Racing Hearts

Chapter 10: [Flashback] A Night to Remember

[Flashback] – The Party with the Racers

It had been hours since the race ended, and the adrenaline was still coursing through Serena’s veins. She wasn’t usually one for fast-paced events like this, but there was something about the sound of engines, the smell of burnt rubber, and the sheer intensity of it all that had captivated her in a way she hadn’t expected. Even now, as she and Nicole made their way to an after-party, the excitement hadn’t faded.

Nicole had been the one to suggest they go. Well, more like insist. After all, how could they say no to an invite from one of the racers? It might have been an invite from her close friend, but Serena is not interested in this kinds. But it is a day she trusted her friend enough to follow her lead. Nicole seemed to know her way around this world, and Serena was just along for the ride.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Serena asked as they walked toward the venue, a sleek, upscale club just outside the city.

Nicole shot her a look, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Are you kidding? This is the perfect idea. How often do you get to party with professional racers?”

Serena laughed, shaking her head. “You’re right. I guess I just didn’t expect my weekend to turn out like this.”

Nicole linked her arm through Serena’s and grinned. “Well, get used to it. This is going to be fun.”

The club was packed by the time they arrived. The pulsing beat of the music hit them as soon as they walked through the doors, the flashing lights illuminating the dance floor where people swayed and moved in rhythm. It was the kind of place Serena had always felt a bit out of place in—loud, chaotic, and full of people she didn’t know. But Nicole thrived in environments like this, and Serena trusted her friend to keep things light and fun.

They made their way to a section of the club where a group of people—presumably the racers—were gathered. Serena recognized a few faces from earlier that day, but the majority were strangers. Still, everyone seemed friendly enough, and it wasn’t long before Nicole was introducing them to the group.

One of the racers, a guy with messy brown hair and a playful grin, handed Serena a drink and winked. “Welcome to the crew. Hope you’re ready for a wild night.”

Serena smiled politely, though her nerves were still buzzing. “Thanks. I’ll do my best.”

Nicole, meanwhile, was already chatting up another racer, her bubbly personality drawing people in like a magnet. Serena watched as her friend laughed and flirted, completely in her element. It was hard not to admire how effortlessly Nicole fit into this world.

“First time at a race?” the messy-haired racer asked, leaning against the bar beside her.

“Is it that obvious?” Serena asked with a self-conscious laugh.

“A little,” he admitted, smiling. “But it’s cool. We all had a first time at some point.”

Serena took a sip of her drink, trying to relax. “Yeah, my friend dragged me here. She’s the real racing fan.”

“And what about you?” he asked. “Are you a fan now?”

Serena thought about the race, about the way Elioth had driven, the way her heart had raced watching him. She didn’t want to admit it, but something about the whole experience had gotten under her skin. “I guess you could say I’m… intrigued.”

“That’s how it starts,” he said with a wink. “Next thing you know, you’ll be at every race, screaming your head off for your favorite driver.”

Serena laughed, though she wasn’t so sure that would happen. She was still trying to process everything from today—the race, the thrill of it all, and of course, that brief, almost electric moment when Elioth had looked right at her.

“Hey!” Nicole’s voice cut through Serena’s thoughts as she bounded over, grabbing Serena’s arm. “You’ll never guess what happened!”

“What?” Serena asked, amused by Nicole’s excitement.

“We got invited to hang out with the racers in the VIP section!” Nicole said, practically jumping up and down.

Serena blinked, surprised. “Wait, what? How?”

Nicole grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “One of the guys I was talking to said we should come chill with them. Apparently, they liked us.”

“Liked you,” Serena corrected, though she couldn’t deny the thrill of being included.

Nicole waved off the comment. “Details, details. Come on! It’ll be fun. Besides, our friend is there also!”

Serena hesitated for a moment, glancing around the crowded club. The idea of mingling with professional racers—especially after everything that had happened today—was a little intimidating. But then again, wasn’t this exactly the kind of adventure Nicole had promised?

“All right,” Serena said with a small smile. “Let’s go.”

Nicole beamed and led the way toward the VIP section, where a group of racers was gathered around a private table. The area was slightly elevated, offering a perfect view of the dance floor below. As they approached, Serena felt her stomach flutter with nerves. She wasn’t used to being in the spotlight like this, and the idea of mingling with people who lived such fast-paced, glamorous lives felt surreal.

When they reached the group, one of the racers—a tall guy with tattoos running down his arms—greeted them with a nod. “Hey, you made it.”

Nicole wasted no time slipping into the conversation, her natural charm taking over as she introduced herself and Serena to the group. Serena stayed back for a moment, scanning the faces of the racers. Most of them looked like they were having the time of their lives, laughing and talking animatedly. But then, her eyes landed on a familiar figure.

Elioth Zephyr Draegon.

He was sitting at the far end of the table, his expression calm and unreadable as he sipped his drink. Unlike the others, he didn’t seem to be part of the loud conversation. Instead, he watched the room with a quiet intensity, like he was observing everything around him without fully engaging.

For a moment, Serena froze. She hadn’t expected to see him here—at least not so soon. But there he was, looking just as magnetic as he had during the race, if not more so. His presence was undeniable, even in a crowded room like this.

“Serena!” Nicole’s voice jolted her back to reality. “Come sit with us!”

Serena nodded and followed Nicole to the table, her heart pounding in her chest as she took a seat. She tried to focus on the conversation around her, but her attention kept drifting back to Elioth. There was something about him that made it impossible to look away, something that made the rest of the room fade into the background.

As the night went on, Serena found herself stealing glances at him, trying to figure out what it was that made him so captivating. He wasn’t like the other racers, who were loud and boisterous, relishing the attention. Elioth seemed more reserved, more… controlled. And yet, there was a quiet intensity about him, something that hinted at deeper layers beneath the surface.

At one point, their eyes met across the table, and Serena felt her breath catch in her throat. There it was again—that same electric connection she had felt at the race. It was brief, just a flicker of recognition, but it was enough to send a jolt of adrenaline through her system.

Elioth raised an eyebrow, as if acknowledging the unspoken tension between them. But before Serena could process it, he was pulled back into a conversation with one of the other racers.

“Having fun?” Nicole whispered, leaning in with a grin.

Serena nodded, though her mind was elsewhere. “Yeah. This is… different.”

Nicole laughed. “Different is good. Besides, I think you’ve caught someone’s attention.”

Serena’s eyes widened. “What? No, I haven’t.”

Nicole shot her a knowing look. “Please. You think I didn’t notice the way Elioth’s been looking at you?”

Serena felt her cheeks heat up. “He’s not—”

“Oh, he definitely is,” Nicole said with a smirk. “And honestly? I’m here for it.”

Serena bit her lip, trying to play it cool. “I don’t even know him.”

Nicole waved her off. “Details. The point is, he’s interested. And if I were you, I’d see where this goes.”

Serena wasn’t so sure. Elioth Draegon was a world-famous racer, someone who lived in a completely different reality from hers. But at the same time, she couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward him—the magnetic connection that seemed to spark every time their eyes met.

As the night wore on, Serena found herself thinking more and more about Elioth. Maybe Nicole was right. Maybe there was something there, something worth exploring. But as she sat in the middle of the crowded club, surrounded by racers and flashing lights, she couldn’t shake the feeling that getting involved with someone like him could change everything.

And for someone like Serena, who had always preferred the slow, steady path, that thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

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xoxo