Need for Speed Read Online Free PDF Page B

it was time for him to keep his word to his father.
    He counted out the cash one more time and then joined the other racers in a circle near the race organizer’s station.
    This was going to be a box race, a well-known event in underground racing circles. It was simple. A predetermined entrance fee was put into a box by each racer. Whoever won the race won the contents of the box.
    One of the race organizers was holding the box.
    â€œEveryone knows the rules,” he told them. “There’s no handicapping in this race. No set-out lengths. You’ll leave from a standing start; first bumper to cross the finish line wins.”
    Tobey thought about it for just one more moment. Then he threw his money into the box. The other four racers did the same.
    They would be formidable opponents. Jimmy had his balls-out GTO and Little Pete would be driving his beautiful ’68 Camaro with its 427-cubic-inch Corvette engine. A cute girl named Jeny B would be driving a very sweet Porsche 944 coupe with a 3.1 liter, heavily modified 300 horsepower engine under its hood, a powerhouse for such a small car; and a guy named DJ would be driving a BMW 3.0 E9 with a 3.2 liter engine bumped up to 310 horsepower, again, a lot of power for such a tiny featherweight burner. Tobey knew none of them would be a pushover.
    With the money in place, the race organizer handed Tobey five playing cards.
    â€œDo you want to do the honors, Marshall?” he asked Tobey.
    â€œWhy not?” Tobey replied, shrugging.
    The race was going to start with the cars lining up in two-car rows. The selection of the cards determined where the racers would line up.
    Tobey checked the playing cards. They were all Clubs, from the ace to the five card. He held them face down and gave them a quick shuffle.
    â€œOkay?” the race organizer asked the others. “Everyone agree the cards are clean?”
    They all nodded.
    â€œOkay, Jimmy,” the race organizer said. “You pick first.”
    Jimmy McIntosh selected a card. He turned it over to reveal the two of clubs.
    â€œNot bad,” he said with a smile.
    Little Pete went next.
    He crossed fingers on both hands, seemed to say a quick prayer, then picked his card. It was the ace.
    â€œYes!” he shouted. “The spirits are with me!”
    Because Little Pete had picked the ace, and Jimmy had the two card, they would comprise the first row, one-two.
    Jeny B went next. She selected the three of clubs.
    â€œCould be worse,” she said.
    Now it was just DJ and Tobey, and Tobey was not feeling the love. He’d hoped to get a start closer to the front, but that was impossible now.
    DJ drew the five of clubs and his shoulders slumped badly. Tobey didn’t feel much better, as that left him with the four card—in other words, he would start out in the second row next to Jeny B.
    It was better than being last like DJ—but not by much.
    â€œOkay, that’s done,” the race organizer said. “I suggest you get to your cars quickly so we can get this bad boy up and running.”
    Tobey dialed Joe Peck while he was walking back to his car.
    â€œFourth pick,” he told Peck when he answered. “Second row, next to Jeny.”
    He heard Joe groan on the other end.
    â€œWhere’s Petey at?” he asked Tobey.
    â€œThat little son of a bitch picked the ace,” Tobey reported with dark humor.
    â€œWell, at least it’s still in the family,” Peck replied.
    â€œI know,” Tobey said. “But it ain’t his garage we’re trying to save.”
    â€œOkay, you don’t need me to tell you this,” Joe counseled him. “But you’re just going to have to pick your spots. Bide your time, and then push in the dagger when you see the opportunity. During the rest of it, just stay cool.”
    â€œRoger that,” Tobey replied.
    Tobey hung up and Peck relayed the position news to Finn.
    â€œNot a disaster,” Finn