The successful retaliation hit the Toretto family like a shot of pure adrenaline.
Saturday night’s backyard party was bigger than ever.
Almost the whole neighborhood came.
Speakers thumped hip-hop.
Flames leaped from the grill.
Cases of cold beer stacked in corners, free for the taking.
Victory hung in the air.
Hormones.
The faint scent of burnt rubber.
Their kind of celebration.
Vince was the life of the party.
He stood on an old tire, breathlessly recounting the ambush to anyone who’d listen.
How he’d “dropped that wrench-swinging punk.” How he’d “laid down those spikes like a pro.” He grabbed Jesse, ruffling his hair.
“See!
Mess with us, and that’s what you get!” Jesse winced but grinned.
His car was fixed.
The score was settled.
Life felt perfect.
Letty and Dom stood by the grill.
Dom handled the heat, but a rare smile tugged at his lips.
Letty clinked her bottle against his, surveying the crowd with satisfied approval.
Brian O’Conner had finally let his guard down.
White tank top.
Sharp muscles.
Blond hair catching the light.
He moved through the crowd like he belonged, laughing, toasting, charming everyone.
His easy smile and quick wit made him the party’s other center of attention.
Jake chose a quieter spot, leaning against the red Supra.
Beer in hand.
Watching the chaos.
As a man with simple tastes, his gaze naturally found Mia.
Tonight, she was something else.
No work clothes.
A tight black dress that traced every curve.
Dark hair loose, swaying to the music.
She laughed with friends, danced, radiated pure, electric life.
She felt his stare.
Through the crowd, she found him.
A smile lit up her face, brighter than any string light.
She grabbed a drink and walked over.
“Hiding out here?” She settled beside him, back against the Supra.
Shoulders almost touching.
“Better view from this spot.” Jake smiled, offering his beer.
“Want some?” She shook her head, raising her own glass.
“I’m good.” She took a sip, then tilted her head, eyes sparkling under the lights.
“Last night…
that was something.” “Everyone pulled their weight,” Jake said.
“I meant you.” Her voice dropped, intimate.
“Vince told me.
Fast reflexes.
Decisive.” She laughed softly.
“There’s more where that came from…” Jake’s grin turned sly.
“Oh yeah?” Mia’s finger traced down his chest, slow and teasing.
American girls weren’t shy.
She leaned in, daring him.
Jake rubbed his neck, caught off guard.
The music shifted to something slower.
R&B.
The heat in the air changed.
“Dance with me.” Mia extended her hand.
Bold.
Expectant.
Jake looked at her hand.
Slender.
Strong.
A guy doesn’t say no to that.
He set down his bottle and took it.
Her palm was warm.
Damp.
They didn’t hit the dance floor.
Just the open space by the Supra.
Jake’s moves were stiff, but Mia didn’t care.
She guided him, close then teasingly far.
Her hair brushed his face.
Sweet perfume.
The noise of the party faded.
All Jake could hear was the beat.
And Mia’s heartbeat.
Her breath.
He saw the flutter of her lashes.
The lights reflected in her eyes.
And in them, his own face.
They held tight.
Bodies swayed.
Heat and sweetness crackled between them.
No words needed.
Everything passed through their eyes.
(His grip is strong.
Calloused palms.
Warm.
So close…
I can smell oil and soap.
It’s not bad.
It’s…
nice.) Mia’s heart hammered.
Jake’s eyes dropped to her lips.
His throat tightened.
He leaned in…
A roar of laughter from across the yard broke the spell.
They pulled apart, breathless.
Brian was grinding against a girl in a tight red dress.
Bold.
Flashy.
Whistles and cheers erupted.
Minutes later, he whispered in her ear, they shared a look, and left together toward his place.
“Wow.
Brian works fast.” Mia raised an eyebrow, amused.
Jake turned back to her.
The heat between them still simmered.
Mia met his gaze.
Cheeks flushed.
Eyes steady.
She tugged his hand.
Her voice trembled, just a little.
“It’s too loud here…
Want to come over to my place?
I make a mean cup of coffee.” The world went quiet.
Jake saw everything in her eyes.
He didn’t hesitate.
His fingers tightened around hers.
“Yeah.” The lights still flashed.
The music still pounded.
But their night was just beginning.