Racing Heart/Chapter 8

***Spoiler warning:** Spoilers ahead. Proceed at your own discretion.*

## Chapter

Jeremy, Tyler and Tristan were at the dirt bike arena sharing comed drinks and socializing. Claudia and Courtney were at a work barbeque, so they were absent.

Jeremy sighed. “I’m wondering if I should call Claudia,” he pondered.

“I dunno, dude,” Tristan said. “By the way, me and Courtney hooked up.”

Jeremy almost flew out of his chair. “What?? When??” he demanded.

“Last week,” He said.

“Damn.” Jeremy said, sitting back. “JJ’s gonna be pissed.”

“Actually, Courtney’s gonna break up with her soon.”

“Really??”

“Yes.”

“Holy shit, dude. That’s gonna break up the whole friend group. And I can’t imagine how that affects JJ.”

After a moment of silence, Tristan spoke. “I think you should call Claudia.”

“She hates me. I regret that night so much. There must be voices in my head if I was willing to choose an expensive drug deal over my own girlfriend.”

“Yeah,” Tyler said calmly. “I still think you should call her.”

“Fine.” Jeremy scoffed.

“AVERY!” Tristan called. “I need your help!”
Avery was the assistant manager of the dirtbike track, and also Tristan’s sister. She had vibrant brown locks and leaf green eyes, topped with a stern gaze.

“What is it?” Avery asked, walking over.

“I need your help. You know Courtney Coffman?”

BANG
BANG
BANG

Went Courtney’s door. She rushed to open it.

In came an angry Avery Malick. “Did you try to hook up with my brother to cheat on your girlfriend?” She demanded agrily, her green eyes flaring with rage.

“Woah, who are you?” Courtney asked.

“I’m Avery Glas Malick, Tristan’s sister. And you’re gonna tell your girlfriend about the hookup or I’m beating the shit out of you.”

“Woah, fine fine! What do you want me to do??” COurtnet asked, scared.

Avery pulled out a pocketknife. “Take out your phone.”

Courtney did so.

“Text your girlfriend that you cheated.”

“But—“

“NOW!!!” Avery roared, flicking open the knife.

“Fine fine!” Courtney gasped.

And it was done. Avery closed the knife and shoved it into the back pocket of her ripped skinny jeans. “If you mess with me again, we’re gonna have problems way bigger than this,” she snapped, leaving through the forced open bedroom door.

Courtney collapsed, gasping for air. She had just blown up her relationship, and on top of it all, Tristan wouldn’t even take a second look at her. In fact, he had hated her so much he sent his sister to blackmail Courtney into breaking up with JJ.

She started to cry and dialed Claudia’s number.

~

Claudia was at Courtney’s house. JJ had already left in a fury, and the house was empty. Claudia had already seen she had 6 missed calls from Jeremy, but chose to ignore them until she got the chance to ask Courtney for advice.

“So what do I do?” Claudia asked.

Courtney tilted her head. “I think you should answer. “Tyler told me at the dirt bike arena she’s really sorry for what he did.”

“But he wanted to exchange me for heroin. Heroin. Does he really value me as a person then?” She continued.

Courtney shrugged. “The only way you’ll know is by calling him back.”

Claudia sighed and hesitated before clicking on the call button, but finally did.

Jeremy answered immediately, sobbing. “I’m so sorry baby, I didn’t mean to… I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world.”

“Calm down baby,” Claudia whispered into the phone. “Come over to Courtney’s house and we’ll talk through everything.”

An hour later Jeremy and Claudia were cuddling on the couch, talking to Courtney.

“I still can’t believe you forgave me,” Jeremy began. “I fucked up so bad. I just wish I could express how sorry I am.”

“You already did,” Claudia said. “As long as it never happens again.”

“I swear on my life,” He said warmly, kissing her on the cheek.

She laughed.