Chapter 35
“Get ready to be amazed,” Astrid called out, helping me with the safety harness. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. Audrey, show them what you’ve
It’s been years, I murmured, my hands running over the familiar contours of the steering wheel. ‘What if I mess up?”
You won’t,” she said firmly. “You were always the steady one, remember? The one Rachel and I could count on to keep us from doing anything too crazy Even after all these years, beating Felix will be child’s play.”
I smiled despite my nerves. “I’ll try my best.”
The engine roared to life beneath me, a deep, powerful rumble that sent vibrations through my entire body. Memories flooded back–endless summer afternoons spent mastering every turn of tracks like this, the pure joy of speed and control.
Felix’s car stopped beside me. Through the window, I could see his confident grin. He probably thought this would be an easy victory – a way to impress the mysterious newcomer while entertaining his friends.
The starting girl raised her flag, the setting sun catching on her sequined outfit. My world narrowed to the track ahead, everything else fading into background noise. This wasn’t about Felix or his watch or even proving anything to anyone. This was about reclaiming a part of myself I’d locked away for far too long.
The flag dropped.
I hit the accelerator, feeling the car surge forward. During the whole race, I was driving by my instinct. I drifted through every bend with pinpoint accuracy, my eyes fixed on the road stretching ahead. I could hear Rachel’s voice in my head, reminding me about weight transfer, about finding the perfect line.
When I crossed the finish line, several car lengths ahead of Felix, the silence was absolute. His friends stood frozen, mouths agape. Even Astrid looked slightly stunned by the margin of victory.
Felix emerged from his car slowly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Well,” he said, walking toward me with a mix of admiration and rueful amusement, I guess I should have known better than to trust Astrid’s definition of ‘rookie.“”.
I stepped out of my car, feeling lighter than I had in years. “To be fair, it has been a long time since I raced.”
“Clearly not long enough for you to forget how.” He unstrapped his watch and held it out. “A deal’s a deal.”
‘Now that’s what I call putting your money where your mouth is!” She plucked the watch from Felix’s outstretched hand with a theatrical flourish. ‘Good to see some things about you haven’t changed, Felix.”
His laughter was genuine, though his eyes never left my face. I couldn’t help but notice how different his attention felt from the calculating gazes I’d grown used to in New York’s social circles. There was something almost refreshing about his unconcealed admiration – no hidden agendas, just pure appreciation for a skilled opponent.
“You know,” I said, pulling out my phone, “Astrid wasn’t entirely honest earlier. I’m hardly a rookie.” I displayed my contact information with a slight smile. “Consider this a fair exchange for such an… entertaining afternoon.”
The spark of interest in his eyes brightened considerably as he reached for his phone. I noticed his hands were still trembling slightly from the adrenaline of the race or perhaps something else entirely.
“I should find Astrid,” I said after we’d exchanged contacts.
“Wait!” He stopped me. “How about a photo together? To commemorate this unexpected defeat?”
There was something genuine about his enthusiasm that made me pause. After a moment’s hesitation, I nodded.
He stepped closer, holding up his phone. The camera captured both of us.
“What are you planning to do with that photo?” I asked.
Felix’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he tucked his phone away. “That’s a secret.”
