“Jason!”
“Sister-in-law!”
Jason instinctively glanced my way, seemingly afraid I’d react. But I didn’t flinch. I kept my face unreadable, which seemed to let him breathe a sigh of relief.
It was only then that the team noticed me. “Who’s that?” someone asked, looking curious.
In the past three years, all the familiar faces had been replaced. I recognized no one here.
Before I could respond, Paula cheerfully looped her arm through mine and said, “She’s the chaperone I brought along.”
Then she turned her sugary gaze on me. “Hailey, I heard you used to be an amazing racer. Why don’t we have a little match? Just for fun?”
The team murmured in awe. “Sister-in-law’s friend? A pro racer? This will be interesting!”
It had been a long time since I’d held a steering wheel. The challenge stirred something in me. I didn’t refuse.
As I approached the car, Jason stepped close, lowering his voice. “Paula doesn’t take losing well. Let her win. You owe her that much.”
I shot him a cold, cutting glare. Without saying a word, I got into the car.
The engine roared to life and as I pressed the gas pedal, a surge of long-forgotten excitement rushed through me.
“Paula wants to win?” I thought. “Let her chase me.”
To my surprise, Jason announced over the radio that he would serve as my navigator for the race. His voice crackled through the headset, steady and familiar as he guided me.
Despite myself, I began to trust him. How could I not? Years ago, he was my navigator—my partner in every sense of the word. The rhythm came back easily, the tacit understanding we had built over six years resurfacing like muscle memory.
I pulled ahead of Paula in minutes, leaving her far behind.
Then, just as I approached the final stretch, Jason’s voice echoed in my ear.
“After this big turn, it’s a straightaway. Step on the gas and take the win.”
I trusted him. I accelerated hard.
But it wasn’t a straightaway—it was another curve. A sharp one.
The car broke through the guardrail, flipped several times and landed with a sickening crash. Pain seared through my body as everything went black.
When I briefly regained consciousness, all I could hear were cheers and laughter. Through blurry vision, I saw Paula surrounded by the team, celebrating as though she were some kind of hero.
In the center of it all, Jason wrapped her in his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“Paula, I knew you’d win!”