Forgotten Love and Goodbyes – Ch. 8
When Leon got to the race location it was very busy. Cars lined the street as racers and spectators mingled about. Some racers had their hoods up and people looking at the contents, some had music blasting from their audio system and people dancing around, finally those with video game systems had people cheering them on. Leon drove slowly looking for the rest of the team. He soon spotted them hanging out and laughing, music blasting from Benny's Eclipse. Leon drove up and parked himself beside Marcus' Jetta. The team noticed him and watched him exit the car. When he reached the team he waved hello, they just look at him. After a minute of silence they all burst out in laughter and began gathering around him. Leon felt so good to be accepted by them again. "Hey where's Akisha, I see her car?"
"She waiting inside the car," said Benny.
"Benny thought she'd be safer inside then out here, especially with the twins yet to arrive," said Mija.
"Can I see…" he'd barely finished his sentence when Akisha jumped out of the car and ran up to him. Leon picked her up and kissed her full on the lips, spinning her around. The team cheered and clapped. "Hey baby you look good, the bruise is almost gone."
"The physical evidence may be almost gone, but the emotional is still there."
"Well don't worry, like you said win or lose I'm not going nowhere, but staying here with you guys," he said as he set her back down on the ground.
"Uh oh here they come," said Cho as she pointed as two Coupes - Mario's red and Rico's orange – pulled up. Mario and Rico got out and headed towards the group. Leon held Akisha close to him as his icy glare met the bros.
"Yo Benny this place is jammin'" said Mario smiling.
"Yeah man I heard the buy-in is a big 5 Gs. That would be sweet to win for the team," said Rico.
"Yeah that could lead to a big payout, but you won't be doing it for us," said Benny getting down from the hood of his car."
"What do you mean?" said Rico with a confused look on his face.
"You're free to race tonight, but you're no longer racing for the team, you're out," said Benny firmly.
"What the…?"
"Why's he out?" said Mario furious, "if this had to do with her," he pointed to Akisha, "then it's bullshit."
"It has everything to do with her, he knew the rules and he's the one who crossed the line."
"It wasn't his fault, she provoked him."
"She did not, true she never told me about Rico and her," said Leon, knowing he shouldn't have spoken up, "but again it was just as much as your brother's fault."
"You stay outta this!" said Rico.
"No I won't Rico, like I said before, I feel bad about just taking off like I did and not telling you guys what happened. Sure I was upset when I found out that you two started something, but at least I controlled my anger and didn't lash out like you did," Leon said holding Akisha tighter to him.
"So what does this mean then, if he's out I'm out too?" said Mario.
"That all depends of you," said Benny, "you can go with your bro or stay with us."
"Well I guess I'm gone too family's stick together, and if he's no longer part of this family then neither am I," with that said he and Rico got back into their cares and drove off.
"I'm glad to see those tirón jerks gone," said Mija, "now at least we can have some peace and quiet."
"Yeah mon, da race's about to start," said Marcus heading to his car. The others followed and headed to the racing area.
The racing area was a stretch of street that ran by an old abandoned saw mill. Cars lined the edge of the street as two guys drew a starting line. They then radioed a pair of girls a quarter mile down to make a finishing line. Marcus and Cho drove their cars to the starting line, where they met up with the two other racers, Leon pulled up at the end; he smiled and winked at Cho and Marcus. The other two recognized Leon and each gave him the finger, Leon just shook it off. All five revved up their engines as NOS spurted from their exhaust. They watched as two Asian females walking up holding green flags. They went on either side and shouted; "Ready, set, GO!" the cars took off. The speed and adrenaline was a rush for Leon, he hadn't felt like this in a while. He knew he didn't race much back in L.A. since he was the lookout on the police scanners, but when he did, it felt like flying. The rush he felt when the NOS made his car skyrocket. He felt bad that maybe since he hadn't raced in awhile, he'd lose. He then went back to what Benny had said about him being back with the team no matter what. With that in his mind, he pressed the button for his first tank and blasted off. He was neck in neck with one of the other racers for first. Close to the last half quarter, he pressed his second tank button and blasted to finish. His car was soon surrounded by the rest of the team and other racers. When he got out he received cheers and high-fives. Benny came up and personally handed him his winnings. Instead of keeping it all, he gave some to the other racers including Cho and Marcus.
"Yo for everyone who wants to come, there's gonna be a barbeque at my place," said Benny, "so come out and let's party!" The crowd went up in cheers. The team got in their cars and headed out. Leon waited until the team left before he headed over to Akisha who was starting hers.
"Akisha wait," he shouted, Akisha turned off her car, "I want to talk to you about something."
"What is it Leon?" she asked.
"I need you to get out first, please it's important," he said with a smile.
Akisha got out of the car and closed the door. "So what did ya want to talk about?"
"About us, I want to know that with Rico finally gone and now that he can't really bother us anymore, if you and I can truly work this out?"
"If you're talking about our relationship Leon, I've told you before, no matter what I'm devoted to you again. You're the only one for me and no one can change that."
"Good cause I just wanna be sure, cause if this ever happens again I just don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you again, to anyone for that matter."
"Are implying anything Leon, cause if you are…"
"No not really, but I'm just asking in general."
"Well as long as you can remain truthful to me then never."
"Great, well how bout we head to the party?"
"Sure thing, I'll see ya there."
"I'll be waiting for ya, race ya," he dashed to his car Akisha got into hers and sped off.
When Akisha got to Benny's there were signs that a party was already going on. Cars were lined up the length of the street of both sides; all the lights were on in the house and music blared from the windows. There were people both inside and out dancing, laughing and talking. She found room in the driveway, so she pulled up and parked her car. She had just closed and locked her door when a car pulled up behind hers. "Hey beautiful," said the driver, "looks like I caught you at a good time."
"Hey handsome," she said turning around, "looks like I did too." She walked over to Leon and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey looks like your bruise is finally gone. It's a good thing too, you wouldn't look in party mode if it was still there," he said smiling. "C'mon let's go," he said as he wrapped an arm around her waist, they headed into the house. Once inside they saw the room packed with people drinking and laughing. A few of them saw Leon and Akisha pass by and they waved hello and raised a toast to them. As soon as they entered the backyard, there was total silence. Benny made his way through the crowd, till he was in front.
Raising his beer bottle he said, "I would like to raise a toast to my new champ and want to welcome his back on the team. Cheers to Leon!"
"Cheers to Leon," said the crowd.
"C'mon man join the party," said Benny motioning for them to join the group. Taking Akisha by the hand Leon and she headed down the stairs to the rest of the team. The team cheered them on when they arrived. Cheryl gave each of them a hamburger on a plate and hugged them both.
"Hey Akisha glad to see you're doing okay, Benny told me what happened. Rico is a jerk is two ways; one for doing what he did and two for getting upset when he got kicked off. Trust me girl, he got what he deserved."
"Thanks Cheryl, I know he did," she replied smiling as Leon led her away. The pair went to the snack table to put some stuff and their burgers and get some chips. Then they headed to a quiet spot on the back porch and sat down. As they ate their burgers, Leon couldn't help but look at Akisha and not stop feeling guilty and sorry at the same time. He knew that he could never change what happened, but at least he didn't have to worry about Rico bothering them anymore. He was glad that he could love her and be bothered with him intruding. He could live the rest of his days with her in happiness. This whole situation reminded him of his days back in L.A. with Dom and the team. He felt bad that everything had fallen apart there and hoped it wouldn't be the same here. He also thought about his conversation with Vince and how he promised he'd visit him. He wanted to bring Akisha with so that he and Mia could meet her.
"I'm gonna go and get a beer," he said getting up," you want one?"
"Yeah sure thanks." Leon went on his way as Marcus came up and sat down beside her.
"Just came to see ya gurl, glad to see ya doing well."
"Thanks, I've been getting that from everyone."
"It's a good ting too, everyone's been worried about you, worried you wouldn't be able to adjust after."
"I know, it was kinds tough at first, but I'll okay."
"Good to hear, see ya around," he said as Leon returned with the beers. "Hey Leon great race."
"Thanks Marcus. How are you feeling baby?"
"Great, a bit tired though."
"Do ya wanna go upstairs and get some rest?"
"Sure that would be great."
"Fine we'll do, after we finish our beers" he smiled, gave her a beer and kissed her on the cheek. Leon and she got up and went inside to chat with the other guests. Some were dancing to music; others were playing on the PS2. They headed out the front door and onto the porch. They walked over to the porch swing and sat down. While drinking his beer Leon nuzzled her neck causing her to giggle. They soon finished their beers and Leon took her by the hand and led her inside the house. They went upstairs and found an empty room. They went inside and locked the door behind them.
To Be Continued