Lila took a deep breath, the adrenaline-driven laughter starting to fade, leaving a lingering tension between them. She fixed Ethan with an intense gaze. “Why are you always so rude and mean to me? It’s like you save all your best insults just for me. But I see you with your team; you treat them so well. Why the difference?”
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You really want to know? Fine. My middle name is Ethan, but my first name… is Carl. And every time I see you, I remember that time you dumped me for Derek, the ‘bad boy.’”
Lila's brows shot up in surprise. “Carl? As in…”
“Yeah, that Carl. I hadn’t thought about it in a while, but seeing you at the races stirred it all up again. When I first saw you competing, I thought, maybe if I acted like Derek, you’d fall for me again,” he admitted, his smirk fading into genuine reflection.
Lila swallowed hard, memory swirling around her. “That was a long time ago, Ethan. I made the best decision of my life when I dumped Derek. He was a terrible person!”
Ethan's expression softened, and he shrugged, the bravado fading slightly. “I don't know what I was thinking, honestly. I’m sorry for acting like that. The truth is, I wanted to make you notice me again, but it only made things worse.”
Lila took a step back, a mix of emotions painted across her face. “Look, I appreciate the apology, but you need to understand that being a jerk isn’t the way to get someone’s attention. I’m not that girl anymore. I’m focused on my racing, my goals.”
“Believe me, I know. I see how dedicated you are. You’re amazing out there, Lila,” he said earnestly, meeting her gaze directly. “I’ve been a jerk not just to you, but to everyone. I’m trying to change that.”
Lila tilted her head, considering his words. Maybe there was more to him than just the arrogant facade. “If we both want to get somewhere in this racing world, we should probably stop provoking each other, right?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, I think that would help. No more shoving matches in bars.”
“Deal,” she said, extending a hand, a playful grin spreading across her face. “But if you start acting like a jerk again, I’m shoving you right back.”
Ethan laughed, taking her hand and shaking it firmly. “Touché! Just don’t take it too personally. I’ll try to act more like a teammate and less like a rival.”
The tension between them began to dissipate, and for the first time, there seemed to be a newfound understanding. “Maybe we can even help each other out on the track?” Lila suggested, her competitive spirit still shining through.
“Maybe,” Ethan replied, a playful glimmer of mischief returning to his eyes. “But if you decide to hog the inside lane again, I’ll take that as an act of war.”
“Good luck getting by me,” she shot back, and they both laughed, the remnants of their earlier conflict fading into the background.
As they parted ways, Lila felt lighter, as if a heavy weight had lifted off her shoulders. Maybe racing wasn't just about rivalry; maybe there was room for respect—and perhaps friendship—after all.