Page 47 of Speed Crush

Noah’s gaze snaps to mine with a loaded question. "You think downforce is sexy?"

I blink. "Don't push your luck, Noah. I find competence attractive. Could have been anyone explaining particle physics."

He smiles. "Funny, I don't see you blushing when Scott explains fire extinguisher mechanics."

“Hey, hey!” Scott cuts in. “That’s because fire extinguishers are boring. And downforce is basically invisible magic. Even I know that’s hotter.”

Laughter bubbles around the table—but Noah doesn’t laugh.

His gaze drifts back to me, warmer now. Quieter.

“You handled the chaos better than I did,” he says. “Especially during the crash. You didn’t even blink. Just… took control.”

I feel the flush crawl up the back of my neck. I hate how much I like his praise.

“That’s just classroom training,” I mumble, brushing it off even though it lands like a direct hit.

What unsettles me isn’t just how much I want him physically. It’s how much I like him noticing me. The way he saw things during the camp that others missed—my competence, not just my curves. How he slides the ketchup before I even reach for it, like he's already learning my rhythms after just days of knowing me.

It feels dangerous, being seen this clearly by someone this famous and this temporary.

Tara returns to our booth with our food before I can embarrass myself. "So, Verelli, staying in town? Camp's over. You could finally take that vacation everyone keeps asking about."

Noah's eyes don't leave mine. "I’m staying in town. I've got… sim training."

My breath catches… am I the unspoken reason? A flicker of hope rises before I can stop it—wild, irrational. I shove it down fast. I can’t afford to believe in something fleeting.

Levi raises his mug. “You’ve got full run of that sim anytime you want. And if you’re up for doing this again next year, Cedar Falls would be lucky to have you.”

Later – Mega Max Velocity Park Garage

The garage is quiet. Cold. Smells like rubber, metal and memories I don’t know what to do with.

I thought I'd grab a few things, maybe clean up the wiring on Kart Twelve.

Quick in, quick out. I wasn’t expecting Noah to be here but I should’ve known.

I catch a glimpse of him—phone in hand, scrolling through photos of the kids from camp.

When he notices me, he slips the phone away, but not before I see the slight smile on his face. Despite everything, he genuinely cared about those kids.

“I didn’t think anyone else would be here,” I gush.

“Levi said you were dropping paperwork.”

Then his expression shifts, and the soft moment vanishes. “I waited.”

That short-circuits something in my brain. “You... waited?”

“I figured you’d want to check Kart Twelve. After the hit yesterday.”

Right. Kart Twelve. Very important. Totally what my brain is focused on right now.

“I’m just here for the parts replacement forms.” I lie.

My voice wobbles. “For my dad’s shop.”

"It's in the office." His voice is low. "I'll walk with you."

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