Lila took a deep breath, the frosty glass trembling slightly in her grasp. She could still feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, and the memory of the race replayed in her mind—a cascade of screeching tires and the twisting agony of imminent disaster.
After the collision, she'd pulled over at the pit stop, her heart racing, hands shaking as the mechanics hurried around her car assessing the damage. The adrenaline rush transformed into a simmering rage as the crew exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. Her focus was solely on Ethan, whose cavalier attitude after their near-miss felt like an insult.
He had approached her with a smug grin plastered across his face, oblivious to the chaos he’d just caused. “Hey, Lila! That was a wild ride, huh? You should have seen your face!” His laughter danced in the air, and each chuckle felt like a slap.
“Wild ride? You mean your reckless driving almost got me killed!” she shot back, fury surging hot and fierce. The disdain in her voice made some of his friends shift uncomfortably, but Ethan simply shrugged, playing it off as just another thrill in the day of a racer.
Yet beneath her anger was a jolt of confusion. She had always admired his confidence, the way he seemed to take risks without a second thought. But this? This was dangerous. This was personal. “You think it’s funny to endanger people?”
He just waved his hand dismissively. “You know how these races can get! Live a little! You’ll be fine.” With that, he sauntered back to his friends, leaving her to fume beneath her helmet. The mechanics exchanged sympathetic looks, but Lila wasn’t interested in sympathy.
After an excruciating wait, she returned to the track, pushing herself harder through the remaining laps, her heart still racing with fury and determination. Every rev of her engine acted as a catharsis, blurring her anger with the sheer thrill of the competition.
But once the heat of the race subsided, reality crashed back in. The award ceremony felt hollow. She accepted her prize with a tight smile, the rush replaced by a deep-seated disappointment that lingered like a bad taste in her mouth.
Now, at the bar, the hum of casual chatter and infectious laughter felt painfully distant. She clutched her drink as she spotted Ethan again—his sun-kissed face lit in joy among friends, his charm effortlessly drawing them in. It stung that he seemed to have forgotten their earlier encounter, as if she hadn’t just been put in peril by his antics.
Taking another sip, she felt the burn of the whiskey fighting against the heat of her anger. Was she truly going to let him get under her skin like this? No, she decided. The night was still young, and she wouldn't let him turn her adrenaline into frustration. With newfound determination, Lila stood and walked over to him, her heart pounding with purpose.
“Ethan,” she called, forcing a smile despite the turmoil inside her. “Can we talk?”
His laughter died down, and as he turned towards her, the gleam of surprise followed by a hint of mischief flickered in his eyes. She braced herself, ready for whatever came next.