Part 7

"You can take your mask and hood off; it's totally discreet here. No cameras, and I doubt any of your fans are around tonight," Ohm teased us.

"Are we going to check out the cars?" Ohm suggested.

"Yes, can't wait," Perth said, then turned to me and ordered, "Stay close to us, Tata."

I just nudged him with my shoulder and nodded.

"Ohm, how did you find out about the street races?" I asked.

"I was preparing for one of my roles in a series when I met the right guy, his brother's the organizer," he answered.

Perth carefully and passionately observed the cars parked and ready to race, all shiny, powerful, and expensive. He and Ohm talked about engine performance and visual tuning, while I just listened and tried to understand what they were saying. Maybe I'd learn something too.

"Ohm, I see you've got company tonight," a guy said, hugging Ohm. Then he looked at me and Perth, and I knew he recognized us.

We chatted a little, he was fun. He talked with Perth about car modifications and every now and then glanced at me, like checking if I was listening too. Even if he recognized us, he didn't show it. Later, we found out he was racing that night. He joked around a lot with Ohm and later with Perth too, he seemed like a chill guy.

Before the race started, he turned to me and said, "If I win, you're going to help me open the champagne."

I didn't think much about it. Perth didn't hear him, and we all just laughed and wished him a good race. But before he left us, he looked straight into my eyes and winked.