Zack's absolute explosion of excitement from the sidelines.
"YES! YES! HOLY SHIT, ETHAN, YOU DID IT! I KNEW IT! I FREAKIN' KNEW IT!"
Vanessa pulled up beside him, her Ferrari coming to a smooth, controlled stop.
Ethan turned his head slightly, watching as she gripped the wheel — hard.
For a moment, she just stared ahead, the reality of the loss settling over her.
Then —
She laughed.
A full, genuine, amused laugh.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, but Vanessa just shook her head and let out a small chuckle.
"You sneaky bastard," she muttered, finally looking at him. "I can't believe you actually pulled that off."
Ethan smirked. "You drive well," he said casually. "But I'm better."
Vanessa scoffed, but there was no malice in it. Just amusement.
"Cocky much?"
Before Ethan could respond, Zack practically tackled him.
"BRO. DID YOU SEE THAT? DID YOU SEE THAT?! THAT WAS THE CLEANEST OVERTAKE I'VE EVER SEEN! HOLY SHIT, I SHOULD'VE BET MORE!"
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up, Zack."
Zack ignored her, grabbing Ethan by the shoulders. "I knew you had it in you. I knew it! But damn, I wasn't expecting you to actually leave her in the dust at the last second!"
Ethan simply shrugged, stepping out of the Porsche, the heat from the engine still radiating as he stretched his arms. "Felt like riding a bike," he said, his voice cool and even.
Vanessa crossed her arms, leaning against her Ferrari as she gave him an appraising look.
"You're not just some guy who likes fast cars," she said. "You actually have instincts."
Ethan didn't deny it.
She tilted her head slightly. "Where'd you learn to drive like that?"
Ethan exhaled. "Didn't," he admitted. "I just ride."
Vanessa's lips curled into a small smile.
"Figures."
The crowd around them was still buzzing, hyped from the race.
Money was being exchanged from bets, people were clapping Ethan on the back, and Zack was already counting his winnings with the biggest grin Ethan had ever seen. After all, people around there had also bet with him.
Then, Vanessa stepped forward, standing right in front of him.
"I'll be real," she said. "I didn't think you'd win. Thought you'd put up a fight, sure, but actually win?" She scoffed. "Didn't see that coming."
Ethan met her gaze. "Neither did you."
That made her chuckle. "Fair point."
Then, without hesitation —
She held out her hand.
A firm, professional handshake.
Ethan looked at it for a moment, then grasped it.
Her grip was strong.
Respect.
She might've lost, but she respected a good race.
And Ethan?
He had earned that respect.
She pulled back, her eyes gleaming with something almost mischievous.
"Next time," she said. "I won't hold back."
Ethan smirked. "Neither will I."
The energy from the race still lingered in the air, electrifying and contagious, as the crowd slowly began to disperse.
The hum of excited chatter filled the space, people exchanging bets, laughing, and reliving the race in vivid detail.
Zack was still basking in his victory — his victory, because in his eyes, Ethan's win was a win for both of them.
He threw an arm around Ethan's shoulders, his grin wide enough to split his face in two.
"Bro. Bro. Bro." Zack repeated, shaking Ethan slightly with each word. "That was insane. You just made me twenty grand richer from the rest of them, and I think I love you for it."
Ethan rolled his eyes, shoving Zack off. "Don't get sentimental on me."
Zack ignored him, spinning on his heel to face Vanessa, who had just finished speaking with a few other racers.
She turned, noticing Zack's scheming look immediately.
"Alright, listen up," Zack announced. "Since Ethan won, I think it's only fair that he gets his proper reward."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Ethan sighed. "Here we go…"
Zack grinned, pointing between the two of them. "A date."
There was a beat of silence.
Then —
"What?!" Both Vanessa and Ethan said at the same time, voices overlapping in pure disbelief.
Zack clapped his hands together, pleased with himself. "Yep, you heard me. You two had a fiery, passionate battle on the asphalt, and the only logical next step is a night out. Y'know, celebrate the chemistry."
Vanessa scoffed. "Chemistry? Please."
Ethan shook his head. "Not happening."
Zack groaned, exasperated. "Oh, come on! Don't act like you weren't feeling the tension! The rivalry! The — "
"Zack," Ethan deadpanned. "Shut up."
Vanessa folded her arms, smirking. "You are way too invested in this."
"Of course I am! This is history! A legendary rivalry in the making! I mean, just imagine it — Ethan, the underdog, the mysterious racer with insane instincts. Vanessa, the reigning champion, untouchable and unmatched — until now." Zack dramatically gestured between them. "I'm just saying, a race like that deserves a follow-up."
Vanessa exhaled, shaking her head with a laugh. "You really don't give up, do you?"
Zack pointed at Ethan. "What about you? Come on, man. One date. Just one."
Ethan glanced at Vanessa, who looked equally unamused by the idea, but there was something in her gaze — something curious.
She wasn't opposed to spending time with him, that much was clear, but the idea of Zack deciding things for her? That was the real problem.
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered. "Tomorrow."
Vanessa blinked, clearly surprised that he agreed. "You're serious?"
Ethan shrugged. "If it gets Zack to shut up."
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow."
Zack exploded into a victorious yell, throwing his arms into the air. "YES! Finally! You guys won't regret this."
Vanessa rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
With that, the energy began to settle. The celebration had ended, and one by one, people returned to their cars, the parking lot thinning out.
Vanessa pulled her keys from her pocket, spinning them around her finger as she gave Ethan one last glance.
"Nice race," she said, her voice carrying an edge of genuine respect.
Ethan nodded. "You too."
She smirked, then slid into her Ferrari, revving the engine before peeling off in a spray of dust and rubber.
Zack immediately coughed, waving a hand in front of his face. "Jesus — did she do that on purpose?"
Ethan smirked. "Probably."
Zack rubbed his nose. "I think I inhaled like five years of dust."
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned against his Porsche. The adrenaline from the race was finally wearing off, leaving behind a strange quiet in his chest.
Zack, ever the social one, noticed the shift immediately.
"You heading home?" Zack asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Ethan took a slow breath. He should've said yes. He should've gotten into his car, driven back to his penthouse, and called it a night.
But instead —
"No," he said.
Zack tilted his head. "Oh?"
Ethan glanced at the road ahead, his mind already made up. "I have somewhere to be."
He didn't elaborate.
Didn't explain.
And Zack, for once, didn't press.
"Alright, man," Zack said, backing away. "See you tomorrow then. Don't be late for your date."
Ethan rolled his eyes but didn't respond as Zack hopped into his own car and drove off.
Now, alone in the quiet night, Ethan finally let himself acknowledge it.
The 30 missed calls.
His phone still displayed them. A number he knew all too well.
His sister.
His fingers hovered over the screen.
He exhaled sharply, pocketing the phone before he could second-guess himself.
There was only one place he needed to go tonight.
He stepped into the Porsche, shut the door, and started the engine.
The familiar roar greeted him, but it wasn't as exciting now. It wasn't a race. It wasn't about speed.
It was about facing something he'd been avoiding.
He pulled onto the road, the streetlights casting long shadows as he drove through the city.
The closer he got to his destination, the heavier his chest felt.
The family house.