Her Soldier

Chapter 15

"My mum is really swamped with work," I explained to Zack as I took a left turn headed for the go-kart race track, "so she said that it's fine that we hang out together," I laughed, rolling my eyes, "but to be honest I know she's avoiding me because I want us to go bungee jumping in Soweto."

We started out the day earlier than yesterday because I didn't accidently fall asleep on his sofa. As a matter of fact when I knocked on his hotel room door, he had been awake for some time and was already waiting for me patiently.

I told him when I was picking him up what we were going to do today and he seemed...unbothered by it. If anything, he seemed happier for the breakfast that we had at a nearby restaurant.

"Come on, Zack, you could at least pretend to be excited," I pointed out and he turned away from the window and looked at me, a chuckle escaping him.

"Is that what it looks like to you?" he asked me, "it's my first time doing something like this, I am very much excited. Just don't expect me to hop on the spot and grin all the way to our destination."

I pulled into the parking space and we both unbuckled our seats. I stepped out of the car last and locked it behind me as he walked around the car to patiently wait for me. We walked side by side, his eyes were watching the other karts on the race track and I finally saw the spark of excitement in his orbs.

I smiled at my accomplishment as we entered the place and I walked to the front desk. I spoke to the young lady behind the front desk, signing a necessary register with my information and paying upfront for the next two hours.

I looked back at Zack, "you ready?" I asked him as we followed the lady who led us to a place where there were several helmets and various karts. I rushed to get into a kart that caught my eye before Zack and held my hands out to catch the helmet that Zack threw at me.

"You ready to eat dust?" I smirked at the man like he wasn't a soldier who would most likely beat me in this silly race.

He laughed, looking at me like I was so naive and unaware of the fury that he would unleash on me, "I was going to be a gentleman but you've been talking a lot of trash since this morning, so sadly, I must show you how it's done."

"Meh, meh, that's all I hear," I mimicked the sound of a baby, "I'll put you in your place, soldier!" I yelled as though I were going into battle, "this is Sparta!"

"Actually it's a go-kart racing place called, Rainbows and Race-"

"Zack?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have this moment please?"

"Oh...yeah...sure."

"Are the two of you ready?" a much older guy appeared behind us, and we both nodded our heads, "drive wisely and have fun. Ready...set...go!" and we took off. 

~~~

I had started out real strong, but in a matter of half a lap around the race track, Zack started beating me by an entire lap until there was no possible way for me to catch up. I won't lie, it was the most fun I've had this entire year, and that's including Liesl's party. 

It brightened up my day even more when I saw the huge grin on Zack's face and heard his teasing loud laughs. His laughter was the highlight of my day, even though he would laugh at me as he sped past me. 

It had been nothing short of competitive and joyous, we were both having fun with each other and that's the most important thing. Even if I came out last and Zack kept flashing the L sign with his fingers whenever he did some cool stunt with the kart. 

"Aww, are you mad at me?" Zack chuckled teasingly as we walked out of the building and entered the parking lot. Zack jogged to catch up with my angry stomps before he threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me to his body and I couldn't keep the frown on my face. 

I immediately grinned, blushing profusely at the feel of his warm built body so close to mine, "come on, where's my favourite smile? Ah, there it is. My reason to live," he breathed out with a huge grin as he cradled my face in his big calloused hands. 

"You didn't have to beat me so badly," I complained half-heartedly, but honestly I wasn't bothered. Ok, maybe I was, but just a little bit. Other than that, this was all about him. 

"I only had to do that because I was afraid you'd catch up. Did you see the way you'd drift around the corners?" he asked, treating me like a child and I foolishly yet knowingly fell for it, "that was some professional racer moves right there, Dudu." 

"Really?" I asked with a smile even though I knew damn well that I didn't drift for s**t, and would only bump into the corners and I had to have assistance pull my kart out, "I mean, I didn't think anyone noticed." 

He whistled, "I did! And, man, was I threatened and scared." 

"Well, I do like to believe that I was a professional go-kart racer in my past life." 

He nodded, his grin turning into a small smile as his eyes sparkled down at me, "past life? Are you sure you're not clocking in every day at 7?" we both burst out into laughter. 

I wrapped my arms around his lower stomach because he was taller than I was and I reached just below his chin. We walked side by side and I placed my head on his chest where I could hear the sound of his steady heartbeat and his arm was still strewn carelessly over my shoulder. 

Butterflies set off in my stomach as I felt all warm and fuzzy from having this man so close to me. I didn't want to reach my car but with each of our synchronized steps, we approached the white jaguar. 

"Are you ready for tonight?" Zack asked me as he walked me to the driver's side and then opened the door for me and I climbed into the car. 

I thanked him with a shy smile as he closed the door behind me and he jogged around the car as I started it. 

"I've been dreading it," I answered him honestly, "but I'm ready to finally meet the man who's been good to my mother." 

I looked at Zack who held a proud expression, "that's what I like to hear, but before we go there could we please stop at the hotel? I'd like to change a bit. We did spend five hours here," I nodded my head, watching him play around with the aux cable as he took my phone and looked at the darkened screen and the phone came to life. 

We had ended up spending a whole lot more time at the race track because we were having so much of fun but now the sun was setting and I was nervous to meet my mum's boyfriend. 

I gripped the steering wheel with both hands as I heard the song Kokota begin to play and I smiled. Zack happens to enjoy my taste in music because he says it's refreshing and different from anything he's ever heard before. 

I zone out, even though I hear him singing along to the music. I'm drowning in my own nerves as my mind races a hundred miles a minute. 

I hope when I meet my mum's boyfriend he's not my father 2.0, because God knows, I don't have the heart to go through what I went through all those years back. 

~~~