Page 105 of Downforce

But it’s a half-hearted thought at best.

I can’t force myself to believe that any longer.

“Is everything alright?”

Max’s question brings my attention back to his face. I don’t like the look of concern I see there, so I brush my thoughts aside.

“We have the karts already set up for you,” Leon, the employee, says.

“Excellent.” Max takes my hand to follow Leon.

I continue to glance around as Leon winds us through the main entrance and the part of the building that’s set up as an arcade. A piece of me feels guilty seeing how empty it is, then it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask Max how much he spent to rent this entire space out for the night.

Once we pass the arcade, through the back doors of the building and come to an almost hidden racetrack. I’ve been to this place a couple of times and always forget the racetrack is here since it’s so well tucked into the hills of the country.

It’s a three-lane track that’s been created to replicate the streets of Monaco, allowing drivers to feel as if they’re racing directly in the street.

“We’ll give you two laps around to get familiar with the karts before we start the timer. Best two out of three wins the most points.”

“Wait,” I stop Leon, “we’re actually racing one another?”

Max’s brows dip. “Of course.”

“What do you mean ‘of course’?” I respond in a mock British accent. “I’m not racing you.” I throw my thumb in his direction and look at Leon. “You know this is totally unfair, don’t you? He’s literally a world go-kart racing champion.”

“Two time champion,” Max corrects.

I knew that, and the smirk playing on his too perfect lips tells me he knows that I knew it as well.

There’s also the minor fact that he just won the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, but why bring that up and inflate his ego even more?

“Are you scared?” Max taunts.

“Scared.” I spit the word out.

“Of losing. I mean, if you’re frightened of my beating you, all you have to do is concede right here and now and we can go do something else. The pool table looks a little empty.” He glances in the direction from which we just came.

“Scared,” I scoff. “I’m pointing out that the odds are slightly disadvantaged in your favor.” I shrug with one shoulder and look over at Leon. “You know, so when he loses just remember it was me who gave him the out to prevent him from embarrassing himself.”

Leon grins.

Any concern I had about Max violating his contract flies out of the window as soon as my competitive side is aroused.

“Shall we?” Max asks.

I take one of the helmets that Leon hands us, dutifully inspecting it to make sure it’s been cleaned before placing it over my head.

“You need help with that, princess?” Max asks with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

I smack his hands away. “I know how to put a helmet on. Plus, you’re just trying to set me up.” I narrow my eyes on him.

“I would never.”

I snort as I tighten the helmet’s strap, securing it comfortably to my head.

Once we’re in our respective karts, I slap the helmet’s plastic component over my eyes as I look threateningly at Max. “Let’s do this.”

He chuckles before reminding me that we’re doing a few practice laps to get the layout of the track first. I barely heed his reminder before I lay my foot on the pedal and take off. The car moves faster than I’d anticipated, causing me to jerk a little.