we fought. Lets go before the others wonder if we are ever coming." Dom smiled and jogged out the door. She followed Dom out the door and they got into his car. They all headed off for the location of the meet. As they pulled up they made quite an entrance. There were 5 cars in the formation, that she dubbed 'the flying V'. They found a spot and got out of the cars. Torrie went over to talk to Mia and Vince. Dom was surrounded by race slut girls right away. They all knew he was single again. Torrie was bitterly jealous but tried to keep it off her face. She thought she had done a good job till she saw the look Mia was giving her.
"So you took the offer Dom made not just cause you needed the place to stay but cause you have a thing for him too right?" Mia asked, smiling. "It's ok really most girls around the races do."
Torrie did not think she could lie to Mia so she told her the truth. "I have had a crush on Dom since I was 13 and started to get into cars and racing and well boys. I use to hide in my dad's office and watch him and the guys in the store through the two way window. But I don't expect anything to come of it. We have decided not to mix business and pleasure. Besides how would I ever get Dom's attention away from those girls?" The both watched Dom with the sluts.
A guy on another team was checking Torrie out. He had never seen her around before. He started to walk her way. Mia saw him on the way over and she knew he was not coming to see her.
"Hey Torrie, don't be too sure that Dom does not have feelings for you too, OK? He may not want to let on yet cause Letty dumping him hit him hard and he wants to play the field but he is not immune to you, you wait. Wait and see. You have more of a chance then any of those girls. Give it time." Mia said this and walked away to where Brian was standing with Edwin. Dom noticed a guy he knew named Dave on the way over to talk to Torrie and was very aware of what he was planning. He was going to go chat up Torrie. Dom broke away from the race rats and headed over to Torrie. When he got there the other man had beaten him to her side and they were talking. Torrie was smiling up at him and he had his hand on her shoulder. It looked too cozy. Dom walked up and said,
"Come on Torrie, I want you to meet someone." He grabbed her arm and started to lead her away.
"Jesus Dom just a second." She got her arm away from him and turned back to Dave. "Nice to have met you maybe we'll talk more later." She said and then turned to Dom and shoved him backward, both hands on his chest. He didn't even move though. Man his chest was fantastic, 'wait, you're mad at him, don't let that great body sway you' she told herself. "What was that all about?" She asked and was obviously not amused. She had her hands on her hips and her head tilted at that you got a fight on your hands now way.
Dave thought there would be no later for him and Torrie. Dominic Torreto was obviously into her. She was a polar opposite of Letty which was a good thing for
Dom and a bad thing for anyone who wanted a chance with Torrie. Oh well not much he could do about it. Besides the girl had quite the temper if the way she was going in at Dom was any indication. Plus she was either cocky or stupid judging by the way she was talking to Dom. Dave had never heard anyone talk to Dom like that and walk away without something broken or bruised and bleeding. Dave had even seen him think of hitting Letty once when she shot her mouth off. Course Dom was always talking to other girls, well more then talking, and Letty was always running her mouth.
"That guy is a loser Torrie. Stay away from him." The meaning of what Mia said finally got through to Torrie. She had seen Dom coming over and realized he was jealous of her talking to another guy. That was a very good sign for Torrie. But if he would ever admit was another story. He walked her over to a different group of people with his arm around her shoulders. There goes the story I am not his bitch. She thought cattily. How am I every going to meet guys if Dom acts like I am with him? Even when I am not. The little voice in her head was telling her she only wanted Dom anyway, not other guys. But she knew letting Dom know that would not be a good idea. She decided to give him a bit of his own medicine and put her hand in the back pocket of his pants. It all looked very cozy and Dom knew that all the race sluts were taking notice of her claim.
Dom introduced her to Edwin, who showed more interest the Dom liked but what could he say, Edwin was a friend of his team, and Hector and his team, who still did not like her from the insults they traded last race night. Someone called Dom away to show him a new car; he left her with Edwin and Hector's teams to talk while he went to see what was up with his friends. He could not hang around her the whole time but he wanted to. He was not sure why. He wanted to protect her but he had nothing to worry about with Edwin. Except that Torrie would fall for the other man.
Edwin started to chat her up. They had a lot in common. He had a nice car and good taste in music. They were getting along like old friends. They sat on the hood of his car and talked about music and how she came to be part of team Torreto. About 15 minutes later Dom came back and saw them sitting together but he forced himself not to run over and haul her away. After all he was supposed to be her boss and friend, not a jealous boyfriend. But it looked very cozy, Torrie laughing and smiling at Edwin and the other man just eating it up. Torrie had no idea how attractive men found her, how she acted around them either Dom though. She acted so interested in what they said and laughed at their jokes. Well come to think of it she was not acting. That was how she was. She was interested in what people said and had a great sense of humour. It stood to reason that other guys were going to notice. Edwin was asking about her and Dom. Dom started to talk to Hector.
"So are you and Dom an item or just having sex?" Edwin believed in bluntness, or he had no tact, depended on who you asked. He felt that he needed to know before he took a relationship with her any further. He had no desire to get into a fight with Dom. He was not crazy, well not that crazy.
"Oh man what a question to ask a girl you just met." She giggled at him, which was totally an act; she felt more like crying at the absurdity of her situation. But keeping Edwin's interest sort of made sense to her too. He would not pursue her if he thought that her and Dom were together. "Well neither really. I work for him now and he is going to teach me to drive to win on the street. We are friends I guess but we are not dating or anything like that."
"That's cool but that's not what the way he looks at you when you are not watching says. And sure does nothing to explain why you were so close on the way over, but whatever you say. So a bunch of us are going to a new club downtown when the racing is all over. You wanna go with me?"
"Sure it sounds like fun. I have not gone to a club in forever. We can go celebrate my win." Edwin made a face at her and she laughed. The first genuine laugh in a long time, and the sound made Edwin smile. When this girl laughed it made the people hearing her want to do whatever they could to make her laugh again. She continued, "But be warned Dom treats me like I was twelve so if he says no I might have a fight on my hands but don't leave without me cause I am going if he likes it or not. Don't worry about it. She laughed with genuine enthusiasm cause she wanted to go out and be a young person having fun for a change. "Hey can I invite a girlfriend with me?"
"Sure girl the more the merrier. Well long as she is as cute as you." Torrie laughed.
"You're too funny. I am not cute, not in the least."
Edwin disagreed. It seemed Torrie had no idea just how pretty and sexy guys found her. Edwin found that refreshing after all the dymes at race nights that knew damn well how hot men found them and played it to their advantage. Torrie was genuine and, well, just nice.
Torrie pulled out her cell and called her best friend Lexus, or Lex as they all called her.
"Hey Lex, it's Torrie.'
"Torrie where the hell have you been. I called your house and the phone is disconnected and you never told any of us where the hell you went and we almost called the police." Lex talked like every word might be her last and she had to spit them all out rapidly.
"I had to move out, I was about to loose the house. So I went to a street race and put up my car to try and get some money."
"Oh no you did not are you crazy!"
"Well long story short, I lost to Dominic Torreto and rather then take my car after her heard the whole story he offered me a job in his garage and a place to stay with him and his team, so I live in his house now. I'll give you the number once I know what it is. But I still have the cell, it was just turned off. Anyways we are going out after racing tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to head out with us."
"You and Dom? No way! You have had a thing for that guy forever. I have never even seen him."
"No me and Edwin. Dom is not into me that way but Edwin is cool and there will be racer guys everywhere. You know what that means. Hot guys who own hot, fast cars. And many of them are bad boys, just your style."
"Ok, I'm there! What's the name of the club?"
Torrie laughed then looked around and made sure that Dom was still far enough away not to hear her talking. "Hey Edwin what is the name of this club?"
"It is The Cosmo Club on Fifth Street." Torrie relayed that info to Lex and they agreed to meet at the door around 12.
"See ya there girl." Torrie ended her call. "I'll find you when this is all over Edwin."
"I'll wait Girl."
Dom came over then and told her that it was time to get in the car for the race. She had to ride with Dom to see what she could pick up. He raced twice and won both times. She thought she learned a lot from watching. Man he was cold when he was racing. He showed no emotion at all. She thought here was something to that. She tended to let her emotions rule her even when she drove. If one song was on the radio she would drive differently from how she might drive otherwise. She drove Dom's car in one race and won. She made sure to pick a song that made her want to drive reckless. He was cordial in his congratulations but she wanted a hug from him not this pure business relationship. She wanted him to be outwardly proud of her. Oh well she could not rush things. She got her hug from Mia and Vince, Jesse and Leon. Dom was obviously not impressed by Vince hugging her and swinging her around. She wondered why it was that they were so proud of her. It was not like a girl never won at races before. They were rare for sure. She knew for a fact that Letty both drove and won at races. But Letty had been street, not like Torrie who was upper middle class the whole way. Guess it was different for her. While she had grown up around cars she had not grown up around the race scene.
The night was drawing to a close. All the races were over and no cops this time which was always good. She had a funny feeling when she took off on Dom in a few it was going to make some shit hit the fan. Most people were breaking off now for the after parties. Everyone in the team had wandered off to speak to different people. She looked for Mia and Brian because she figured they were the best bet to keep quiet while she left at least. The others were more loyal to Dom for sure and would run right to him.
That Thursday was the first race night that she was going to go to as part of team Torreto. She was not racing she was just going as part of the team to see and be seen. She took careful pains with her appearance. She left her hair down, she hated to leave it down because it was such a pain in the ass but she knew it made the most dramatic statement that way. She wore a dark blue tank top with orange and red flames licking up from the hem and dark blue pants low on her hips. It left most of her belly bare. She wore her black driving boots. She did her makeup rather dark and it made a striking picture with her pale skin and dark hair. She made her way downstairs. Everyone else was ready to go. She got wolf whistles from all the guys and Brian got a poke in the ribs for his trouble. She laughed and grabbed her keys. Dom spoke.
"Hey Torrie, I want you to ride with me tonight. There will be lots of time for you to have your own car later."
"Sure I will ride along with you when you race Dom, I would love to really."
"I mean we will just leave your car home."
Everyone saw the look on Torrie's face and they headed out to their cars. They did not want to be around for the first of what they thought would be many explosive fights between the newest member of the team and it's captain. They were quite use to Dom clashing with his girl, and even if they were not a couple yet, it felt inevitable to the team that they would end up as one. Plus they wanted Torrie to take her own car. It was a cool car and would add to the look of the team. Leon did not want to see Torrie get her face slapped off by some racer chaser either.
"Dom how do you expect me to be taken seriously if I show up in your car? I will seem more like some racer chaser girl you picked up then part of your team. I want to drive my own car. I don't want to race it but I want to drive my own car. I like to drive my car and show it off." She was obviously not impressed with Dom.
"Well I want you to ride with me and see what you can learn. No one will dare say anything about it."
"No they will just think it and no one will ever take me seriously. Besides I can ride with you during races and still take my own car down. Is that the whole point Dom? You don't want me to be good in my own right? Besides that I can still ride with you during races and take my own car there." She was repeating herself but she did not think he was getting the picture at all. She thought this all stemmed more from Dom wanting her to be dependant on him for her ride home then anything. He was scared she would take off on him. She was about to bring that into the open when he flipped about her earlier comment.
"I can't believe you would think that of me and if that's how you want to be then take your own car. I don't care." He turned to storm away.
What a baby to start this fight over something so trivial. She could not figure his reasoning at all. They were nose to nose yelling at each other. 'Fine' she thought 'I will take my own car. It's what I wanted anyway.' She thought it over and decided to apologise though. If she took her own car Dom would just be in a snit all night over it. Even though she did think that she should be allowed to take her own car. She did not want to have a bad night because Dom was sulking over their fight all night. How was she to learn if she did not drive her own car? But anyway sometimes you had to be the bigger person and she guessed Dom was so proud it would not be him. She grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking away.
"You're right Dom, I am sorry to start a stupid fight. Of course I will ride with you. I am sure I will learn lots."
"I am not trying to keep you from becoming a winner in your own right you know. I want you to win and I want you to become famous so that you will bring a good name to us because you got your start with us you know." He looked so earnest that she was touched and ashamed of all the rude things she said. He thought this was really for the best. He really did not understand why she would be upset. She didn't know much about guys and she would guess that Dom did not really know that much about how to treat woman to keep them happy. She hugged him, she did not even think about it. She was embarrassed after she did it but it just seemed so right. She told him,
"I'm sorry we fought. Lets go before the others wonder if we are ever coming." Dom smiled and jogged out the door. She followed Dom out the door and they got into his car. They all headed off for the location of the meet. As they pulled up they made quite an entrance. There were 5 cars in the formation, that she dubbed 'the flying V'. They found a spot and got out of the cars. Torrie went over to talk to Mia and Vince. Dom was surrounded by race slut girls right away. They all knew he was single again. Torrie was bitterly jealous but tried to keep it off her face. She thought she had done a good job till she saw the look Mia was giving her.
"So you took the offer Dom made not just cause you needed the place to stay but cause you have a thing for him too right?" Mia asked, smiling. "It's ok really most girls around the races do."
Torrie did not think she could lie to Mia so she told her the truth. "I have had a crush on Dom since I was 13 and started to get into cars and racing and well boys. I use to hide in my dad's office and watch him and the guys in the store through the two way window. But I don't expect anything to come of it. We have decided not to mix business and pleasure. Besides how would I ever get Dom's attention away from those girls?" The both watched Dom with the sluts.
A guy on another team was checking Torrie out. He had never seen her around before. He started to walk her way. Mia saw him on the way over and she knew he was not coming to see her.
"Hey Torrie, don't be too sure that Dom does not have feelings for you too, OK? He may not want to let on yet cause Letty dumping him hit him hard and he wants to play the field but he is not immune to you, you wait. Wait and see. You have more of a chance then any of those girls. Give it time." Mia said this and walked away to where Brian was standing with Edwin. Dom noticed a guy he knew named Dave on the way over to talk to Torrie and was very aware of what he was planning. He was going to go chat up Torrie. Dom broke away from the race rats and headed over to Torrie. When he got there the other man had beaten him to her side and they were talking. Torrie was smiling up at him and he had his hand on her shoulder. It looked too cozy. Dom walked up and said,
"Come on Torrie, I want you to meet someone." He grabbed her arm and started to lead her away.
"Jesus Dom just a second." She got her arm away from him and turned back to Dave. "Nice to have met you maybe we'll talk more later." She said and then turned to Dom and shoved him backward, both hands on his chest. He didn't even move though. Man his chest was fantastic, 'wait, you're mad at him, don't let that great body sway you' she told herself. "What was that all about?" She asked and was obviously not amused. She had her hands on her hips and her head tilted at that you got a fight on your hands now way.
Dave thought there would be no later for him and Torrie. Dominic Torreto was obviously into her. She was a polar opposite of Letty which was a good thing for
Dom and a bad thing for anyone who wanted a chance with Torrie. Oh well not much he could do about it. Besides the girl had quite the temper if the way she was going in at Dom was any indication. Plus she was either cocky or stupid judging by the way she was talking to Dom. Dave had never heard anyone talk to Dom like that and walk away without something broken or bruised and bleeding. Dave had even seen him think of hitting Letty once when she shot her mouth off. Course Dom was always talking to other girls, well more then talking, and Letty was always running her mouth.
"That guy is a loser Torrie. Stay away from him." The meaning of what Mia said finally got through to Torrie. She had seen Dom coming over and realized he was jealous of her talking to another guy. That was a very good sign for Torrie. But if he would ever admit was another story. He walked her over to a different group of people with his arm around her shoulders. There goes the story I am not his bitch. She thought cattily. How am I every going to meet guys if Dom acts like I am with him? Even when I am not. The little voice in her head was telling her she only wanted Dom anyway, not other guys. But she knew letting Dom know that would not be a good idea. She decided to give him a bit of his own medicine and put her hand in the back pocket of his pants. It all looked very cozy and Dom knew that all the race sluts were taking notice of her claim.
Dom introduced her to Edwin, who showed more interest the Dom liked but what could he say, Edwin was a friend of his team, and Hector and his team, who still did not like her from the insults they traded last race night. Someone called Dom away to show him a new car; he left her with Edwin and Hector's teams to talk while he went to see what was up with his friends. He could not hang around her the whole time but he wanted to. He was not sure why. He wanted to protect her but he had nothing to worry about with Edwin. Except that Torrie would fall for the other man.
Edwin started to chat her up. They had a lot in common. He had a nice car and good taste in music. They were getting along like old friends. They sat on the hood of his car and talked about music and how she came to be part of team Torreto. About 15 minutes later Dom came back and saw them sitting together but he forced himself not to run over and haul her away. After all he was supposed to be her boss and friend, not a jealous boyfriend. But it looked very cozy, Torrie laughing and smiling at Edwin and the other man just eating it up. Torrie had no idea how attractive men found her, how she acted around them either Dom though. She acted so interested in what they said and laughed at their jokes. Well come to think of it she was not acting. That was how she was. She was interested in what people said and had a great sense of humour. It stood to reason that other guys were going to notice. Edwin was asking about her and Dom. Dom started to talk to Hector.
"So are you and Dom an item or just having sex?" Edwin believed in bluntness, or he had no tact, depended on who you asked. He felt that he needed to know before he took a relationship with her any further. He had no desire to get into a fight with Dom. He was not crazy, well not that crazy.
"Oh man what a question to ask a girl you just met." She giggled at him, which was totally an act; she felt more like crying at the absurdity of her situation. But keeping Edwin's interest sort of made sense to her too. He would not pursue her if he thought that her and Dom were together. "Well neither really. I work for him now and he is going to teach me to drive to win on the street. We are friends I guess but we are not dating or anything like that."
"That's cool but that's not what the way he looks at you when you are not watching says. And sure does nothing to explain why you were so close on the way over, but whatever you say. So a bunch of us are going to a new club downtown when the racing is all over. You wanna go with me?"
"Sure it sounds like fun. I have not gone to a club in forever. We can go celebrate my win." Edwin made a face at her and she laughed. The first genuine laugh in a long time, and the sound made Edwin smile. When this girl laughed it made the people hearing her want to do whatever they could to make her laugh again. She continued, "But be warned Dom treats me like I was twelve so if he says no I might have a fight on my hands but don't leave without me cause I am going if he likes it or not. Don't worry about it. She laughed with genuine enthusiasm cause she wanted to go out and be a young person having fun for a change. "Hey can I invite a girlfriend with me?"
"Sure girl the more the merrier. Well long as she is as cute as you." Torrie laughed.
"You're too funny. I am not cute, not in the least."
Edwin disagreed. It seemed Torrie had no idea just how pretty and sexy guys found her. Edwin found that refreshing after all the dymes at race nights that knew damn well how hot men found them and played it to their advantage. Torrie was genuine and, well, just nice.
Torrie pulled out her cell and called her best friend Lexus, or Lex as they all called her.
"Hey Lex, it's Torrie.'
"Torrie where the hell have you been. I called your house and the phone is disconnected and you never told any of us where the hell you went and we almost called the police." Lex talked like every word might be her last and she had to spit them all out rapidly.
"I had to move out, I was about to loose the house. So I went to a street race and put up my car to try and get some money."
"Oh no you did not are you crazy!"
"Well long story short, I lost to Dominic Torreto and rather then take my car after her heard the whole story he offered me a job in his garage and a place to stay with him and his team, so I live in his house now. I'll give you the number once I know what it is. But I still have the cell, it was just turned off. Anyways we are going out after racing tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to head out with us."
"You and Dom? No way! You have had a thing for that guy forever. I have never even seen him."
"No me and Edwin. Dom is not into me that way but Edwin is cool and there will be racer guys everywhere. You know what that means. Hot guys who own hot, fast cars. And many of them are bad boys, just your style."
"Ok, I'm there! What's the name of the club?"
Torrie laughed then looked around and made sure that Dom was still far enough away not to hear her talking. "Hey Edwin what is the name of this club?"
"It is The Cosmo Club on Fifth Street." Torrie relayed that info to Lex and they agreed to meet at the door around 12.
"See ya there girl." Torrie ended her call. "I'll find you when this is all over Edwin."
"I'll wait Girl."
Dom came over then and told her that it was time to get in the car for the race. She had to ride with Dom to see what she could pick up. He raced twice and won both times. She thought she learned a lot from watching. Man he was cold when he was racing. He showed no emotion at all. She thought here was something to that. She tended to let her emotions rule her even when she drove. If one song was on the radio she would drive differently from how she might drive otherwise. She drove Dom's car in one race and won. She made sure to pick a song that made her want to drive reckless. He was cordial in his congratulations but she wanted a hug from him not this pure business relationship. She wanted him to be outwardly proud of her. Oh well she could not rush things. She got her hug from Mia and Vince, Jesse and Leon. Dom was obviously not impressed by Vince hugging her and swinging her around. She wondered why it was that they were so proud of her. It was not like a girl never won at races before. They were rare for sure. She knew for a fact that Letty both drove and won at races. But Letty had been street, not like Torrie who was upper middle class the whole way. Guess it was different for her. While she had grown up around cars she had not grown up around the race scene.
The night was drawing to a close. All the races were over and no cops this time which was always good. She had a funny feeling when she took off on Dom in a few it was going to make some shit hit the fan. Most people were breaking off now for the after parties. Everyone in the team had wandered off to speak to different people. She looked for Mia and Brian because she figured they were the best bet to keep quiet while she left at least. The others were more loyal to Dom for sure and would run right to him.