CHAPTER 21: PARTY LIFE.

MAYA.

(PREVIOUSLY ON B.O.M.E)

Sasha's infectious enthusiasm erupted into a shout: "We should dance!" She grabbed Eric and me, pulling us onto the dance floor as the iconic beats of 50 Cent's "In Da Club" pulsed through the air. I burst out laughing at Eric's absurdly awesome robot dance moves. Being the loyal friend that I am, I couldn't resist joining in – leaving him to bust a move solo would have been cruel! Together, we grooved to the music, our goofy antics drawing smiles from the surrounding partygoers.

Sasha gazed over at Eric and me, an entertained glint in her eye. She shrugged in a knowing, affectionate way, as if to say, "This is just another day with these two weirdos." Without hesitation, she joined our robotic dance party, her movements effortlessly syncing with ours.

As we danced, our laughter erupted into contagious, tear-inducing fits. The three of us let loose, lost in the joy of the moment, our worries and cares forgotten in the pulsating lights and thumping beats of the dance floor. But as the music reached its crescendo, my mind began to wander back to the events of earlier that day, memories that threatened to disrupt the carefree atmosphere of our night.

-------Two hours ago. Bike racing----

Despite the reassuring text message I'd received just seconds ago, my mind is still racing with worst-case scenarios, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. My heart thudded erratically in my chest as I envisioned all the ways things could go horribly wrong if my opponent reneged on his promise. Pushing aside my doubts, I jammed my phone into the pocket of my cargo pants, the fabric ripping slightly as I did so. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, but I focused on the task at hand. I straddled my bike, waiting for the starter's signal to launch into the night, the darkness seeming to vibrate with anticipation.

One thing I've learned from making deals with shady characters is that nothing is set in stone until the payoff meeting. It's a precarious gamble, really – both parties are relying on a fragile thread of trust, with no guarantee that the other will hold up their end of the bargain.

Embarking on such a deal is a perilous roll of the dice, a perilous leap of faith that borders on recklessness. The parties involved are often ships passing in the night, without the luxury of a prior meeting to establish trust. And even then, there's no ironclad guarantee that either side will uphold their end of the bargain, granting the requested favor or making good on the payoff. Yet, I'm willing to take this gamble, banking on the notion that this particular deal will defy the odds, precisely because the stakes are so perilously high – and I'm not just talking about the monetary rewards.

The night air rushed past me as I sped forward, my bike's engine roaring in my ears. But my reverie was short-lived. I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart skipped a beat as I spotted Andrew closing in, his bike mere inches from mine. He was riding aggressively, clearly determined to overtake me and put as much distance between us as possible.

My mind snapped back into focus, and I cursed myself for the lapse. "Crap!" I muttered, my grip on the handlebars tightening. I'd been so lost in thought that I'd almost forgotten the high-stakes race unfolding around me. It was time to get my head back in the game.

This race transcended monetary stakes; it was about pride, bragging rights, and settling a long-standing score. I wasn't about to throw in the towel and hand Andrew the win on a silver platter. Not only would that put my life at risk, but I also knew Andrew wouldn't appreciate a hollow victory. He wanted to win fair and square, and so did I.

With a fierce determination burning within me, I floored it, surging past Andrew into the darkness. A smug grin spread across my face as I felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Tonight, I was on a mission to prove my superiority, to silence the debate once and for all. "Eat my dust, sucker!" I screamed in my head, the wind whipped my words away as I vanished into the night, leaving Andrew to eat my dust.

I'd barely put distance between Andrew and me when my resolve began to waver. As I approached the entrance to North Side, a treacherous uncertainty crept in, making me question whether I was truly ready to face whatever lay ahead. For a moment, I considered forfeiting the race, abandoning the competition, and fleeing from the unknown dangers that lurked within.

But then, the roar of Andrew's bike grew louder, and I knew he was closing in. The realization that he'd charge forward, regardless of my decision, galvanized me into action. His unwavering determination was both infuriating and infectious.

"Why does he have to be so stubborn?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head. With a deep breath, I steeled myself and plunged forward, into the heart of the North Side.

As we infiltrated the notoriously treacherous territory of North Side, I held my breath, anticipating a fiery reception from the locals. Mercifully, we managed to navigate their domain without inciting any full-blown hostility, aside from the incessant roadblocks that popped up like obstacles in a twisted video game. It seemed the locals had intentionally orchestrated these barricades to turn our high-stakes race into a needlessly complicated gauntlet.

Despite the challenges, we emerged from the North Side relatively unscathed, a testament to our skill and sheer luck. As I reflected on our harrowing journey, my ire focused on Andrew, the unyielding competitor who had nearly gotten us killed over a simple race. "This obstinate fool," I fumed inwardly, still trying to process the reckless abandon with which he'd propelled us into the heart of danger.

As I crossed the finish line, the rush of adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I made a definitive decision: I was hanging up my street racing helmet for a while. The thrill had worn off, replaced by a sobering realization of the risks I'd taken.

But for now, I basked in the glory of victory. A triumphant smirk spread across my face as I thrust my fist into the air, savoring the sweet taste of triumph. The declaration of my win was music to my ears.

I glanced over at Andrew, my rival, and couldn't resist a parting jab: "Ha! Take that, pervert!" I thought in my mind flipping him the bird. The satisfaction of emerging victorious was exhilarating, but I knew this was just the beginning of a new chapter.

------+-Back to present-----++-

The night had blurred into a kaleidoscope of thumping music, outrageous dance moves, and copious amounts of booze. I'd lost track of how many incredible songs my friends and I had embarrassingly danced to, or how many shots they'd downed. Thankfully, we'd planned ahead, knowing we wouldn't need to drive home.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my cross-body bag, signaling an incoming message. I pulled it out, my eyes scanning the screen. Four simple words made my heart skip a beat:

"Pull up, little lady."

The message seemed innocuous, but I knew better. Those four words carried the weight of a promise, a threat, and a lifetime of consequences.

It's better to rip off the Band-Aid. A deal is a deal, after all. I tapped Sasha on the shoulder, signaling that I needed to step outside. She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with concern, and mouthed, "Be careful." I nodded, and she watched as I made my way through the crowded room and out into the cool night air.

As I stood outside, the music and laughter fading into the background, I took a deep breath and made the call. The voice on the other end was smooth as silk, dripping with an air of confidence that made my skin crawl.

"How's it hanging, little lady?" he drawled, his tone a mixture of amusement and menace. A gruff, yet calm voice emerged from the darkness, and a hooded figure stepped into the faint light of the parking lot. As he shed his hoodie, a hint of surprise flickered across his face.

"Damn! You're not so little anymore; you've grown into a stunning woman, mama!" His eyes roamed over me, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his candid admiration.

"It's been a while, so I guess I can see why you're surprised," I said with a nonchalant smirk, giving him a once-over. "And you, on the other hand, have gotten older, old man. Not so hot anymore!" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He let out a hearty chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he shrugged. "Can't argue with that," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. He sniffed, a gentle smile still playing on his lips, and for a moment, we just stood there, the past hanging in the air between us.

For a fleeting instant, our conversation felt almost ordinary, like a casual catch-up between old friends. But the stark reminder of his formidable power and influence lingered, a subtle undercurrent that threatened to disrupt the facade of normalcy at any moment.

"I did good, didn't I?" he said, a hint of pride creeping into his voice as the silence stretched. I knew exactly what he was referring to - the high-stakes race that had brought us to this point.

"Was the obstacle course really necessary?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I recalled the series of treacherous roadblocks we'd navigated. His smirk was his only response, a sly, knowing glint in his eye that suggested he'd done it solely to test my mettle.

"Got a reputation to uphold, mama," he said with a sly grin, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Besides, it wouldn't be the North Side if nothing went down. I didn't want to raise any eyebrows, you feel me?" His logic was sound; a smooth, trouble-free ride would have indeed been suspicious. The North Side was notorious for its unpredictability, and a seamless in-and-out would have been a red flag.

I nodded in understanding, a wave of gratitude washing over me. "Thanks for...watching my back tonight, again," I said sincerely, my voice tinged with appreciation. As I spoke, he confirmed the agreed-upon amount had been transferred to his account, the transaction a silent acknowledgment of our mutually beneficial arrangement.

"What are friends for, if not for the occasional inconvenience, eh?" Jagger said, a sly glint in his eye as he winked at me. Then, just as as he appeared, he vanished into the darkness, leaving me to breathe a sigh of relief.

Friends, indeed. I guess it's better than being on his bad side – a prospect that sends shivers down my spine.

My mind wandered back to the first time we met. Jagger. The name still sent a thrill through me. It was during my rebellious high school days, when Sasha and I had snuck out of our hostel to get a butterfly tattoo. We were almost at the tattoo shop when two suspicious guys blocked our path. Panic set in, and we took off in a sprint, but they were faster, their familiarity with the streets giving them the upper hand.

The memory of that fateful encounter still lingered vividly in my mind. Desperate to escape our pursuers, I had bumped into Jagger, pleading with him to help us. I had dangled a carrot in front of him, promising a hefty reward from my wealthy parents. Little did I know at the time, Jagger was the leader of a rival gang, and our rescuer was, in fact, a formidable figure in the underworld.

As it turned out, my generous payment had laid the foundation for a peculiar, yet useful, alliance. Over time, I would occasionally seek Jagger's expertise in navigating the complex, treacherous world of street racing and gangs. And, more often than not, he would come through for me, his assistance proving invaluable in times of need.

"Are you, like, involved with drugs or drug dealers now?" The question caught me off guard, and I turned to face the inquisitor, my irritation palpable. But my scowl deepened as I locked eyes with the last person I expected to see snooping around my business.

"Hello?" she continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Creepy hooded guy lurking in the parking lot of someone's party?" She gestured toward the spot where I'd stood moments before, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Talk about shady stuff."

She flashed a smug smirk, as if she'd unraveled the intricacies of my life. "It's giving major drug dealing vibes, if you ask me" she muttered under her breath, her eyes glinting with self-satisfaction.

I shot back a withering reply, "That's good, then, because nobody asked you." I gave her a scathing look, my gaze lingering for a moment before I turned on my heel and walked back into the party, leaving her behind without a second glance.

Her newfound connection to Andrew had clearly inflated her sense of self-importance. But I wasn't about to indulge her ego or waste another minute of my time on her.