Ashley : Breaking point

I was in a state of euphoria. Not because we were headed to the Desert Quarter today – as if that would make me happy – it was because of a certain blonde who had completely captured my heart.

My mind kept drifting back to our date night. Despite some intense discussions here and there, the night was entertaining. Dinner was amazing. I found it so easy to talk to her. Sometimes I forgot that she used to be a criminal. When I sat there, I imagined that she hadn't been to prison, and that her life was as innocent as I wished mine was. I'd told her about Kyla. I told her everything. I wanted her to know that I trusted her completely, and that I was open for a relationship with her. I could dream about a future with her.

Our ice cream venture was just as great. I saw her smile a lot, then. She's got the most amazing smile especially when it lights up her face, and reaches her eyes. Not even to mention the cute pout she throws in there sometimes.

When we went karting, I learned a little bit about Spencer. She didn't talk much about her past, I guessed it was difficult for her, but I appreciated every word she shared with me.

She was more open to the idea of sharing her body and soul with me. Never in my life had someone made me feel so special, so loved, as she gently tended to my needs, and allowed me to have her in return. I still had marks on my back as proof just how intense it was.

I realized that I was in love with her.

But there was something in the air today. Kyla was tense and bitchy – more so than usual – and it scared me. She kept talking about a last run and Mexico. I wasn't sure what she meant by that, but if she was thinking of running, she had to know that I wasn't going to run with her. I had a life here. I had college, I had the coffee shop, and I had Spencer. I've had enough of the drama revolving around cars, racing, territory, and money.

Unfortunately, Spencer was also tense. She was deep in thought as we arrived at the location of the Desert Quarter Mile. There were thousands of people, if not more. It was a great vibe, but the scene was not for me. I was more concerned about Spencer than worrying about the stupid racing.

"Spence? Are you okay?"

She smiled that dreamy smile. "I'm good, knowing you're here. It's just nerves."

I believed her. She was new at racing. She'd only done a handful of street races, and this would be her first Desert Quarter. Personally, I also hoped it would be the last. If there was any way I could convince her that we break away from this, I would. She still owed Kyla a car. And money for rebuilding the Supra. I wished I could help her get out of Kyla's grasp. As much as I loved my sister, I didn't trust her. I couldn't shake the uneasiness that Kyla had brought over me. I couldn't help feeling that she was up to something. I couldn't help wondering if she was going to be my ultimate downfall.

"Are you okay?"

For a brief moment I'd forgotten all about Spencer right next to me. We were queuing for our race registrations. "I guess I'm nervous too. I don't want to race Carmen."

Spencer grabbed my hand. "Hey," she said softly, lifting my chin. "You don't have to do this. You don't have to race today, or ever, Ash."

My stomach did flip-flops every single time she said my name in its shortened version. It made me feel like I belonged somewhere. With someone who actually cared about me.

"I know, it's just, Kyla – "

"Screw Kyla," Spencer interrupted me in a lowered voice. She leaned in and her soft lifts grazed mine. "I know she's your sister, but she can't force you to do something you don't want to do."

I wished it was that simple. I dropped my gaze to the sand and kicked into the dirt.

"Ash, look at me," Spencer urged. She cupped my face and melted my heart with those beautiful blue eyes. "Don't do this. I'll race Carmen."

I scoffed. "And if you lose? Kyla will kill you, Spence – she would really do that. Losing against Carmen today is not an option."

I know I insulted her capability to race, but the tiny smile curving her lips told me she understood the impact of my words. "That much faith in someone who almost beat you, huh?"

The thing about Spencer Wilson is, she made me laugh. In the worst situations, she knew how to ease up the tension, even if it was just a little bit. I loved her for that. She got a chuckle and a smile out of me.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," I finally admitted. After our night together, I was more sure about my feelings for her than ever. But I also knew how dangerous Kyla really was. When it came to racing and protecting her name, she was relentless.

She surprised me. "I'm here to protect you, not the other way around."

I didn't understand why she would say that, but Spencer's words stayed with me for the rest of the day.

Kyla was livid when she found out that I was not going to race. She'd been screaming at me for about twenty minutes, when finally, a distraction in the form of Madison, came running up to us in a panic.

"Kyl – "

"Not now, Madison, I'm talking to Ashley."

"But – "

Kyla nearly exploded. "I said, not now, Madison!"

I watched as Madison took a step back. We both knew this side of Kyla – it was a side that I've only once seen before – when she beat up Peter Anderson. Madison had seen more such occurrences.

I took a deep, cautious breath. "Kyla, just let her talk, please?"

Kyla had never raised her hand for me before, so I gasped as her palm made contact with my face.

Madison jumped in and pushed her away. "Kyla, are you fucking crazy? Go take a walk! Go stop Clay from racing Carmen!"

That seemed to have grabbed Kyla's attention. Without so much as an apology to me, she stormed off, and I knew that she was even more angry now. It was my fault that Clay was taking on Carmen. He wasn't supposed to race at all today.

"Ashley?" Madison looked at me with concern.

"I'm fine, Madison. Just leave me alone, please."

When she left, I made my way over to the spectator wall to watch Clay's demise. I knew before we even left home that this entire Desert race was going to be a disaster. And so far, my gut was right.

Clay had lost his race against Carmen. I stared as he drove off out of the arena instead of heading back to us. Something was wrong. Everything was going wrong. The next thing I knew, Kyla and Carmen were in a fist fight – Carmen blaming Kyla for a police raid at her family home. Kyla was a lot of things, but never someone to rat somebody else out. And she showed it, with her fists. It took several security personnel to break them apart.

My eye caught Spencer's, and I felt even more unsettled. Why did it feel like something bad was about to happen?