Wreck Me (Corrupt Legacy Series #2)

I throw the controller aside and stand up.

In the kitchen, I make myself a protein shake. Alec scratches his neck and says, “Why do you want to take classes, man? You don’t need them.”

I need to fill every waking hour. We might be best friends, but I never told him everything, just that there was this girl who broke my heart.

“Because I want both. I’m a perfectionist like that.”

“Crazy motherfucker. But I’m coming to check on the girls while I’m here.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“Not my fault you took a vow of celibacy. More for me.”

“The sacrifices you have to make.”

He chuckles. “I’m going to hit the campus while I’m visiting. Wanna come?”

I shake my head, and he shouts over his shoulder on the way out, “You’re no fun.”

I lock myself in the gym, and when my muscles strain, I stop my physical training. But my restlessness spars with my rationality. I should go to bed, but instead, I take a quick shower. After changing, I head to my car.

The beastly engine vibrating under my ass always has a positive effect on my thought process, calming me down. I drive for a while with no destination in mind until I come to a halt at the cliff, memories of us together assaulting me instantly. When I step out, I follow the traces of tires and a white delineation mark. Someone is organizing races here.

I inch toward the edge of the cliff. The wind ruffles my hair, the crisp air lashing at my jacket. I can already tell this decision is going to cost me. Hopefully not my sanity, but again, that will be an ongoing battle anyway.

When I return home, the sun is setting on the horizon. My favorite mix of colors—red and oranges—creates a perfect flame. If you can’t beat them, join them.

Some enjoy reading, listening to music, or binge-watching shows. I have a peculiar hobby, setting and watching things on fire, which has always had a soothing and calming effect on my brain. Pulling out my lighter from my pocket, I play with the flame. It’s me who controls the fire, not the other way around. I extinguish it with my palm until the relaxing effect has me standing up and going to my bedroom.

Maybe tomorrow I will see her. Maybe I won’t.

My heart craves her and my mind focuses on its favorite madness. Abigail’s the storm and tranquility. The chaos and peace. It’s as if I uncapped the lid on my past, and now I have to deal with the consequences.

With every second, I doubt my decision to come here. No, I’m stronger than my impulses. I control my thoughts, not the other way around, I tell myself as I get ready for bed.

When I wake up at the crack of dawn, I change and drive the ten miles to the track.

I greet the guys from the crew first. After the team meeting where we discuss what went well in the race and what we can improve for the next one, I change into my race suit.

As I sit inside my car, Samuel, the chief mechanic, speaks through the two-way radio in my helmet.

“We put new tires on. Today’s practice is just to test them.”

I listen to him, reflecting on how far we’ve come—from me begging him for another chance to him finally trusting me. My chest swells with pride. I earned and deserved this second chance, and I will never allow my ego, my past, or my brain to sabotage that.

I itch to press the pedal and feel all that power at the tip of my foot, making my body pulse. But this is practice, a warm-up consisting of ten to fifteen laps.

With my fingers glued to the wheel and my eyes laser-focused on the circuit, I complete each lap, taking curve after curve with Samuel’s voice in my ear.

“Good, drive it back.”

“How was I?”

He chuckles. “You did good.”

I grumble low, bringing the car back.

He arches a brow. “You don’t need me to stroke your ego.”