MISSED THE BREAK

THANE

I ran for my car just as Joe’s car burst out of the lot. The tyres screeched so violently that it scared the hell out of me.

All I could think about was Rachel.

If she was in that car, the speed alone might make her sick. That was if he hadn’t already tied her up… or worse, gagged her with something.

I knew Joe. He could do worse.

I jumped into my car and slammed the ignition the second the engine came alive.

The moment it started, I stepped on the gas.

As soon as I hit the road, I realised it was pouring heavily outside. The asphalt gleamed under the streetlights.

It was damn too dangerous to drive this fast ‘cause the road could easily turn slippery.

But I couldn’t risk losing Joe. I had to match his speed.

So I pushed harder. The steering wheel vibrated under my hands as the tyres sliced through the wet asphalt.

I hit 160. Km/h

161. Km/h

Almost 180. Km/h

No one needed to tell me it was insane. But I could go way higher if I weren’t fearing the rain.

My phone started ringing in my pocket. I quickly pulled it out without looking.

When I stared briefly, figured it was T.

“Hey,” I answered urgently, swerving past two cars that blocked my path so I could stay close behind the red Sienna that was flying down the road like it was being chased by the devil himself.

I didn’t take my eyes off it. Not even for a second.

“What’s going on now, Thane? You good?” Tiara asked with the kind of worried tone I've only seen her use with Noah.

“I’m fine, okay? Everything’s under control.”

There was a pause. I heard muffled background noise before Noah’s voice suddenly came on.

“Tell me what the hell is happening, Thane. Is Rachel okay?”

I shifted gears and swallowed hard. “She’s gonna be fine. Just don’t do anything stupid, Noah.”

His breathing thickened. “It’s my mess too, alright? So how about you stop trying to be the hero and let’s fucking handle this together? You know how Joe is, man. Please, Thane. Just tell me where the hell you are.”

“Just stay with your girl. I already told you I’ll…”

The line disconnected before I finished.

I glanced quickly at the screen.

Great. My battery's dead.

I shoved the phone aside and focused back on the road.

Suddenly, Joe’s car swerved and took a sharp turn onto another road.

“What the hell is he planning?” I muttered under my breath as sweat slid down the side of my face.

I accelerated harder, my hands gripping the wheel like my whole life depended on it.

I didn’t slow down, not even when my tyres bounced violently over a speed bump. My foot slammed harder on the pedal, my chest racing as if it might burst.

Then I saw the roadblock ahead through the blurry windshield. My jaw tightened as I felt the lump in my throat. My veins bulged under my skin and I could swear they could snap any second.

“Fuck… don’t do it, Joe,” I whispered under my breath, my eyes locked on the red car speeding straight toward it.

My speedometer climbed past 180. I knew death was probably knocking on my door.

It was reckless. Dangerous. But I couldn’t stop.

For Rachel. For her. I couldn’t.

But before I could get any closer, everything happened too damn fast.

Joe missed the damn brake timing. The car slammed straight into the block and flipped violently over it.

“Shit!”

I hit the brakes hard, the tyres screeching as the car dragged to a stop. I yanked at my seatbelt frantically before realising I hadn’t unbuckled it.

The second I did, I shoved the door open and rushed out.

Rain instantly soaked through my shirt as I ran toward the wreck.

The car was already upside down and practically pressed at the front. 

“No… no… no…” The words echoed inside my head as my steps slowed.

My shaking hand dragged through my wet hair before I rushed to the back seat.

But… It was damn… Empty.

Fucking empty!

My grip tightened on the door handle like I wanted to rip it off. Every breath came heavier than the last.

“Thane Adams!” The voice cut through the rain behind me.

I turned sharply, my chest still heaving.

And just like that, my stomach twisted painfully as if a war broke inside it.