Hazel POV
The cheering crowd felt far away now, like noise from another world. My stomach had emptied itself completely—nothing left but bitter acid and shaking. My legs trembled so badly I thought they might give out any second. Cold sweat clung to my skin, and every breath still tasted like burnt rubber and fear.
Asher crouched beside me, silent for once. He held out the bottle of water again. I grabbed it with shaky hands and drank greedily, gulping until the plastic crinkled. The cool liquid helped a little. The spinning in my head slowed, but the world still felt unsteady.
I tried to stand. My knees buckled almost immediately.
Asher moved fast. His arm slid around my waist, strong and steady, pulling me upright against his side. The warmth of his body cut through the night chill.
