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THE FINAL RACE OF THE SEASON

Charlie Amor: Welcome back to Formula 1 and the race that we’ve all been waiting for. Tonight, Formula 1 might have a brand new champion.

Geoff Askew: [laughs] You’re absolutely right. Everyone has been waiting to see these two racers battle it out. I think we all know what direction this is going, but I’m not going to say it. Not yet. Not when anything could happen. Just like last season, there are a couple of possible winners here.

Charlie: What I will say is that this has been one of the most enjoyable seasons of Formula 1 we’ve had in a very long time. In spite of everything happening off the track, and the very public trial and sentencing of former racer Lars Bachman, the racing has been incredible.

Geoff: The lights are about to go out down on the track. Let’s take a look and see the final start of this incredible season.

“Three laps to go.”

I smiled and glanced at the car in my wing mirror. “Any final words of wisdom?”

He laughed, joy leaking through the bond he usually kept silent during races. “No, love. Nothing. Enjoy this. Just drive.”

I did exactly that. The curves and straights felt easy. The car and I were one and the same. This was absolutely fucking perfect. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

Coming around the final corner and seeing nothing but track and the checkered flag in front of me, I grinned. “River,” I said. “I know you’re not listening, but you’ll hear it later. This one’s for you, baby.”

I crossed the line in first place.

Fireworks exploded above the track, and they were for me .

I didn’t give a shit about the radio as I screamed, throwing my fists into the air in victory.

Grayson’s voice was in my ear, smile evident. “Vanessa Lennon, you are a Formula 1 World Champion.”

Happy tears made it hard to slow down and take the final lap, but I did it, pulling into the P-1 slot in the pit lane. The whole team waited, and I jumped into their arms over the fence, celebrating with them. It wasn’t just me. Paragon had won too. I won. We won.

River pulled me off my feet and spun me around, our helmets bumping against each other. He’d taken second. In this race and in the championship. We’d fought each other and fucked it out, and every damn day we came back to each other.

Suddenly Beck and Grayson were there, Elias following behind them, and we were a mass of limbs and kisses and celebrations. This was really happening, right? This was real?

“It’s real, little one.” Grayson had to speak directly in my ear. “You did it.” I clung to him as he kissed me, and he spoke again. “He would be so fucking proud of you.”

The mention of my grandfather didn’t bring as much pain now. Instead, I kept smiling because it was true. “He is proud.”

“And so am I.”

The podium was a blur I would never forget. Adrenaline zinged through me and everything shone. The crowd was screaming for me, signs and flags and Paragon colors everywhere.

I hoisted the trophy in the air, soaking in the fireworks and confetti and the national anthem as it played. Fuck. I did it.

I did it .

Looking up, I pointed to the sky and mouthed thank you . Grandpa was here cheering with me, and I knew it.

As soon as the ceremony was over other people flooded the platform. Annika and Ronan, still together and happy. Aran, clapping me on the shoulder with a grin. He’d done amazing this season, and Paragon was a much happier place with teammates who got along. The crew and everyone else who wanted to be there, everything evolving into a party with the music still pounding through the speakers.

Elias held up his phone, showing me a photo of his brother with a Paragon banner cheering from home. His parents still hadn’t budged, but Edward was great. We’d turned him into a fan. Elias pulled me close and kissed my cheek while snapping a picture to send back.

“You better have more for me than a kiss on the cheek.”

“I have whatever you want, beautiful.” I yelped and laughed as he dipped me back and kissed me, cameras flashing all around us. Fuck. Yes.

Beck stole me, his purr rumbling beneath the sheer noise. He pressed my back against his chest, running his lips over my bite with a growl.

“You have something planned for later?”

“If you even have to ask…” he spoke in my ear. “You’re ours, Omega. We’re flying straight home and are going to fucking celebrate .”

I pushed my hips back into his. “Can we start on the plane?”

“Love, we’re starting before we even leave the ground.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

His growl had me shivering even though my cheeks hurt from smiling. “You know I don’t.”

River appeared in front of me and looked at Grayson. “Gray?”

Gray nodded and Beck stepped away. Then River looked at me and took my hands. “I have something to tell you.”

I looked at him, and he smirked at my sudden wariness. “You better not be giving me bad news right now, River Daniels.”

“I don’t know. I think it’s pretty good news.”

“Oh?” My hands landed on his chest as he yanked me forward. The fact that he was still smiling kept me smiling. I burst into a laugh. “What is it?”

He kissed me hard, our lips slipping over each other because of our smiles. “Ready to have me as a teammate?” He asked.

“ What? ”

“Signed the papers this morning. Aran and I are switching.”

I jumped up and down, unable to contain the happiness bubbling up. When I looked at Grayson, he nodded, confirming. “ Fuck yes! ” I screamed. “And you better believe I’m not going to let you win. You want this trophy back? You’ll have to fight for it.”

River pulled our foreheads together, kissing me one more time. “Bring it on, baby. Bring it on.”

The End.