002

Ethan POV

The flag dropped as the referee blew the whistle.

In an instant, both our bikes shot forward as our engines screamed, tyres biting into the track. The crowd roared and cheered but all I heard was the thunder in my chest and Ryan’s bike right beside mine.

He leaned forward, cutting close on the first bend. Typical Ryan, he was always reckless and desperate to get ahead. I smirked under my helmet, taking the corner tighter, slipping right back beside him.

“You’re not shaking me off that easily,” I muttered to him, almost to myself.

The track blurred by, the wind tearing at my track suit. Every time I inched ahead, Ryan pushed harder, his bike growling just over my shoulder. Ryan made it seem like it wasn't just a race, he made it seem like a war and I of course don't plan to lose because I can't let him get Jessica. Not when I don't want him close to any girl.

Halfway through, he shot me a glance, his visor glinting in the sun. Even through the helmet, I felt his damn smirk. He gunned it, trying to pull away. He really is annoying but sadly, I have a spot spot for annoying kids. If he knew I called him a kid again, he was going to get furious and I enjoyed that.

“Oh, no you don’t,” I hissed, revving harder, the vibration rattling through my body. I matched him wheel to wheel with killing sparks practically flying between us.

The crowd was losing it, their cheers echoing across the field. But for me, the world had narrowed down to Ryan’s bike and the voice in my chest that screamed I won’t let him win.

The final stretch came into view. The finish line and my hands gripped tighter, my body leaning forward, screaming as I pushed everything into that last burst of speed trying to cut him off.

Ryan did the same, we remained side by side, neither of us giving an inch.

And then—

We crossed the finish line.

Dead even, the crowd erupted into laughter as they cheered loudly l, they always knew we were going to tie, even if I know I could beat him.

I yanked off my helmet, gasping with sweat dripping down my face. Ryan was already off his bike with his helmet in hand and his hair a cute mess. His eyes locked on mine. I felt like kissing him....

“Tsk,” I breathed out, laughing despite myself being tired. “Unfortunately, it's a tie. What a shame, no one gets Jessica.”

He shook his head, and stepped closer, his chest still rising and falling. “Figured that out, when it’s you Ethan, I never get a clean win. I loose and you loose, so that doesn't matter.” I could see he was holding himself from exploding, if there was a person who knows Ryan best.

It was me.

I smirked, though my heart was still racing harder than the race, I just had now. “Maybe because deep down, you don’t want to beat me.”

His jaw clenched, but his eyes… lingered.

Ryan tossed his helmet to the ground, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t start with your bullshit, Ethan. A tie isn’t a win.”

I leaned casually against my bike. I slipped down to give him my infuriating smirk. “Neither is it a loss, I guess that makes us….. equals.”

He scoffed, stepping closer. “Don’t flatter yourself, you knew I had you by an inch.”

“Funny,” I said, tilting my head, “because from where I crossed, it looked like I was the one ahead of you.”

The crowd was still buzzing, chanting both our names, but all I could see was him, standing way too close, his cute frame drawing me to embrace him and his eyes burning with that mix of rage and anger that pulled me closer to kiss him. Sighs, this boy really knows how to mess with my heart.

“Jessica’s going to laugh at this, especially you.” he muttered, shaking his head.

“Jessica?” I teased, leaning in just enough to annoy him. “I almost forgot she was part of this deal. You sure this wasn't more about me?”

He froze for a second, then glared at me with his jaw tight. “You wish.” He rolled his eyes. "Psycho." He whispered more to himself but I caught it.

I grinned, satisfied at the crack in his composure. “Maybe I do wish.” I'll just rule him up a bit more.

His breath hitched, so faint I almost missed it. Then he shoved past my bike grabbing his helmet from the floor. “This isn’t over, Ethan. Next time, I’m not letting it end in a tie. I— MUST— BEAT— YOU— ETHAN FUCKING DONALD.”

"Tsk. Cute and fierce, absolutely my type." I watched him walk off, a slow smile spreading across my face.

Ryan stomped toward the parking lot, his shoulders stiff and his helmet dangling from his hand. He looked like a storm barely holding itself back. How did I manage to even fall for him?

I couldn’t resist the urge to call him back. “Careful, Ryan,” I called after him, loud enough for the crowd to hear. “If you frown any harder, people might think you actually care about me more than Jessica.”

Heads turned towards his furious back, few people laughed and Ryan froze mid step.

He spun around, hus eyes blazing fire. He gave me the flip. “Shut the hell up, Ethan! Stop your childish act of saying everything I do is about you.”

I smirked, pushing off my bike and strolling toward him. “Oh? Funny, because everything you do seems to revolve around me. Racing me and yelling at me, even competing with me. If I wasn't a guy now…” I leaned in closer towards his direction, getting down to smile at him, I lowered my voice so only he could hear, “…I might think you are in love with me.”

His nostrils flared, his jaw tightened for a second, I swear he looked like, he was going to punch me, right here in front of everyone. Instead, he gave me that dangerously calm smile that meant trouble.

“One day, Ethan,” he said, steady and low, “I’ll wipe that smirk off your face for good, and trust me, when I do, Jessica won’t even remember the first letter of your damn name.”

I chuckled, brushing an imaginary dust off my shoulder. “You’ve been saying that since high school, and yet…” I spread my arms wide, grinning. “…here we are. Still tied and still stuck with each other.” tied? That's actually a joke because I fucking pursued this spoilt kid from high school till now, making sure I followed him every where he goes.

His glare burned holes in me, but he didn’t fire back. He just shook his head, muttered something under his breath, and stormed off. Why was he so cute when stomping?

I watched him go, my smirk lingering even as my chest tightened. Because no matter what I told myself, no matter how much I teased him—Ryan wasn’t just a rival.

“Damn, Ethan, you really love poking the bear, huh?”

I turned to see Kyle, one of my closest friends, jogging over with two water bottles in hand. He handed me one, shaking his head. “Ryan looked like he was a second away from ripping your throat out.”

I smirked, taking a long sip. “And yet, he didn’t. That’s what makes it fun.”

“Fun?” Kyle raised a brow. “Man, the way you two go at each other, it’s like you’ve got more chemistry between you than you and Jessica ever will.”

I laughed at that, though it was hollow. “You’re crazy.”

“Am I?” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Be honest, Ethan. Do you even care about Jessica, or you just care about beating Ryan?”

I didn’t answer right away, my fingers did the job, it tightened around the water bottle as I watched Ryan in the distance, my shoulders tensing up as he disappeared behind the line of bikes. My chest hurt.

“I care about winning,” I said finally, forcing a smirk. “That’s all.”

Kyle gave me a long look, like he knew I was lying, then let it go. “Whatever you say, champ.”

Before I could retort, my other friend Marcus jogged up, with wide eyes. “Yo, Ethan, you might wanna hear this.”

I frowned. “What?”

Marcus hesitated, glancing at Kyle, then back at me. “Word is… Jessica wasn’t even watching the race. She was spotted leaving with someone else.”

My smirk slipped for the first time that day.

“Leaving… with who?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.

Marcus lowered his tone. “Some guy none of us know. He looked tall, maybe your height, he wore a dark jacket. He didn't look like a local.”

Kyle whistled low. “Damn. That’s… awkward.”

"Then, that's Great." I smirked, I couldn't hide the smile threatening to leave my lips.

"Huh. What do you mean?" Kyle asked.

"Well find out your self."