Love on track

Chapter five

Chapter Five

Nothing prepared Ruby for Theodore Wester’s brand of drama. After the last race, where she snatched first place with a grin and a flick of her wrist, she thought he’d sulk and leave it alone. But no. Apparently, Theo Wester held grudges like trophies, displayed and weaponized.

Still, things have been oddly calm lately. She’d even made a new friend, Liam Salvadore, the guy who had caught her mid-trip like some modern-day knight with perfectly timed reflexes and that lazy smile. They’d started talking after that, bonding over engine specs and bad cafeteria food. He was sweet, easy to talk to. A little too smooth, maybe, but not in Theo’s way. No, Liam was sunshine and Theo was a storm that could swallow you up in any minute.

Ruby was walking with Lana that afternoon, heading to the cafeteria. Her stomach had been growling since the second training and she was dreaming about fries, maybe even a milkshake. Her hoodie was tugged over her hair to block the sun, and she was halfway through a story about how Liam nearly dropped an entire toolbox on his foot when she heard it;

“Avelino.”

She froze.

Lana’s eyes flicked up. “Oh no,” she muttered under her breath. “Here he comes.”

Ruby turned, already bracing herself. There he was, Theo Wester, leaning casually against a wall, arms crossed, smirk sharp enough to slice through ice.

“Are you following me now?” Ruby asked, raising a brow. “If you’re obsessed with me, just say so.”

Theo’s eyes glinted, unreadable. “Maybe I am.”

That threw her. Not the words, but the way he said it. Like a confession he didn’t regret. Like he meant it. His voice was low, and his gaze stayed locked on hers like she was the only thing in the world worth looking at.

Ruby’s breath hitched.

Lana, beside her, made a tiny squealing noise and muttered, “If he ever looked at me like that, I’d pass out on the spot.”

Ruby elbowed her. “Control yourself,” she hissed.

But Theo was already walking closer, the smirk never fading. “You’ve been real quiet since the last race,” he said. “Lost your edge?”

Ruby rolled her eyes. “I’m trying to eat, not entertain your fragile ego.”

“Then how about a little warm-up before you stuff your face? A friendly match. Just you and me.”

“I was literally heading to the cafeteria because I was starving.”

“Scared?” he asked, tilting his head. “Afraid I’ll take my spot back?”

That did it.

Ruby narrowed her eyes. “I earned that spot.”

Theo took a step closer. “Then prove it.”

She hated that her heart picked that moment to do somersaults. She hated even more that she couldn’t resist the challenge. Ruby Avelino didn’t back down. Ever.

She turned to Lana. “Hold my bag.”

Lana blinked. “ Not again.”

Ruby looked back at Theo. “Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the asphalt. The track wasn’t officially booked, but everyone knew when Ruby and Theo raced, it was a show worth watching. Word spread like wildfire, fast and hot.

By the time they reached the track, a few onlookers had gathered. Mechanics leaned on toolboxes. A couple of other racers lingered, pretending to stretch but obviously watching. Ruby slid into her car, adjusting her gloves, her pulse thrumming like a revving engine.

Theo climbed into his ride. He glanced across at her and gave a mocking little salute.

Ruby revved her engine in reply. Challenge accepted.

The countdown started.

Three.

Two.

One.

The world exploded into motion.

Engines roared. Tires bit into the track. They shot forward like twin comets, neck and neck through the first curve. Theo was aggressive, trying to push her off the inside line, but Ruby held her ground. Her hands were steady, eyes narrowed in fierce concentration.

They flew past the first lap marker. Theo edged ahead by a thread. Ruby gritted her teeth and slingshotted out of the next corner, reclaiming the lead. The wind screamed past her windows. Her heart raced in rhythm with the machine beneath her.

It wasn’t just a race. She had to prove to Theo that she was not just a rookie.

Second lap. Theo stayed close, drafting her, waiting for her to slip. But Ruby didn’t. She knew every curve, every dip, every moment. She’d been born for this.

Final lap.

They were nearly side by side. Every time he pushed, she countered. Every time she tried to break away, he reeled her back in. It was pure electricity, like dancing on the edge of a storm.

And then, the final stretch.

Ruby floored it. She felt the car surge beneath her, her whole body leaning into the motion. Theo was there, right behind her, but it wasn’t enough.

She crossed the finish line a second before he did.

A breathless silence followed. Then cheers erupted from the sidelines.

Ruby exhaled, hands trembling with exhilaration. She pulled her helmet off, her hair damp with sweat, a victorious grin spreading across her face.

Theo rolled to a stop beside her, helmet still on. He didn’t get out right away. When he finally did, he walked toward her slowly, shaking his head.

Ruby planted a hand on her hip. “Maybe you should practice harder, Mr. Wester.”

He stopped in front of her. His eyes flicked down to her smile. Too wide. Too smug. And he huffed out a laugh. “You’re insufferable.”

“You love it,” she shot back.

Theo didn’t deny it. He just looked at her, something like admiration flickering in his gaze. But before he could say anything more, a new presence made itself known.

Abby.

She stood a few feet behind them, arms crossed, sunglasses perched on her head, her expression unreadable but sharp enough to cut.

Ruby noticed her immediately. Abby wasn’t the kind of girl you missed. Tall, poised, every step deliberate. The kind of girl who made other girls feel like they needed to reapply lip gloss.

Abby tilted her head, her gaze drifting from Ruby to Theo and back again. “Well,” she said smoothly, “I see we’re still playing with toys.”

Theo’s jaw ticked. “Abby.”

Ruby folded her arms. “If you’re here to watch, grab a seat. We’re done racing.”

Abby’s eyes narrowed. “I can see you are enjoying your little fame. Beating Theo in every race.”

Ruby raised a brow. “Twice now.”

Something cold and sharp passed between the girls. Not quite open hostility, but it was there like an unspoken challenge. Abby didn’t like what she saw. Ruby didn’t care.

“I’ll be seeing you around,” Abby said finally, with a saccharine smile.

“Let’s go Theo,” she said, whisking him away before he could even protest.

“What just happened,” Lana said, returning to the track to meet her friend.

Ruby shrugged. “I don’t care. I’m still starving. Cafeteria?”

“Are you buying?” Lana asked.

“Not a chance,” Ruby replied, laughing.

They walked off side by side and behind them, from a shadowed spot near the bleachers, Abby watched. Silent, calculating.

Like a hawk.