Packing a suitcase to leave the apartment I’d called home for five years felt…odd. Insane. Heartbreaking. As I emptied drawers and boxes, snippets of memories flickered through my mind. Drunk college nights with Sophia, the panic of a failing grade, first group projects, first races, getting arrested for racing – a whirlwind of moments. Since I was heading back to California from Colorado, I planned to donate most of the furniture. The little knick-knacks, photos, the good memories? Those were coming with me.
“Destiny?”
“In my room.”
“Of course you are, you’re leaving me.” Sophia’s voice was laced with playful accusation as she walked in. She was…not my boyfriend, not exactly. More than a bed buddy, definitely.
“Sophia, we graduated. It’s time to go home.” I smiled as she flung herself onto my bed.
“You can stay here.” She argued, stubbornly.
“She’s not lying.” Cade’s voice, thick with his sexy accent, cut in. He was lounging in the armchair I’d picked up a few months ago, already pulling me onto his lap.
“I’m going back to see my brother.” I told them both. “I miss him.”
“The one you fight with seventy-five percent of the time?” Cade asked, smiling before kissing my neck.
“That’s the one. Twin brother. We fight. What did you expect?” I retorted, playfully swatting him with a pillow.
“You’re such a brat.” Sophia complained, grinning.
“So what’s the plan, Destiny?” Cade asked, tightening his hold on me.
“Back to Echo Park. See what life has in store.” I said, kissing his cheek.
“Why does he get kisses and I get pillow-whacked?” Sophia pouted.
“Aww, you want a kiss?” I teased.
“You gonna give me one?”
“You’ll have to come over here and get it.” Cade said, wrapping his arms around me.
“Pervert.” Sophia muttered, but she was smiling.
“Not at all. Just soaking up the last minutes with her.” Cade’s eyes twinkled mischievously.
“You just wanna see us make out.” I smiled.
“That’s the cherry on top.” He smirked.
Sophia walked over, softly caressing my cheek before leaning in for a kiss. I knew it was for Cade’s sake, a little show, but I wasn’t about to complain. I enjoyed it.
“I’m definitely going to miss that.” Cade said.
“You can bet I will.” I smiled. “Now I gotta finish packing.”
“What time does your flight leave?” Sophia asked.
“Tomorrow morning. But I’ve got a whole bunch of…what are you doing?” I asked, watching her start to peel off her shirt.
“We’ve got time for one more game.” She smirked.
“That we do.” Cade growled, tightening his hold on me.
“Well…if you insist.” I smiled, turning to kiss Cade while Sophia tugged at my shirt.
After a night of fun, I left them sleeping while I finished packing. I’d miss them both, but my time here was done. Echo Park was calling me home, but the woman returning was drastically different from the one who left. My twin brother was going to lose his mind. I stopped in Sophia’s bedroom and looked at myself in the full-length mirror.
The girl who’d left Echo Park was chunky, glasses perched on her nose, hair in a messy bun, engine grease staining her cheeks. Sassy, big-mouthed, with an even bigger attitude. Now? Worse, if possible. I’d lost weight, dyed my hair black instead of the boring brown with pastel rainbow ends. Contacts replaced the glasses, though I still wore them occasionally. I still got engine grease on my cheeks, still loved getting lost in a book, but I’d also learn to kick ass without a second thought.
“Hey you, come back to bed.” Cade said, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my shoulder.
“I had to finish packing. You two distracted me.” I smiled, turning to wrap my arms around his neck.
“An attempt to convince you to stay, but I knew you were ready to leave.” He sighed. “I’ve known it for a while.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You’ve been restless for months. Every time you talk to your brother, I see the longing in your eyes. How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”
“Five years. Graduated high school and took off for college. Wanted an adventure.”
“So you left the state? Sounds like you.” Cade chuckled.
“I like my adventures.” I said, pressing my lips against his.
“That much is clear.” He chuckled. “That’s how we ended up in this predicament.”
“Yes it is.” I smiled. “Now, I’ve gotta get going.”
“Well…let’s get you to bed.” He said, pulling me down.
As we laid down, Sophia wrapped her arm around my waist from behind me, and Cade laced our fingers together as I tangled my legs with his. I fell asleep quickly, comfortably, peacefully, with my people.
The next morning, I changed into a black cropped top, high-waisted beige cargo pants, and white sneakers. Two suitcases, a backpack, a carry-on. A lot of stuff, even after trying to pare it down. I’d already found an apartment, and I’d be renting a car for now, until I could win a few races and get myself a proper car.
Sophia and Cade dropped me off at the airport with promises to keep in touch, which I knew they meant. They were my people, and I loved them. The flight was quick and uneventful. The rental car was easy to pick up, and finding the apartment was a little tricky because I’d never been to the building in person. Once I found the building and my assigned parking spot, everything else fell into place. Now, no furniture. Which was fine. After I went and picked up groceries—air mattress, food, plates, drinks, essentials—I went back to my new apartment. I wanted to get settled before I showed up on my brother. He’s in for a surprise.
It took three days to get comfortable, to get everything I needed. I stopped by a furniture store and ordered the essentials: a bedroom set, sofa, bar stools, a table. Things I wanted to see in person before ordering. And I didn’t regret it. If I’m honest, that air mattress is surprisingly comfortable, so I don’t mind sleeping on it.
This morning, I decided today was the day I went to see my twin. I pulled out a gray t-shirt with a small black pocket, jean shorts, and black and white sneakers. Cool, low-key outfit. I didn’t know what the day would bring. My rental was okay, but I couldn’t wait to win a race and get myself a new car. I was so ready for that moment. It took a bit to figure out where to find him, but apparently he was at the Toretto garage. Shouldn’t be surprised.
Pulling up at the garage was like a walk down memory lane. I’d spent a lot of time here learning and practicing. I’d gotten a computer science degree, but my heart always belonged to cars. That’s why I’d minored in automotive technology. Win-win. As I got out of the rental, I could hear the guys shouting orders, the wonderful sounds of a garage. I put my sunglasses on and walked inside.
The first person I saw was Dom Toretto himself. His eyes roamed over my body with a curious, intrigued look. Then it hit me: he doesn’t remember me. Not entirely surprised, though. Five years, and the girl who left looked nothing like the woman walking in now. He was looking good himself, not that he hadn’t before, but he wasn’t exactly my type back then. I wasn’t sure if he was now.
“Can I help you?” He asked, his voice permanently deep.
“Not really. I’m looking for Vince.” I replied.
“Who’s looking for Vince?” He asked.
“What’s up, Dom?” My twin brother asked.
It was good to see him in person after all these years. We talked at least twice a day, but I hadn’t come back, and he hadn’t visited me. Not that I expected him to.
“She says she’s looking for you.” Dom told him.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Vince asked, walking over to me quickly.
I lowered my sunglasses a little and smiled at him, smiling bigger when the same smile popped up on his face.
“No shit!” He grinned, squeezing me in a tight hug.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed back, but my strength was no match for his.
“V…can’t breathe.” I groaned.
“Sorry. Damn, it’s good to see you.” He said, letting go of me but placing his hands on my shoulders.
“It’s really good to see you, too.” I smiled.
“V?” Dom asked, staring at us curiously.
“Watch your mouth.” Vince growled, surprised his friends.
“Vince, what’s going on? Who is she?” Dom asked, his eyes fixed on mine.
“Really brother?” Vince asked, turning to stand next to me with his arm around my shoulders.
“It’s okay. Can’t say that I’m surprised. I’ve changed.” I said.
“Holy shit…Desi!” Leon shouted, running to me and squeezing me in a hug. “Welcome home, beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, hugging him back.
“Destiny…you’re back.” My favorite artist/nerd mumbled, walking over to hug me as well.
“Destiny.” Dom said, and I was seriously enjoying his shock.
“Toretto.” I smiled, winking at him.
“When the hell did you get home?” Vince asked.
“Three days ago.” I replied, turning away from Dom.
“Why did it take you three days to get here?” Leon asked.
“Because I had to get my place set up and try to find a car. I need to get rid of that rental.” I scoffed.
“That means you need to hit up a race.” My twin smiled.
“That means I need a shitty car to put up slips for. You got a shitty car?” I asked, smiling back at him.
“Oh shit, we’re in trouble.” Leon said.