Painted Lines by Brei Betzold Read Free Book Online Page A

they got
to us I was ready to just go home.  Finally, three of the four judges walked
up, I noticed early that Ace wasn’t judging the mini challenges, couldn’t say
that upset me.
    “So
who is the artist?” asked Sterling.
    Liam,
Simon, and Kale all pointed at me, I scowled at them; they knew I didn’t want
the attention, just the money.
    “Nice
work,” said Eddie.  I nodded at him and watched the judges go to the last group.
    The
judges walked up to the front of the group and started talking, I ignored it
for the most part, and I didn’t need to hear once again the need of design
concept in bike building.  Finally, they started calling out the worst designs
then the best, we were in the top three as well as Uncle Matt, Ace & Lace.
    Uncle
Matt being in the top three didn’t surprise me, but Ace & Lace did, since I
had never seen any of these guys before or heard of them.  I shrugged it off
and looked back towards the judges waiting for them to state who won.
    “And
the winner of the first mini challenge is Team Misfit Cabal,” said Eddie who
looked in our direction, “For this, you get first choice.”
    I
had no idea what he was talking about first choice, but guessed we would find
out soon.  We were rearranged once more, and I dodged hands and hid behind my
crew.  We were facing the wall where what looked like a sheet was draped around
something; my guess it was the first challenge.
    Eddie
walked up, pulled the sheet off, and lined against the wall were beat up retro
pedal cars; I smiled widely.
    “Your
first challenge is to restore these pedal cars, you are to restore all the
working parts, though paint job is up to each team, we do not expect the paint
to be like original.  These cars once restored will be donated to an auction
and all proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.”
    I
looked over the cars trying to see which one seemed to be in the best shape and
would go from there.
    “Team
Misfit Cabal, you won first pick of the car, the other teams will draw
numbers.  So choose who will be picking out your cars and let’s get this
started.”
    I
looked over at Liam, “You’re up.”
    He
nodded still studying the cars.  I knew he wouldn’t choose the one in best
condition, or the worst, he would go for something in the middle range so he
could get his hands dirty.
    “Team
Misfit, your choice.”
    I
watched Liam pace in front of the cars then turn around and go back to the one
I had noticed at first, and watched him reach down and pick it up bringing it back
to our group.  I smiled at him, he chose well, this was going to be fun. We
watched as the other teams went through and pick out their cars.
    “You
have one hour to get a plan made, and a list of materials you will need.  No
work can be done on the cars today.” Eddie said then we were dismissed to go
back to our stalls.
    Once
settled in Liam and Kale went to work inspecting the pedal car’s metal work, if
it worked, how it was made, and anything that needed to be repaired.  Simon
took notes of what supplies we needed, work that needed to be done, and who
would be doing what.  I went to work on the design aspect, paint schemes,
modifications, and the small details that would make it amazing.
    “What
kind of shape is the seat in?” I asked.
    “It
could definitely use being recovered,” said Liam, “but the frame of the seat
seems to be in good shape.”
    I
nodded and went back to my design.  I wanted to keep the paint scheme simple,
and then add some flare with pin striping and possibly lace treatment.  I was
debating color schemes, when I heard a crash, and looked up. I saw a pedal car
upside down against the far wall.  Looking around again, I found the guy who
worked for Ace in the face of one of his teammates.  I went back to work; no
way was I going to be involved into that mess.
    At
the end of our hour, we had a game plan on how to proceed, and I was excited
about this project.  I loved that it would be