Soriano was polishing a nineteen sixty-nine Mazda MX five, one of the numerous cars at his dealership. Payton walked in, hands in his pockets and a satisfied smile on his face.
"Sold another Polestar, chief. With the NNC coming up, orders are rolling in." He said with a swagger.
"Nice work, Payton," Soriano said in approval. "Now come give me a hand with this Mazda."
"I'll be heading out to Gate Plains soon – Brook's practicing there today."
"Yes, yes, you can go later. Right now—"
"I know, I know. Work on the Mazda." Payton said with an exaggerated groan. Soriano threw the dirty rag at him but he caught it deftly with a grin. The chief had heard all about the meeting with the Nightshades and the race Brook had entered into in exchange for their help from the crew. Although it surprised him that Brook had agreed to it, he supposed it wasn't a bad deal. He trusted them to know what they were doing, although he wasn't above cautioning them to remain on their guard. He knew from past experience that the NNC was a likely place for unsavory characters to make an appearance.
The two of them worked together for a few minutes when the sliding doors opened and admitted a tall man in a gray tweed suit. He readjusted his glasses as he took in the dealership, his eyes widening slightly as he caught sight of Soriano approaching.
"Welcome sir, how can I help you? Whether you're looking for something sporty or family-friendly, we've got it." Soriano greeted the customer. The man inclined his head with a 'hmm' but did not speak.
"Hello, sir. Would you like a tour?" Payton asked, coming forward. The man eyed Payton and gave a tight smile. Payton suddenly got the strange sensation of having seen him somewhere before.
"Oh, I'll just browse. Although I would like to hear about your fastest cars," The man said. Soriano politely gestured for the man to follow him to see some models. Payton lingered behind, staring at the man uneasily.
"Why over here we have the undefeated Mazda MX five, then, of course, there are the classics, the Porsche Cayman, Jaguar F-type..."
"I read online that the Koenigsegg was the fastest car today." The man observed. Payton coughed, alerting Soriano. Soriano grinned.
"That's a big league car, sir. Not exactly the kind to be found in ordinary dealerships."
"Really? I heard a particular gang stole one last year from a dealership." The man went on, his tone unwavering. Payton's expression hardened.
"A mere speculation. The car was found in possession of a deranged psycho maniac." He said sharply. Soriano gave him a frown.
"Ah, yes, I recall reading about it in the news. The Inferno Ghosts, I believe, they called themselves." The man stated, snapping his fingers upon remembering.
"Yes... back to the cars – perhaps I could interest you in something more street-legal?" Soriano weaned the conversation back.
"Hmm... perhaps what I'm looking for can't be found here..." The man said in a slow observational manner. Payton found himself clenching his fists.
"Perhaps not. In which case, I suggest you look somewhere else." He said roughly.
"Payton!" Soriano hissed at him. He turned to the customer.
"I'm sorry sir, can I still interest you to take a look around? You might find something you like."
"Oh, I think I've seen everything I need to here." The man said slowly.
"Then let me show you the door," Payton said, folding his arms. "It's that way." He nodded his head towards the exit.
"Thank you." The man said with dripping politeness. Soriano reached out to stop him.
"Would you like a card, Mister, er..."
"It doesn't matter. And no thanks. I know where to find you." The man said and walked out. Soriano whirled on Payton.
"What the heck, Payton, you practically drove that customer away!" He scolded.
"Trust me, I did us a favor. I don't trust that guy, he seemed phony." Payton replied with narrow eyes.
"So he had a little attitude problem. You can't judge people just because of that, Payton, you gotta learn to trust people more!"
"I trust my instincts. And right now it's telling me that that guy walked in here with an ulterior motive. He looked so damn familiar..." Payton trailed off. Soriano sighed.
"I can't blame you kids, after the hell you've been through it's only natural to have an overdeveloped defense mechanism." He squeezed Payton's shoulder.
"Take a load off. Go help Brook. He'll need it for the NNC," He said. Payton began to walk away but turned back to speak to Soriano once more.
"Chief, that guy was off. Please, just be careful." Soriano smiled at him.
"Worried about me, Payton? You know I can handle myself." He reassured him. Payton let out a deep breath.
"There's a spare gun under your desk in the office." He said and walked out.
A sparkling white Devon GTX with a double black stripe running down the middle drifted smoothly across Gate Plains creating a cloud of dust behind it. Beside it were two cars – Payton's Hennessey Venom and Paige's Chevrolet Corvette. They were fencing in the white Ford while yelling over the CB radio.
"You should've braked, Brook! To get out of a stunt like this, you need to change course!" Paige yelled. Brook, who was driving the Ford, scowled though she didn't see it.
"I'll handle the race my way, thanks!" He retorted.
"Dude, You could get crushed if you keep this up. We're trying to help you here." Payton intervened.
"What's the point of this fake practice anyway? It's not like the real racers will go this easy on me!" Brook argued.
"You know what? You're right. Which is why I'm out." Paige said, suddenly slowing down to a stop. Payton and Brook also slowed down and reversed before parking beside her car. They got out.
"This is useless! I don't need to practice!" Brook said, kicking the tire of his car in frustration. He'd been driving the GTX all morning and still felt uncomfortable with it.
"You're already cramped by the GTX. It's like you can't drive anything but that Bugatti." Payton said, shoving his hands into his pockets. Brook let out an angry groan.
"You have to get used to it. You can't drive the Bugatti at the NNC." Paige said with a smirk.
"I know that, okay?" Brook said, crossing his arms. "It's just – ARGH!" He kicked the car wheel once more. Payton laid a hand on his shoulder.
"At least your drifting skills are on par. You made those tight turns pretty well," he said.
"Don't try to make things better, Payton. This car and I just don't go together and there's nothing you can say to change it." Brook said grumpily. Payton sighed wistfully and patted the hood of the GTX.
"But she sure is my type..." He said. Paige gave him a light punch.
"What, is my competition a car now?" She asked with a laugh. He grinned.
"I'm going back. I've had enough." Brook said getting back into the car. The others followed suit and drove back to the little makeshift camp the others had set up for the practice at Gate Plains.
Some miles away, there was a little collapsible tent erected, and sitting at the entrance on a foldable chair and table was Michelle, working attentively on a laptop while drinking from a lemonade bottle beside her. Jett sat next to her doing the same while Reece lounged on another chair, sipping a soda.
"Aaand – done. 'Trail Blazers' is officially on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook," Michelle said.
"Whoo hoo! Thanks, Michelle, we never would have been able to do all this without you!" Jett said, hugging her.
"Subscriptions are up by thirty percent already – we should go nationwide by the end of the week," Reece stated.
"Your blog is booming and with the extra advertising we put up, you should get more traffic now," Michelle added. She turned to Jett.
"So why the name 'Trail Blazers'?" She asked.
"Hello, a car racing game? An illegal group of street racers?" Reece pointed out.
"And I thought it resonated well with the game," Jett said bashfully. "Race cars and cops and gunfights and whatnot."
"Ah, now it makes sense," Michelle said, nodding. "So basically you based it off our real-life story?"
"Yeah! You should see the cutscenes we made, the characters totally look like us!" Jett said enthusiastically. Michelle smiled.
"Living the outlaw life in a game... Trail Blazers. I like it." She looked up from her laptop into the horizon, hoping to see Brook.
"Still worried about Brook?" Jett asked gently. Michelle had been keeping an eye out for him ever since he went off to practice two hours ago. He hadn't seemed too keen about it.
"Yeah... I still don't get why he can't drive his Bugatti. He and that car are like – one, it doesn't feel right that he has to drive something else." She said, interlacing her fingers in demonstration.
"Every race has rules, Michelle," Reece explained. "And hypercars have been banned for years. Ever since the big clash of two thousand and eight."
"What happened?" Michelle asked.
"Six hypercars all going at wicked speed – I'll spare you the gory details." Reese flinched as he spoke. "Let's just say the pile-up was disastrous and the casualties served as a warning." Michelle swallowed, turning pale.
"Don't worry, that sort of thing doesn't happen with regular ol' supercars!" Jett hurriedly reassured her. "You have nothing to worry about, Brook will be fine."
"But he's not driving his own Bugatti. That'll be a problem." Reece said negatively. Jett gave him a pointed look.
"Why? Why should it be a problem?" Michelle asked. Reece hesitated before answering.
"We've been driving the same cars for a long time. We sorta bond with our cars after a while and that makes us attached to them. It also makes it hard to quickly adapt to any other car."
"Don't all cars have the same parts?" Michelle asked, confused.
"It's not about the parts, Michelle," Jett said. "It's like – the personality of the car, the feel, the way she responds. Each car becomes the perfect mate for her driver." Michelle choked on her lemonade at that and coughed.
"Perfect what?" she asked.
"Mate! You know, like er, partner?" Jett said awkwardly. Reece guffawed.
"You make it sound like sex, Jett," he said, laughing. Michelle reddened.
"Okay, I think I got that." She muttered, returning to her laptop. The sounds of roaring engines suddenly reached her ears and soon three cars appeared on the horizon before coming to a stop a couple of meters from the tent. Michelle immediately put her laptop aside and got up.
"Hey, guys! How'd it go?" Jett asked.
"Awful. This guy was cursing my ear off by the time we finished." Payton said, nodding behind at Brook. Michelle ran up to him with a bottle of lemonade.
"Hey, want a drink?" She asked, offering him the bottle.
"Thanks," he said in a low voice and drank the entire thing in one shot.
"So what are you gonna do? The race is in three days and you suck at driving the Devon." Paige said with a glance at the car. Michelle folded her arms, drumming her fingers thoughtfully.
"Brook, is the Bugatti the only car you've ever driven? Isn't there any other car you might have gotten used to?" she asked. Everybody stared at her.
"Michelle, you're a genius!" Brook said, suddenly lifting her off her feet and spinning her around in a hug. Michelle laughed as he put her down.
"Why? What did I say?" she asked.
"You just solved our problem, angel face," Paige said with a smile. "Man, I wonder why I didn't think of it."
"The old Ford GT!" Jett said, snapping his fingers.
"Finally, someone came up with a decent idea. Nice work, Michelle." Payton said with a grin.
"Um, thanks, but I'm still in the dark," she said blankly.
"Brook used to drive a Ford GT back when he first got his license. He and that car were inseparable – until the Bugatti came along." Paige explained.
"You've driven it for four years. Think you can get back to it?" Reece asked Brook.
"Only one way to find out," Brook said.
"But she's in storage. We'll need to dust her out, clean her up, oil her and check all her parts. She'll need to be in top physical condition if you're gonna race her in three days." Jett pointed out.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go get her!" Payton said impatiently.
"Not so fast," Paige interrupted loudly. "Payton, you, me, Jett, and Reece will go prep the GT. Brook, your orders are to go home, get some rest, relax, and unwind. You're wound tighter than a suspension spring. You can't be stressed right before the race."
"Are you sure you can handle it without me?" Brook asked.
"The lady has spoken," Payton said with a grin. "And I agree with her."
"Me too. And it's always a good idea to unwind before a big event – I used to do that all the time before a test. It really clears my head," Michelle said.
"Yeah, and don't worry! We'll have your GT in top shape for you to test drive tomorrow morning," Jett said with a vigorous nod.
"Okay then." Brook complied. Everybody began to pack up to go home.
"Brook, a word?" Paige beckoned him while everyone was occupied. He came near.
"I suggest you use tonight as an opportunity to give her the rock," Paige said in a low voice, glancing at Michelle. Brook scratched his neck nervously.
"Right now? But it's not a good time – I thought I'd wait for the perfect moment and all, after the race..."
"Are you wimping out?" Paige asked with arched eyebrows. "Come on, Brook, you know there is no perfect moment. Only you can make it happen. You've wanted this for so long; are you gonna put it off because of a little race?" Brook squared his shoulders and Paige knew her persuasion had worked on him.
"Alright, I'll do it tonight. But not because you suggested it." He said obstinately. Paige grinned.
"Whatever you say, big guy. Now go get your girl."
Listen for best ambiance sound effects! 🔊↕️
The cozy glowing ambiance of the little Mexican restaurant Brook had taken Michelle to that night immediately met her approval and she liked it very much. She expressed it to Brook who was standing beside her.
"I love this place, it's so pretty! I've never been to an all-Mexican restaurant. It's so authentic."
"Glad you like it," Brook said, his hands twitching as he was nervous. He had been nervous all evening but especially so when he had asked her out on a date earlier. No doubt she must have thought it too impromptu but she agreed readily, providing he promised to get enough rest afterward.
Now he couldn't take his eyes off her – she was dressed in a mouth-watering red and peach full-sleeve dress with a flattering neckline and cutout sleeves that set off her skin tone perfectly. Brook had a hard time keeping his thoughts straight at the sight of her.
"Brook, baby? My eyes are up here." Michelle said with amusement, seeing his eyes continually dipping down to her body. Brook snapped his head back up and blinked.
"Sorry... you look so damn incredible it should be illegal..." He said dreamily. Michelle leaned forward over the table, holding his gaze.
"I know you are, but what am I?" She teased. He laughed and placed his hand over hers on the table. He ordered a fruity cocktail with two straws so they could share. They spent a blissful hour chatting animatedly over dinner, Brook reveling in the fact that he could snag this chance at a normal date with Michelle.
"I just realized something." She said suddenly looking up after dessert. Brook looked questioningly at her.
"It's exactly a year since we first met!" She exclaimed. Brook blinked.
"O-oh, yeah, it is. This is a pretty special day for us," He said. He swallowed, feeling more pressured now. Stupid, how could you forget it's been a year? I should have gotten her an anniversary present... now all I have is the ring... he thought dismally to himself.
"Brook, are you okay?" Michelle asked in concern, seeing his tense expression.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." He said, squeezing her hand gently. "I was just thinking – what a lucky guy I am, Michelle. To have found you... to have you sitting here right in front of me... we might not have met under desirable circumstances, but I wouldn't trade the time I got to spend with you for anything." Brook's earnest confession brought a happy smile to Michelle's face.
"Dance with me?" She asked, pulling him to the middle of the restaurant where a place was set apart for dancing. Brook smiled and obliged, pulling her against his chest.
"Michelle..." he began as they swayed slowly and contently together.
"Hmm?" Michelle asked without lifting her head from his chest. He sighed.
"Nothing." His courage failed him; he could fight a deadly gang in the desert, take a bullet for the girl he loved but he couldn't ask her a life-changing question? He groaned inside.
"Brook, I know something's off," Michelle said, finally lifting her head and meeting his gaze. He faltered when he saw her mesmerizing chocolate-colored eyes. Damn, he thought, she can read me right off the bat. He took a deep breath and swallowed.
"Michelle, truth is there's something I've been wanting to ask you all night... to be honest, it's something I've been wanting to ask you for a very long time." His gaze became soft and fiery on her. Michelle's face scrunched in innocent puzzlement. Brook gazed deep into her eyes letting her see all his vulnerability, even the depths of his soul. He wanted to let her into everything he was.
"Michelle, I love you. Ever since I laid eyes on you, you had me. I tried to fight it at first because I thought it was the right thing to do. I couldn't afford to let you get close to me. But now, I can't get enough of you. It's like you've got some kind of hold on me and I don't wanna break free. Because being with you, that's the most liberating feeling in the world. I've never felt more alive than when I'm with you. Michelle..." he pulled out a little gold ring with a heart-shaped topaz stone set in the middle from his breast pocket. Michelle gasped when she saw it and looked up at him.
"Michelle, I can't live without you. Will you... Marry me?"
"Move your fat head, Jett! I can't see!" Paige nudged him to the side. She, Payton, Jett, and Reece were seated in the roomy black SUV parked outside the restaurant that Michelle and Brook were in, trying to peer inside through the glass walls. Payton was driving, Jett was seated beside him while Paige and Reece were seated behind.
"Try the binoculars," Reece said, passing a pair to her. Payton, seated in front, crossed his arms.
"I can't believe we're doing this, he'd freak if he ever found out." He grumbled.
"Oh be quiet, Payton, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing! He'd have never agreed to let us watch if he knew and I for one don't want to miss this. I'm the one who got him moving and I'd like to see my handiwork!" Paige said, taking her eyes off the binoculars for a moment to speak to him.
"So he takes her to dinner and gives her a ring. I don't see what the big deal is," Reece said.
"He's proposing to her, bro! That's huge! I can't wait to see her reaction." Jett grinned.
"Yeah. Just don't let 'em know we saw the whole thing." Paige warned him. Payton cleared his throat.
"Hey, guys? I think she said yes." He pointed ahead. Everybody frantically peered into the restaurant and saw Michelle kissing Brook enthusiastically, her arms wrapped tight around his neck. Paige whooped.
"Oh, yeah, baby! That's my girl!"
"Er, don't you think we should give them some privacy now? This is kind of a special moment for them," Jett said, feeling awkward. Payton started the car.
"Finally someone's talking sense. We're leaving NOW." He said firmly and reversed the car out of the lot.
"I can't wait for the wedding!" Jett said. "It's gonna be epic!"
"Dude, slow down. There's a big race he has to win first." Reece laughed.
"And knowing you, there'll be a heck of a party to throw to celebrate," Payton said slyly to Jett.
"Getting engaged one night and winning a race after that... this is one for the books," Paige said with a smirk.
Meanwhile, inside the restaurant...
Michelle had blinked in utter surprise for a moment when she saw the ring. She thought something was wrong but she didn't expect this. Brook just asked her to marry him! And he was waiting for an answer.
"Michelle?" He called nervously. She began to smile widely.
"Yes, yes, a gazillion times yes!" She said and kissed him full on the mouth with all her strength. Relieved, he responded with fervor, holding her warmly against his chest.
"Oh Brook, this is a dream! Tell me, am I dreaming?" She asked breathlessly. He chuckled.
"You're not dreaming, I promise you. Michelle, I'm so glad you said yes." He lifted her left hand delicately and slipped the ring on her finger. She admired the brilliant golden sparkle as the light twinkled off it.
"It's so pretty... is it a topaz?" She asked.
"Yes. I figured I'd get you a stone in your favorite color. The ring was actually my mom's, my dad got her an aquamarine stone set. I had it replaced for you." He lifted her chin, lost in her eyes. "Michelle, I love you." He whispered tenderly, hovering above her lips. She met his eyes with a love-filled gaze.
"I love you too, Brook." She said before their lips connected again in unbroken bliss, the perfect end to the perfect night and the beginning of the rest of their lives together.
...I am boy and you are girl
And I got my master plan
I am a diamond in the rough
And one day I'm gonna shine
Just a little bit of love
I can surely make you mine...
-Man on a Mission
❤️I'm in love with that song. It totally inspired me! All time favorite and I'm officially making it Brook's theme song. These lyrics were soo perfect! And this chapter had me obsessing for months! After naming the title, I was determined to make sure it lived up to its name - perfection. I couldn't release it until I was completely satisfied with it, and after a dozen revisions and rereads, I finally uploaded it! TADA! Whatcha think?
Also we got a stranger dropping in... We'll see who day later...
In addition, I might have used one of the cars from the original story. Can you guess which one it is? Let's see how well you remember 😉
🏁 Ford GT
🏁 Devon GTX
🏁 Devon GT
Answer here!✔️
Last but certainly not least, the big proposal FINALLY happened! EEEEEP, I had so much fun writing this! Plus a bonus peek into Brook's secretly timid thoughts with that song to accompany it - did you enjoy it? I wanted this chapter to be extra special since the big moment took place. Hope you loved it, this chapter was a lot of work 😅 but so worth it when I hear from my lovely readers - YOU. 😘 stay in touch until the next one!
xoxo MJ