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Zane takes the early lead. He’s duking it out with a few other engineers from our class, until two of them collide and get taken out.
The academy drivers are hollering from the sidelines, jerking and waving. Clearly, they’re not used to watching.
Megan cuts in front of me. We swoop around the next turn and I get her back.
“She’s a fucking Ashford!” Knox hollers as Eden cuts in front of Zane as we finish our lap.
“Rules just said no drivers,” she tosses, flipping him off.
Megan and Eden go head-to-head on the next lap.
Out of nowhere, another car appears. “Raj?!” we exclaim in unison.
He’s hooting with delight, but it’s short-lived as the girls team up against him.
At the last minute, I sneak through and over the finish line.
“Knew you had it in you,” Jameson says proudly, dragging me into his arms after we all pull to a stop.
“I’m sweaty,” I protest as I drag my helmet off, my hair falling down around my sticky neck.
“You’ll be sweatier when I’m done with you.”
He kisses me and it’s game over.
“I love you,” he says against my mouth, like it’s the easiest truth in the world.
I don’t hesitate. “I love you too.”
The only thing better than being in the driver’s seat surrounded by my friends and a little healthy competition is having this kind of welcoming committee at the finish line.
Bree’s there with her new boyfriend, Trevor. Eden stayed for the holidays, I think because she has some school drama she wants to avoid.
“My vote is to replace Legacy Day with this,” I say to no one. Though this isn’t an officially sanctioned school event, the third years surprised us all by organizing it.
“Who knows if there will be another Legacy Day.” I look up to find Vogel perched over the railing. “I wanted to deliver the news in person that you passed all your exams.”
I’m relieved but still thinking about something else. “Any news about Luca?”
“Nothing public.” Her expression is regretful.
The police are investigating my crash, but so far it’s been nearly impossible to link it to Luca personally.
However, thanks to a new tip, the federation has reopened Dekker’s dismissal complaint against ARI. It was enough to trigger a no-confidence vote by the ARI board. Luca was put on probation and removed from the CEO role indefinitely.
Keane is keeping a close eye to ensure no one interferes with how he runs his shop. After learning about the sabotage, he swore no one would ever get close enough to do it again.
What I do in the future is still undecided, but at least in the meantime, Dad’s job at ARI is protected.
“What happens to the academy while Luca’s on probation?” I ask Vogel.
“There’s an endowment to continue its operations, but it’s under the purview of the board.”
“Which includes Jameson and Theo,” I guess.
Her head inclines.
Competition makes you hungry, so after karting, we all head to the diner. Bree and I are off the clock, but her brother takes orders and runs food as I shift into a seat next to Eden.
