They get to the turn, and it looks like Aiden slows down a bit to make it while Ryan takes it fast, slightly spinning out into the field.
“What’s he doing?” Julian mutters to himself beside me.
“What? What’s he doing?” I ask nervously.
“Aiden always makes that drift perfectly. Why didn’t he drift this time?” he muses out loud, more to himself than as an answer to me.
The crowd roars and people start running toward the finish. Ryan recovers from slightly spinning out and shoots for the finish line, Aiden barely a foot behind him from not drifting the turn. I’m jumping up and down, unable to contain my anxiety. Charlotte, Annalisa, and I are all yelling for Aiden to win, but the guys are all calmly sharing a look, as if they figured something out that we didn’t.
About five seconds after the turn, the cars pass the finish line, the crowd cheering and yelling and booing. I stand there, completely stunned. Aiden lost.
My mind is unable to process what just happened. I jump off of the truck without a word to anyone and race over to where Aiden and Ryan are slowing down their cars and stopping. Other people are trying to crowd in as well, either to congratulate or yell about how that was complete bullshit. I shove my way through the people, not caring that I’m being totally rude, just knowing that I need to get to Aiden.
“Amelia!” Mason calls from behind me.
I turn my head but don’t stop moving through the crowd, and see the Boys, Charlotte, and Annalisa hot on my trail. We get to where the cars are parked and go right up to Aiden, who’s getting out of his car.
“Aiden.” I act instinctively and throw my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek to his chest and hugging him close.
“It’s okay. We can figure something out on how to make up for that two grand. I swear I’ll help you get it back. I’m so sorry you lost it because of me,” I rant, my heart heavy.
He stands there confused, but slowly puts his arms around me and holds me close.
“You know it’s not your fault,” he comforts me quietly.
“I still feel responsible,” I mutter.
“Trust me, you’re not.”
I see Julian looking at Aiden and sharing a knowing look. I wish I could see Aiden’s face but I’m too busy reveling in his warm embrace that I never want too—
Wait. I just threw myself at Aiden. In front of all our friends. Get a grip, Amelia!
I reluctantly but abruptly let go of Aiden and take an embarrassing few steps back. He probably thinks something’s wrong with me now. God, why do I always make such an ass out of myself in front of people who are important to me?
Aiden makes eye contact with Ryan, who’s standing beside his car surrounded by his friends and Kaitlyn and Makayla.
“Guess I put you in your place, you little bitch,” Ryan boasts, a victorious smirk on his face. He picks up Kaitlyn and laughs. “Now his little whore can do what she’s good at and spread her legs for money to make up for what he lost.”
Aiden takes an aggressive step forward with his hands clenched in fists, but Chase puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him, and gives him a small nod.
Jonesy chooses that time to come over and hand Ryan the two envelopes of two grand each.
“Congratulations,” he tells him.
“Yeah, congratulations on your win, Ryan,” Mason exaggerates.
Dave picks up on Mason’s sarcasm and gets defensive. “What? Why’d you say it like that?”
I can’t help but glare at Dave. If I wasn’t being held back by someone twice my size, I totally would’ve kicked his ass. If Luke didn’t come along—shit, Luke! Annalisa. I need to warn Annalisa about Luke before she sees him!
“It’s pretty obvious,” Noah answers Dave, looking bored of the whole conversation.
“What is?” one of Ryan’s friends asks.
Julian rolls his eyes. “Well, it’s obvious you only won because you messed with Aiden’s car.”
Ryan’s face turns red and contorts into a look of disbelief and rage. “I can beat that piece of shit without having to mess with his car!”