Love on track

Chapter four

Ruby stormed off the track, Theo's mocking words ringing in her ears. Her chest felt tight, her hands trembling with anger. The nerve of him, looking down on her as though she were nothing. She bit the inside of her cheeks, determined not to let his arrogance shake her. But fate clearly wasn't done with her.

As she turned to a corner, her foot caught the edge of a loose tile. She gasped, stumbling forward only to find herself caught in strong arms.

"Whoa there," a smooth voice said, steady and warm.

Ruby blinked into a pair of blue eyes so impossibly kind and magnetic that for a moment, she forgot how to speak. The stranger's smile was disarmingly perfect, his blonde hair glinting under the hallway light. Girls were swooning around the hallway, some whispering, some outright calling his name.

"Liam!" one of them squealed. "Liam over here!"

Others clutched their phones, snapping pictures as though he were a celebrity.

The crowd of trainees seemed to gather instantly to take a glimpse.

Ruby's jaw slackened. She knew the name. Everyone did. Liam Salvadore, heir to one of the richest men in Italy. Unlike Theodore, Liam carried himself with effortless grace, warmth radiating from his every move.

And she had just fallen into his arms.

Ruby straightened quickly, embarrassed. "I...I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

Liam chuckled softly, still holding her arms, as though reluctant to let go. "No harm done. Besides, I should be thanking the floor. Otherwise, how else would I get to meet the girl who beat Theo Wester today?"

Ruby blinked, startled. "You...watched?"

"Of course," Liam said, releasing her at last. "It was amazing. Bold. No one has ever humiliated Theo like that on track, especially not on their first day. You've got real fire," his eyes sparkled.

Ruby's cheeks heated, but before she could reply, an Icy voice cut through the warmth.

"Well, isn't this cozy?"

Abby.

Ruby heard the rumors that she was Theo's Ex.

She stepped forward, hips swaying, eyes sharp with jealousy. "I don't know what everyone sees in you," she said. "One lucky win and suddenly you are the talk of the day? Please. Beating Theo doesn't make you better than him."

"You might as well tell him to do better next time," Ruby spat.

Abby smirked, circling her slowly. "Sweetheart, this isn't your little countryside go-kart track. This is Italy. You'll be eaten alive before you even hit the finals."

Something inside Ruby snapped.

She stepped forward, her voice firm and steady. "Listen, Abby. You can throw insults, toss your hair, glare at me all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that I am here. And I'm not leaving until I prove myself. If that bothers you, deal with it."

The crowd gasped. Abby froze, her face twisting with rage.

"You'll regret that. Enjoy your little fame while it lasts." She hissed, before storming off, heels clicking against the tile.

Silence followed for a beat, then whispers rose, spreading through the trainees like wildfire.

Ruby exhaled, pulse still racing.

Beside her Liam let out a low whistle. "Wow," he said, amused and impressed. "Most peole don't even dare breathe wrong around Abby, let alone stand up to her like that."

Ruby's lips curved despite herself. "I had to tell her the truth."

Liam looked intently at her, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "I like you, Ruby Avelino."

Her heart gave a little lurch at the sincerity in his tone.

Before she could reply, a call came from the far end of the hall, Liam's name shouted by a cluster of trainees eager to drag him into their orbit. He gave Ruby a look that lingered, softer than all the smiles he had given anyone else. "Guess I should go before they pull me apart." He tilted his head, playful, "But I'll see you around. Don't disappear on me, okay?"

Ruby found herself smiling despite the storm Abby had left behind.

As Liam walked off, swallowed by the crowd of admirers, Ruby realized she wasn't shaken as she thought. In fact, she felt lighter.

That evening, Lana teased her mercilessly. "So Ruby Avelino, catching the eye of Italy's golden boy already? You should've seen his face when he looked at you. That wasn't just admiration. That was interest.

Ruby tossed a pillow at her friend, laughing, though a warmth lingered in her chest. She could still hear Liam's voice, gentle and sure: I like you.

And maybe, just maybe, she liked the sound of that.