Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 135792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
When the countdown reached zero, Liv grabbed the stick and moved it, both feet ready for a speedy transition between gears. In that moment, nothing existed but the woman holding up the flags, and by the time ants crawled up his back, she rapidly bent forward, signaling the start of the race.
Engines roared, and the world around Liv turned into a blur as he shot forward, moving the stick at the slightest hint of wheezing under the hood.
Gear two. Three. Four.
He let out a roar when a golden Nissan attempted to overtake him and stepped harder on the gas while switching to the fifth gear. Shooting forward, he cut in front of the guy and blocked him as the track narrowed, forcing the vehicles into forming two rows. The former landing strip was the longest stretch of straight road ahead, and it might decide the outcome, so Liv allowed himself to take a glimpse at the three cars within sight.
Blizzard’s silver blue machine was already taking the lead, dashing forward as if it used rocket fuel, but the other two cars, whose drivers appeared to have reflexes to match Liv’s were no less dangerous. He scowled at the sight of the green Honda. He would leave the homophobic bastard in the dirt and salt used to treat the track.
But as the first bend emerged from the flurry of dirt sprayed from under Blizzard’s wheels, something had to give, and Liv hit the brake, easing into the change of direction despite his heart beating furiously, urging him to go harder, to take the risk that might come with high rewards.
Holding onto the wheel, he froze when Blizzard ignored all common sense and dashed on at full speed. Merciless physics made his car’s rear wheels lose grip, but just as Liv thought he’d see the beautiful vehicle roll, it made half a spin before braving the bend and emerging victorious, with yet more ground gained over the other competitors.
Fuck. How dangerous. Reckless. A thwart to Liv’s plans. Yet, damn, was that shit impressive!
With a mad laugh on his lips, Liv stepped on the gas and sped forward, joined by the green Honda and Trixie, a hangaround who raced in a Barbie pink car. They might be good, but they didn’t have that edge of desperation which would allow Liv to win this. He just needed to lose all the others and catch up with the king himself.
Seconds seemed to last minutes as Liv went into the next bend the way Blizzard had. It was a gamble, especially in this weather, but as gravity pulled him toward the edge, he shifted gears and twisted the steering wheel in time to regain control.
He dashed ahead again, brain full of scattered thoughts about everything from handling the spot where the track led over an old byroad featuring a steep incline and a sudden dip that made him feel like he was on a rollercoaster even when driving at normal speed. His mind quieted, focused on the goal that made all this risk worth it.
One time, Knox’s lips had gone blue, and with his mom being in no state to drive, Liv had stepped in and taken him to the ER at full speed. It had been his first week after getting his license, and he had scratched a car in the parking lot, but he’d driven off before anyone noticed. And Knox? He was fine the next day, but in that moment Liv still decided to become the best driver he could, in case he needed to dash to the hospital again.
And if Liv won this thing, if he got that cash, Knox’s heart could be mended. It would change everything.
Chasing Blizzard’s rear lights, Liv sprinted past the two hangars, and while he couldn’t allow himself to seek his cheerleader in the crowd of onlookers, knowing that he was there with their friends fueled Liv’s determination, making him breathe slower as he entered the second of three rounds along the track.
One look in the rearview mirror told him that the distance between the cars had already lengthened. But that green Honda? It kept fighting Liv at every turn. Still, focusing on his opponent rather than on the road might leave him unprepared for what was to come, so he drove on with his mind full of the only reason that made this race worth the increased risk.
Knox.
His best friend.
His boyfriend.
The only person he would move heaven and earth for.
Neither of them had slept much last night, but having Knox close and watching his sweet face in the dark relieved some of the tension and worries plaguing Liv. Because Knox was worth everything. Each bruise and cut Liv had ended up with when getting him out of trouble. And everything Liv was giving up on to be with him.