Page 82 of The Longest Speed Date

We waited for the Christmas tree to light up and count down the start, the rumble of our engines drowning out everything and everyone. My heart pounded against my ribs.

Red.

Deep breath in. My fingers grasped the steering wheel. I pumped the accelerator. The engine roared again.

Amber.

I exhaled. suddenly remembering the words Dad had whispered to me before I’d won the junior drag race championships.

“Everything in life comes down to the next ten seconds,” I murmured.

Green.

I slammed down the accelerator and hurtled towards the finish line.