Unwanted (bxb)

Chapter 9

Justin's POV

As soon as Cole left, I sat on my bed to catch my breath. Races... That was my weak spot all right. It was one of the few things I'd inherited from my father, one of the few things I had enjoyed doing with him. I remembered sitting on the floor at his feet watching NASCAR on TV. My father had been one of the best drivers of his generation, until everything went bad.

I could see my mother's face when she forbid me from ever returning to that world-fast cars, races. At just ten years old, I'd known everything there was to know about driving, and when my legs were long enough to reach the pedals, my father had let me drive with him. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I could still remember the euphoria of pure speed, the sand clinging to the windshield, getting in the car, the squeal of the tires above all, the peace of mind it gave me. Racing meant nothing else mattered. We were alone, the car and me. No one else. But that was then. My mother had told me in no uncertain terms to stay away from racing, and I had to accept that, regardless of how much I missed it.

I sighed, got up, and grabbed my phone, which wouldn't stop vibrating. My so called friends didn't miss me. They were going to another party that night, and they didn't seem to realize I was still in the group chat, able to read all the details about who and where and how much everybody was planning to drink.

I was sad but also irritated. Maddie still hadn't called me back. I was longing to hear her voice, to talk the way we'd talked before I left, for hours and hours. Why wouldn't she call me back? Had she forgotten about me?

With these thoughts, I left my room and found my mother and Richard in the vestibule. He was wearing a tux and looked like a Hollywood actor with his elegant bearing, which, sadly, his son had inherited. I had to admit that when I'd seen Cole in his black suit and white shirt, it had been hard not to stare. He was beyond handsome, but that was the only positive thing about him. The race, though, that had surprised me. So we had more in common than just a tattoo.

My mother was dazzling. All eyes would be on her that night and rightly so.

"Justin, you look handsome," she said, beaming, but whatever, she was my mom, I would always be good looking to her.

Richard looked me over and furrowed his brow, making me immediately uncomfortable.

"Is something up?" I asked, surprised and annoyed. If he asked me to change, that was not going to happen. I tried on five different suits that could fit me and my muscles. I didn't know what I'd say back. But then his face relaxed.

"Au contraire, you look just like your mother"

Ew.

"Just one little touch-up," my mother said, digging through her bag, pulling out a small bottle, and spraying some on my hair. "Now you'll make an even better impression."

Whatever. My mother thought I was her little Justin Bieber, as Cole put it.

We went outside, where a sparkling limousine was waiting for us. I was surprised but at the same time fed up. I don't know why it surprised me, what else should I expect? — but still, I couldn't get use to this fancy lifestyle.

Richard and my mom poured themselves glasses of champagne and, to my surprise, offered me one, which I accepted with pleasure, drank in one gulp, and refilled before they could realize it. If I wanted to get through the night, those wouldn't be the last ones I had.

Cole had already left. I envied his freedom to come and go and do as he pleased. I would have to get a job soon if I expected to have a car. No way I was going to depend on anyone else to get where I needed to go.