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Get in the car, Wylde said, abandoning all whining pretense about being ousted from the driver’s seat. We got trouble, Wylde confirmed, shielding Vert from the sleek, purple on silver car–appeared as if from nowhere.
Several long moments passed – a standoff – until a figure finally stepped out of the vehicle.
Banjee.
Hands raised, no Silencerz uniform to be seen–an improvement from the last time they’d seen him–the former World Race driver tried to smile his way through the tension. Courteous of Wylde’s protective stance, he approached slowly. Nothing in his hands. Vert childishly peeked around Wylde as the Metal Maniac’s posture slowly loosened, acquiescing to a sigh. Couldn’t say he entirely trusted the situation, but Banjee Castillo was a friendly enough face. He was familiar, anyway, and that was good enough for his ward (who was, perhaps, more enthusiastic. Banjee was a much better surprise than his father calling).
Kurt joined the small gathering of onlookers just in time to catch Vert call out to their impromptu visitor– Banjee? –and duck past his brother. He leaned against the open passenger door, sparing Mark a sympathetic glance. Well, what could they do? Stop him? There was just enough room between them and the Silencerz car now that, hey, they still had a fighting chance even if this was somehow a trap. Though, even Mr. Trust-Issues himself wasn’t so sure about that one.
“Hey, hey – woah there, amigo. You’re goin’ way over the speed limit,” Banjee chuckled, ruffling spiky blond hair as soon as it was in range. He couldn’t resist. No matter how old Vert got, Banjee would always remember him as the crazy, little surf rat who showed everyone else up (affectionate). “Sorry for the scare, but this is the only car I’ve got. Don’t worry, though. I broke the camera when I left.”
He winked–though Vert nearly missed it, face scrunching upon contact–their secret was safe with him. Appreciated, probably, but–! Not a kid. Yet, fixing his disheveled hairdo would have to wait til later; there were far more pressing matters at hand.
“What are you doing out here, Banjee?” Vert asked, fussing with the few locks that were now officially in his face. “Don’t tell me–”
Another voice and the sound of a car door slamming shut broke Vert’s concentration. It wasn’t from the Mustang. He didn’t even need to turn around to know that. Hell, even if he was blind in one eye and couldn’t see out the other, Vert would understand perfectly well who was talking. It wasn’t like they’d known each other nearly their entire lives or anything. He gawked, blindsided by the perfectly neat cornrows and winning smile of another friend walking toward them.
“Nah, Vert.. I mean, yeah, we followed you out, but we did that on our own.” Alec waved – half to Vert, half to the Wylde brothers still casually standing guard by the other car (Kurt returned a half-assed wave). What a sight this was. Kinda nice, though. Yet, he couldn’t help lookin’ the driver formerly known as Markie up and down a few times– damn –and not just because he didn’t wave back. He’d heard through the grapevine that Markie had changed since they’d last met, but this was more than just a little bit, huh.
Wylde raised a brow. Dare you to say something.
Meanwhile, Vert had hardly said Alec’s name before Banjee cut in, “He’s right – and pretty smart, too. He must’ve been the first person in the whole base to figure out what was goin’ on. ‘Course, Alec doesn’t even have a car, so he came an’ got me. ”
Something he seemed awfully proud of, jutting his thumb right back at himself. Then again, Banjee had the means, an adventurous spirit, and unfinished business. Everything worked out. Besides, who else would’ve been willing to sneak a classified military vehicle out of the Silencerz base just to chase after a couple of their friends? Surely, not anyone Alec could think of – not anyone who already had the keys, anyway. That part was maybe the most important. Everything else was smooth sailing when your car could become invisible. Undetectable.
“Yeah, sorry we never really gotta chance to talk, Vert, but your dad grounded me.” Alec supplemented, pointing and then placing a hand over his chest for emphasis and mock offense. “I could barely say hi without needing approval… ‘cause unlike Banjee, the moment I found out Jack was under that helmet? I knew I couldn’t do that to ya, Vert. You got enough issues.”
No offense to either of them, of course, and very little taken. It was nice to see him, nice to know that he hadn’t been one of the drivers impersonating his teammates, and–well–Banjee wasn’t so easily ashamed. Still, Vert scoffed, needling his best friend with just a little sarcasm. As a treat. “Yeah, thanks Alec… so I guess that’s also why you never told me you were working for Tezla again?”
“Hey, I figured he was gonna call you eventually,” Alec defended. “Besides, it’s not often I get the one-up on you anymore, Mr. Fancy Street-Racer. But by the time I thought about it too hard…”
Grounded. Right. Lost in the realms and found by the Silencerz. Fair enough. Vert obliged with a thoughtful head tilt.
“We both got lost. Not our brightest moment, amigo.” Somehow, Banjee hadn’t learned from the Short-Cut Incident – or maybe he’d just forgotten. On purpose. “Though, Es must’ve already left before Tezla called you guys… pretty sure she would have been happy to agree with me there.”
Esmeralda wasn’t with the Silencerz and she definitely wasn’t like Kadeem. It occurred to Banjee then that he should have asked Tezla for her number before they left. Oh well, he still had to return his car, anyway. No way the Silencerz would let’m keep it. So, he put a pin on that thought for later – as did Vert, who was really trying his best not to think very hard about the other drivers Tezla hadn’t told them about. Again. They could unpack that later. Luckily, Alec chimed in to save them all from falling down that rabbit hole.
“Aaanyway, if you guys don’t mind a little more company, I’ve got family in the same direction you’re goin…” Yes, no? Actually, never mind, he knew the right answer: carry on like he owned the place. Besides, Alec needed to give Markie a big, friendly clap on the shoulder. Vert wasn’t the only Wave Ripper he hadn’t seen in a while, and while Wylde might be bigger than he remembered? He was still Markie. Probably. The metal arm was an interesting addition. First, however, Alec finished his thought, “So, I’ll let Banjee say his piece, so we can peace.”
As he strolled by, Alec gave Vert a far gentler pat-pat than what he planned for Markie. The force required was directly proportional to size, after all. It was only logical. Yet, while they fussed in the background, Banjee and Vert had the floor all to themselves. Kurt, meanwhile, couldn’t decide who to pay attention to–his little brother or his… other, littler brother. He’d figure it out eventually. For now, all actors were set.
“Alright, so… what’s up?” Vert asked with an astounding sense of deja vu. It was a warm feeling. “Y’know, you never actually answered my question.”
“Well.. truth is, Vert, I just hated to let you guys go without squaring things first.” Banjee glanced over to Mark and Kurt. Yes, that included the two brothers–more or less. Some more than less. Although, the specifics on who he owed and how much was something Banjee was taking to his grave. He shook his head, amused by the sight of Alec Wood in a headlock. Sure hoped that was playful, because he didn’t have the focus to spare if it wasn’t.
(It was)
“You know, they had me do some things I’m not too proud of… ey, I dunno if Tezla’s any less crazy, but maybe Alec had the right idea.” Just not about poking the wild bear. He’d escaped the headlock, but at what cost? For, despite Banjee’s best efforts to keep his eyes on Vert, he couldn’t help but notice Wylde grabbing Alec like a sad kitten and thrusting him into the backseat. A job well done. Maybe. Well, it made Kurt’s life easier. Now there really was only his littlest brother to pay attention to (welcome to the no-fun-allowed zone, Alec).
“So, uhh.. sorry for being a troublemaker. Next time we race, it’ll be the right way,” Banjee said, refocusing. “–and if you’re ever in Puerto Rico, give me a shout. I’d love to show you my world – bring some friends and we’ll have a real party.”
Vert liked the sound of that.
No hard feelings, only more friends. A bigger family.