Harlan

I feel the air rush past my skin. The smell of rubber and gas prickling my nose. Me and Callie scream as the cars rush past us.

Number 22 in lead!! Shows like his rival Number 13 is right up behind him!! The intercom shouts.

I shouldn’t even really be here. I let Callie drag me insisting I should have some fun.

I don’t often get out much. I take walks along the race track line and visit a couple small town stores here and there. But the city is pretty big. And with dad watching all the time it nearly becomes impossible.

Callie latches onto my shoulder, “Omg Adrienne Harlan’s gonna win! He’s gonna do it!”

I direction my attention to the big flat screen ahead. She’s right. Harlan is right behind Foyer (number 22) they might as well be side by side.

I shout up at the screen. “Come on! Let’s go!!”

Soon a chant starts, “14! 14! 14!” They all shout.

The adrenaline rushes to my head. I’m jumping up and down in my 4 inch heals hurting the heels of my feet.

Harlan and Foyer are then faced with a turn. At they’re speeds it’s extremely dangerous for them to attempt a turn like this. Though, foyer speeds up, while Harlan is steady even.

As they approach the turn, Harlan’s car makes a wider yet somehow shaper turn. And he ends up inches in front of Foyer.

The chants grow catastrophic. Including my own. “14! 14! 14! 14! 14!”

Then he boosts his car sending him flying past the finish line. We yall holler with joy and the other side of the arena boo’s throwing shit at us.

Harlan hops off his bike and hands it to somebody. Then we walks off helmet still on

Me and Callie tumble with laughter. This was the best night I’d had in a while. Especially without my dad being informed.

Not necessarily me going behind his back but he would’ve said no. Even though I know I’ll be perfectly responsible. And he knows that too so I never seem to get the issue.

Me and Callie make our way off the bleachers. Making small conversation. We walk through the long line of people forming like a centipede.

Right as we’re almost to the exit I turn and I see Harlan removing his helmet. His hair was a very dark brown. And I couldn’t see them but i knew his eyes were brown too. A little lighter warmer brown. And his lips were full he had one of those very proportionate masculine smiles. He was maybe like 6’2. But I was 5’9 so we were very close in height.

I didn’t find him attractive thought. Only because he seemed so rude. And ok you know what, maybe not rude but, nonchalant. Me personally I could never deal with a nonchalant man. I’ve heard the horror stories and they all make my ears itch.

I turn and dumb into Callie. She was already staring. Not at him but at me. “He sure his a sight for your eyes huh?” She laughs.

I give her a straight irritated face. Then, curl my upper lip at her. “So what.”

“Girly everyone loves Harlan. It’s no big deal.”

“ exactly everyone does. I’m not adding myself to any list.”

She sighs, “you never have any funn tho Adrienne.”

“I’m just level headed..and plus today was fun.”

“Never with guys though.”

She was right. And to be honest it was starting to piss me off. Because, I wanted to be my own person without my dad shoving his hand down my throat.

“I’m aware. But you know how my dad can he.”

Her face goes dead in annoyance. “Seriously what the fuck is up with him. Does he not understand that your 19? I mean like honestly, your an adult.”

“He says no bike riders at the race.” The Race is the name of the place. Supposedly he and his friends created it from scratch.

“Sometimes I really do not get him. My grandma says, you're old enough to be on your own. Just don’t make me a grandma miha.”

I suck my lips in. That was stupid to say, “well not everyone has your parents.”

“Clearly.”

I remember the warnings my mother gave me about Callie from a very long time ago. But I shove those memories back down. I love Callie. Why ruin that.

She turns ahead grabbing my hand. “Come one we’re going to meet up with them at the back parking lot.”

I laugh a tiny bit thinking the joke was funny. But then she starts to tug my hand in that direction.

“Callie you can’t be for real.”

She rolls her eyes genuinely annoyed. “Come on man you literally never do anything. Be intresting for fucks sake.”

I knew why she was my friend and this definitely wasn’t one of the reasons. She was always on edge and I wasn’t. I sometimes wonder why she wouldn’t just drop the friendship. It’s never that fucking hard.

The thought makes my eyes tear up.

“Yea I know. But you know what my dad would say.”

“Who said he has to know?”

Some lady behind us gives an expectant look for us to pick an option.

“Ok but I swear I better not get caught.”

She jumps and grins, pulling out her phone. It occurs to me then that there's probably someone she wants to see. And I don’t know why but that thought doesn’t sit happily with me. Because if that’s the case she could’ve just gone by her fucking self. So what if it’s night time. That’s never scared her before.

We head to the back entrance, arriving around the building. Along the edge of the long gate that overlooks the race track are the riders' bikes. You’d never be able to see any of this from another spot. Their bikes are parked and riders are walking around with towels around their necks.

Now the more I look the more I realize how many people are actually here. Maybe around 40 bikers and tones of girls.

The thought of all of them here for these boys irritates me. Because why was I here? Judging by the way these girls looked flaunting around, playing fight with each one of the riders, and even multiple at the same time probably meant I’d look that way too. But I didn’t want to. But I know as soon as I get to close all my thoughts fly out the window. Because I’m too concerned with trying to get them to like me then actually thinking of how I could really do just that.

I turn to Callie, “so where exactly are we supposed to go now?”

“Girl shut up. We know like half the people here.”

It’s true. I’d haven’t seen many of them in person but plenty of them showcase their whole lives on social media. I mean I did too but I really wish I didn’t.

I waver at Callie’s statement. I’m not sure I was dressed for the occasion. While Callie wore these baggy pocketed blue carhartt jeans, a tight white tube top I had on a white loose cardigan sweater with a tan mini skirt and leg warmers.

And it’s not that the outfit was bad. But everything looked good on Callie. Things I’d try on would look better on her than they did on me. So no matter what I wore or how many times I tried to perfect my style something was always off.

And I was aware that it probably had to do with how drastically my personality has changed.

“Ok,” I say. “This is gonna be fun.” And I believe it too.

Callie smiles, “for sure. Let’s go.”

We head out there, everyone stopping to smile at us. Plenty of people call Callie’s name. Some even call mine too. We were both known but Callie did tend to fit in more. No big deal. I still bathed in the attention I got.

We walk up to a group of girls and notice 2 guys with them. Diego and garrett. They were with Cece and Londen. We weren’t incredibly close with these girls but we were good friends.

While Londen had very long brunette hair almost to her ass. Cece’s was a little past her shoulders. Cece was a bit bigger than londen and she had thick thighs and a chubby face. She was cute like that though. Really cute even, I’d definitely say it sooted her.

Diego and garrett groaned playfully, “‘fuc do you guys want.” Garret said.

Ceces slapped him on his arm. “Don’t start today.”

“We will all jump you right now the fuckk!” Callie says.

I laugh, “damn straight. Will really get your ass beat.”

We joke around until londen cece and Callie actually do beat their asses. I, on the other hand, spotted a different friend. His name was Troy. He wasn’t the cutest but he was definitely the coolest. I feel like since he wasn’t so cocky and dicky about being attractive it made him less picky with us girls and less stuck up to actually talking to us in person.

“Heyyy Troy.”

“Wassup witchu now. It’s been a minute!!”

“I knoww man what the hell. I barely even get out honestly.”

He sighs, “I can tell. Why’s that?”

“I don’t know man. My dad is still always on my back. Only with you riders though.”

His eyes roll, “there’s nothing to worry about. Not all of us play women like a second sport. Everyone doesn’t suck that much.”

I laugh. “You’re probably just lying,”

“Girl bye. I’m being for real.” He pursed his lips. Tray was hella sassy. He was just funny.

I looked to say a sentence but saw Harlan standing a little behind the tray. He’s in some conversation when his back suddenly grows rigid. As if we know I’m watching. Then it relaxes.

I speak again, this time saying something else. “That over there Harlan?”

He glimpses behind him. “Yea, he’s the one to stay away from.”

I cover a frown by dragging my palm over my face. “Why?”

“He’s just so shifty. Some would say hoe I guess. And to be honest I agree. Dude cannot keep it in his pants at the fuck all.”

That wasn’t helpful. But I’m sure that’s not true. I mean there’s got to be a reason. But before I can finish he says, “don’t even try, he’s much older then you, your relationship would just be freaky.”

“I’m freaky.” I laugh.

I think Harlan hears that because he turns around, the person he was talking to is no longer there.

And then I see a sight that enrages me. Callie and some other fuck ass dude walk up to him. And Callie starts making easy conversation with him.

Now this pisses me off for multiple reasons. One: why is Callie with some random man right after ending things with Kyle last week. They hadn’t even gotten through the talking stage. Two: she’s talking to somebody she knew I had eyes for. Not seriously but I found him attractive. Doesn’t that violate the girl code?! Or no. Or perhaps I’m just saying that because of three: the conversation seems to be flowing smoothly off her lips and everything about her at that moment sits right. Her hips and her feet and her body are all in the right place. And that strikes such jealousy in me. Because I would give anything to look that good.

Which is exactly why I don’t like it when she talks to people I want, that want me back, could want me back, or we’re talking. Because they’ll realize that she’s a better option and of course she’s readily available for anyone who wants her so it always becomes my issue when I want somebody that wants her when it’s not fair if every single person wants her. Like that cannot possibly be my issue. And then the few men I manage to pull or develop a little thing for she just has to go and talk to them. Whether that consciously or unconsciously she does it. And it’s fucking annoying.

I tell tray to wait and rush over to them. Callie sticks her tounge out and poses cutely at me. I pull my lips into a line.

And then I look at Harlan. His expression is smug and nonchalant. But he smiles at me and it’s a small, cute, genuine one. I almost feel disgusted by how real it feeled. I didn’t want it to seem like I was that easily gullible.

So stand there in silence listening to Callie talk about pure bullshit. Each of her words make me even more angry as I listen to how she still hasn’t stopped talking with him.

And I think Harlan sees my irritation because he smirks at me. And I just stare at with with a straight irritated as fuck face. That makes him smile even more. Making me way more mad.

Then I look at the guy next to Harlan. Harlan is shorter by maybe 3 or so inches. And Callie’s man is more buff. His rider jersey reads, Hawk. I’m supposing that’s his name. Which I don’t really like.

But Hawk has very very light golden brown eyes. And light hair. It’s just like Callie to pull such an attractive man. And their height difference is everything I could ever imagine. She barely reaches his collarbone goddammit. I know I say I’ve come to terms with my height, but somewhere down I know I haven’t.

“ What about you, Adrienne.” Callie asks. Harlan turns my way genuinely interested. Hawk just looks at me with even eyes.

She even pulled a loyal man too for fucks sake.

“About?” I try not to sound annoyed but my emotions aren’t his very well. My upper lip end up curling slightly.

“Don’t know why the fuck your mad but any fuckin’ who.” I don’t laugh. I just look with my mouth slightly open. She’s always undermining me. “About plans for tomorrow.”

“None.” I reply dryly. Then I laugh and I’m sure I seem psychotic. But I only do it because I figured I was going too hard with the ‘I’m irritated please pity me’ look.

She smiles with plump lips and straight teeth. My teeth were too small for my mouth. It makes my smile ugly and crooked. But I actually quite liked it when I smiled with a closed mouth. I didn’t have dimples but I had these creases right above the corners of my lips and I thought they were so cute. That’s how I always smiled unless I was laughing. I really liked that smile. But it is still never compared to Callie’s. She had dimples

“Ok then we can all meet up somewhere tomorrow. Let’s go Hawk.” She rushed him off somewhere. Leaving me. Fucking leaveing me. She knows how awkward moments like these make me feel. And she left for a man. One that doesn’t give one real fuck about her. I try not to let my blood boil.

Harlan looks at me. A sneaky look in his eyes. “Wanna ride on my bike?”

I suck my lips in and laugh. He laughs too. Not shit was even funny.

“Ight I’ll ride the bike.”

“My bike.”

“Mhm.”

He looks me up and down. His gaze is…..I don’t know. I can tell he likes what he sees. That’s clear.

I sneer a little as I say, “what.”

“I’m just thinking about how you're going to sit down.”

My cheeks flush. I stick up my middle finger. “Shut up.”

He grins even wider. “Are you only wearing underwear?”

My stomach flutters. Maybe something even lower too. Then I recall what tray told me, he’s much older than you. Your relationship would just be freaky. It couldn’t be that bad. I mentally laugh.

I smile (mouth closed.) “Yes.” I can be a bit risky at times.

“Mmm. Ok. I’ll be right back.” He heads off somewhere. For a very quick second I wonder if he’ll even come back. But he does. And he brings back 2 helmets.

“When you step on, do it exactly as I say. And wrap your arms around my waist. Don’t be fucking petty and try to use my shoulders.”

I nod.

“Do you understand.” Clearly not a question.

His authoritative tone sends butterflies up and down in my stomach. “Mhm.”

He glares and his voice is somehow calm, “yes I understand.”

I grit my teeth, “I understand.”

He hands my helmet over, “get on.”