Page 67 of That Summer

The flag dropped green and the final seven laps were exactly what Lucas hoped to see. Nate fought to hold onto the lead, and it had the fans cheering and hollering.

It was difficult to not watch the race. His focus shifted between the track and Aurora. Between her gasps and twitches, the race was impossible to watch. Yet there was some seriously excellent racing going on that he needed to watch for himself. He’d been witness to Marissa’s aggressive driving firsthand, but seeing it from the stands was nerve-wracking. The distance between cars impossibly close. Truly, the fans were going to be pleased with this fantastic night of racing.

The white flag flew—the final lap—and Aurora sat on the edge of her seat. He reached out and gently pulled her back as she blocked his view. Nate just had to hang onto first for four more turns. Three turns. Two turns. Final turn.

Aurora screamed with untold joy as Nate crossed the line, the checkered flag his.

“Let’s go down,” he said, nodding toward the crash fence where the top three drivers parked.

They raced down the grandstand and stood at the fence. He pushed her closer to Nate and stepped back. Her nervousness obvious as she unrolled her poster with shaking hands and placed it up against the metal.

In the background, the announcer babbled on with the third and second place winners but Lucas only had eyes for Aurora, who only had eyes for his big brother. Nate sat on the edge of his car window, his helmet gently placed on the roof, lest he scratch it. He wasn’t focused on the crowds, but rather down the line toward Marissa.

You’re looking in the wrong direction, butthead.

As the announcer walked over to Nate, he hopped out of his car. Beside him, Aurora lifted the poster higher against the chain-link fence. She smiled with nervous tension above it. His heart hammered in his ears, drowning out the gathering crowd.

The announcer asked, “So how was the race for you?”

Nate held the mic. “It was good. I was a little nervous that Marissa would take me out at one point.”

He laughed as he pointed toward her, giving her a friendly wave.

Way to be cool, ass.

“But it’s all good. It’s the spirit of the game, right?” Continuing on, he thanked his competitors for making the sport fun, and his sponsors for making it possible.

The announcer handed him the first place trophy.

Next to him, Aurora took a deep breath. Lucas ran his hand over her back.

Nate held his prize, and words failed to escape him.

LOOK OVER HERE!

His eyes darted between Nate and Aurora.

“Thank you,” Nate said after the announcer gave him a small nudge. “I have an announcement to make, and tonight’s win makes it even harder.”

The trophy twisted in his hands.

“Tonight’s race is my–” As he glanced around the stands, he stopped searching when he saw her. He stepped forward, read the poster and roved his eyes upwards. “What the hell?” He was unaware of the mic in his hand, and the fact that it was still broadcasting. The air was electric. “Aurora?”

Him calling her name was like an arrow shot through Lucas’ heart.

“Seriously?” Nate’s voice held shock and untold joy.

Lucas put his hand on her shoulder, and whispered, “Go to him.”

The crowd beside her stepped back. He pushed her towards the open gate where the guard with the goofy grin stood.

Nate met her at the wall. “You’re here. You’re really here.”

She nodded and stepped over to the edge of the wall.

“How?”

“Lots and lots of practicing.”