Page 86 of Austin

“It’s okay. I got my other good-luck charm with me.” His tone doesn’t sound as sure as his words.

But I settle back in my seat and hold his hand as he closes his eyes and says a small prayer to himself.

Once we’re both set, I look at Beckett, who’s to my right, looking disappointed at seeing me with Austin.

“I don’t have a sister, but I can only imagine the level of protectiveness he must feel over you,” Austin says, bringing my attention back to him. “You don’t need his protection anymore. That’s my job now.”

He kisses the top of my hand and releases it as he prepares for the race. Giving his attention back to Gregg, he nudges the car forward to line up correctly.

Austin’s fingers grind on the steering wheel, anticipation rippling through his body. “You ready?” he asks me.

I grip the door and the seat between us. “Let’s do this.”

His foot hovers over the pedal, waiting for Gregg to raise the light. One nod to both cars signals the race is about to begin as Gregg runs back, stops, and holds the flashlight low at his side.

Engines reverberate against the pavement.

The car is shaking with excitement.

My heart palpitates as the flashlight rises, and the game is on.

Austin drops the clutch, slamming on the gas, only slightly squealing the tires as the G-force pushes us both against the backs of our seats. I grip the door handle harder and feel the rattle of the car. Speed builds. We’re flying in the darkness. Austin’s hands seem to grip firmer than when he’s in his Camaro, desperately trying to keep the Mustang in line.

I glance to my right for just a second, seeing where Beckett is, and when I look back, something gives.

A loud bang.

A sharp squeal.

My shoulder collides with the right window as the car spins out of control. Austin’s hands are fast on the steering wheel, and then his right arm flies across my chest, holding me tight to the seat.

I grab on to Austin’s arm and scream his name as we slam into something and ricochet back. My head hits the door and then the dashboard as I’m thrown around like a rag doll.

The car stills. All I hear is the silence of night and the hiss of the engine. It’s still running, and the dashboard is lit up brightly. When I turn to Austin, all I see is a gash across his head as he falls forward in his seat and lies limp over the steering wheel.

21

JALYNN

“Austin!” I shout his name even though he’s just inches from me. I’m reaching out with shaky hands, grabbing on to his back and shaking him to wake him up.

He’s not moving.

My jaw trembles as I unlatch my seat belt and toss the helmet into the backseat. I’m on my knees in rapid time, running my hands all over Austin—his shoulders, his arms, his thighs—checking for more injuries. When I reach for his face, it’s with delicate fingers despite the fact that I can’t keep my hands still.

“Baby.” I lightly pat him on the cheek. “Wake up. We were in an accident. Please,” I cry out. “Please wake up, Austin.”

Everything around me is crushed. There’s glass all around, and the nitrous tanks are jammed forward, partially blocking me from him.

My lips quiver as tears pour down my cheeks and fall into my mouth when I gasp. I swallow with short, staggered breaths and pat him again, desperate to stir him awake.

“Open those beautiful eyes for me. Austin, please,” I beg between my cries. “I need you to wake up. I need you. You can’t leave me. I love you.”

I lightly pull his shoulders back, praying he doesn’t have another injury that I’m hurting in the process. When his head falls back against the seat, he lets out a low groan that sounds like heaven to my ears.

A high-pitched squeak escapes my mouth, followed by a sharp inhale. “You’re okay. Listen to my voice. You’re gonna be okay.”

The faint sound of police sirens rings in the distance. I look at Austin’s watch and see it’s too early. We should have ten more minutes, but the sirens are most definitely headed this way. Austin might not be in his Camaro, but he is at the race, and I can’t let him get caught here. There are too many people trying to pin him to these races, and I’ll be damned if he gets caught on my watch.