Mia slid into the driver’s seat, still processing what had just happened.
She buckled her seatbelt and glanced sideways at Liam, a mix of curiosity and nerves on her face.
“You might be the most interesting guy I’ve seen all night,” she said.
“And yeah…
pretty easy on the eyes too.
What’s your name?” “Liam.” “Well, Liam…
I’m glad you got in the car.
Showing up to a race without a passenger?
That’s just embarrassing.” She smirked, but then her tone shifted slightly.
“But I should warn you…
I’ve got maybe a sixty percent chance of losing to Blackwood.
And if we lose, he’s not the type to let things go.” Liam looked straight ahead, calm and focused.
“A driver about to race can’t afford distractions.
If your head isn’t clear, you’ve already lost.” Mia blinked.
“…You actually know what you’re talking about?” “Just enough.” “…Alright then.” She tightened her grip on the wheel.
“So why do you think I can’t beat him?” “I never said you couldn’t.” Liam turned to her, his eyes sharp.
“Blackwood’s running a Ford Mustang GT350.
5.2-liter V8, pushing over 500 horsepower.
Manual transmission.
Zero to sixty in just over four seconds.” He tapped the dashboard lightly.
“This Chevy Nova?
5.3-liter V8, but barely pushing 350 horsepower.
On paper, he destroys you in straight-line speed.” Mia frowned.
“So what’s your point?” “I checked the route,” Liam said calmly.
“Twelve miles total.
One long straight, a V-shaped corner, two S-curves, and a ninety-degree turn.
With that layout…
raw horsepower isn’t everything.” Mia stared at him, stunned.
“Who are you, seriously?
How do you know all this?” Liam gave a faint smile.
“Someone who came here to feel speed.” “…You’re weird.” Outside, whistles pierced the air.
Six cars lined up at the starting mark.
The crowd pressed in tight, cheering, shouting, drinks raised high.
Two flag girls stepped forward, marking the lanes.
Engines roared to life.
The air vibrated with raw anticipation.
Liam glanced at Mia.
Sweat had already formed along her brow.
Her grip on the wheel was just a little too tight.
“First five miles are straight,” Liam said.
“Floor it.
No hesitation.” Mia nodded.
The whistle blew.
“Ready?” “Go!” The flags dropped.
Six cars launched forward like bullets, tearing into the night.
…
“Floor it.
Don’t lift.
Keep it straight.” Mia pressed the accelerator down hard.
The engine screamed as the car surged forward, the force pushing them back into their seats.
“Blackwood’s already three hundred yards ahead,” she said, panic creeping into her voice.
“It doesn’t matter.” Liam’s tone never changed.
His eyes quickly scanned the interior.
Beneath the passenger side dash, he spotted it — a polished nitrous oxide system.
A small smile flickered across his face.
Dom had taken care of this car.
Mia just didn’t know how to use it yet.
Suddenly, a red sports car shot past them on the left.
The driver, a curly-haired guy, swerved aggressively into their lane, cutting them off.
“He’s blocking us,” Mia snapped.
She jerked the wheel slightly left to overtake.
The red car mirrored her move instantly, sliding back into her path.
Liam’s gaze sharpened.
This wasn’t random.
The guy was clearly working with Blackwood.
Mia pushed harder.
The speedometer climbed.
140 miles per hour.
Even for street racing, that was pushing the edge.
Liam felt it clearly now — the difference between simulation and reality.
These racers weren’t amateurs.
Not even close.
“Stay steady,” he said quietly.
Then it happened.
Bang.
The Nova clipped the red car’s rear quarter panel.
The impact sent Mia’s car into a violent wobble.
The front end veered sharply toward the guardrail at full speed.
Mia panicked.
She yanked the wheel hard to the right.
In that instant, Liam moved.
His hand shot out, grabbing hers and stopping the motion cold.
“Don’t overcorrect!” His voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
“Off the gas.
No handbrake.
Slam the foot brake!” Tires screamed against the asphalt.
The car skidded forward, dragging across the road for nearly a hundred yards before finally grinding to a stop on the shoulder.
Mia sat there breathing heavily, her hands shaking.
The red car had continued ahead, disappearing into the distance.
“Damn it!” she cursed, slamming her palm against the wheel.
“They’re working together.
That bastard cut me off on purpose.” Liam stayed calm.
He looked at her steadily.
“Switch seats.” Mia turned to him, eyes wide.
“What?” “You heard me.
Switch.
I’m driving now.” For a second, she hesitated.
But something in Liam’s eyes — that unshakable confidence — made her move.
She unbuckled quickly and stepped out.
Liam did the same, and they swapped positions.
As soon as Liam settled into the driver’s seat and clicked his seatbelt, the engine was already rumbling beneath him.
He gripped the wheel, feeling the car’s power through his hands.
Mia barely had time to settle in before he shifted into gear.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded, still catching her breath.
Liam floored it.
The Nova launched forward once again, chasing the distant taillights ahead.