Page 30

Theo

“Are we all set?” I call, my voice echoing through the garage. It’s Saturday, and the official start of summer, as far as I’m concerned. Yesterday was Levi’s last day of school. His baseball season is over, and today, we’re piling into the fastest car I own and heading up to the Napa Valley Raceway for an event Rhys has organized for EnergiFusion. The sun is just rising, casting long shadows on the ground and hinting at the fun ahead.

“Ready!” Levi shouts, bouncing with excitement. His eyes are wide, and he can barely stay still as we pack up the car. His energy makes me smile. My friends and I need this. Today isn’t about being sad or worried. It’s about fast cars and fun. Rhys wants it to become an annual racing event.

We pull out of the parking garage, heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Its tall cables stretch into the sky, glowing in the golden morning light. Behind us, the City fades away. Soon, the highway fills with shiny, powerful cars—sports cars, muscle cars, and everything in between. It’s more than just car lovers showing off. This is a big event, packed with people from tech companies, racing fans, and thrill seekers.

“Are all these people going where we’re going?” Levi asks.

“I think a lot of them are,” I tell him. “And you can thank your sister for that.”

Mackenzie sits beside me, a smirk on her face. “I may have helped spread the word,” she says. “But once people heard Rhys had the track, they all wanted in.”

I laugh. She’s great at this, turning a simple plan into something huge with just a few phone calls. And she runs these events seamlessly.

As we reach the Napa Valley Raceway, Levi’s almost jumping out of his seat, grinning from ear to ear.

And honestly? I feel it too. That wild, fun feeling that anything can happen. No past, no worries. Just the road ahead.

As I navigate around to pull into the center of the track, Levi’s eyes go wide. “Look at all these cars!” There are at least two hundred vehicles parked here, even some spec cars you’d usually only find in Detroit or on exhibition somewhere.

A woman with a clipboard approaches. “And your name?”

I tell her, and she looks at her form. “Great. You’ll be in heats three, seven, and nine. The best three times in your heat will move on to compete in later races. Your start time is two-oh-five. Warm-ups start at eleven.”

“Can I ride with you?” Levi tugs on my sleeve.

Across the roof of the car, Mackenzie meets my eyes. There’s something in her look, a quiet reminder, maybe a little warning. My chest tightens, but I nod. She’s right. Today, safety comes first.

“Hey, buddy.” I crouch down to Levi’s level. “You can ride with me for a warmup lap, okay? But during the race, you’ll have to cheer from the sidelines.”

His shoulders sag for a second, but then that spark returns. “Okay. But we can drive other times, right? Like, a lot?”

I grin. “Absolutely.”

Just like that, he lights up again. It’s one of those moments I wish I could freeze, bottle up, and keep forever.

We walk through the center of the track to check out all the cars. Rhys has gone all out. White tents flap gently in the breeze, shading long tables loaded with Kansas City’s best—Jack Stack’s Barbecue. The smoky smell fills the air, warm and rich, drawing people in like a magnet. They must’ve started cooking last night.

“Smells amazing, doesn’t it?” Mackenzie takes a deep inhale.

“Rhys pulled out all the stops.” I look around. He’s always loved making a statement, but this is next level.

Across the way, Levi moves from one car to the next. He sits in the driver’s seat of several of the fancy cars and loves it. He’s soaking it all in.

“He’s going to remember this forever,” Mackenzie says, watching him.

“Me too,” I say. Even with the questions, the worry, the weight of everything we’re still trying to figure out between us—today feels good, like a preview of what could be between us.

I follow Levi as he darts between rows of gleaming cars. Eventually, the first vehicles line up for some practice rounds around the track—shiny, powerful, and ready to roar.

“Look at this one!” he shouts, pointing to a sleek, dark car that looks like it was made from storm clouds. “It’s a BYT from China. Holy cow!”

“Bet that one could fly,” I say, watching as his imagination takes over. He grips an invisible steering wheel, swerving left and right, caught up in his own high-speed fantasy.

I just watch him, soaking in his joy. Nearby, Mackenzie circles us with her phone, snapping photos. “What are those for?”

“Me.” She grins.

I pull her close and ask Levi to take our picture.

“Say cheese!”

“Cheese,” we both repeat. And I squeeze her tight.

When my time slot arrives, we make our way back to my car, and with my co-pilot beside me, we get into position for our warmup turn on the track.

I turn to Levi, and we fist bump. “Ready?”

“Go!” he yells, and the black and white checkered flag is waved.

We wind around the course, and I’m too scared to take the car over one-hundred miles per hour. I won’t win today, but doing this—really letting go on a course made for fast cars—is still a pure dose of adrenaline.

When we cross the finish line, Rhys comes over. “Man, you were the slowest on the track so far.”

I shrug. “I had company with me,” I say, gesturing to Levi. “But I’m good. Just holding back for my heats.”

Rhys nods. “You’re slick!” He grabs my arm as I get out of the car. “Come on.”

I bring Mackenzie and Levi with me, and the crowd starts to gather as Rhys steps up onto a makeshift stage. His presence alone quiets the noise. He surveys the sea of faces—friends, coworkers, fellow car lovers from across Silicon Valley.

“Thanks for coming out today!” he says, greeting the crowd. “This isn’t just about fast cars and great food, though we’ve got plenty of both.” Laughter ripples. “We’re here to celebrate a milestone, one million EnergiFusion EV batteries powering the future!”

Cheers explode around us, almost as loud as the engines. People pump their fists and shout, swept up in the pride of what we’ve built.

“Let’s hear it for a greener planet and faster cars!” Rhys says, raising his fist.

The crowd responds with even louder applause, and I look down at Levi. His eyes are wide, his smile stretched across his face.

“In the practice heats, we have Cameron Newsome running the fastest in his Bugatti at one minute, thirteen seconds.”

The crowd cheers.

“And for the slowest heat, we have my business partner Theo Reed in his Aston Martin at two-minutes, forty-two seconds. Don’t be fooled, everyone. Theo had a young passenger during warmups, and he was driving like a grandmother. Because I know that car tops out at two-hundred-twenty miles an hour. And how do I know that? I’ve been in the car when he’s done it.”

Everyone is laughing. All I can do is shrug and smile.

Rhys steps back from the mic, and then Jeff Gordon, the legendary race car driver, takes the stage. His easy grin glints in the sun, reflected off the polished chrome of the cars lined up like warriors at the starting line.

“All right, folks,” he calls. “Check the race board. Know which heats you’re in. And remember, this is for fun. No bumping. No reckless moves. Let’s keep it clean.”

That gets a chuckle from the audience. This race, at least for most of us, is just about getting our cars out and seeing how fast they can go. No one wants a scratch on anything.

Rhys steps back up, his voice warm with pride. “And let’s not forget, Jeff is here on behalf of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation. All of the ticket proceeds are being donated, but if you’d like to give more, every donation helps children facing serious illnesses.”

Levi glances from Jeff to the donation booth near the pits. I can see the shift in his expression, the way he tries to process something heavier than speed and shiny cars.

As the first heat kicks off, everything shifts into motion. Engines growl, tires squeal, and the wind rushes past as cars tear down the track.

“Did you see that?” Levi yells, bouncing on his toes as a sleek EV pulls off a bold move.

“I did!” I shout back, swept up in the moment. I’ve been to more races than I can count, but through Levi’s eyes, it feels brand new, like falling in love with the sport all over again.

Between heats, we pile our plates high with Jack Stack’s barbecue. The brisket is tender, falling apart at the touch of my fork. Levi attacks a rib, barbecue sauce streaking his cheek as he tells Mackenzie every detail of the last lap, hands flying. He doesn’t even notice the mess.

She laughs, shaking her head as she wipes Levi’s face with a napkin. “You should be a commentator, Levi,” she teases. “You’ve got the energy for it.”

“I just might,” he says proudly between bites, puffing out his chest like he’s won something.

Time seems to fly past, and though I drive a little faster in my actual races and manage a respectable finish, hanging out with Levi and Mackenzie is more of a thrill to me than anything on the track today. Soon, the day is racing toward dusk, and the sun stretches golden across the grass.

“Best day ever!” Levi exclaims, his face glowing with happiness.

And for once, I don’t try to downplay it. Because he’s right. Today has been a lot of fun.

Later, the hum of the engine fades as I pull into the parking garage at home. I glance in the rearview mirror, and Levi’s out cold, slumped in his seat, mouth slightly open.

I step out quietly and open the back door, unbuckling him slowly, careful not to wake him. He stirs a little, his head nestling against my shoulder as I lift him up.

“We’re home,” I whisper.

He mumbles something, soft and sleepy. “Th-Theo?”

“Shh, it’s okay, buddy,” I say. “You can go back to sleep.”

“Today was…funnest day ever,” he slurs.

I let out a quiet laugh. “Me too, kiddo.” He won’t remember this, but I will.

Mackenzie opens the door for me, and the house is calm and dim inside, just one hallway light glowing. I push open Levi’s bedroom door with my foot and ease him onto the bed. He sighs and curls into the blankets. Mackenzie tucks him in, lingering for a moment. Then she comes to stand next to me. Levi has no idea how much of my heart he holds, how much he’s changed me.

We step out, closing the door with barely a sound. And suddenly, I feel it all, everything the day held. Not just the exhaustion, but the kind of ache that comes with knowing something was real and beautiful, and it’s already slipping into memory.

Then I turn, and Mackenzie is there.

She stands in the soft light of the hallway, her eyes meeting mine with an understanding that doesn’t need words. There’s something between us, something heavy yet electric, something we’ve been circling around for too long. She reaches out, her fingers brushing mine, and the touch sends a charge through me.

“Stay with me,” she says, her voice hushed but sure.

I exhale, the simple request unraveling something inside me. I don’t want to leave, not tonight, and maybe not ever. Could it be that she wants that too?

“Okay,” I breathe, and she’s in my arms.

Our kiss ignites a fire deep in my belly. There’s no hesitation, no second-guessing, just raw need, months—maybe years—of restraint burning away in an instant. We move together, hands fisting in fabric, bodies pressing close as we stumble toward her bedroom, urgency thick between us.

The world outside ceases to exist, the grief and the weight of everything dissolving into the heat of her skin against mine.

We’re suddenly naked in her bed, my cock in my hand. “Are you good with this?” I ask.

The corners of her mouth curl up. “Give me all you’ve got!”

I push in hard, and she groans, which only turns me on more.

She matches me, movement for movement, her fingers digging into my back, her breath coming in quick, uneven bursts that fuel my desire. I murmur her name against her skin, and she arches into me, lost in the moment, in us.

And when the storm crests, we’re left tangled in the aftermath, our breathing slowing. I pull her close, anchoring her to me. “Today was a lot of fun.” I kiss the top of her head. “I could see your fingerprints all over the event.”

“I was one of many.” Mackenzie’s hands drift across my chest, slow and gentle. Her touch steadies me. I breathe in the soft scent of lavender and the familiar comfort that is uniquely her.

“Thank you,” I whisper into the darkness.