Once seated and buckled, Aito nods to tell me he’s ready and I press my foot on the accelerator. Faster. Faster, a little faster, I keep my eyes on the road, hoping he’s enjoying himself.
“You’re okay, buddy?” I ask him in the mic. He doesn’t answer and I get a little worried but there is no way I’ll take my eyes off the road. “Aito, are you okay?”
“Shit. Yes! Mata!” he exclaims so loud it hurts my ears. I think it’s the first time I hear the kid like this. “It’s amazing!” he screams, his voice filled with a joy I know too well.
“Want me to go faster?”
“Yes! I’m ready!”
“So let’s pump it up!” I’m still not going as fast as I would on my own, but no one has to tell him we weren’t going that fast after all.
We make two more rounds with him laughing near me and being the happiest I have ever seen him. When I slow down to stop, he asks to go again, and right there, I know I’m in trouble. Because that feeling, the one that takes you from deep down in your stomach and spreads such happiness that it can make you get out of your shell, it’s called passion. And Oliver and Naomi might be understanding and trusting me to bring him to the track for one afternoon because, for once he asked for something, but they will lose their shit if it becomes his passion.
We’re gearing down, him being happy as a clam and me wondering how I’m going to convince Green-eyes when the question I was afraid Aito would ask finally pops up.
“When can I drive a car like yours?” Yeah… I’m in trouble but so fucking proud.
“Well we know you can kart, and you do well… So maybe if I speak to the three other parents…”
“About what?” Oliver’s voice bounces in the garage.
“You scared me!” I tell him.
“Did you see me, Dad? Did you see how fast Mata and I went? Did you see how amazing it was? I could fly, Dad. I could go fast, and it was the best feeling ever!” Oliver steps back and looks at the kid.
“What the fuck did you do to our sweet, gentle, perfect soul? He’s like the twins all of a sudden.” Oliver teases me.
“Well… he might have discovered his passion.” I winced, waiting for his reaction.
“Is that right, bud?” Oliver says, turning toward Aito.
“Oh yes! I love karting but that! I want my own car. I saw on YouTube that kid in Japan who races at eleven. I mean okay, I’m a little late, but you know I can master that in one year. Mom always says if you work hard, you get the reward. Please, Dad, I’m sure Mata can build me a car and teach me.”
I step back and try to find Oliver’s eyes. It’s not so much worry filling them but pride that they fill with tears. “Would that be possible?” he asks me. I nod.
“I might not build the car myself, but we could find one, and we could teach him, yes.”
Aito jumps up and down. “Please, Dad…”
Green-eyes raises his hand, and as usual, Aito calms down. Perfect child of ours.
“We need to talk to Mom and Pop first. You get that, right?” Aito nods. “But, I guess a race car driver is better than being a rock star?”
“More drug testing,” I tell him to make him laugh.
“Thank you, Dad. I know I’m asking a lot.” Aito, always tuned into our emotions, says while hugging Oliver. Trying to make everyone feel better and not fall in a teary embrace, I ruffle his hair and give him back his helmet.
“Okay, Slayer, let’s go clean up the car and teach you some mechanics!” I say with a smile.
“Slayer?” Aito widens his eyes in excitement.
“Yeah, that’s a great call name for a racer? Right, Green-eyes?”
“Murdock, Havoc, Shooter, and Slayer! That seems appropriate.” Oliver laughs.
“Yeah, Le Pew doesn’t, though.” I say while Ol flips me the bird, “but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”
Not one thing at all.
THE END.
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Acknowledgments
Merci, etc.
First, I want to thank Corinne and Crystal for this incredible opportunity. Writing in someone else’s world wasn’t easy but I really enjoyed jumping in and having fun with a lot of characters.
Then of course, Jen. Chapter after chapter, holding my hand.
Cleo from Devoted Pages Designs for this amazing cover. Shaun, Sam and Caitlin as betas. Athena and Darlene for the editing and then proofreading.
And my man, for all the advice and the support.
And last but not least, J. Saman who guided me and listened to me and made me think about little things here and there. Love you all.
If you enjoyed this book and you’re new to my world, I recommend you start with Darling, Book 1 of the Darling Devils.
If you’re new to the Salvation World, Beloved is a great place to start. You’ll meet Jackson and Mark and so many other characters.
And if you love this world, pick up another book from another author. So many stories have been created and are still to come. I’m very proud to be part of the Salvation Society.
May love be with you,
Hakuna Namaste,
Gabrielle.
Books by Gabrielle G.
ANGELS AND SUNSHINE SERIES
(LA Stories)
Always & Only (Hollywood romance)
Never & Forever (Enemies to lovers)
Often & Suddenly (M/M)
DARLING DEVILS
Darling - A rockstar romance with swoons, laughter and
