36. Skylar
CHAPTER 36
SKYLAR
I wish I could say I didn’t have time to think about Bones with everything going on, but that would be a lie. He’s all I think about. I haven’t been able to eat or sleep properly. Is he eating and sleeping enough? Is he lonely or pushing people away again? Has he leaned on his friends?
“Warren, head in the game,” Mackie barks, and I blink, bringing him back into view.
“Yeah, I’m with you,” I mutter, and he frowns. Our cars wait for us to test some new tweaks before next week’s race.
“Skylar, you look like shit. Have you been sleeping, brother?” he asks as he steps closer. “Is everything okay? You know I’m your friend. You can talk to me.”
“Everything is fine.” I force a smile, not wanting anyone to worry. I don’t want to share what happened because it might make it real. Besides, I’m not planning on letting Bones go.
I know Alek has been worried, especially since I keep asking about Bones. He knows something is wrong and will probably corner me, so I stay out of his way.
Mackie eyes me. “Liar,” he says, “but if you don’t want to talk, then let’s race instead. Leave it all on the track.”
“On the track.” I nod as I bump my helmet against his.
We walk to our cars and slide inside, and I wave at Mackie as I climb in. We aren’t pushing it today, just a friendly race to test the limits of the cars, which is good since I haven’t slept. My reactions will be slower, but hopefully I’m still well enough to get through today without anyone pulling me aside to call me on my shit.
We pull up to the line as the lights flash red, amber, then green. I’m off just a second after Mackie. Shaking my head, I try to pull it together. I focus on the track, not letting any other thoughts invade. I can’t. It’s dangerous. They will still be here when I’m done.
Normally, the speed and adrenaline push everything else away, but not this time.
He’s all I can think about, even as I accelerate too fast around a corner and almost spin out. I manage to regain control, but Mackie is far ahead because of it. Swearing, I slam my hand into my helmet.
“Focus, Skylar,” I bark.
I try to catch up, but he has a good lead. He’s driving well, and he’s speeding back down the straightaway when smoke suddenly billows from his hood. The car jerks and then spins. Horror fills me as I watch him, knowing he’s fighting to stop from flipping.
He whips back and forth before hitting the barrier and stopping. I can hear shouts from the team. I know they are racing over, but I’m closer. I slam on my brakes, fishtailing, and I’m out before my car is fully stopped. Ripping off my helmet, I toss it to the track and sprint to Mackie’s car.
I eye the smoke as I lean in, panic pounding through my heart, and then I see him move.
“Brother, you okay?” I shout. “Mackie!”
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” He coughs, his eyes wide as he blinks and turns to me with shock on his face. Ripping his door open, I unfasten his harness and help him out, guiding him away from the car and leaning him against mine as I check him over. There’s a trickle of blood on his forehead, but otherwise, he seems okay.
He got damn fucking lucky.
“Damn, brother, it’s a good thing you’re a good driver. That could have been bad.”
“I don’t know what happened. It’s like something blew in the car and all my control went.” He leans over, dragging in deep breaths.
His name is screamed over and over, and Noah shoves me aside. I hit the ground hard from the force as he grips Mackie’s head.
“Kid, you okay? Talk to me.” The panic in Noah’s voice makes my eyebrows rise as I climb to my feet.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Mackie promises, covering Noah’s hands on his helmet. “Just a bumped head.”
“Jesus, kid, I had a fucking heart attack.” He pulls him into a hug, and I turn away as they embrace, giving them the privacy they need. When I look back, Noah is leaning away, frowning. “What happened?”
“I didn’t do it?—”
“Kid, I know you didn’t. You’re the best fucking driver out here. I’m asking you what happened, not accusing you,” Noah says, his voice soft.
“I don’t know. It’s like something in the car went crazy, no controls. I was lucky I didn’t flip.”
“Not luck, skill,” I interrupt. “I saw smoke before it happened. Something is wrong with the car.” I meet Noah’s eyes.
Both of us are wondering the same thing.
Did someone sabotage Mackie’s car?
If so, they could have killed him.
This just became a lot more serious.
Mackie went to the hospital to be sure. Noah demanded it and went with him. He’s barely left Mackie’s side, and I know whoever did this is going to wish they killed Noah, not hurt Mackie. When Noah is done with them, there will be nothing left.
The rest of us are quiet and worried, the garage silent for once.
“I heard there was an accident.” Alek rushes in with Evan at his side. Alek took today off for a date. “Skylar, are you hurt?” He inspects me with his eyes as Evan touches my shoulder worriedly.
“I’m okay,” I promise. “It was Mackie. There was something wrong with his car.” I eye Alek meaningfully, and his lips tighten. “He hurt his head. He’s at the hospital now, getting checked over. He’s fucking lucky he’s alive.”
“Jesus.” Alek sinks into the chair next to me, and Evan sits on his lap with his arm over his shoulder, both facing me. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“Tell me about it. I think Noah might actually kill someone. I feel bad for the doctors. He was barking orders here before he dragged Mackie out.” We both grin, and Alek wraps his arm around Evan’s waist, tugging him closer. For a moment, envy fills me with how easy it is for them. I know it wasn’t always like that, I saw my friend fight to get to this place and I’m happy for them, but right now, watching them hurts.
I wish my boy were here, but he isn’t. Alek is eyeing me again, so I force a smile and perk up, not wanting the questions. “How was your date? Sick of him yet?” I ask Evan.
“Not yet.” He grins, but he eyes me too. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I answer.
“Pretty boy, could you get us some drinks?” Alek asks, and something passes between them before Evan kisses Alek and hops up.
“Of course.”
We both watch him walk away, and Alek sighs.
“God, he is so hot,” Alek mutters.
“No need to be jealous, you’re hot too.” I smirk.
Alek eyes me, his expression dead. “I’m not being jealous, Skylar. I’m being gay.”
He says it so straight-faced, I can’t help but burst into laughter. “I needed that,” I admit.
“I know. Tell me what the fuck is going on with you and Bones. He was stalking around campus, looking like he was ready to murder someone.”
“Is he okay?” I sit up, my eyes wide. “Did you talk to him?”
“Jesus, Skylar, what happened?” Alek snaps.
Slumping, I look at the table. “I don’t know,” I mutter. “I knew winning him over would be hard, but I was determined. He’s worth it. He keeps pushing me away, though, and I know something is wrong . . . . I just don’t know what.” I shrug, not wanting to explain it all. I don’t want his relationship with Bones to change. They both need friends and get along well.
Alek sighs. “I hate seeing you like this.”
“Like what?” I mutter, wiping at my burning eyes.
“In person,” he deadpans, and I choke on a laugh.
He grins but leans in, laying his hand on my arm. “You were always there for me with Evan and to give me a kick in the ass when I needed one. Let me return the favor. If Bones is worth it, then fight for him no matter what. You don’t back down, which is an oddly annoying endearing quality to have. Whatever is happening, talk and figure it out together. I’ve learned that talking can solve most things. It’s miscommunication and lack of understanding that causes issues.”
“Jesus, I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak,” I joke, but I smile softly. “I know. You’re right. Anyway, less about my love life and more about yours. How are you and Evan?”
“We’re really good.” He grins widely, and so much happiness radiates from him, he glows with it.
“Good, how’s Alice?” I ask, changing the subject. I need to deal with this alone, and I love Alek like a brother, but right now, he can’t help. It’s clear Bones wants space, so I will give it to him.
“Eh, I feel like she’s finally going through her rebellious teenage years,” he grumbles. “Evan tells me I worry too much.”
“You do.” I smack his arm. “Enjoy your boy and just be happy, okay? You deserve it, Alek.”
“That’s the nicest thing you have ever said to me.”
“Don’t expect it again.” We share a smile as Evan sets three mugs down and sinks onto Alek’s lap.
“All man talked out?” he scoffs. “Can I pretend I didn’t know?”
“Shut it, pretty boy,” Alek warns, smacking his hip.
“Or what?” Evan teases.
“Or I’ll punish you?—”
They share a look, seeming to forget I’m here. Propping my hand on my chin, I lean closer, watching with a grin, and they suddenly turn and see me.
“Jesus, Sky!” Alek barks.
“Don’t let me stop you. Punish? How do you do it? Whips? Chains?” I dart up and run as Alek chases me. Evan watches us, shaking his head and sipping his coffee. Laughter fills the garage, and the tension eases a little, but like my heart, it will take time to be normal again.