Page 35 of Take My Place

“What the hell was that about, Ivy?” he yells. “You cost me the race.”

“I’m sorry.” I shrug, doing my very best impression of an innocent airhead. “I thought I saw one of my father’s spies and I was afraid.”

“Oh.” The second I mention my father, Romy’s bad move evaporates. A look of concern comes over him. “Do you want me to go check him out? Your father has no right to stalk you. You’re in the care of House Navarre. If he is following you, it’s an insult to our ability to take care of you.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” I shake my head. “Now that I have a better look, I realise I am mistaken. But it’s very sweet of you to care.”

I kiss him lightly on the lips and whatever irritation is left in Romy melts away.

“Hey! Let go of me! I just want to talk!”

We’re interrupted by a scuffle and we turn to see the guy from earlier being restrained.

Romy glances over at Archer and the two of them nod.

“Let him go,” says Archer, striding towards the group.

The stranger pulls himself free, and he crossly brushes himself off, trying to regain a little dignity.

“No hard feelings?” Archer extends a hand for him to shake. “We didn’t mean to hurt you, but everyone knows that unauthorised riders are fair game.”

“No hard feelings,” the man agrees. “I should have known that you guys wouldn’t play by the rules. But I wasn’t an unauthorised rider.”

Romy frowns. “But we saw you arguing with Matt. You left without paying.”

“He did. But then I paid for him.” Declan came over to join us. “I figured it would make things interesting to have an unknown quantity join in. I should have known your egos would have teased up to make sure he didn’t stand a chance.”

“It’s okay, Declan,” says the stranger. “I’ll know better next time. I didn’t think we were playing dirty, but now I know all’s fair in love and motorbike races…” He gives me a look that is decidedly suggestive, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know how gross I thought it is.

“Yeah, sorry, Lucas,” says Declan. “I should have known these guys would get all bent out of shape.”

“So you two know each other?” I ask.

“No.” Declan shakes his head. “We met just as he was storming off. I saw him riding round King Town earlier today and I knew he could handle a bike. I figured it was only fair to give him a chance to show us what he could do.”

“I would have won if it wasn’t for these two teaming up on me.” Lucas gives a nod of respect. “But that’s fine. I have a few ideas for next time. You won’t be able to pull the same trick twice.”

“We’ll see.” Romy laughs. “We’ll see.”

“Anyway,” says Archer. “I think it’s time to celebrate my victory. Who’s up for a drink or two?” He holds up the wad of cash he’d just won. “You’re welcome to join us, Lucas. You can drown your sorrows.”

“Thanks for the offer, mate, but I’ve got somewhere I need to be,” Lucas says. “Maybe next time–but it’ll be me buying the drinks.”

“In your dreams,” Archer jeers as Lucas walks away.

“He’s an interesting chap, that one,” Declan says. “Have any of you seen him before?”

“No.”

“Nope.”

“I thought everyone went to the Academy,” I say. “Even if he’s too old for school, I would have thought one of you would have recognised him from the years above you. Wonder where he comes from, then?”

“Not everyone can afford Academy fees,” Declan tells me. “And only the most academically gifted get scholarships. There’s a state school on the other side of town. He must have gone there.”

“Still, it’s weird he’s never been in a race before, don’t you think?” I persist.

“Maybe it’s taken him this long to save up for a bike worth riding,” Romy suggests. “If his family doesn’t have the money for the Academy, it’s not likely they’d have enough to buy a halfway decent bike. But why are you so bothered by someone who isn’t part of a House, Ivy? He’s not worth your energy.”

---