Chapter Text
The night air at the racing circuit was thick with gasoline, heat, and adrenaline.
Rows of sport bikes and sleek cars lined the pits, their engines growling like restless beasts waiting to be unleashed.
Floodlights bathed the track in white glare, while the crowd buzzed with anticipation, music, and the sweet bite of alcohol and smoke.
But Aek wasn’t in the mood for any of it tonight.
He ripped off his helmet, tossed it onto the hood of his car, and cursed under his breath.
His jaw was set tight, his usually cocky smirk replaced with the kind of scowl that made mechanics scatter.
“Bad meeting?” Ton’s voice came from behind him.
His best friend leaned casually against a railing, a protein shake in hand like he wasn’t surrounded by screaming engines and half-drunk fans.
Aek shot him a look. “The client was a complete idiot.
Wanted to lecture me about branding—as if I don’t know how to run my own damn company.”
Ton raised an eyebrow.
“You did almost throw your water bottle at him.”
“He deserved it.”
“You can’t keep scaring off clients just because they don’t kiss your ass, Babe.”
Aek grunted, running a hand through his hair.
His temper was running hotter than his engine.
The meeting had been a mess, and now, being back at the circuit,
he could already feel the next irritation coming.
Like clockwork.
And right on cue, a smooth, mocking voice sliced through the air:
“Well, well. If it isn’t the prince of temper tantrums himself.”
Aek’s eyes snapped to the side.
Willy.
He was leaning against his car like it belonged in a luxury showroom instead of on a racetrack.
Hair perfectly styled, shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal the edge of his chest, a smug smile curling his lips.
He looked every bit the arrogant bastard he was—and every bit the man Babe hated most.
“Not in the mood, Willy,” Aek growled.
“Aw, you wound me.”
Willy clutched his chest in mock pain.
“I just came to say hi. Heard you had a little… business disaster today. Poor baby, did someone not bow low enough for your royal ego?”
Ton sighed, already rubbing his temples. “Here we go…”
Aek’s fists clenched. “Don’t test me tonight.”
But Willy didn’t stop. Of course he didn’t. He thrived on this.
“You know, for someone who talks so big about being on top—”
his gaze flicked pointedly toward Charlie, who was across the pit checking tire pressure on Aek’s bike,
“—you sure look like you’re losing your touch.”
That did it.
Aek shoved off the hood of his car,
closing the distance between them in a few angry strides.
“Say that again.”
Willy’s smile widened, sharp and cruel. “I said—”
“Enough!” Ton stepped between them before fists started flying.
His palms pressed against Aek’s chest, shoving him back slightly.
“Aek, don’t. He’s baiting you, like always.”
“He wants to start something? Fine, I’ll finish it.”
Ton groaned. “God, you’re both children.”
But Aek’s pride was a wildfire, and Willy knew exactly where to throw gasoline.
“Tell you what,” Willy said, pushing off his car, his eyes glinting like a predator spotting prey.
“Let’s make things interesting. A race. One-on-one. You and me.”
“That’s not happening,” Ton snapped before Aek could answer.
But Aek’s smirk had already returned.
“Finally something worth my time.”
Charlie, sensing the change in energy, hurried over.
His dark hair stuck to his forehead, sweat shining on his skin under the floodlights.
“What’s going on?”
he asked, his voice tight with worry.
Aek didn’t look at him. He was locked on Willy.
“Stakes?” Aek demanded.
Willy’s smile turned sinful. “Oh, I’ve got the perfect idea.”
He let his eyes wander over Charlie in a way that made Aek’s blood boil.
“If I win… I get a night with your sweet little boyfriend.”
The words hit like a punch.
Charlie froze, eyes widening. “What—what the hell did you just say?”
Ton’s face went pale. “Willy, that’s—no. Absolutely not. That’s disgusting.”
But Aek’s fury drowned out everything else.
He grabbed Willy by the collar, slamming him back against his car hard enough to set off the alarm.
“You bastard—”
Charlie rushed forward, tugging at Aek’s arm. “Stop it! Aek, don’t—”
Willy didn’t flinch.
He just laughed, low and taunting, even with Aek’s fist ready to smash into his jaw.
“Oh, I hit a nerve. Look at you—shaking with rage. Afraid you’ll lose him to someone who actually knows how to handle him?”
Charlie’s cheeks flushed red. “I’m not some… some prize for you two to fight over!”
“Damn right you’re not,” Aek growled.
He shoved Willy away roughly.
“Fine. You want a race? You’ve got it.
But when I win, you walk away.
For good. No more racing.
No more showing your face around here.”
Willy straightened his shirt, his smugness never wavering. “Done.”
“Aek—” Ton’s voice was sharp with warning.
“Think about what you’re saying. He’s one of the best racers here. And if you lose—”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t get to decide that!” Way shot back.
“This isn’t just about you, Aek! You’re gambling with Charlie like he’s—”
He stopped himself, shaking his head in frustration.
“You’re too hot-headed right now. Don’t do this.”
Charlie’s voice cracked as he grabbed Aek’s wrist.
“Please. Don’t. You don’t have to prove anything. Not to him.”
But Aek’s pride was already locked in place, solid and unshakable. His jaw was set, his eyes blazing.
“He doesn’t get to talk about you like that.
He doesn’t get to even look at you like that.
I’ll shut him up the only way he understands.”
Willy chuckled, clearly savoring every second of the chaos he’d caused. “I’ll be waiting, Aek.”
He slid into his car, revving the engine like punctuation.
“And when I win, I’ll take good care of him. Don’t worry.”
Charlie looked sick.
Ton looked furious. And Aek…
Aek looked like a man who had just dug himself into a hole so deep, no one could pull him out.
As Willy drove off toward the starting line,
Ton grabbed Aek by the shoulders and shook him.
“Listen to me. This isn’t business—you can’t negotiate your way out if it goes wrong.
This is Charlie’s dignity, his body, his life. You don’t get to risk that!”
Aek yanked free, eyes hard. “I already said yes.”
Charlie’s hand trembled as it clutched at his shirt. “And what if you lose?”
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them.
Then Aek leaned down, cupping Charlie’s face,
his thumb brushing across his cheek with a gentleness that clashed with the rage still burning in him.
“I won’t lose. Not when it comes to you.”
Charlie’s breath hitched. He wanted to believe him.
He wanted to trust him.
But deep in his gut, dread twisted like a knife.
And Ton, standing just a step behind, could already see the disaster coming.