Page 83 of Hyperspeed
Rev sat frozen, wide-eyed, the luminous lines on his skin cycling through every colour in the spectrum. When our gazes met, the stars in his eyes swirled as if they were on the brink of colliding, ready to spark a cosmic explosion. His expression was a storm of awe, disbelief, and terror, like he couldn’t believe it washisname they’d called.
He needed something to ground him, and he stared at me like I was the only solid thing in his world right now. I didn’t hesitate, circling the table to reach his chair. I held out my hand, and his trembling fingers curled around mine. With a soft tug, I helped him stand and drew him against my chest. He rested his head against my shoulder, exhaling rapid puffs of air against my neck.
People were staring, but I didn’t care. Let them think whatever they wanted, because the only thing that mattered was Rev, and he could take all the time he needed.
I dipped my head and whispered in his ear. “You’ve got this, little comet.”
“Promise?” There was a tremble in his voice, the kind that only comes when someone is trusting you with the softest part of themselves.
Whatever defences I had left around Rev dissolved in that moment.
“I promise.”
He swallowed, throat clicking, and nodded once. Then he straightened up and pulled his shoulders back, his face transforming into his usual mask of composure before my eyes.
He left the cradle of my arms, but before he walked away, he squeezed my hand in a silent thank you. The only trace of nerves was in his tail, which lashed once, twice, then curled around his thigh as if to hold itself still.
He climbed the steps to the stage and shook the hands of Denise and Lunvara before accepting the award. Stepping up to the microphone, he kept his eyes down towards the empty dance floor.
“Thank you,” he began, his quiet voice projecting across the room. “I didn’t expect to receive this award—or any award. I never would’ve made it to the league without the team taking a chance on me.”
He glanced up at Tavoris and Zylo. “I wouldn’t be here without Tavoris, and I wouldn’t be half the driver I am without Zylo.”
Zylo beamed and brushed a tear from his cheek, while Saelix rubbed circles on his back. Tavoris’s eyes were glassy, and he reached for his wife’s hand, smiling proudly at Rev.
“Because of who I am—whatI am—I’ve been called a lot of things in my life. Freak. Weirdo. Reckless.” His eyes flicked to me, mouth twitching as he fought a smile. “But certain people in the league made me better, even when I refused to admit it. Thanks to them, I no longer feel like an intruder, a fresh-faced rookie terrified of making a mistake.”
His skin shimmered a brilliant shade of purple, like the deep glow of an amethyst. “Thanks to them, I feel brave.”
And then he smiled.
Wide, heartfelt, and unfiltered.
It was so beautiful, so pure, that my heart skipped a beat. I exhaled when he looked away, realising I’d been holding my breath.
“And yeah, I race for me, but I also race for the Iskari. I race for those who others have marginalised and made to feel like outsiders. Every time I step onto the track, I carry my people with me. Their hopes. Their fire. Their strength.” He turned the award over in his hands. “This win isn’t just mine. It’s ours.”
Everyone clapped as Rev descended from the stage.
But he didn’t return to the table. The sound of roaring applause followed him through the doors into the lobby.
I didn’t think; I just moved.
Jax called my name, but the growing distance between us drowned out his words. The party was still going, but none of it mattered. I had somewhere else to be. Someone to be with.
I found Rev in a shadowed hallway, eyes closed, breathing deeply as he leaned against the wall. Hiding his breakdown in the comfort and safety of his own company.
And I realised . . . I didn’t want Rev to be alone.
But more than that, I wanted to make sure he never felt that way again.
Feeling Hot Under the Helmet
Kai
“Rev?”
He didn’t move, didn’t open his eyes. If it weren’t for the way his chest continued to rise and fall, I’d have thought Rev was a mannequin. He clutched the award to his abdomen, knuckles blanched. Sharp crystal edges dug into his skin, and it had to be painful, but it was like he couldn’t feel it.
