Chapter 86 86.Good luck
Tabitha’s POV
Reed practically drags me towards the car at this point. It’s like he can’t stand the sight of me talking with Andrew for another second.
“I’ll fetch you at the same time tomorrow, Tabi!” Evelyn screams waves cheerily.
I glance back at her and nod. “Sure, thank you!” I say and let Reed completely usher me out of there.
Evren opens the door of the car for me, and I hop into the passenger seat beside Jace. While Evren takes the front seat. Gerald drives off while Luca and Reed follow closely on their bikes, engines purring as we leave the paddock behind.
At home, Mom greets us warmly at the door. “Did you all have fun today?”
“I did,” I say with a small smile. “It was amazing.” I brush past her to head upstairs to my room, bidding her goodbye along the way. Once inside, I collapse onto my bed and reach for my phone.
I replay the video I recorded during the race. The first half looks clear, but when it reaches Luca’s near-accident, the video shakes. That’s the moment I almost had a heart attack.
Evren’s voice cuts through the clip. “Shh…If you’re going to record them, at least do it properly. Luca will be alright, and I’m sure he’d appreciate a clearer shot of him after this race.”
I can still feel his light touch on my hand from that moment. Luca and Reed glide across the track in a blur of green and red. They race through the tracks so effortlessly. In the background, Evelyn, Elsie, and Melanie cheer loudly for their brothers.
“Go, Rhett!”
“Arthurrrrr!”
The video picks up everyone else’s cheering and Jace cursing at some of the riders, but nothing from me. A bitter realization simmers in my gut. Damn, I actually didn’t cheer for them. Not even once!
Fine, they can be jerks, sometimes. But they still deserved to be cheered on. I need to do something about it.
That’s why the next day, I decide to do the closest thing to cheering I can manage. I choose my outfit carefully, making sure it reflects my support. I slip into a fitted green-and-red dress patterned with lush leaf designs, the colors rich enough to echo Luca and Reed racing suits. It’s one of the clothes I bought when I shopped with Evelyn and Jace the other day. The bodice hugs my shape, while the skirt flows loosely around my legs. It’s light and airy enough for the tropical heat. The fabric sways easily with every step, and with enough movement to catch the breeze just right. I pair it with black sandals, a small woven bag with soft faux fur, and I add sunglasses and black earrings to complete the look. Green for Luca, red for Reed—my own silent cheer.
Evelyn arrives later in the afternoon to fetch me just like yesterday. Once we arrive, we wander through the food stalls once again, picking up snacks before heading to the VIP viewing deck. Jace and Evren are already there, and Melanie and Elsie join us.
I notice Evren mid-conversation with Melanie who is lightly slapping his chest as if he said something funny, though his face remains expressionless. They look pretty close. And so damn compatible.
I avert my gaze, refusing to let my thoughts wander.
“Shall we go down first to say good luck to your brothers before the race?” Evelyn asks which gets all of our attention.
Elsie nods. “I’m in,” she says. Jace shrugs and follows along.
We make our way to the pit boxes. While the other girls walk to their brothers, I, along with Jace and Evren, walk toward Luca and Reed’s side. Their mechanics are performing final tune-ups on their motorcycles. Luca’s eyes immediately flick to me.
“Here to cheer for us, sweetheart?” he teases.
I feel my cheeks heat and glance at him awkwardly.
“I… I thought a little support might help,” I mumble, waving my hands toward them.
Reed’s gaze rakes me from head to toe, a knowing smile creeping across his lips. “Now look at that. Did you dress prettily for us?”
My face turns bright red.
Luca’s eyes widen with delight when he realizes what I am wearing.
“Our little cheerleader. I never thought you could wear red and green without looking like a Christmas elf.”
“If you don’t like it, I can always change. Maybe blue… or orange instead,” I say, glancing at Andrew talking to one of his crew members and Arthur chatting with his sister.
Luca laughs, shaking his head. “Don’t be such a brat, sweetheart. That outfit suits you perfectly. Our colors suit you perfectly.”
I purse my lips to stop myself from smiling. Good.
“If you dressed to tease, it’s working.” Reed smirks, leaning closer.
I look around to check the other people around us and they are all engrossed with their own inch closer to Reed and whisper, “Stop being such a flirt.”
“Can’t help it if you came all the way here looking so cute and supportive.”
Jace chuckles softly beside him, and I can’t help but smile.
Eventually, we return to the VIP deck, but not before I also give Andrew a quick wave.
“Good luck!”
He smiles at me. “Thanks, Tabi,” he says, giving a thumbs-up before returning to his crew.
I finish my snacks as we wait for a couple more minutes before the race finally starts. Jace pesters me and demands my chilli fries, so give it to him. I also offer Evren the last stick of my takoyaki when I realize that I’m already full, which he gladly takes.
“Good afternoon, folks! Today, we begin another historic race that will mark the fifth tropical thunder circuit here in Kaelara island,” The announcer’s voice booms through the speakers.
“This is it! It’s starting!” Evelyn says giddily.
“Yesterday’s qualifying was all about speed. Riders had twenty minutes to set their fastest lap in round one and fifteen minutes for round two. One quick lap made all the difference and pushed them to go flat out for everything they had,” the announcer thunders which gets the crowd all hyped up, “but today’s race is different. The goal is to cover a set distance of one-hundred kilometers, which equals twenty laps around this track. Riders need to pace themselves, manage their bikes, and race smart for the entire distance. Stamina, strategy, and skill will decide the winner. This is where mental focus and endurance are everything. This time, there will be no pit stops. Grit and determination will crown this year’s Tropical Thunder Circuit King.”
No pit stops? No wonder all the mechanics of every player were going crazy earlier.
“Are you ready to witness greatness?” the announcer asks and the crowd goes wild in answer.
I clutch my hands together and whisper some prayers as the riders put on their helmets. But before Reed pulls down his visor, I notice him glancing up at the VIP deck. Our eyes meet, and he winks.
“If I win this race, you better give me a kiss, princess,” I hear in my mind.
He pulls the visor down. I feel my cheeks heat, and Jace snickers beside me as if he heard the same thing.
Flirts!
Evelyn nudges me. “Are you okay? Your face is red.”
“I… I’m fine,” I stammer, pressing my hand to my chest.
I scold Reed silently for making me blush and myself for not knowing how to use the mindlink properly to retort back. It shouldn’t just be one-way communication from them!
I glance at the track as the top ten riders rev their engines. The championship race has begun.