The Fast and the Furious: Redline

Prologue
Greek god

Taylor kicked the sand as she walked down a long stretch of California beach. She rubbed her eyes, in hopes of stopping the tears that were rolling down her cheeks, but she failed miserably and tears began to form in her eyes. Taylor zipped her jacket up and wrapped her arms around herself. It had been a beautiful day. She was now walking down the beach watching the sun set. Taylor slipped into deep thought and began to remember how she and her boyfriend, Jarrett, used to sit outside their condo and watch the sun set. Of course that was before they...

"Heads up!" came a deep, throaty voice from somewhere on the beach ahead of her.

Taylor glanced up just in time to dodge an oncoming volleyball. Sand flew up as the ball made contact with the ground in the spot where she had once been standing. She quickly regained her composure and wiped away her tears. As she wiped the last tear away, a tall, muscular man jogged over to her and grabbed the ball from her feet.

"Sorry 'bout that," the man said with a smile. It was absolutely stunning. He was absolutely stunning.

Taylor felt her breath catch as she slowly took in his appearance. He was tall and had sun-tanned skin that accented his piercing green eyes exceptionally well. His brown hair peaked out from the black beanie cap he was wearing. The man's white wife beater was soaked with sweat and he smelled of beer, but to her it was a good smell. It was awakening. The black swim trunks that he had on were damp but also fit him in all the right places. Standing before her, she knew was a Greek god. Taylor felt the urge to pinch herself as the man's cool green eyes began to roam over her body.

She shuddered involuntarily when she realized that he was looking over her. The guy smiled. A mental picture of herself appeared in her mind. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail and the sun was casting auburn highlights onto her brown hair. She was a pair of light blue shorts, a white tank top, and a white hoodie. Taylor nervously shifted her toes in the sand and remembered leaving her shoes at her place.

She was brought from her thoughts when loud music filled the air suddenly. The guy in front of her smiled.

"Looks like the party has started," he said, chuckling.

Taylor gave him a weak smile.

"Hey. The name's Leon," he stated as he extended his hand. The volleyball was tucked under his left arm.

Taylor shook his hand and said, "I'm Taylor."

"Nice to meet you, Taylor."

"You too," she replied softly.

"Um...if you don't have anything better to do, wanna join us up at the house? There's an awesome party goin' on and we have a huge buffet in the kitchen."

"I don't know..." Taylor began to say.

"Aw, come on. What's the worse that could happen? You get drunk and have a good time? Come on, I'll get you a beer."

It was clear that Leon was not going to accept no as an answer, despite the fact that he had known her for less than five minutes.

"All right," she replied as they walked up to the house with him.

Butterflies filled her stomach, but part of her, her heart mainly, was telling her to relax and have fun. This party was what she needed to forget about Jarrett and all the shit that he had put her through.

Have fun, she told herself as she entered the house with Leon.

Partiers were everywhere she looked and even though it was only six o'clock, most of them looked trashed.

It's a party, Taylor reminded herself silently.

As she followed Leon to the kitchen, she felt several eyes fall onto her. Taylor began a little uncomfortable and decided to stick closer to Leon. He let out a small chuckle when he felt her get closer to him. She was a little embarrassed at the way she was acting, but it wasn't everyday that you were thrown into a room full of strangers. The two entered the kitchen and Leon dove into the fridge to get two beers. He popped the tops off and laid them on the counter.

"Here you go," he said, handing her a Corona.

"Thanks," she said.

Taylor finished the Corona and asked for another one. By the time her fifth one came around, her thoughts of Jarrett and his crap were gone. Days later, the only thing that she would be able to remember about the party was that it was big and loud. But boy did she have fun.