Chapter 63

Sebastian's POV

I wish school would never start up again. Maybe I should just drop out of school. Gregory already treats me like a creatin in the house I grew up in. Honestly, I don’t get why he even adopted me.

I’m reminded of our argument the day I left. The vile but true words I’d spewed all over that office. “You never had a wife to have a baby with, and you aways considered me to be the ‘pathetic excuse’ for a son. You can be rid of what you see me as for your responsibility!”

I’ve only known of a world with the two of us arguing and never once having another person there to take my side or assure I’d be okay.

But now there’s Evelyn. And her belief that I am worthy. I don’t have to be some businessman’s son. I can be the racer I’ve always wanted to be.

I have a race after the first week of school, so I spend every night preparing. Though this is also not imperative to win to go to the championships, I still want to do well.

If I want to prove to Gregory there’s more to me than what he can see, then the important thing is winning.

“You nervous?” Evelyn asks me as I open her car door at the track. My team and car are already inside.

“For the race?”

“Yeah. Win or not, it’s still your emotions that matter most.”

I close the door and take her hand in mine. I kiss her knuckles, which makes her giggle and blush behind her scarf.

“Right now, you are what matters most,” I wink. “Come on, let’s get in there before we freeze our butts off.”

“Yes, sir,” she salutes. I grab her by the middle, spinning her as she screams and laughs. This is what it’s like to be stupid in love? To always have your favorite person beside you, making your heart swell with acceptance.

When Evelyn’s back on the ground, I take her face in my hands. I kiss her softly, watching every feature on her face relax with my touch. This magical woman.

I get to take Evelyn into the cockpit with me this time, no William or Isabella working against me. The crew welcomes us in with smiles and claps on the back.

“It’s a great night for a race, boys,” I call out, everyone cheering.

“Can I get a headset for Evelyn here? I’d like her on the radio with us.”

I don’t see who tosses them, but a headset comes flying at us, where I catch it and wrap it around her neck. “I’d love to hear your sweet voice with all those idiots, but maybe during a practice instead of the real deal.”

She smiles at me, feeling the headset. “I’m okay with that.”

“You’ll hear everything I do out there. Any mistakes in turns, any accidents, or advice, Bobby and Mario will inform me through the devices.”

“And you’re sure I can’t just tell you that I love you and you’re a badass through the set?”

I smirk, kissing her forehead.

“I gotta get changed. You hang here with the guys, and I’ll see you in a few.”

The race starts off simple. Everyone mostly drives in the rows we’re put in, my car one of the top five.

When it’s time to make history, I slam down on the gas and whiz out and around my leaders.

“Let’s go.”

I manage to look at the pit twice when I drive by. Evelyn’s smile is wild and she’s cheering me on as I go. The other racers are no threat to me—they’re dealing with a goddamn professional.

“How we doing, Sebastian?” Bobby asks on his radio.

“Cruising for a bruising, Bob-o,” I reply, pulling the shift. “Seems like I’m the only one out here who’s even trying.”

“Well, don’t count your blessings yet. Plenty of laps left to do, and plenty of time for shit to hit the fan.”

I let out a laugh. “My positive outlook got you down?”

“Let’s get that lead foot out, Sebestian. Still work to do.”

I accelerate a bit more, pulling ahead over 100. The car is screaming as it continues going down the track.

My first pit stop finally rears its head. I’m low on gas and the tire pressure is stupid low now. “Bobby, I gotta come in. Get the buys ready so I can get back out there.”

“Ten-four.”

Evelyn runs over while the men get to work, staying out of the way.

“Having fun?” I can’t wink or make many other movements with this helmet on, but she nods enthusiastically.

“You’re doing great, baby.”

“Five seconds!”

I nod to Bobby and then, look back at my girlfriend. “I’ll see you later. Time to win a race.”

As soon as I feel the last tire placed, I step on the gas and push the car back out there, keeping up my pace to stay ahead of them all. Sorry, gentlemen.

This is Sebastian’s race.

To no one’s surprise, I race over that finish line with a clear win in my back pocket. The crowd is screaming, which is all drowned out by Evelyn’s jumping, cheering and clapping. Her happiness is contagious, and Mario, Jack, Joey and Bobby are all high fiving, screaming and cheering as well.

This is the rush I feel everytime my car drives over the finish line with a win in hand. It’s better than a drink or drug.

Not better than Evelyn, though.

I make it back into the pit and jump out of the car. The men clap me on the back, high-fiving and fist bumping. Evelyn, giving us our space, is still squealing.

I go up to her and grab her in a hug, though the gear makes it a bit uncomfortable.

“You were…” she’s shaking her head in wonderment. “It was like magic was coming to life in front of me.”

I pull away enough to see her face. “You are just…I love you, Princess.”

“I love you, too.”

We share another kiss, and I shudder with either delayed adrenaline, or just an overwhelming sense of love.

The crew and the spectators clear out quickly, and I go to the cockpit to collect Evelyn after I’m out of my outfit.

“Ready to go?” I call out as she sits on her phone.

“Yes! Well, actually, I gotta pee and I didn’t want you to worry about me. Be right back?”

I snort quietly. “Go, I’ll wait here.”

She kisses my cheek, then goes off in the direction of the women’s room.

I stretch out, checking my own notifications as I wait.

I get sucked in without meaning to, and ten minutes go by without me meaning to. I look up from my phone, narrowing my eyebrows. What’s taking Eve so long?

“Hey, you coming back anytime soon?” I text her. She’ll know it’s just a harmless joke, but when the message goes through, she reads it instantly. But no text bubble. No answer.

Curious, I send another. “Evelyn?”

The message is instantly read by her again. But I wait, seeing nothing come up on my screen.

Anxiety slaps me in the face, making me grab my bag and rush out to the lobby. No one is around—it’s eerily quiet. “Evelyn!” My voice echoes down the halls.

My feet rush toward the bathroom, a worry I normally don’t experience is creeping up my body. When the door is in sight, I push it open, not caring if one or two women believe I’m in there for a bad reason.

But when I get inside, there’s nothing. I smack open all the bathroom doors, looking around as if the bathroom could have a hidden wall or passage.

“Eve!” I scream out again, more worry rippling like a current inside and out.

My hands go to my head, pacing to think. What the hell is going on? Where’s Evelyn, and why is this happening?

My phone beeps in my hand, and I pull the device down to my eye-level. It’s from Evelyn, but it’s not written by her.

“Want her back? You’ll have to follow a few simple instructions.”

A location comes in next, which confuses me further.

I stare at the screen, willing it to give me more information. I don’t understand, what the fuck is happening, is this a whole prank?

Another message pops up.

“Better get moving, Sebastian. Evelyn doesn’t have much time.”

My back goes rigid. This is real.

I feel utterly sick. I have to go; I have to go now. I dash out of the building, hoping that whatever I find at this location doesn’t kill me.

Or worse. Kill Evelyn.