MAX
This place was fortunate to have been awarded the two-star rating it displayed in the reception lobby, that was for sure.
But there was no changing the past now.
After all, if Judd was willing to implicate Channing, then there was nothing to say that he wouldn’t try to do the same with Harrison and Michael.
That said, both Harrison and Michael were keen to offer their moral support as and where they could…
Max, remember – you can call on me any time day or night. You know I’m always up late anyway, so don’t worry. I’m here for you bro, and I know Michael is too. Anything you need, just ask. We’ve got your back, brother. Harrison.
Seconded. This Judd asshole has messed with the wrong guy, it’s only a matter of time before he realizes that. But just promise us you’ll think before you take any drastic steps. You’ve got a good life with Channing, you need to think of that. Love you, bro. Be safe. Michael.
Max smiled and sent a big heart emoji in response.
Max didn’t feel like getting into a long conversation, but appreciated his friends so much.
Having both Michael and Harrison back in his life was a good feeling, and Max hoped that once this situation was all over with, he would be able to get back on track with seeing his friends regularly.
Of course, the same feeling applied to Channing too. Max only hoped that Channing would understand why he had to go into dark mode to sort through the problem. The truth was that Max had never fully explained how he lost his brother, Trey.
Max had always planned on telling Channing the full story, but somehow he was never able to push through the pain of dredging up all of his old memories. In that moment, Max decided that once this was all over, he would find Channing and tell him exactly what happened to Trey.
In the meantime, the symbolism of the drag race wasn’t lost on Max.
When Max’s older brother had died in a fatal road accident, it wasn’t simply a case of one driver being distracted, or even a DUI.
No, Trey had been racing. It wasn’t an official, organized street drag race like Max took part in.
It was a far looser event, the type of race that gave the drag racing community a bad name.
For Trey to die in this way was a tragedy, and it pained Max to think about it even now. Worse, Max had always lived with a sense of guilt that he had got into drag racing too. Fortunately for Max, his skill had led him into the far more organized and relatively safer high-end street racing scene.
For Max to enter into a drag race as a result of being blackmailed left a sour taste in his mouth. Trey loved the thrill, the speed, and the sensation of true competition. The same was all true for Max.
So for Max to have to enter a race under duress, and then lose on purpose on top of that… it felt heartbreakingly awful.
There has to be another way.
But Judd has me where he wants me.
I just can’t see a way out…
* * *
The cacophony of engines revving and sound systems blaring brought the adrenalin up several notches for Max.
It was late in the evening, and the only light came from the streetlights that flickered down the long strip of road where the race would take place.
It was race time.
But before the events could get under way, Max was eyeing up his muscle car. Judd had apparently sent it for a full repair, although the paint job was clearly rushed and looked nothing like the pristine standard that Max was used to.
Max was in no position to complain though. He was at the race to do as he was told and get the whole sorry experience all over with. The fact that his beloved car looked under par shouldn’t have mattered.
Except, of course, it did…
‘Urgh. This fucking sucks,’ Max muttered as he took a final walk-around his car, checking the tires and looking for any signs of poor bodywork.
‘Sorry man, I know this is tough,’ Rodrigo said, a look of sympathy on his face. ‘Judd has come onto the scene and really screwed things up for a lot of people. I’m sorry he got to you too.’
Max nodded. He didn’t want to talk about Judd, preferring to keep his mind as clear as he could ahead of the race. Rodrigo was a good guy, the type of wholesome racer dude who loved nothing more than fast cars, cold beers, and guys who could lift their bodyweight without breaking sweat.
Max and Rodrigo talked briefly about what was going on over on the East Coast street racing scene, and Max couldn’t help but wonder whether a move to the East might be a solution for him once the race was over.
‘But what about Channing?’ Rodrigo said, running his hand over his closely cropped black hair. ‘The boy would miss you. From what you’ve told me, he’s a keeper.’
‘I think he might have run out of patience with me,’ Max said. ‘And if he has, I wouldn’t blame him either. Fuck. I’ve screwed it up again. Maybe I should never have gone to his place after the crash…’
Rodrigo put his arm around Max and the pair of them briefly embraced.
Max appreciated Rodrigo being there for him in a non-judgmental way.
A big part of the scene was how close and friendly everyone was.
That was also part of the reason as to why Judd was such an unwelcome presence – the truth was that the community would never have let Judd worm his way inside had they seen what a low-down, dishonest kind of guy he was.
But all thoughts of Trey, Rodrigo, Channing, and Judd had to be put out of Max’s mind. It was time to race. With the crowd of enthusiastic and pumped-up onlookers raring for the action to begin, Max made his way inside the car and slowly pulled up to the start line.
Before proceedings could get under way, Max heard a rapping at his window. Turning, Max saw that it was Judd – and he was indicating for Max to lower the window.
‘Remember, don’t do anything crazy,’ Judd said, leaning in to whisper. ‘Lose, or I’ll make you and your boyfriend’s lives a living hell. Got it?’
Max nodded solemnly and shut the window.
The sight of Judd walking away with a horrible smirk on his face was enough to push Max to the edge and then beyond. Max gripped the wheel of the car and revved his engine. The race was moments away from beginning.
Max looked across to the rival driver and nodded in respect.
The rival racer returned the compliment and nodded back at Max.
The race countdown was about to start. It was a classic drag race. Full-throttle in a straight line to one point, then turn, then back again. Winner takes all.
A cute young guy stepped out in front of the two cars wearing a tight t-shirt and a pair of cute pale blue shorts. The boy actually reminded Max of Channing, and in the final seconds before the race countdown, Max found himself as unsure as he had ever been.
What would Channing tell me to do?
He always has the answers.
But maybe I need to figure this one out for myself…
Max revved the engine, put the car into gear, and held it just at biting point. He knew that Judd would only accept him losing the race, anything else would mean trouble. But on the other hand, Max knew that he could never forgive himself unless he was true to himself.
THREE!
TWO!
ONE!
GO!
As Max pulled away, he felt his mind go into the Zen state that it always did when he raced. Everything suddenly felt calm and clear. For many, racing at this speed would have induced an almighty panic, but for Max it was different.
At the halfway stage, Max’s rival was winning. Everything was going to Judd’s plan. All Max had to do was keep a safe distance and all would be right. But Max had never deliberately lost a race before, and he wasn’t about to go changing that now.
Using all of his knowhow, Max dragged himself back into the race and won a tight finish, right on the line. Max felt elated. But as he clambered out of the car to shake his opponent’s hand, he was interrupted by a livid Judd…
‘You stupid sonofabitch! Your life is over!’ Judd screeched, his face red with rage and fury. ‘Do you have any idea how much money you’ve cost me?’
Max shrugged. He simply didn’t care. Max knew that if he was ever going to truly change and learn how to fight his demons, then he simply could not contemplate intentionally losing the race.
Judd continued to rant about losing his money by betting against Max. And speaking of money…
‘This might come in handy,’ Michael said, showing Max his phone screen as he deposited a six-figure sum into Max’s bank account. ‘I bet big on you winning. Don’t worry, I took a little cut myself too!’
‘But I said for you guys to stay away,’ Max laughed, high fiving with Michael and Harrison.
‘Like we were ever going to listen to that,’ Harrison said, shaking his head in disbelief. ‘We’re brothers. We stick together like true family. Oh, and Judd?’
‘What?’ Judd snapped, still angry and looking ready to throw some punches.
‘You don’t know me, but I know you,’ Harrison said, his voice firm and meaning serious business. ‘Or I should say, my personal investigator knows you. We’ve got proof that you drugged Max. And we’ve also got evidence that you’ve been selling drugs on the side too.’
With that, Judd turned and made a run for it. His black two-seater was just across the road and he made it there before either Max or his friends could give chase.
‘He won’t escape the police for long,’ Harrison said. ‘It’s an open and shut case. It’s over, man. You can have your life back. The cops will put Judd away for a long time.’
‘Speaking of cops…’ Michael said, the sound of police sirens in the distance and rapidly getting closer. ‘Looks like this location has been compromised. Time to bounce.’
As the whole crowd dispersed, Michael and Harrison quickly made their way to Michael’s black Tesla.
Max meanwhile jumped back into his car and revved the engine.
It was time to find Channing and make everything right.
Max didn’t know whether Channing would take him back after he disappeared with no explanation, but Max knew that he would give it his best shot to convince Channing that he truly loved him, and he had changed once and for all.
Max may have just won the biggest street race of his life, but now it was time for Max to get to Channing in triple-quick time and tell him exactly how important he truly was.
I’m a Daddy to my core.
But not just any old Daddy Dom.
I’m Channing Bale’s Forever Daddy - and it’s time I made that crystal clear to the boy so he never doubts me again…