Chapter 3 - Who am I?
I woke up around lunch time the day after 'the day'. I had a splitting headache and I could just tell I looked like shit even thought I had yet to go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. I just lay in bed for few minutes and it took those few minutes for the previous days events to crash over me. For the first minute I wondered what I was doing in a motel room without Dom.
When I remembered that I was only in the motel because Dom had left me I crashed to earth and hit hard. But I was done crying. I'd cried all the tears that Dom deserved to have shed over him the day before. I knew that hoping never to cry over this whole situation again was asking too much but it was all that got me out of bed so I kept telling myself I was done crying. That I was going to be ok. I got up, headed to the bathroom and confirmed the fact that I did, in fact look like shit.
I washed my face and tried to clean up as best I could. Then I headed back into the main room and looked around. It was even more horribly decorated in the daylight then it had been in the glare from the street lights and the soft lamplight of the night before.
I went to my duffle and started to look through it for something to wear. Every item of clothing I owned reminded me of Dom. Everything I'd ever bought I'd had what he'd think of me wearing it in mind. When had I become so pathetic? I mean, when did I start living more for Dom then for myself? It had to change.
But for now I had no choice but wear the cloths I had with me, but as soon as I got where I was going I was going shopping. I had money from the shit in the bank. I hadn't spent any of it out of principle. It seemed wrong some how after we almost got Vince killed and drove Brian away over that money to spend it then. To spend it on frivolous things. I mean if someone had needed surgery and the only way to pay for it was to spend that money then it wouldn't have been an issue for me. But to take it and spend it on cloths and the cars seemed wrong to me.
It was dirty money all along but it really seemed dirty to me after that day in August. It has been so easy to forget where the money had come from up till then, so easy to forget it wasn't honest, that we hadn't worked for it. It was almost like it had been all fun, games, and big thrills up till that awful day were everything went wrong and the fact that what we were doing was neither fun, nor a game was forced to the forefront most painfully.
But never the less, I had that money and I was very fuckin glad I did. I'd need it to find a place to live and to support myself while I waited to get a job where ever it was I was going. All I knew was fixing cars but thanks to Dom's dad, Dom and Jesse I was quite good at it. I hoped that I'd be able to get a job with cars where ever it was I was going. I figured on just driving till I ended up someplace that sounded ok to stay in for awhile. I didn't want to just drive over the country aimlessly for the next weeks, months or years. I wanted to find a place I could try to be happy for the time.
I knew I was kidding myself there. As much as Dom and I fight I know he's my life. I'm really not sure I know how to be happy without him. And that's a problem isn't it? No one should ever have to look at their life and realize that their happiness is dependant on some other person being a part of their life. You really need to know how to make yourself happy before you can even worry about making other people happy too. And that too was part of our problem, Dom's and mine. Neither of us knew how to make ourselves happy let alone each other. I think we could have learned how together, but since it seems that he thinks he has to learn how alone I'll go try to learn how on my own too.
I just hope that someday when we both learn how to be happy on our own we can be happy together again. But in the meantime I'm going to try and get on with my life. I'm the tough girl after all. It should be easy. That's a nice thought but I know it's not going to be anything close to easy.
As I pulled on my underwear I realized that they were the same ones that I'd worn on the day we all met Brian. The day Dom told him not to come around anymore. The day that yet again he threw my affection in my face. Sometimes he seemed to like it when I was attentive like that and other times he acted like I was smothering him. I wish just once he'd have given me enough attention to feel like he was smothering me.
Instead of saying 'Thanks anyway baby but I just got a drink, come say hello to me.' He just holds up the can and doesn't even spare me a look. He doesn't look up to see how much his callous treatment hurts me inside. Even if I do just slide my glasses back up my nose and stand off to the side. Thinking. It's not the first time he's been mean to me and it won't be the last. I've become quite good at standing there and pretending that what he says and does doesn't matter. But it really does matter and that's often what I'm thinking about.
The way it took him forever to go and break up Vince and Brian drove me crazy too. But at least it was me who finally got him to go with my exasperated 'Dom!' Then I followed him out of the store with an apologetic glance at Mia and went to go help Leon calm Dom down if he should take it into his head to beat on the poor guy who was actually holding his own against Vince in the street. That said something about Brian right there. Vince could really fight. I think that was the beginning of Dom's softening toward Brian right there. The boy could fight, protect himself. That almost meant he had to be use to doing so. And that made him like us.
Then that very night at races the way Dom grabbed the blond girl around the waist and let all of them hang on him. Right in front of me. How was that ok? Then when I got mad about it, like he knew I was going to he gave me one of those looks. Like I was embarrassing him by chasing off the skanks but he wasn't embarrassing me by doing what he did in the first place. I'm honestly grinning about what I said though. "I smell, *sniff sniff* skanks. Why don't you girls just pack it up before I leave tread marks on your face?" That was the best line I ever came up with.
Some times I think he just did stuff like that with the skanks to try and drive me into a rage. He got off on it. I know he did. I guess I did too in some ways because the sex I knew we'd have after such an incident would always be wild. Plus I was his trophy. Me. Not them but me. He'd actually showed me affection and picked me up that night. Called me his trophy in front of other people and picked me up and kissed me right there. I sometimes wonder if it didn't have something to do with the fact that Vince and I had been joking around, having a good time right up till he grabbed me and he was maybe jealous of Vince and I having a good time together. But who knows.
I pulled on my combat pants and then my black bra and a red singlet. It was time to move on. I packed up the meagre amount of stuff I'd bothered to unpack the night before and headed down to the office. I paid for my room and then got into my car. I headed off. East again.
It was like something was pulling me east. I didn't know why I was driving east, not north or south but I was. I kept the car pointed east. I had no idea where I was going yet. I was just driving. I only stopped for gas and the washroom when I had no choice. I made it into Mississippi before I stopped for another rest. I got another motel room and again just took a hot shower and went to fall into bed.
Then I got an attack of conscious and I dialled our number again. I couldn't let them worry. I really should be able to. I'm still mad at Dom. But it's not about Dom at this point. It's about the team. And it's about me. I need to know they miss me almost as much as I don't want to worry Mia and the guys.
I dialled the number smoothly this time though. No hesitation. I still didn't want to talk to Dom but I figured the team would know that and one of the others would go out of their way to answer.
It rang three times before Leon picked up. "Yo."
It wouldn't be Leon if he didn't answer the phone with yo. "Hey Leon." I tried to sound upbeat.
"Let. Where the hell are you?" He asked me and I can hear the upset in his voice. He didn't get a chance to yell at me yesterday so I understand where he's coming from.
"I'm on the road. Well, I'm in a cheap motel right now." I giggled at him. I'm really starting to feel better. Or the stress is getting to me. Take your pick.
"That's not what I mean and you know it. What's the big idea taking off without saying good bye? Hell, what's the big idea taking off at all?"
"Leon." I sighed. I didn't need this. It was strange for Leon to give me such a hard time. "I had to go. I didn't want to. I had to. I just wanted to let you guys know I'm still ok. But still not sure where I'm going."
"I know baby girl. I know you had to leave but I still wish you could've stayed."
"Well me too Leon. Just do me a few favours ok?"
"Anything baby girl."
"Take care of him for me Leon. Try to help him find whatever it is he needs to find for me ok? I really think I'm going to be ok."
"For sure Letty. If you're ok then come home."
"I need this time Leon. I'll come back someday. I'm not going to call again for awhile ok. But I'll let you guys know if I need anything."
We shared a few more words but most of it just catching up and killing time because we didn't want to let the contact go. He put Vince on and we just chatted for a few minutes and I did the same with Mia and Jesse.
While I was talking to them I did feel better but then when I let them all go I was as lonely as ever. It made me realize just what I'd really given up when I gave up my life in California. But a new future was out there waiting for me somewhere. I went to bed and slept the sleep of the justifiably tired all night. No nightmares and no waking up. I woke up the next day still feeling down but not as bad as it had been.
I was on the road within half an hour of waking up. Nothing about Mississippi recommended it to me as a permanent place to live. I wasn't far enough away from Dom yet either. But I didn't see anything about Mississippi that made we want to stop there.
As the miles flew by I thought. I had nothing else to do and unlike most people when I crank the tunes way up it puts me even deeper into my own little world. It's like loud music helps me think. My thoughts drifted back to the first time I ever laid eyes on Dominic Toretto.
I was ten. And I'd just turned 10 like a week before I moved in. We had to move because my father got a new job. Like he'd ever hold it for more then a few months anyway. But still he'd finally gotten a new job so we had to move to follow it. We moved into a house that wasn't as nice as the Toretto's but still nicer then the one we'd left.
On our first day in the new neighbourhood as often happened my mom and my dad started to go in at each other. It didn't matter over what, but I think that day it was over the fact that she wanted to start shooting up and he wanted her to stay clean for the first while at least till the new neighbours had met us.
But if I'd waited around the house when he got tired of hitting her about it he'd start hitting me. But if I left in the middle of the fight they'd never notice and most of the time they'd be done by the time I got home. So I hopped on my bike with my little kit bag full of 'Hot Wheels' and headed off down the street. About 7 houses down I rode past a white house with a big truck and trailer out front and a kind looking man washing what was obviously a stock racing car in the driveway.
I stopped my bike and just watched him from the sidewalk for about 10 minutes. And he knew I was there the whole time but it was like he knew I was shy. I bet that's hard to believe now but despite all the bravo I show sometimes meeting new people is hard for me. So I come off like a stuck up bitch a lot of the time. But it's really just the fact that I've been disrespected for being me so much that I almost take it in stride and I don't trust people out the gate. It's like every girl hates me for having Dom and every guy who doesn't want to fuck me hates me for being a better racer. But anyway, it was even harder for me to meet new people back then. That was before I got confidence and grew the really thick skin. So I just sat on my bike and watched him wash his car.
Oh man I wanted to help. I wanted to help and I wanted to ask him so many questions. I loved cars but we never had anything less then 15 years old at our house and they only lasted a few months before they died and had to be replaced. I don't know to this day where my love of cars came from but I'm willing to bet that it was fate making sure I'd survive childhood. Because if I hadn't found the Toretto's and cars through them I wouldn't have.
Then when I was about to move on because I figured if the man hadn't acknowledged me by then he wasn't going to he called out.
"Hello."
"Hi." I answered him back and lowered my eyes. I might've wanted to talk to him more then anything but I was still shy.
"What's your name?" He asked and smiled at me. He had the kindest smile I've ever seen.
"Letitia." I told him.
"That's pretty, but it's an awfully long name for such a small girl."
"You can call me Letty." I told him and the look in his eyes started to put me at ease.
"Well Letty. That's a pretty name. What's in the bag?"
"My cars." I told him shyly.
"You like cars?"
"Oh yes." I breathed out. "More then anything. Yours is cool." His smile got even bigger. I smiled back but quickly hid it when I remembered I'd lost one of my front teeth the week before. My dad's fault but it was a baby tooth and it had been loose anyway.
"Well thank you Letty. Would you like to help me finish washing it? My son normally helps me but he went to play in the park with his friend Vince." I couldn't answer him so I just nodded.
He gave me a wash mitt and my own small bucket of soap. I washed all the low parts of the car and he washed the high. Then he showed me how to dry the car. It was the best afternoon of my life. I kid you not. I got to be a kid. I didn't know that day just how often I'd wish that Giovanni Toretto was my dad too over the next 3 years.
Of course three years later was when I started to have feelings for Dom that I didn't have when I was 10 and then I was glad we didn't have the same father.
As we washed and dried the car Mr. Toretto asked me all sorts of stuff. I think he figured out from the way I was that things weren't great at home. He was an awesome dad. Mia and Dom know full well how lucky they were. I'm thankful for ever second of every minute that I got to have him in my life. The Toretto's showed me what family life should be like. At least, no matter what else, I know that my life wasn't normal and I hope if I ever have kids I'll make a better mom then mine did.
Just as we finished drying the car and I was looking at it with wonder on my face wishing that the nice man would take me for a ride in it the prettiest girl I'd ever seen walked out of the Toretto house.
"Who's that daddy?" She asked with a hesitant smile.
"This is Letitia. Her family just moved in down the street. Say hello Mia."
"Hi. I'm Mia."
"I'm Letty." I told her. I didn't think there was a hope in hell me and this girl were ever going to get along and I was so upset because if I didn't get along with the girl I wouldn't be able to hang out with her cool dad. But she had long flowing black hair and big black eyes and she was wearing a dress. Me and the pretty girly girls didn't often get along. But I really wanted to get along with Mia and it was more then just because of her dad. Can't put my finger on what it was to this day but I knew I really wanted to know Mia Toretto.
"Do you like dolls? You can come play with my Barbies with me if you want." I didn't like Barbies but I didn't want to piss off the girl who owned the dad with the cool cars. Plus there was something in her eyes. Like she'd been playing alone for far too long. I knew how she felt.
"I've never played Barbies. Will you show me how?"
"Sure." And with the sunniest smile I've ever seen to this day Mia Toretto dragged me into her house, up to her room and started to teach me about doing Barbie hair and picking out Barbie outfits. It was the first of many afternoons filled with girly toys and I put up with it only because I really liked Mia.
Like I said, she was my opposite but we were still best friends. She use to play race cars with me too and it was just as bad for her as Barbies were for me. On that afternoon, after an hour of Barbies, the door of Mia's room was thrown open and a boy burst in.
"Mia, dad wants to.Who's this?" The boy asked with a sneer.
"This is Letty and she's my new best friend." Mia answered back then turned to me. "Never mind my brother. He's 14 and he thinks he's cool." Mia went back to braiding her dolls hair. I just looked at Dom. Much as Mia tells people I've always had a crush on him that's not true. But I always knew our futures were going to be tied together. Right from that first day. I was also shocked that I was now, after one hour of torture by Barbies, someone's best friend. I'd never been anyone's best friend. I'd never had one either.
Dom just looked at me. I just looked back. I didn't know what was pulling me toward Dominic Toretto then and I still don't know what makes me want to be with him today. But there is something about him like gravity. But there's more then that to it for me. I can't explain it so I won't even try.
"What's up with her? Is she stupid?" Dom asked his sister and I looked away. I already knew that tears didn't help much but his question hurt me that day to the point that I almost cried. And it had been a long time since anything made me cry. My dad had taught me quickly that all crying did was add to the beating he was giving out.
"No lameo she just can't believe that anyone as ugly you is free to roam the streets. You're the stupid one. I don't want you around. You're a jerk and I don't want you to talk to my best friend like that." I was shocked that Mia said anything like that to anyone. She'd been the sweetest girl on earth up to that point. I would later find out that because she was so pretty and girly she didn't have a lot of friends in grade school and the chace to have a best girl was as important to her as the chance to interact with a real family was to me. But hearing her defend me was tough too. No one had ever stuck up for me before and Mia sticking up for me against this bully, even if it was her own brother was about the nicest thing that anyone had ever done for me. I was going to break down and cry. The more I thought about it the harder it was not to cry. I tugged on one of my pigtail braids and reached for my bag.
I needed to hold onto one of my cars. I knew that would calm me down. It always did after my dad was done with me. It had to be the purple car. I don't think it was any specific kind of car but it was purple and it had two doors. It was always in the little zipper bag part at the top of the kitbag because I didn't want to have to search for it. So without looking I got the bag open and got out my car.
I started to spin the wheels with my thumb. Round and round. Waiting for his stupid comment to stop hurting. And I could tell he was still standing there, still staring at me.
I shot Mia a glance and she was looking at me with apology. "Say you're sorry Dominic. Tell my best friend you're sorry."
"I will n."
"Sorry for what?' Mr. Toretto interrupted from the door.
"Nothin'" Dom answered belligerently with a look at Mia warning her to keep her mouth shut. A look she didn't heed.
"Dominic called Letty stupid." Mia tattled happily.
"Dominic Giovanni Toretto! You will say you're sorry and then you will go to your room. Vince, you'll need to go home now. Dominic is as of this moment grounded for a week. No phone, no TV, and no friends over."
I knew this was not good. Dom was going to hate me already and we'd just met. I'd have been ok. Mia didn't need to tell on him for me. But I know now that siblings need to fight and that was just the normal order of things. But Mia had dragged me into it and there was nothing I could do about it. I just wanted Dom to go away by that time. I sure as hell didn't want anyone to force him to apologize.
"I'm sorry Letty. I didn't mean it." He didn't sound as angry as I would have thought. The apology didn't seem as forced as I would have figured. I looked up at him then and it was like he saw the tears in my eyes. Even though I'd blinked them down and calmed down with my purple car he knew how bad he'd hurt me. With a glance at his dad he sat down beside me on the floor and held out his hand. "Can I see your car?" I handed it over without a word. "This is a nice car. Do you like cars?" I nodded.
"Yeah. I'm gonna own one just like this some day and I'm gonna race it. I'm gonna be the fastest girl in LA."
"Why'd you let Mia sucker you into playing with dolls then?"
"I like Mia." I smiled at her. "I like playing dolls with her." Mia grinned back. Dom handed me back my car.
"Well Letty, that's a really nice car you have there. And I'm really sorry that I said what I did."
I looked up at him and our eyes met. My dark brown eyes met his black eyes and I swear, even if I didn't know what I was looking at then I know now it was my future. "It's ok."
"No it's not. And while I'm very proud of my son for his sincere apology and happy you've accepted it, what he said to you was still very wrong." Mr. Toretto held out his hand for Dom to leave the room with him.
"I'm sorry you got in trouble." I whispered to Dom as he went to get up.
"I'm sorry I was a jerk. And don't worry. You're gonna get me in a lot more trouble someday." And then with a wink he left the room with his dad.
"My brother's such an idiot." Mia said as the door closed. "You really like cars huh?"
"Yeah. Don't you? And your brother's not so bad."
"I like it when my daddy takes me to the track and sometimes takes me for a fast drive but I don't like cars the way that Dom and dad like cars. I like my dolls better. Where are you going to school?"
Mia's always switched topics that fast. It's scary even now. I told her the name of the school I was going to be in.
"Hey that's where I go! Who's class are you in?"
I told her.
"Me too. You must be 10 too."
"I am 10. When's your birthday?"
"In two days. You'll have to come to my party. When's yours?"
"I just had mine three days ago." I didn't get a party. There hadn't been time for one, not that they would have given me one anyway.
"That's so cool. You're only 5 days older then me. We need to go tell dad." With that she jumped up and grabbed my hand and dragged me down to the living room. "Dad. Guess what? Letty is only 5 days older then I am. She's going to come to my party if it's ok."
"She'll have to ask her folks Mia."
"And she's in my class at school too. Isn't that cool?" Mia carried on like her dad had never spoke. "You go ask if you can come to my party!" She told me. I did have to go home but of course I went to her party. And I brought her a new Barbie even if I hated to buy it even for Mia. And that started it. I was always at the Toretto house. I was never home if I could help it. And Mia and I were almost inseparable. Except when I hung out around the cars with Mr. Toretto.
For the first while Dom was nice to me but never more then nice. I was just Mia's little friend. But he watched out for me subtly too. He hoped no one would notice. And he did act like I was a pest around his guy friends. All but Vince. And sometimes he acted like he didn't want me around while he helped his dad work on their race car. But Mr. Toretto always included me in car related stuff. I think he knew I was as car crazy as Dom and he liked to have a girl around that liked cars. I knew more about cars by 12 then some people ever know.
I met Vince a few days after I met the Toretto's and it was love at first sight. Not that kind of love. I was only 10. Vince took care of me and never acted like I was a pest. But Vince got much of the same treatment at home and he knew how it was. That started my great relationship with V. Much as I've always seen Mia like a sister, I never saw Dom as a brother. That was always Vince.
I shook myself out of my daydream and realized that I had entered Alabama and I was faced with a choice. Turn north toward New York or go south toward Miami.
Now, New York is about as far from Dom as I could get. But it was also cold, and had a crappy racing scene. Remember when I told Dom I was going to be the fastest girl racer in LA? Well, I hadn't been lying. I had been the fastest girl racer in LA. Faster then a lot of the guys too. Not only that but I was going to be the fastest girl in whatever city I ended up in. And Miami, with it's population of old people and nice beaches sounded better then New York and it's snow and boredom. I made the right for Miami. This time there was no Dom to hold me back. I could race as much as I wanted.
So that was where I was driving, Miami. Good to know. I smiled for the first time since I'd left. Welcome to Miami and Buenvenidos a Miami. I drove again till I found a half decent looking motel and pulled in. I got settled in and then decided that sitting in a motel room wasn't going to do me any good so I decided to go explore my new home.
A few hours later I stood in the middle of a mall staring at people walking by me as I tried to decide where to go shop first. I knew I wanted new clothes but I didn't know what to buy or where to buy it. After another moment of watching people go about their lives around me and ignore me I walked into a store.
It was a strange feeling and it bothered me more then it should but in LA at least some people would have pointed and whispered 'That's Letty. That's Dom Toretto's girlfriend.' Here no one knew me and no one cared who I was. That was grounding. But also I was sick of being known as Dom Toretto's girl. I was a person in my own right. Besides that, half the people who said 'that's Dom's girl' went on to say and Dom cheats on her every chance he gests. I got over yet another round of self pity and started entering stores.
I did some shopping and it was hard to think of my clothes in terms of what I liked instead of what would make Dom sit up and take notice. But I pretty much ended up with the same kind of cloths I'd always bought.
It turns out I like the way I dress. But it was nice to have new clothes that I picked out with only me in mind. I took my new clothes out to my car and got in. Then I started looking around for any cars that I thought might give me a clue where races were. There had to be races and I was going to find them.
Dom didn't like to let me race too much at home. I don't really know why. It was one of those things I knew would be a big fight if I asked him about it. So I just didn't. I've guessed that it was either because he was scared someday I might race him and win or because he wanted me to be his trophy girl not a racer girl. I could be wrong but I really bet it has something to do with one or the other.
I spotted a tricked out Toyota MR-2 and followed him till he stopped. As he got out of his car so did I.
"Hey pretty lady." Guys are all the same. Why is it they think that a line like that is going to work on a girl like me? I mean, this is going to sound stuck up but, I'm not ugly. It's not like I haven't heard pickup lines before. Why do guys like him suppose that a lame line like that is going to work with me. Plus, look at my car. I'm not a racer chaser. I think it's pretty obvious. But I want to know where races are so I can't piss him off. Yet.
"Hey yourself." I almost choked on the words. I wanted to call him down to the lowest. I wanted to challenge him to a race right then and there. I reminded myself I always raced better when I had some frustration to work off.
"You must be new around here because I know everyone that's worth knowing and I know if I'd seen your face I'd have gotten to know you better. And I can tell already you are worth knowing." He said this profound statement to my boobs. Smooth.
"Well, thanks. I am new in town and I'm wondering where to get hooked up for races." I tried to keep the smile on my face. Man it was hard. I wanted to kick him in the nuts. I'm not use to this. No one in LA would dare talk to me like this guy was or stare at my chest because Dom would kick their ass. If he didn't kill them instead.
"You race?" He asked me. He was clearly underestimating me.
"Yep. I didn't build that car to go to church on Sunday." I was finding it really hard to keep my cool. I mean, I've had the last few days from hell and now some over sexed vato is giving me a hard time about if I race or not. Damn. Just tell me where races are and shut up or tell me to go to hell. He laughed.
"I don't know where you've been racing at chica but around here the competition is tight."
"I'm from LA. It doesn't get any tighter then that." I refuse to tell them I know Dom. If they know of him and bring up his name then I'm going to pretend I know of him, not that I know him. The guy shared a look with his homie who was now standing on the other side of the car.
"LA huh." I simply nodded. "Check out this address." He scribbled something down then handed me the card. "They'll be racing of some form tonight around 12. Don't be late if you want in on it."
"Thanks man." I moved to get back into my car. I really didn't want to fight these guys after all. They were just acting how the typical woman let them get away with around races. The girls like me are the rarity. Most of the girls that go to races are there to see and be seen. And to go home with whoever is the winner of the evening. That was how Dom got so many skanks after all.
But when girls let guys act like these two were acting it gave them ideas that it was ok. And normally I'd school them a little on why not to assume every girl they meet is a racer chaser but telling them off and kicking their butts but I'm not in the mood anymore.
"See you there baby." He made that god damn kissing face at me the idiot from race wars had made.
"I'm not your baby and I'm never gonna be so chill out bro. I'm not a skank." I moved in a step closer.
"No you're not a skank. That's why you deserve to be wit me. I'm the best." The guy was so cocky it was making me irate.
"You're not the best cause I've had the best and he didn't look anything like you." I quipped back.
"If you gave me a chance I'd prove you wrong about that baby. You come watch me race tonight and when I win I'll give you the honour of congratulating me."
"How bout I come to races tonight, race you for slips, beat you and take your car?" The guy gave me a dirty look and his friend went 'whooooooow.'
"You're on. You win you take my car. I win you and I have a private celebration of my victory back at my place." The guy smirked.
"See you at 12." I got back in my car and fired it up, squealing out of the parking lot. I wanted to make that guy regurgitate his nuts but I knew it would be both better on my pride and easier on my knuckles to settle it on the black top. I didn't have Mia to nurse my hurts anymore. And I knew if I'd been able to beat Leon once or twice then I could easily beat the guy in the MR-2.
It felt good to be doing something that Dom wouldn't approve of either. But this was part of finding myself and how to make myself happy. And Dom wasn't around to have a say in it. I have myself wondering just who Letitia is. I'm going to find out.
I woke up around lunch time the day after 'the day'. I had a splitting headache and I could just tell I looked like shit even thought I had yet to go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. I just lay in bed for few minutes and it took those few minutes for the previous days events to crash over me. For the first minute I wondered what I was doing in a motel room without Dom.
When I remembered that I was only in the motel because Dom had left me I crashed to earth and hit hard. But I was done crying. I'd cried all the tears that Dom deserved to have shed over him the day before. I knew that hoping never to cry over this whole situation again was asking too much but it was all that got me out of bed so I kept telling myself I was done crying. That I was going to be ok. I got up, headed to the bathroom and confirmed the fact that I did, in fact look like shit.
I washed my face and tried to clean up as best I could. Then I headed back into the main room and looked around. It was even more horribly decorated in the daylight then it had been in the glare from the street lights and the soft lamplight of the night before.
I went to my duffle and started to look through it for something to wear. Every item of clothing I owned reminded me of Dom. Everything I'd ever bought I'd had what he'd think of me wearing it in mind. When had I become so pathetic? I mean, when did I start living more for Dom then for myself? It had to change.
But for now I had no choice but wear the cloths I had with me, but as soon as I got where I was going I was going shopping. I had money from the shit in the bank. I hadn't spent any of it out of principle. It seemed wrong some how after we almost got Vince killed and drove Brian away over that money to spend it then. To spend it on frivolous things. I mean if someone had needed surgery and the only way to pay for it was to spend that money then it wouldn't have been an issue for me. But to take it and spend it on cloths and the cars seemed wrong to me.
It was dirty money all along but it really seemed dirty to me after that day in August. It has been so easy to forget where the money had come from up till then, so easy to forget it wasn't honest, that we hadn't worked for it. It was almost like it had been all fun, games, and big thrills up till that awful day were everything went wrong and the fact that what we were doing was neither fun, nor a game was forced to the forefront most painfully.
But never the less, I had that money and I was very fuckin glad I did. I'd need it to find a place to live and to support myself while I waited to get a job where ever it was I was going. All I knew was fixing cars but thanks to Dom's dad, Dom and Jesse I was quite good at it. I hoped that I'd be able to get a job with cars where ever it was I was going. I figured on just driving till I ended up someplace that sounded ok to stay in for awhile. I didn't want to just drive over the country aimlessly for the next weeks, months or years. I wanted to find a place I could try to be happy for the time.
I knew I was kidding myself there. As much as Dom and I fight I know he's my life. I'm really not sure I know how to be happy without him. And that's a problem isn't it? No one should ever have to look at their life and realize that their happiness is dependant on some other person being a part of their life. You really need to know how to make yourself happy before you can even worry about making other people happy too. And that too was part of our problem, Dom's and mine. Neither of us knew how to make ourselves happy let alone each other. I think we could have learned how together, but since it seems that he thinks he has to learn how alone I'll go try to learn how on my own too.
I just hope that someday when we both learn how to be happy on our own we can be happy together again. But in the meantime I'm going to try and get on with my life. I'm the tough girl after all. It should be easy. That's a nice thought but I know it's not going to be anything close to easy.
As I pulled on my underwear I realized that they were the same ones that I'd worn on the day we all met Brian. The day Dom told him not to come around anymore. The day that yet again he threw my affection in my face. Sometimes he seemed to like it when I was attentive like that and other times he acted like I was smothering him. I wish just once he'd have given me enough attention to feel like he was smothering me.
Instead of saying 'Thanks anyway baby but I just got a drink, come say hello to me.' He just holds up the can and doesn't even spare me a look. He doesn't look up to see how much his callous treatment hurts me inside. Even if I do just slide my glasses back up my nose and stand off to the side. Thinking. It's not the first time he's been mean to me and it won't be the last. I've become quite good at standing there and pretending that what he says and does doesn't matter. But it really does matter and that's often what I'm thinking about.
The way it took him forever to go and break up Vince and Brian drove me crazy too. But at least it was me who finally got him to go with my exasperated 'Dom!' Then I followed him out of the store with an apologetic glance at Mia and went to go help Leon calm Dom down if he should take it into his head to beat on the poor guy who was actually holding his own against Vince in the street. That said something about Brian right there. Vince could really fight. I think that was the beginning of Dom's softening toward Brian right there. The boy could fight, protect himself. That almost meant he had to be use to doing so. And that made him like us.
Then that very night at races the way Dom grabbed the blond girl around the waist and let all of them hang on him. Right in front of me. How was that ok? Then when I got mad about it, like he knew I was going to he gave me one of those looks. Like I was embarrassing him by chasing off the skanks but he wasn't embarrassing me by doing what he did in the first place. I'm honestly grinning about what I said though. "I smell, *sniff sniff* skanks. Why don't you girls just pack it up before I leave tread marks on your face?" That was the best line I ever came up with.
Some times I think he just did stuff like that with the skanks to try and drive me into a rage. He got off on it. I know he did. I guess I did too in some ways because the sex I knew we'd have after such an incident would always be wild. Plus I was his trophy. Me. Not them but me. He'd actually showed me affection and picked me up that night. Called me his trophy in front of other people and picked me up and kissed me right there. I sometimes wonder if it didn't have something to do with the fact that Vince and I had been joking around, having a good time right up till he grabbed me and he was maybe jealous of Vince and I having a good time together. But who knows.
I pulled on my combat pants and then my black bra and a red singlet. It was time to move on. I packed up the meagre amount of stuff I'd bothered to unpack the night before and headed down to the office. I paid for my room and then got into my car. I headed off. East again.
It was like something was pulling me east. I didn't know why I was driving east, not north or south but I was. I kept the car pointed east. I had no idea where I was going yet. I was just driving. I only stopped for gas and the washroom when I had no choice. I made it into Mississippi before I stopped for another rest. I got another motel room and again just took a hot shower and went to fall into bed.
Then I got an attack of conscious and I dialled our number again. I couldn't let them worry. I really should be able to. I'm still mad at Dom. But it's not about Dom at this point. It's about the team. And it's about me. I need to know they miss me almost as much as I don't want to worry Mia and the guys.
I dialled the number smoothly this time though. No hesitation. I still didn't want to talk to Dom but I figured the team would know that and one of the others would go out of their way to answer.
It rang three times before Leon picked up. "Yo."
It wouldn't be Leon if he didn't answer the phone with yo. "Hey Leon." I tried to sound upbeat.
"Let. Where the hell are you?" He asked me and I can hear the upset in his voice. He didn't get a chance to yell at me yesterday so I understand where he's coming from.
"I'm on the road. Well, I'm in a cheap motel right now." I giggled at him. I'm really starting to feel better. Or the stress is getting to me. Take your pick.
"That's not what I mean and you know it. What's the big idea taking off without saying good bye? Hell, what's the big idea taking off at all?"
"Leon." I sighed. I didn't need this. It was strange for Leon to give me such a hard time. "I had to go. I didn't want to. I had to. I just wanted to let you guys know I'm still ok. But still not sure where I'm going."
"I know baby girl. I know you had to leave but I still wish you could've stayed."
"Well me too Leon. Just do me a few favours ok?"
"Anything baby girl."
"Take care of him for me Leon. Try to help him find whatever it is he needs to find for me ok? I really think I'm going to be ok."
"For sure Letty. If you're ok then come home."
"I need this time Leon. I'll come back someday. I'm not going to call again for awhile ok. But I'll let you guys know if I need anything."
We shared a few more words but most of it just catching up and killing time because we didn't want to let the contact go. He put Vince on and we just chatted for a few minutes and I did the same with Mia and Jesse.
While I was talking to them I did feel better but then when I let them all go I was as lonely as ever. It made me realize just what I'd really given up when I gave up my life in California. But a new future was out there waiting for me somewhere. I went to bed and slept the sleep of the justifiably tired all night. No nightmares and no waking up. I woke up the next day still feeling down but not as bad as it had been.
I was on the road within half an hour of waking up. Nothing about Mississippi recommended it to me as a permanent place to live. I wasn't far enough away from Dom yet either. But I didn't see anything about Mississippi that made we want to stop there.
As the miles flew by I thought. I had nothing else to do and unlike most people when I crank the tunes way up it puts me even deeper into my own little world. It's like loud music helps me think. My thoughts drifted back to the first time I ever laid eyes on Dominic Toretto.
I was ten. And I'd just turned 10 like a week before I moved in. We had to move because my father got a new job. Like he'd ever hold it for more then a few months anyway. But still he'd finally gotten a new job so we had to move to follow it. We moved into a house that wasn't as nice as the Toretto's but still nicer then the one we'd left.
On our first day in the new neighbourhood as often happened my mom and my dad started to go in at each other. It didn't matter over what, but I think that day it was over the fact that she wanted to start shooting up and he wanted her to stay clean for the first while at least till the new neighbours had met us.
But if I'd waited around the house when he got tired of hitting her about it he'd start hitting me. But if I left in the middle of the fight they'd never notice and most of the time they'd be done by the time I got home. So I hopped on my bike with my little kit bag full of 'Hot Wheels' and headed off down the street. About 7 houses down I rode past a white house with a big truck and trailer out front and a kind looking man washing what was obviously a stock racing car in the driveway.
I stopped my bike and just watched him from the sidewalk for about 10 minutes. And he knew I was there the whole time but it was like he knew I was shy. I bet that's hard to believe now but despite all the bravo I show sometimes meeting new people is hard for me. So I come off like a stuck up bitch a lot of the time. But it's really just the fact that I've been disrespected for being me so much that I almost take it in stride and I don't trust people out the gate. It's like every girl hates me for having Dom and every guy who doesn't want to fuck me hates me for being a better racer. But anyway, it was even harder for me to meet new people back then. That was before I got confidence and grew the really thick skin. So I just sat on my bike and watched him wash his car.
Oh man I wanted to help. I wanted to help and I wanted to ask him so many questions. I loved cars but we never had anything less then 15 years old at our house and they only lasted a few months before they died and had to be replaced. I don't know to this day where my love of cars came from but I'm willing to bet that it was fate making sure I'd survive childhood. Because if I hadn't found the Toretto's and cars through them I wouldn't have.
Then when I was about to move on because I figured if the man hadn't acknowledged me by then he wasn't going to he called out.
"Hello."
"Hi." I answered him back and lowered my eyes. I might've wanted to talk to him more then anything but I was still shy.
"What's your name?" He asked and smiled at me. He had the kindest smile I've ever seen.
"Letitia." I told him.
"That's pretty, but it's an awfully long name for such a small girl."
"You can call me Letty." I told him and the look in his eyes started to put me at ease.
"Well Letty. That's a pretty name. What's in the bag?"
"My cars." I told him shyly.
"You like cars?"
"Oh yes." I breathed out. "More then anything. Yours is cool." His smile got even bigger. I smiled back but quickly hid it when I remembered I'd lost one of my front teeth the week before. My dad's fault but it was a baby tooth and it had been loose anyway.
"Well thank you Letty. Would you like to help me finish washing it? My son normally helps me but he went to play in the park with his friend Vince." I couldn't answer him so I just nodded.
He gave me a wash mitt and my own small bucket of soap. I washed all the low parts of the car and he washed the high. Then he showed me how to dry the car. It was the best afternoon of my life. I kid you not. I got to be a kid. I didn't know that day just how often I'd wish that Giovanni Toretto was my dad too over the next 3 years.
Of course three years later was when I started to have feelings for Dom that I didn't have when I was 10 and then I was glad we didn't have the same father.
As we washed and dried the car Mr. Toretto asked me all sorts of stuff. I think he figured out from the way I was that things weren't great at home. He was an awesome dad. Mia and Dom know full well how lucky they were. I'm thankful for ever second of every minute that I got to have him in my life. The Toretto's showed me what family life should be like. At least, no matter what else, I know that my life wasn't normal and I hope if I ever have kids I'll make a better mom then mine did.
Just as we finished drying the car and I was looking at it with wonder on my face wishing that the nice man would take me for a ride in it the prettiest girl I'd ever seen walked out of the Toretto house.
"Who's that daddy?" She asked with a hesitant smile.
"This is Letitia. Her family just moved in down the street. Say hello Mia."
"Hi. I'm Mia."
"I'm Letty." I told her. I didn't think there was a hope in hell me and this girl were ever going to get along and I was so upset because if I didn't get along with the girl I wouldn't be able to hang out with her cool dad. But she had long flowing black hair and big black eyes and she was wearing a dress. Me and the pretty girly girls didn't often get along. But I really wanted to get along with Mia and it was more then just because of her dad. Can't put my finger on what it was to this day but I knew I really wanted to know Mia Toretto.
"Do you like dolls? You can come play with my Barbies with me if you want." I didn't like Barbies but I didn't want to piss off the girl who owned the dad with the cool cars. Plus there was something in her eyes. Like she'd been playing alone for far too long. I knew how she felt.
"I've never played Barbies. Will you show me how?"
"Sure." And with the sunniest smile I've ever seen to this day Mia Toretto dragged me into her house, up to her room and started to teach me about doing Barbie hair and picking out Barbie outfits. It was the first of many afternoons filled with girly toys and I put up with it only because I really liked Mia.
Like I said, she was my opposite but we were still best friends. She use to play race cars with me too and it was just as bad for her as Barbies were for me. On that afternoon, after an hour of Barbies, the door of Mia's room was thrown open and a boy burst in.
"Mia, dad wants to.Who's this?" The boy asked with a sneer.
"This is Letty and she's my new best friend." Mia answered back then turned to me. "Never mind my brother. He's 14 and he thinks he's cool." Mia went back to braiding her dolls hair. I just looked at Dom. Much as Mia tells people I've always had a crush on him that's not true. But I always knew our futures were going to be tied together. Right from that first day. I was also shocked that I was now, after one hour of torture by Barbies, someone's best friend. I'd never been anyone's best friend. I'd never had one either.
Dom just looked at me. I just looked back. I didn't know what was pulling me toward Dominic Toretto then and I still don't know what makes me want to be with him today. But there is something about him like gravity. But there's more then that to it for me. I can't explain it so I won't even try.
"What's up with her? Is she stupid?" Dom asked his sister and I looked away. I already knew that tears didn't help much but his question hurt me that day to the point that I almost cried. And it had been a long time since anything made me cry. My dad had taught me quickly that all crying did was add to the beating he was giving out.
"No lameo she just can't believe that anyone as ugly you is free to roam the streets. You're the stupid one. I don't want you around. You're a jerk and I don't want you to talk to my best friend like that." I was shocked that Mia said anything like that to anyone. She'd been the sweetest girl on earth up to that point. I would later find out that because she was so pretty and girly she didn't have a lot of friends in grade school and the chace to have a best girl was as important to her as the chance to interact with a real family was to me. But hearing her defend me was tough too. No one had ever stuck up for me before and Mia sticking up for me against this bully, even if it was her own brother was about the nicest thing that anyone had ever done for me. I was going to break down and cry. The more I thought about it the harder it was not to cry. I tugged on one of my pigtail braids and reached for my bag.
I needed to hold onto one of my cars. I knew that would calm me down. It always did after my dad was done with me. It had to be the purple car. I don't think it was any specific kind of car but it was purple and it had two doors. It was always in the little zipper bag part at the top of the kitbag because I didn't want to have to search for it. So without looking I got the bag open and got out my car.
I started to spin the wheels with my thumb. Round and round. Waiting for his stupid comment to stop hurting. And I could tell he was still standing there, still staring at me.
I shot Mia a glance and she was looking at me with apology. "Say you're sorry Dominic. Tell my best friend you're sorry."
"I will n."
"Sorry for what?' Mr. Toretto interrupted from the door.
"Nothin'" Dom answered belligerently with a look at Mia warning her to keep her mouth shut. A look she didn't heed.
"Dominic called Letty stupid." Mia tattled happily.
"Dominic Giovanni Toretto! You will say you're sorry and then you will go to your room. Vince, you'll need to go home now. Dominic is as of this moment grounded for a week. No phone, no TV, and no friends over."
I knew this was not good. Dom was going to hate me already and we'd just met. I'd have been ok. Mia didn't need to tell on him for me. But I know now that siblings need to fight and that was just the normal order of things. But Mia had dragged me into it and there was nothing I could do about it. I just wanted Dom to go away by that time. I sure as hell didn't want anyone to force him to apologize.
"I'm sorry Letty. I didn't mean it." He didn't sound as angry as I would have thought. The apology didn't seem as forced as I would have figured. I looked up at him then and it was like he saw the tears in my eyes. Even though I'd blinked them down and calmed down with my purple car he knew how bad he'd hurt me. With a glance at his dad he sat down beside me on the floor and held out his hand. "Can I see your car?" I handed it over without a word. "This is a nice car. Do you like cars?" I nodded.
"Yeah. I'm gonna own one just like this some day and I'm gonna race it. I'm gonna be the fastest girl in LA."
"Why'd you let Mia sucker you into playing with dolls then?"
"I like Mia." I smiled at her. "I like playing dolls with her." Mia grinned back. Dom handed me back my car.
"Well Letty, that's a really nice car you have there. And I'm really sorry that I said what I did."
I looked up at him and our eyes met. My dark brown eyes met his black eyes and I swear, even if I didn't know what I was looking at then I know now it was my future. "It's ok."
"No it's not. And while I'm very proud of my son for his sincere apology and happy you've accepted it, what he said to you was still very wrong." Mr. Toretto held out his hand for Dom to leave the room with him.
"I'm sorry you got in trouble." I whispered to Dom as he went to get up.
"I'm sorry I was a jerk. And don't worry. You're gonna get me in a lot more trouble someday." And then with a wink he left the room with his dad.
"My brother's such an idiot." Mia said as the door closed. "You really like cars huh?"
"Yeah. Don't you? And your brother's not so bad."
"I like it when my daddy takes me to the track and sometimes takes me for a fast drive but I don't like cars the way that Dom and dad like cars. I like my dolls better. Where are you going to school?"
Mia's always switched topics that fast. It's scary even now. I told her the name of the school I was going to be in.
"Hey that's where I go! Who's class are you in?"
I told her.
"Me too. You must be 10 too."
"I am 10. When's your birthday?"
"In two days. You'll have to come to my party. When's yours?"
"I just had mine three days ago." I didn't get a party. There hadn't been time for one, not that they would have given me one anyway.
"That's so cool. You're only 5 days older then me. We need to go tell dad." With that she jumped up and grabbed my hand and dragged me down to the living room. "Dad. Guess what? Letty is only 5 days older then I am. She's going to come to my party if it's ok."
"She'll have to ask her folks Mia."
"And she's in my class at school too. Isn't that cool?" Mia carried on like her dad had never spoke. "You go ask if you can come to my party!" She told me. I did have to go home but of course I went to her party. And I brought her a new Barbie even if I hated to buy it even for Mia. And that started it. I was always at the Toretto house. I was never home if I could help it. And Mia and I were almost inseparable. Except when I hung out around the cars with Mr. Toretto.
For the first while Dom was nice to me but never more then nice. I was just Mia's little friend. But he watched out for me subtly too. He hoped no one would notice. And he did act like I was a pest around his guy friends. All but Vince. And sometimes he acted like he didn't want me around while he helped his dad work on their race car. But Mr. Toretto always included me in car related stuff. I think he knew I was as car crazy as Dom and he liked to have a girl around that liked cars. I knew more about cars by 12 then some people ever know.
I met Vince a few days after I met the Toretto's and it was love at first sight. Not that kind of love. I was only 10. Vince took care of me and never acted like I was a pest. But Vince got much of the same treatment at home and he knew how it was. That started my great relationship with V. Much as I've always seen Mia like a sister, I never saw Dom as a brother. That was always Vince.
I shook myself out of my daydream and realized that I had entered Alabama and I was faced with a choice. Turn north toward New York or go south toward Miami.
Now, New York is about as far from Dom as I could get. But it was also cold, and had a crappy racing scene. Remember when I told Dom I was going to be the fastest girl racer in LA? Well, I hadn't been lying. I had been the fastest girl racer in LA. Faster then a lot of the guys too. Not only that but I was going to be the fastest girl in whatever city I ended up in. And Miami, with it's population of old people and nice beaches sounded better then New York and it's snow and boredom. I made the right for Miami. This time there was no Dom to hold me back. I could race as much as I wanted.
So that was where I was driving, Miami. Good to know. I smiled for the first time since I'd left. Welcome to Miami and Buenvenidos a Miami. I drove again till I found a half decent looking motel and pulled in. I got settled in and then decided that sitting in a motel room wasn't going to do me any good so I decided to go explore my new home.
A few hours later I stood in the middle of a mall staring at people walking by me as I tried to decide where to go shop first. I knew I wanted new clothes but I didn't know what to buy or where to buy it. After another moment of watching people go about their lives around me and ignore me I walked into a store.
It was a strange feeling and it bothered me more then it should but in LA at least some people would have pointed and whispered 'That's Letty. That's Dom Toretto's girlfriend.' Here no one knew me and no one cared who I was. That was grounding. But also I was sick of being known as Dom Toretto's girl. I was a person in my own right. Besides that, half the people who said 'that's Dom's girl' went on to say and Dom cheats on her every chance he gests. I got over yet another round of self pity and started entering stores.
I did some shopping and it was hard to think of my clothes in terms of what I liked instead of what would make Dom sit up and take notice. But I pretty much ended up with the same kind of cloths I'd always bought.
It turns out I like the way I dress. But it was nice to have new clothes that I picked out with only me in mind. I took my new clothes out to my car and got in. Then I started looking around for any cars that I thought might give me a clue where races were. There had to be races and I was going to find them.
Dom didn't like to let me race too much at home. I don't really know why. It was one of those things I knew would be a big fight if I asked him about it. So I just didn't. I've guessed that it was either because he was scared someday I might race him and win or because he wanted me to be his trophy girl not a racer girl. I could be wrong but I really bet it has something to do with one or the other.
I spotted a tricked out Toyota MR-2 and followed him till he stopped. As he got out of his car so did I.
"Hey pretty lady." Guys are all the same. Why is it they think that a line like that is going to work on a girl like me? I mean, this is going to sound stuck up but, I'm not ugly. It's not like I haven't heard pickup lines before. Why do guys like him suppose that a lame line like that is going to work with me. Plus, look at my car. I'm not a racer chaser. I think it's pretty obvious. But I want to know where races are so I can't piss him off. Yet.
"Hey yourself." I almost choked on the words. I wanted to call him down to the lowest. I wanted to challenge him to a race right then and there. I reminded myself I always raced better when I had some frustration to work off.
"You must be new around here because I know everyone that's worth knowing and I know if I'd seen your face I'd have gotten to know you better. And I can tell already you are worth knowing." He said this profound statement to my boobs. Smooth.
"Well, thanks. I am new in town and I'm wondering where to get hooked up for races." I tried to keep the smile on my face. Man it was hard. I wanted to kick him in the nuts. I'm not use to this. No one in LA would dare talk to me like this guy was or stare at my chest because Dom would kick their ass. If he didn't kill them instead.
"You race?" He asked me. He was clearly underestimating me.
"Yep. I didn't build that car to go to church on Sunday." I was finding it really hard to keep my cool. I mean, I've had the last few days from hell and now some over sexed vato is giving me a hard time about if I race or not. Damn. Just tell me where races are and shut up or tell me to go to hell. He laughed.
"I don't know where you've been racing at chica but around here the competition is tight."
"I'm from LA. It doesn't get any tighter then that." I refuse to tell them I know Dom. If they know of him and bring up his name then I'm going to pretend I know of him, not that I know him. The guy shared a look with his homie who was now standing on the other side of the car.
"LA huh." I simply nodded. "Check out this address." He scribbled something down then handed me the card. "They'll be racing of some form tonight around 12. Don't be late if you want in on it."
"Thanks man." I moved to get back into my car. I really didn't want to fight these guys after all. They were just acting how the typical woman let them get away with around races. The girls like me are the rarity. Most of the girls that go to races are there to see and be seen. And to go home with whoever is the winner of the evening. That was how Dom got so many skanks after all.
But when girls let guys act like these two were acting it gave them ideas that it was ok. And normally I'd school them a little on why not to assume every girl they meet is a racer chaser but telling them off and kicking their butts but I'm not in the mood anymore.
"See you there baby." He made that god damn kissing face at me the idiot from race wars had made.
"I'm not your baby and I'm never gonna be so chill out bro. I'm not a skank." I moved in a step closer.
"No you're not a skank. That's why you deserve to be wit me. I'm the best." The guy was so cocky it was making me irate.
"You're not the best cause I've had the best and he didn't look anything like you." I quipped back.
"If you gave me a chance I'd prove you wrong about that baby. You come watch me race tonight and when I win I'll give you the honour of congratulating me."
"How bout I come to races tonight, race you for slips, beat you and take your car?" The guy gave me a dirty look and his friend went 'whooooooow.'
"You're on. You win you take my car. I win you and I have a private celebration of my victory back at my place." The guy smirked.
"See you at 12." I got back in my car and fired it up, squealing out of the parking lot. I wanted to make that guy regurgitate his nuts but I knew it would be both better on my pride and easier on my knuckles to settle it on the black top. I didn't have Mia to nurse my hurts anymore. And I knew if I'd been able to beat Leon once or twice then I could easily beat the guy in the MR-2.
It felt good to be doing something that Dom wouldn't approve of either. But this was part of finding myself and how to make myself happy. And Dom wasn't around to have a say in it. I have myself wondering just who Letitia is. I'm going to find out.