Page 134 of Adrenalina (The Rush World)

As I rejoin the race, I carry the weight of my team’s effort on my shoulders, fueled by their unwavering support. The pit stop was a calculated risk, a strategic move to gain an advantage close to the end of the race.

Now, with the taste of adrenaline still lingering on my lips, I push forward, knowing that every second counts.

“Ale’s ahead of you by a half of a second and Aoki is right behind you.”

I don’t respond, knowing that it would risk my focus.

The final laps are a blur of speed and precision. I run from Aoki, and I can taste victory on my tongue.

I don’t even realize it as the car pushes past the crowd at high speed. My gaze catches the checkered flag waving in the distance, and I squeeze every ounce of power from the engine.

The world around me blurs and I cross the finish line, the deafening cheers of the crowd drowning out all other sounds.

“Fuck yes!” I let out a triumphant yell, a release of pure elation.

I take a moment to savor the taste of success before my thoughts turn to the next race, the next challenge.

But those thoughts never come. They only focus on Vio.

How am I going to break up with Marrisa and when?

Am I even going to do it?

Do I have it in me to break up with her?

But most of all, why the fuck am I thinking about them when I just won the first race of the year?

When I win, most of the time I think of Ale’s defeated face and how I can tease that I won. Or the thrill of being on the podium spraying champagne all over my fellow drivers.

But no, all I can think about is how I can’t be with Vio.

The Formula One world is relentless, and I don’t know if it’s my main focus anymore.

I pull up to the winner’s area after the race. My front wing hits the plastic stand that has a big one on the front. It’s situated in the middle of the three cars that pull up right next to me, filling in the second and third place spots.

As I step out of the car, my body is buzzing with euphoria, but I’m caught off guard by the sight of a blond-headed girl, Vio, darting through the crowd toward me.

Her radiant smile and the way her eyes light up as she approaches fill me with both joy and yearning.

But my heart sinks as I notice my girlfriend, Marrisa, standing nearby, her eyes fixed on us. Before I can react, Vio reaches me and throws her arms around me in a tight, exhilarating embrace.

The warmth of her presence envelops my being, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. I feel a rush of conflicting emotions—excitement and longing mixed with the guilt of harboring romantic feelings for her. Feelings we both feel for each other.

Those feelings are quickly taken over by her joy at my win.

But at this moment, the adrenaline of the race and the intensity of our connection overshadow everything else.

As I hold Vio in my arms, I steal a quick glance at Marrisa.

Her expression reveals a mixture of surprise, hurt, and confusion.

My heart aches at the thought of the pain I may have caused her, and that’s when I know she knows. Because the realization that spreads across her features becomes evident.

Then I notice the cameras.

Fuck, if this were any other situation where I wasn’t with Marrisa, I would parade Vio from the rooftops. But that’s not what this is, and the media is going to go into a frenzy.

Vio pulls away, her eyes sparkling with pride and a touch of vulnerability. “You were incredible out there!” she exclaims, her voice filled with admiration. “I knew you could do it!”

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