Page 17 of First in Line

FOUR

Evangeline

“Evie, I can’t take this,” Jax protests.

“Of course you can.”

“You’ve worked all summer for this money.”

“Exactly. And now I get to spend it however I like. Well, I gave some of it to my mom to pay for my part of the rent, but I want everything else to go to you.”

“Your mom makes you pay rent?”

“Yeah, seventy-five dollars a month.”

“That doesn’t sound right.”

“It’s not that much,” I dismissively say. “I gave her enough for six months, and the rest is for you.”

He looks down at the small bundle of rolled-up money in my hand, then at our surroundings. We’re at the garage his older brother works at, where they let him work on his car two afternoons a week. School is about to start again, which means I won’t get to hang out with him as much. But he promised we would see each other every weekend and have our lunches together as well.

“I’m not taking your money, Evie.”

“You’re not taking it. It’s an investment.”

“An investment in what?”

“In you, silly. Your career. You can pay me back when you’re a Formula One driver.”

Once again, he hesitates, staring down at the money. He scratches his head over the silk durag protecting his freshly braided hair. “You said you needed to change the exhaustion or something, right?” I ask.

“The intake and exhaust. To help with the airflow.”

“Well, there should be enough here, right? Or at least it can help. I’ll try to babysit more so I can make more money and keep helping.”

One last time, he stares at the money. “If I take this,” he reluctantly starts. “You’ll have to let me buy you your dream house when the time comes.”

My entire body practically vibrates with excitement at the thought. “A house?!”

“Yes. As a repayment.”

“Where?”

“Most Formula One drivers live in Europe, so somewhere there, I guess.”

“Could it be Italy? I’ve always wanted to go. I love pasta and pizza so much.”

“It can be anywhere you want, princess.”

“Then Italy. Will it have a pool?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

It’s my turn to look at the money I’m still holding. “I worked hard all summer for this. I deserve a pool.”

He chortles. “Then you’ll get a pool. I promise.”

Elated by the prospect, I excitedly smack the bundle in his hand and jump up to wrap my arms around his neck for a tight hug. “Thank you, Jax. I can’t wait to see the house you’ll buy for me.”