“Liz?” Max asked as he followed the girl to the front of the crowd. Both were clutching their boards.
“What’s it to you?” She asked not turning her head.
“Just wanted to know Superwoman’s secret identity.” He said stopping beside her near the vert.
“Listen Boarder Boy, you best back off before you get yourself hurt.” Liz said glaring at him as she felt a tap on her shoulder.
She turned to see Isabel, Maria, and Kyle right behind her.
“You ready?” Isabel asked hugging her.
“All ways.” Liz smiled gripping her back before moving on to Maria.
“OK Babe,” Liz said addressing Kyle, “What’s the count?”
“84.” He said smiling at her.
She leaned over and gripped him around the neck.
Max watched as Kyle hugged her back smiling brightly, so this was Superwoman’s sidekick?
“Go kick some boarder butt.” Maria cried after her as they heard the announcer begin her introduction.
Max stood like a statue and watched as she dove down the vert coming up on the other side and doing a full grind.
The trucks on her board almost shot sparks as they ran across the metal edge of the platform.
She dove back down quickly hitting the other edge of the eight foot vert flipping her board mid jump and turned her body around hitting the deck of the board as she came back down.
As she went up the other side now with only a minute left she Flipped off her board completely doing a roll over before coming back down.
Max stood amazed… She had taken his trick.
She skid down the metal siding on the other side before turning her board over completely and skating back down. She came up on the other side and grabbed it with her hand her body completely vertical, a flawless hand plant.
She skated up the other side and jumped back on the platform next to the announcer, her time over.
She smiled as she looked at her score 97!
“I’m not sure our next contestant can top that but from the East it’s Maxwell Whitman from Whitman’s Mechanics!”
Alex, Michael, and Tess started to cheer wildly along with the rest of East.
Max took a deep breath, flashing the crowd a presumptuous grin. He plunged straight down as he came to the brim he started off with a hand plant. Big start… bigger finish.
As he went to the next side he did a 360, landing perfectly. The next up he gave himself a little break by doing an axle stall on the coping.
Big finish time.
Max skated up the side and got great air as he flipped over the entire loop and landed perfectly on the Coping grinding a little before stepping off with his board.
He smiled at the judges as he saw his score flash across his eyes. 97… … Damn!
*
Max walked towards their station as he reached the station he found Alex and Michael casually propped up against their vehicles.
Max stripped his shirt off and tossed it into Alex’s car, the Roswell night heat getting to him.
“For your safety I’d remove that sweaty shirt from my car.” Alex said glaring at Max.
Max smiled.
“Now.” Alex said calmly.
Max gulped… not a good idea to piss Alex off when he’s in race mode.
Max reached inside and grabbed his shirt. Tossing it on the table near the car used for tools in case something had to be fixed.
Tess slowly crept up behind her brothers, more specifically Max. As she got right behind him she uncapped a large gallon jug and raised it as high as she could. It was just barely above his head. She tipped it quickly and Max yelped in surprise.
His face held his look of surprise for a few moments as his brain registered what was going on. Turning quickly he took what was left of the jug and chased Tess down.
He chased her halfway across the place. Weaving threw people. Forgetting he was half dressed and solely focusing on catching his dear little sister.
As he finally got her cornered by some people who wouldn’t move he raised the jug and began to pour the rest over her. She reached up and made his hands move the jug so it was no longer pouring on her but on the person next to her… a dark haired person who yelled in surprise and whirled around.
Max and Tess simultaneously dropped the jug and backed away. That was not a good look… that was a look of death firmly set upon the brunet’s face.
“I’m so gonna hurt you.” Liz smiled as she moved towards Max completely ignoring Tess’ presence… which at that moment didn’t bother Tess one bit.
“Superwoman scared of a little water… it’s not like you melted or anything.” Max said smiling at her.
Liz’s hand struck out to hit him but only connected with a hand … a large hand that wrapped around her entire hand, his touch wasn’t rough but immovable all the same; “You have a great swing.”
Feeling his mocking eye on her she seethed pulled her hand back.
As he laughed she took his distracted time and smacked him upside the back of the head.
Max glared back at her.
*
“What happened to you?” Isabel asked as she watched her youngest sister walk towards them in a soaking wife beater and drenched hair.
“Boarder Boy decided I needed a shower.” Liz said bitterly as she reached for a ponytail in her pocket.
“You should take the next one with him.” Maria suggested as she received a glare from Liz and a laugh from Isabel.
“What? The guy is hot!” Maria said throwing her arms around her wet sister’s shoulders from behind and hugging her tight.
“You ready?” Liz asked Isabel as she wrapped her hands around her sister’s lower arms.
“I was born ready.” Isabel said seriously before she busted out with a grin.
Liz and Maria laughed too as their sister crawled into her car and went to the starting line.
“LADIES, GENTLEMEN, AND COMPETERS I BRING YOU THE RACE OF A LIFE TIME! UNDEFEATED EAST CHAMPION- ALEX WHITMAN FROM WHITMAN’S GARAGE… AND FROM THE WEST THE HOTTEST DRIVER I’VE EVER SEEN ISABEL DELUCA FROM VALENTI’S AUTO REPAIRS! ISABEL IS ALSO UNDEFEATED! WE’RE IN FOR QUITE A SHOW!” The announcer boomed over the pa system.
The mob of people on the side street started to scream and all the guy’s followed Isabel’s car as it pulled to the front. As she stepped out several wolf whistle were sounded.
Liz and Maria walked over to their sister and stood beside her car. They had a few minutes.
Alex got out of his car and smiled over at Isabel, “Good Luck Princess.”
Isabel smiled coldly at him, “I won’t need it.”
“Hey Superwoman!” Max called from his position next to his brother, “Nice boarding.”
“I should have won.” Liz barked at him as she turned her back to him.
“God look at him!” Maria hissed to both of her sisters, “He is built like an Adonis.”
Isabel gazed backwards and took him in. His body was definably defined, and there were water droplets all over him and his hair was tussled, but she still didn’t find him attractive, at least not to the point in which he could be called an Adonis, “Too many muscles for me and his ears are huge!”
Liz didn’t say a word and Liz didn’t need to look back the picture of his phenomenal body was imprinted into her mind.
“All right it’s time.” Isabel said as she watched the announcer drag a microphone over to the starting point
Liz and Maria hugged her before going straight to the sidelines.
*
“Kick some ass.” Michael said patting his brother on the shoulder.
“Plan to.” Alex said smiling as he leaned against his car.
Tess pushed her way through the crowd to get to her brother, “90.”
“Man that’s the highest any of us have ever had!” Max said gripping his brother around the shoulders.
“You’re on.” Tess said as the other racers started to get into their cars.
Alex smiled and ran his hand from the blue ghost flame on the back of his car all the way to the luminous black door.
As he got inside, before he closed the door, he gave his group his patented two thumbs up.
They smiled at him and went to the sidelines.
*
“RACERS! START YOUR ENGINES.” The announcer yelled as the flag girls went to the front.
“On Your Mark!” The announcer said before signaling the flag girls.
There was a whirl of smoke as the five racers took off instantaneously.
Isabel smiled to herself as she felt her car come alive. Racing was life.
And damn she loved to live.
*
Alex planted his hands against the steering wheel as his foot hit the floor, Ready or not, here I come.
Alex’s eyes widened as something red went ahead of him…
He looked down at his modified speedometer 178 mph. He watched as his heat went up. He took one hand off the wheel to press his Nitrous oxide release button.
He speed up… he was going over two hundred and necking with her car.
He looked over to the driver and she had a smile on her face… she looked slightly dangerous… to the utmost extent.
As they passed the finish line the crowd went wild!
Isabel slowed down to a stop, Alex a few feet behind her.
As she got out she searched the crowd. A bike speed up to her, “IZZY!”
Isabel hugged Maria close.
In front of her car another pulled up, a red mustang with Kyle and Liz in it.
“That’s my girl!” Kyle cheered as he enveloped them all in a hug.
*
“ALEX!” Tess screamed as she ran up to her brother and threw her arms around him. He lifted her up off the ground and spun her around.
Max and Michael came over and patted him on the back smiling.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THE UNDEFEATED RACING CHAMPION IS ALEX WHITMAN FROM EAST’S WHITMAN GARAGE.”
*
Isabel went silent and the smile slid off her face. She was not happy.
Maria, Liz, and Kyle stopped instantly. What the hell?
Isabel always won. She had never lost a race since she had begun racing.
Isabel clenched her jaw along with her fist. She was ready to put it through someone, anyone. And lucky for her an opportunity presented itself in the most interesting form.
“Isabel… did you, dare I say it, lose?” Tommy Hogan asked as he walked towards them, “I told you chicks had no place in garages or on a race track.”
Every West person within hearing range shut up and watched. No one ever taunted a DeLuca… no one.
“Tommy, man I wouldn’t do that.” Kyle said as he backed up and leaned against his car.
Maria propped herself up on her bike while Liz sat down on the stake board she had brought with her.
Alex, Michael, Tess, and Max; along with the rest of East, stopped doing what they were doing to see what was going on.
“Why not Kyle? Just stating the truth. Poor little Isabel lost!” Tommy said insulting her with pleasure.
Liz not wanting to interfere too much just commented from her current position, “Please TAMMY you’re just jealous that a girl beat you. Took your title. You’re just a jealous little puss!”
Isabel smiled at her youngest sister. Her eyes not leaving Tommy, or Tammy, on of his favorite nicknames.
“Come here.” Isabel said calmly.
Tommy didn’t say a word he just looked around like a deer caught in headlights.
“Wouldn’t be fair Isabel, you know I can’t hit you back.” Tommy said trying to cover himself before the beating came.
“Personal decision.” Isabel said as she slammed her fist into his face making him double over. She took her time to smash her knee into his head till he was laying on the ground.
She bent down ever so slightly, “Girl or not I can still kick you ass.”
She reared back and rammed her boot covered foot into his ribs.
Feeling considerably better she turned around to talk to her friends.
All of West went back to what they were doing, this was not an uncommon occurrence.
East on the other hand just stared with an open mouth as someone, who they assumed was Tommy’s friend, dragged him off the track.
“Princess packs a punch.” Alex mumbled to himself eyes wide.
*
“Go to the track, we’ll meet you there.” Alex said as he slapped Michael on the back.
Michael nodded as he slung his leg over his bike and roared off.
Max grabbed his board and got into the front seat. Right in front of Tess.
“You going to put your clothes back on anytime soon? I don’t want your dead skin cells all over the place.” Alex said as he tuned up his music… Music Tess had put into his CD player.
Metallica vibrated through his system and he glared at his sister in the back seat.
She stopped head banging for a moment and just shrugged at him before going back to what she was doing.
Alex grinned at her and then turned to Max as they both rolled their eyes and drove off.
*
“Ready?” Isabel asked her sister as Maria drummed her fingers on her bike
“I’m so ready to wipe the track with that neon porcupine it’s unbelievable.” Maria said gritting her teeth as she watched Michael sneer at her a few bikes over, his hand running over his blue tipped spikes.
“OK.” Isabel said as she glance at Liz, only to find her baby sister glaring in the same direction as Maria.
Isabel turned to look at the ‘Hell on Wheels’ boys and she too took to scowling.
*
Alex looked over towards the ‘Bitch on Wheels’ section then quickly looked away. He liked bantering with the princess but he wasn’t willing to die over a wrong look.
“Michael,” Max said waving his hand in front of his brother’s eyes.
“What?” Michael snapped.
“If you look at her any harder she’ll start to melt.” Max said laughing.
“You’re one to talk… Superwoman is it?” Michael asked causing Max to instantly shut up.
“Good luck bro.” Alex said slapping Michael on the back and backing away.
Max did the same as he and Alex escaped to the side lines.
Max, Tess, and Alex gave Michael thumbs up as the announcer started to speak.
“You took too long.” Alex said as he reached down and took the can of orange soda from his sister.
“I know. I really wanted to see him off but I was dying of thirst.” Tess said pouting slightly.
“Bring me anything?” Max asked his brown eyes pleading with his baby sister.
“Of course.” Tess said as she tossed him a cherry coke.
“I hate cherry coke!” Max said as he popped the top anyway.
“Please you’re a guy. You drink anything and eat anything. It doesn’t matter.” Tess said as she popped the top to her own Cola.
“You bring Michael his victory drink?” Alex asked gazing down at the baggy pants his sister hand stored their drinks in.
“Snapple; Back left pocket.” Tess said as she watched the flag girls signal the start of the race.
Alex hollered as he watched his brother speed off on his favorite piece of property.
*
Maria smiled as she turned sharp to the right. She had failed to notice the bike beside her as she almost collided with it.
She whipped her head to the side to see Michael’s helmet turn her way, then face the track once more.
Maria smiled deviously to herself as she bent down a little more and geared up for competition. Something she hadn’t seen in a while.
*
Michael saw a glint of red near his bike and steered slightly away from the curve to avoid an accident. As he glanced over he could see his stance duplicated and modified to fit her petite frame.
It was time to play.
Michael and Maria sped up to dangerous speeds as they tried to get in front of the each other. They had a twelve-mile track in all. Three Miles left.
Maria was practically lying on top of the bars as she felt her bike start to pull to the side.
‘Come on baby’, she chanted in her mind, ‘you were made for this.’
As they neared the crowd of people, right where they had started, Michael and Maria veered precariously near each other.
As Michael pulled back Maria dug in. Knowing she shouldn’t but the race was in her now. The adrenaline an intoxicating substance in her body.
As she passed the finish line she smiled brightly her cheeks practically hurting from the grin.
She slowed down to a stop and peered behind her. There sat Hell on Wheels who looked rabid, at the least.
Suddenly there were arms around her.
Kyle, Liz, and Isabel had a death grip on her.
“I’ll met you back at the house.” Maria said as she watched the crowds begin to scatter.
Isabel, Kyle, and Liz nodded as they found their ways through the crowd to their own vehicles.
She leaned against her bike for a minute to let her pulse slow down.
As she glanced up and righted herself she felt his eyes on her. As she turned she caught him scowling at her… he was not pleased.
She didn’t care.
“Nice Race.” She called out to him, “Is that what wiping the floor with me is?” she taunted him further in spite.
With that she hopped on her bike and rode off confident in the fact that Michael was still watching her.
*
“Well girls I think we did all right for our selves.” Kyle said as he counted out the money in front of him.
“We?” Liz asked as she walked into Kyle’s room with a tub of ice cream and some spoons, “We didn’t race. We didn’t board.”
“Yes,” Kyle said as he grabbed for a spoon, “We didn’t take the bets, and we didn’t collect the money, and WE didn’t correct that little BLONDE BOOKIE, now did we?”
“Fair ‘nough.” Liz said as she plopped down on Kyle’s bed leaning her head against his shoulders.
Isabel and Maria looked at each other as they followed their sister’s example, “We don’t care.”
They laughed as Isabel laid down, stretching out, placing her head in Liz’s lap and her legs across Maria, who was now beside Liz.
“You OK Iz?” Liz asked as she stroked her hair lightly.
“Fine doll.” Isabel as she gave her a sarcastic smile.
“Sucks.” Kyle said as he too stroked her hair.
“Big time.” Maria agreed as she massaged her sister’s legs.
“Want some ice cream?” Liz asked handing her a spoon.
“Yes please.” Isabel’s eyes lit up.
“So, what was all that between you and Mr. Adonis?” Maria asked as she leaned over to get herself some frozen treat.
“Boarder Boy?” Liz asked laughing at the name.
“Yeah, boarder boy.” Isabel said getting more interested.
“Who is boarder boy? “ Kyle asked confused and not too happy.
“Besides giving me a shower? Just being an egotistical, overbearing, cocky, no good, wanna get decked, wannabe boarder.” Liz said sneering as she bit the spoon she was holding.
“Shower?” Kyle asked as he stared at his almost little sister bewildered, “He gave you a shower?”
“Chill Kyle, he just spilt water all over me.” Liz said dismissing him.
“You didn’t beat the crap out of him that has to amount to something.” Isabel said as she dipped her spoon into the ice cream again.
“I tried.” Liz said tilting her head in sincerity.
“Come on there was flirting there.” Maria said determined.
“No there wasn’t.” Liz said quickly.
“LIAR!” Maria said back.
Kyle reached over and grabbed a bottle of coke off his nightstand.
“He has a great bod.” Maria said nudging Isabel to help.
“He’s a good boarder.” Isabel added.
“He’s obviously interested.” Maria said watching Liz carefully.
“He’s got a vibrating tongue ring.” Liz added calmly.
Kyle spit out his drink showering the girls in front of him and making them burst in laughter.
“A what?” Kyle asked shoving Isabel to sit up and standing up staring down accusingly at Liz.
“A vibrating tongue ring.” Liz said clearly looking Kyle straight in the eyes.
“He’s a dead man.” Kyle said as he paced back and forth trying to come up with a homicidal plan.
“And how do you know this?” Maria asked her smile becoming even wider.
“He volunteered that information thank you very much.” Liz said with a laugh at her sister’s enthusiasm of the subject.
“He is definitely interested.” Maria repeated her earlier statement.
“He’s definitely an East.” Liz said, “And besides he’s my competition.”
“Completive sex is the best.” Isabel said smiling as Kyle came to an abrupt stop.
“WHAT!?!” He asked his eyebrows practically leaping of his face.
“What I’ve heard.” Isabel said as she, Maria and Liz included, started to laugh at him.
“You want to know who’s a real vibrator?” Maria said ignoring Kyle’s glares, “That porcupine boy. And did you see the look on his face when I made him eat my dust?”
“Hell on Wheels Biker?” Kyle asked as he ignored Maria’s ignorance.
“Blue dude.” Maria said nodding her head.
“Name’s Michael Guerin. The Racer on their team is Alex Whitman, and the border is Maxwell Whitman.” Kyle said as he brought out a sheet of paper from his pocket double-checking it, “And their bookie is, personal and side wise, is Tess Whitman.”
“She wouldn’t be the ‘blonde bookie’ you’ve bee mumbling about all night would she?” Isabel asked her eye brows quirking up.
“Why whatever do you mean dear sister?” Kyle asked his almost sister.
“Speaking of relations, when is your dad coming home?” Liz asked as she pushed Isabel up and got off the bed.
“Bright and early. We have to start work at like seven.” Kyle said going over to the door to the bathroom so he could brush his teeth.
Liz walked over to Kyle’s dresser and pulled open her own drawer taking out a pair of night pants and a tank top.
Maria and Isabel followed suit and changed while Kyle was washing up for bed.
They pushed Kyle out of the way picked up their own toothbrush and started to get ready for bed.
Kyle went back into his room and stripped to his boxers before crawling into his California king size bed.
“Turn out the lights.” He mumbled into his pillow as he heard the three girls exit.
He felt the bed shift as they laid down beside him after Isabel had hit the light switch.
“We really need to talk to dad about cleaning out the your gonna be rooms.” Kyle said as he wrapped his arm around the girl next to him.
“He won’t.” Liz said as she leaned into Kyle’s chest. She loved curling up in his arms he made her feel like she was safe and protected. He was her big brother in all the ways that mattered to her.
“Not until he and mom take that big step and get married.” Isabel said as she rolled over to face the other three teens.
“And besides I don’t want to know they’re having sex in the same house.” Maria said as she pushed her head farther into the pillow.
“Maria!” The three siblings around her whined.
“I didn’t need that image.” Isabel complained as she hit her sister with a pillow.
Maria smiled evilly in the dark and pushed Isabel off the bed.
A few second after the thud of Isabel falling Liz spoke up, “What was that?”
“Nothing.” Maria said giggling.
“Maria signing her death wish.” Isabel huffed as she stood up and grabbed for her pillow, hitting Maria with it.
Maria got up on her knees and went to hit Isabel in the dark but ended up missing and falling on the floor.
Isabel turned on the lights and busted out laughing.
Liz and Kyle sat up to look at her, and they too started to laugh.
“Not funny!” Maria said as she stood up with her pillow and attacked the three of them, hitting Isabel and Liz, and missing Kyle completely.
Kyle laughed loudly at them.
They, in unison turned to Kyle and started to pelt him with the pillows.
*
Michael, Max, Alex and Tess slowly walked up the stairs of the garage to their apartment floor above it.
Alex and Max walked towards the kitchen. Munchies on their mind.
“I’m going up to bed.” Michael said as he slumped over to another set of stair that would lead him to the third floor. The teens floor.
“G‘night.” Alex said through a mouthful of Doritos.
“Good Night.” Max said distractedly as he glared at the microwave.
Tess looked at them then at her brooding brother.
She walked up the stairs and knocked on his door, which he had slammed.
“Go away Tess.” Michael practically growled through the door; knowing she would be the only one to follow him.
“Not a chance Bro.” Tess said as she forced the door open and turned on the light.
He had not lied to anyone when he had said he was going to bed. He was indeed lying in the bed. His eyes boring perfect little holes in the ceiling as he clenched his jaw and hands in time with one another.
“I don’t want to talk.” Michael said his gaze not faltering.
“I didn’t ask.” Tess said as she sat down beside her brother and looked sympathetically at him.
“You didn’t have to.” He said letting out a long sigh.
“It’s OK, you know.” Tess said reaching a hand up and running it through his blue spikes, “That she won.”
Michael sighed again, “It’s not OK. She wasn’t supposed to win. I was. I always win. I train hard, I work hard, I ride hard, and I win.”
“Well so you’ve got a little competition, big deal? Everyone has competition.” Tess said shrugging as she continued her soothing movements.
“I don’t have competition. I don’t loose. It’s just foreign and it pisses me off.” Michael said sitting up and throwing his legs over the side of his bed, next to his baby sister.
“You were the best rider out there to me.” Tess said dorkly.
A loud “AW.” came from the doorway followed with applause and a few piece of popcorn.
“It’s just so sweet.” Alex said to Max pretending to wipe a tear away.
Suddenly they ducked as two pillows came flying at their heads.
*