Chapter 37: First Times

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The next week went by quickly. July had been avoiding Dom like the plague even thought he tried several time to talk to her. Letty and Mike were getting closer and Amy had been over almost every night to hang with Jesse. The team had immediately taken to her. She was a lot like Jesse in that naïve, innocent way and they all thought they made a cute couple.

It was Friday afternoon when July found herself with Vince in her car. They were currently at the track practicing. Vince had taken her every afternoon to practice. He said she was getting pretty good and had some natural skill. He had to help her quiet a bit with the nitrous oxide since she had never used it but after the first couple days, she had mastered it and learned when it was safe time to use it. They had just finished the fifth run of the day and were idling at the start.

"Okay, this time you're using the nitrous," Vince said with a grin.

July's face matched his and then she opened the tanks and flipped the switches. Putting the car into first, she revved the engine and waited for the light. Time seemed to slow down, all she could hear was the engine, and all she saw was the light.

It switched and she let the clutch pop and then the car rushed forward. She shifted, paying special attention to all her gauges. When it was time, she pushed the red button on her steering wheel and both of them were pushed back into their seats. She crossed the finish line and then slowed the car down. She parked the car in the shade and shut the car off. The high from racing still strummed through their bodies and they mutually grabbed each other for a passionate kiss.

Managing to keep their lips together, July crawled over the gearbox and straddled Vince, her leather skirt riding high on her hips. July pressed up close to him as she could, her nerve endings sparking from the close proximity. He grabbed her hips as she ran her hands up his arms and then through his hair.

Their kisses were quick and heated. July's breathing and moans filled the car as Vince rubbed his hands down her body and kissed her neck. July's hand made their way underneath Vince's shirt and tugged it up. Vince released her long enough for her to pull his shirt off. July's hands sprawled out on his chest and traced every curve of his muscles; they flexed and relaxed under her exploration. Vince watched as she pulled off her shirt and her skin was revealed to him.

Without hesitation, he began to rain kisses down her chest. His hands caressed her back, starting to undo the clutch of her bra when he felt her hands fumbling at the buttons of his jeans, making him stop. Grabbing her hands in his, he kissed each one and held on to them, halting them from going any further.

"What?" July asked, her eyes huge and luminous in her flushed face, her voice only wavering slightly.

"We can't do this," he said struggling to say the words.

"Huh?" she asked in confusion before a moment of clarity settled over her and then hurt and anger covered her features. "Oh, I get it, now that you got a glimpse, I'm not good enough for you," she said, using anger to cover up her embarrassment.

"No, that's not it," Vince started as July bent her arms back to refasten her bra.

"Sure, it's all right, I can deal with this," she said defensively as she tried to push back her tears and hastily put on her shirt.

"Would you listen to me?" Vince said louder, grabbing her face and making her look at him. He could see the hurt behind her eyes and he mentally kicked himself for not wording it right. "Baby, I would love to do this. You can feel that and you know that. But when I first make love to the women that I love, it's not going to be in a car at the race tracks," he finished, searching her eyes. He saw his words sink in, the anger and hurt washing away from her face.

July had heard the wording he had used and the fact that he was refusing because of the situation, not because of her. She took these things to heart and couldn't help but fall that much more for Vince.

"You love me?" she asked quietly.

Vince swallowed the lump in his throat and told himself to be brave. He loved this girl and it was time to be honest with her about it.

"I love you," he said, his thumb stroking her cheekbone.

"I love you too," July said and they kissed. It was tentative and sweet, carrying the newfound declaration. When the kiss ended, July leaned her forehead against his and stared into his eyes. "So am I ready?" she asked.

"Ready for what?"

"To race," she answered, her lips brushing ever so lightly against his as she spoke.

"Yeah, you're good to go."

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It was Saturday night and races were on. After July and Vince returned back to the house, Vince had quickly talked to Dom about July racing and Dom instantly agree, still feeling guilty. All four girls were currently in July's room. Mia and Amy had arrived only a few minutes ago, completely ready and now were helping July. July could swear they had been through her whole wardrobe and she still hadn't found anything to wear. Letty was starting to get impatient and finally stood up and left the room. The remaining girls gaped at the door until Letty return holding an outfit. July took one look at it and knew it was the one.

It was a low, spaghetti strap shirt made of a blue shimmery material. It stopped about an inch or two below her breast but had fringes that fell to her belly button. Letty tossed her a black skirt that had a diagonal cut starting from mid thigh and stopped just below her knee. July gave her a thanks before taking the outfit and running to the bathroom.

Once she had changed, she came back out and found Letty equally ready. She was dressed in a red leather skirt, a tight black tube top, and a sleeveless red mesh shirt to go over that had a jagged cut edge on the bottom. Only a few steps into the room, Mia attacked July and starting on her makeup.

"You know, I'm fully capable of doing this myself," July said as Mia began to put on a bluish-silver eyeliner that made her eyes look bluer.

"Oh hush, or I might poke your eye out with this," Mia ordered as she started on her other eye. Finished with the eyeliner, she added some black mascara and tinted her lips with a sparkly lipgloss. Amy brushed out her hair and left it down.

When Letty came out, they started on her. Letty resisted until Mia accidentally poked Letty in the eye with the eyeliner. After that, Letty sat still until Mia was done and gave her a death glare.

"That hurt," Letty said with mock anger.

"That's what you get for not holding still," Mia answered back smugly.

Letty just shook her head at her and then turned back to the mirror to put her hair up. July and Letty were just finishing putting on their boots when Vince yelled at them to come down or they were leaving without them. Mia and Amy both grabbed their purses while July and Letty grabbed their wallets and then they headed downstairs.

The guys were speechless as they descended down the stairs. Each guy grabbed their respective girl and complimented them. A horn honked outside and they all knew it was Dom. They all exited the house, July locking the door behind her. Mia rode with Brian, Mike with Letty, Amy with Jesse, and Vince and July rode together much to Dom's dismay, but he didn't put up much of a fight on the issue. They all loaded up into their cars and began to make their way to the warehouses.

They were late to arrive and were the last ones as usual, drawing all the attention. Inside the tinted windows, July could see all the questioning and wondering faces. When they had stopped, everyone's eyes were on the unfamiliar car that was rolling with the Torettos'. Vince smirked at her and gave her a kiss before they opened the doors.

A hush feel over everyone as they watched the vert doors open and July and Vince get out. July could hear the whispers starting up in the crowd and heard them double when Vince put his arm around her. He smiled at her and started to play with the fringes on her shirt; she knew they were driving him crazy. They formed a perfect curtain around her but every time she moved, the fringes swayed and exposed her smooth stomach to him.

Everyone had got out of their cars and July looked over at Mike; his eyes were large, trying to take everything in and he looked like a little boy in a toy store. Letty was standing next to him and behind her, Jesse and Amy were sitting on his hood talking, and for once Jesse was more interested in what Amy was talking about than the cars around him. They both nodded at Leon who was chatting up some girls on the side as they made there way over to where Dom was talking to Hector.

"Well chica, looks like you got a sweet ride," Hector said his eyes showing his double meaning.

"I do, don't I?" she said, pulling Vince closer to her and giving him a smile.

"So how are we doing this?" Hector asked, turning back to Dom.

"July's racing tonight. 2G buy in, winner takes all," he answered not once looking at July.

"This your first race sweet cheeks?" Hector asked as he collected the roll of money that Dom held out.

"Yup," July said trying to be confident.

"I know just who to grab." Hector said sharing a look with Dom. With a wink to July, he turned and began to weave through the crowd looking for three more racers.

"Thanks for fronting the money," July said tight-lipped.

"You're welcome," Dome replied, not looking straight at her but over her shoulder. Mike interrupted any further talking and Dom slipped away.

"So you really racing?" Mike asked, his eyes shiny with excitement.

"Yeah, isn't it awesome," July said the excitement in her voice matching his.

"I'm one jealous puppy," he commented with a pout.

"Well maybe with your money you can get a better car and we'll fix it up," July suggested.

"What money? Oh, that money," Mike trailed off, his excitement gone like a candle being blown out.

"Oh Mikey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," July said apologetically.

"It's okay," he answered with a sigh. "I need to do this. I need to be able to move on and talk about it," he continued, his voice gaining strength with every word.

"I know but I still didn't need to," she started again.

"It's okay, really. Someone's been helping me a lot and it's getting better," Mike said looking over at Letty.

July was bubbling on the inside with happiness that Letty and Mike were getting closer. They would be good together. They both knew the heartache of getting cheated on and would never do it to each other. Letty came walking over and they all talked until Hector showed a few minutes later.

"Okay girly, I got the other three, we're on," he said with a smirk before disappearing into the crowd again. The people close by began to circulate the word and everyone headed to their cars. It was time to race.

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The cars were lined up and down the main drag for more than a quarter of a mile. July sat in her car at the starting line. Everyone had wished her good luck and reassured her that she would win but when it came down to it, it was just her: this would either make or break her. Vince gave her a good luck kiss before getting into Dom's car and heading down to the finish line. Vince hadn't forgiven Dom yet but they were on civil terms so far.

Turning on her stereo, she got the car ready for the race, opening the tanks and flipping the switches. She sat back in her seat and surveyed the competition. She was in Dom's usual spot on the outer right edge and looked over.

There was a maroon Altima next to her, then a white CRX, and then a light blue Lancer. The drivers were all male and all had different expressions on their faces. The guy in the Altima looked slightly bored about racing against her while the guy in the CRX looked slightly impressed that she was racing. The guy in the Lancer looked cocky and just gave her a smirk like he knew she was going to lose. His arrogant smile did it for her and she knew she was going to win; there was no doubt about it. She was going to take that stupid look off his face and show him that being a girl didn't make you bad.

Looking out the window, she saw Leon listening to the scanners a couple feet down. She saw him raise the two-way radio and speak into it; it was time. The butterflies in her tummy went into double time and continued to make their presence known as Hector raised his hands up. Pushing down on the clutch and shifting the car into first, she waited. Her grip was so hard that her hands started to ache. She relaxed her grip a bit and took a deep breath. She revved the car and her opponents mimicked the action.

Her car took off from the starting line with a roar as Hector dropped his hands. Not once did she look to the side or in her rearview mirror. She honed herself on listening to the engine and shifting at the right moment.

She momentarily looked down at her gauges and saw she was ready for a shot of nitrous. Taking a deep breath, she moved her thumb from the steering wheel and pressed down on the red button. The g-force pushed her back into the seat and her tires gave a small squeal as her car lunged forward. All the cars and people blurred into a blob of color as the car flew down the road.

She passed the finish line with a small cry of joy. She slowed down and then made a u-turn and drove back to the finish line. Vince was waiting for her at the side and she leaped into his arms as she got out.

"I did it," she cried above the cheering, her voice still breathless.

"Told ya you could do it," he replied with a smile.

"Oh shut up monkey boy and kiss me," she said and Vince gave her a grumble before happily capturing her lips.

They broke apart when they heard someone clearing their throat. July looked over to see Hector holding out her money. Vince lowered her down and July took the money from Hector.

"Thanks," she said with a big smile, the adrenaline still making her giddy.

Hector just smirked at her before turning around and starting to organize another race. Everyone surrounded her and congratulated her. Pulling a roll from her stack of money, she made her way over to Dom, who was standing on the sidelines.

"Here's your money," she said holding out the roll.

"You keep it," he ordered, looking down at it.

"I don't want your pity money," she snapped before taking a deep breath. "Look, I understand that you're sorry and I'm glad that you realize you made a mistake and I forgive you. It's Vince that you're going to have to make it up to. I owe you this money so please take it," July said holding it closer to him. With a dejected sigh, Dom took the money and gave her a meaningful look.

"You think he hates me?" he asked.

"He couldn't hate you. Just give him some time and don't be an ass," she said with a smirk. Dom shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. July turned around and started to walk back to her car when Dom grabbed her by the arm.

"I just wanted to say I was sorry," he said when she turned around. He let go of her arm and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"I know and I forgive you," she replied with a tense smile. Being around Dom still unsettled her a bit. She then turned and headed back to Vince. He was taut and began to relax as she wrapped an arm around his waist.

"What was that all about?" he asked, his voice a dangerous growl.

"Just gave him his money and he told me sorry," she answered casually.

"Oh," he replied, trying to keep his cool. Suspicion didn't get him anywhere with July; he had learned that with the little scuffle over Mike and Max.

July looked at his face and how hard he was trying to hold back and laughed. "Don't worry, nothing happened. He just wanted to apologize," she said answering his held back question, the last of the tension sliding away.

"Come on, there's another race, let's move your car and watch. Then we'll party," he said with a sly smirk, tugging on her waist and moving towards her car.

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July and Vince were one of the first ones back to the houses. Parking in her driveway, she and Vince made their way over to the fort, as Vince liked to call it. Music was playing and beers were already out. Vince grabbed one and offered one to July. She shook her head no and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

They made their way back to the living room and sat down on the couch, July sitting half way on Vince's lap. The people were pouring in and the music had become a couple decibels louder. They looked around to find everyone: Jesse was teaching Amy how to play some game on the PS2, Letty and Mike were dancing and seemed to be having lots of fun, Leon was sitting in a chair talking to a blonde chick and appeared to be doing it out of sheer boredom, and Dom was talking to a group of guys near the front door. Mia and Brian then came out of the kitchen, each with a drink and sat on the couch on the other side of the room.

After sitting on the couch for a bit, July and Vince got up and danced. Vince wasn't too bad but made an amusing sight. They danced a couple songs before July took pity on him and then sat back down. July curled up into his lap and Vince leaned in, whispering in her ear.

"Had enough of the party yet?"

"Yeah."

"Come on," he said, getting up and grabbing her hand.

They started to walk towards the door but instead of opening the door, Vince turned right and began to walk up the stairs. July didn't hesitate and followed after him. They walked down the dim hall and Vince opened the last door on the right. He held the door opened and allowed her to enter first before following her and locking the door behind him.

July's heart skipped a beat when she saw his room. Apart from it looking like any guys room, there were several candles placed around the room that were lit and gave the room a warm look. The scent of tiger lilies caught her attention and she saw a beautiful bouquet standing next to the bed on the nightstand.

"Vince…" she trailed off, turning back to him.

"July, I love you, but that doesn't mean we have to do this. I just wanted tonight to be special," he said stepping forward and staring her straight in the eye. The want and desire were palpable in the room.

"I know and I love you too and I want to do this," she replied, stepping closer and trailing a finger up his arm before wrapping her hand around his neck and tugging him down for a kiss.

Vince wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss, pulling her as close as possible. When they both pulled back to breathe, Vince tugged off his shirt and let it drop to the floor. Vince kissed her tenderly on the lips before bringing one hand up and lowering the strap on her left shoulder, kissing the shoulder and then repeating the same action on the other side. July let the shirt fall to the floor and stared up at Vince timidly. Vince saw her fear of rejection in her eyes and kissed her, trying to convey all his emotions for her. When he pulled back, her eyes were more confident.

Toeing off his shoes, he grabbed her and set her down on the bed. He unzipped her boots, pulling them off, and then skimmed his hands up her legs, resting them on her hips. July raised her feet, looped a toe into his belt loops, and tugged down. Vince chuckled at her before unbuttoning his pants and kicking them off, standing in only his boxers. Rising up her hips, Vince shimmied the skirt off her. They were still for a few moments, each one studying the other. July felt a heat rise within her under Vince's stare.

Discarding the rest of their clothes, they huddled underneath the blankets and embraced each other, soft curves pressing against muscular ones. They joined together, oblivious to the world around them; they were only focused on each other and that was all they could see. July let out a breath of completion before falling asleep on Vince's chest, secure in his arms.

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tbc…