Lights Out (The Grid, #1)

by Kayla James

This is for everyone who’s ever been told ‘you can’t’ or ‘you don’t belong’ or ‘you’ll never make it.’ Tell those assholes to fuck off and watch this.

“But the truth is that the legacy of the King name⁠—” “Don’t—” “Crashed and burned when Rex did.”

The person—excuse me—man I just barreled into bends and retrieves my bag from the ground before straightening to his full six something height.

“Do you feel it?” I smile. “Oh I feel it.” “What do you feel?” “I feel the need,” I sing. “‘The need’, she says!” “The need for speed!”

You know those girls who make a show, or book, or song their personality?

Meeee

We dated for a while, but for a person who’s supposed to always support, be happy for, and love me… That lasted right up until I consistently stood above him on the podiums.

Even with the shadow blocking his eyes, I’d recognise him anywhere.

Well damn. Universe, we need to have a little talk.

“Oh. Well, thank you. Coming from you that means a lot.” “I’m impressed. I don’t get impressed often. You’ve got a bright future with a talent like yours.”

“I need a driver.”

The man came in first at one of the hardest tracks all the while sporting a broken wrist. He’s probably one of the best racers to ever step foot on the grid.” Nikolai chuckles, “I’ll have to tell him you said that.” My eyes blow wide and I raise my hands up. “Please don’t.”

“This industry is full of men who think they’re entitled to everything and think they can do whatever they want just because they can distinguish which is the gas and which is the brake. I don’t want that bullshit on my team. I need someone who will be in this for the racing and block all the rest of that shit out. Someone who’s a part of this not to chase the money or fame, but for the rush of when you slide into that driver’s seat.”

And I think that driver is you.”

“Me?” “You.” “Why?” I laugh in shock.

There’s something about her that tames my own demons, quieting them so that I can breathe without the weight of everything crushing my chest.

Taylor Swift’s “Karma”

Iconic behavior

Mama drools every time Henry Cavill is on screen

Valid

“Okay. I’ll be your friend. I’ll be the best friend slash teammate you’ve ever had.”

“This,” she holds up the tiny glass container, “is Tiger Balm.”

Love that ish

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Ryder.” “It’s okay.” “It’s not.”

“No, it’s really not. But I’m still here and I’m getting stronger.”

I’m beginning to think I’ll always need you and that scares the shit out of me.

“Is this okay?” “You’re perfect.” My eyes widen and I rush out, “It’s perfect.”

“You two make a darling couple,” the woman holding her phone comments. I don’t correct her. I don’t look away from Blake. She doesn’t look away from me.

It isn’t until the ride back to the house that I realize she didn’t correct the woman either.

You’d climb that man like the tree he is, is what you’d do!

Cassie: You’re telling me that you don’t want to do dirty dirty things to that man? Blake: Why are you the way you are?

Cassie: Photos where for the first time in years, he looks undeniably happy, Blake.

“What?” I try to catch my breath. “No one calls me that.” His voice is low and I fight the shiver threatening to roll through my body in response. His eyes shine, dancing between mine. “My mum was the only one to ever⁠—” “Oh. I’m so sorry. I won’t⁠—” “No,” he says quickly, swallowing. “I like it when you do.”

“I’ve got to say, I like it when you’re all confident and handing me my arse, but,” he leans down until his lips brush my ear, “I think I love hearing you beg even more.”

“Fuck it.” He slams his lips to mine.

This whole thing could get messy real fast. For both of us. So, I agreed. I fortified my heart and threw away the key. Teammates is what he wants, so teammates is what he’s going to get.

“You don’t need to be like me. Just be you.”

“Yes, just be the incredible, talented, optimistic girl that you are and everything will be alright.”

“This is a one trip house,” she declared as she contorted her body to pick up the last bag.

Never more than one trip

She never returned them, just like she never returned my black hoodie. I bought a new pair of each because there was no way I would ask for either of them back. I like the look of her in my clothes too much. “Nice sunglasses,” I say as she walks closer. “Thanks. They belonged to this famous driver once. I think they’ll give me his skills if I wear them long enough,” she smiles.

He’s one of the best, most compassionate, and loving people I know and yet I casted him aside like there isn’t a lifetime of memories between us.

“Welcome home, brother.” “It’s good to be back.”

Beckham was the hardest to let go. I was there the day he was born, the day he took his first steps, taught him his first word, stayed with him and Jace overnight when he was in the hospital, bought him his first kart. He was my little shadow, my tiniest best friend. He was too pure and I refused to let my darkness infect him.

“Cassie always did this thing before I went out on the track. She would tug on my chest straps and say ‘she ain’t going nowhere’. I didn’t realize that I needed her ridiculous ritual.” I study her for a moment and don’t take my eyes off of her as I reach over and lightly tug on her straps. “She ain’t going nowhere.”

Zoe: Did you see the images of him cheering her on from the garage? Leah: Gah! That was so cute. The one where it's zoomed in on his smirk is my favorite.

Zoe: The other teams need to watch out, Nightingale Racing is coming in hot and don’t look to be pulling any punches. They already have The King of the Grid as one of their drivers. This was a solid first look at someone who has the makings of a Queen.

Ryder bends down in his full gear and reaches into my cockpit, pulling on my chest straps. “She ain’t going nowhere,” he bellows over the sound of engines coming alive.

One. Deep breath in. Two. Roaring engines drown out the cheering crowd. Three. I flex my fingers on the wheel and revel in the vibrations. Four. I stare down the long stretch ahead of me. Five. Everything stills. Lights out.

She wasn’t supposed to become the thing I breathed for. The match that lit my world on fire in the best of ways, bringing heat back to my dead cold heart. She wasn’t supposed to burrow her way into my soul and make a home out of what was left.

The tranquility I experience behind the wheel doesn’t dissipate the moment my boots hit the ground—exchanging a few hours of peace for days of desolation—when she’s around. I don’t fear the void of time between races when she’s there, filling them with her laughter.

And I’m done. I’m done shutting down every thought I have of us together. Of telling myself that I don’t deserve her. I know I don’t, but I’m a selfish prick and I’m. Just. Done. I told her that we couldn’t happen, but I also told her that we’ll do this together. Only one of those was a lie.

I glance behind me to see Lawson standing like a sentinel over Sydney as she dances around him.

Okay book three couple spotted

“Maybe I don’t want to have to choose between you and racing.” She leans into me, eyes flickering between mine with overflowing affection, and takes a stuttering breath, “Then don’t.”

“I’ve never been so sure about something in my entire life.”