Page 53 of You, Me, and Lucky Number 13

But I don’t panic. I know what this is. Who this is or rather who did this.

Fucking Chad. The bastard sabotaged my car.

I wrestle for control, every muscle screaming. Rage and determination war in my head.

Then I see her. Lola. Running towards me, fear etched on her face. But when she speaks, it’s steady as bedrock.

“Cole, you’ve got this,” she says, voice cutting through the chaos. Her faith in me is a physical thing, pushing me forward.

“I’m not done yet,” I growl. It’s more than just words. It’s a fucking promise.

The Viper is dying. Engine choking, wheels slipping. But that finish line is right there. It’s so close I can taste it.

I push harder than I ever have. Car screaming in protest, tires howling out a pathetic cry. We’re chaos in motion, me and this machine.

And then… we’re across. A wave of triumph crashes over me, drowning out the roaring crowd, my team’s cheers, and everything but the fire in Lola’s eyes. They’re a beacon offering me refuge in this storm.

I limp into the pit lane, the Viper sputtering her last breath. My legs are jelly as I climb out, lungs burning, every nerve raw.

Lola’s there in an instant, pulling me close. Her warmth, her scent—it’s home.

“You did it,” she whispers, pride and something deeper in her eyes. “You won.”

We came so close to losing it all.

“Wedid it,” I rasp, gripping her hand like a lifeline. “Wewon.”

The world fades away. It’s just us. I’ve always loved her, even when I was too blind to see it, even when I fought against it. She’s not just my partner, my inspiration. She’s the missing piece. The one who makes me whole.

I hold her close, knowing one thing for certain: Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.

I’m about to pull Lola in for a kiss when a commotion erupts behind us. Security guards are swarming, their voices raised. My body tenses, instinctively pulling Lola closer, keeping her safely in my arms.

“What the hell?” I mutter, scanning the chaos.

Then I see him. Chadwick, limping but closing in fast, his face twisted with rage. He’s shoving past officials, making a beeline straight for us.

“You think this is over, Lawson?” he snarls, close enough now that I can see the vein pulsing in his forehead. “You haven’t won shit! There’s still one more race in the season.”

I can practically smell the crazy pouring off him as I push Lola behind me. “Back off, Tane. It’s done. I keep coming out on top and plan to win the whole thing.”

He laughs, a harsh, bitter sound. “Done? I’m just getting started. You think I don’t have proof? That I can’t bring your whole world crashing down?”

My fists clench, every muscle coiled tight. “You’ve got nothing.”

“I’ve got everything!” he spits. “Your old man’s dirty deals, your own little ‘accidents’ on the track. How long before Lola here sees you for what you really are?”

I feel Lola stiffen behind me, but her hand on my arm is steady. Grounding me.

“Cole,” she says, her voice low and firm. “Don’t.”

I want to. God, I want to shut his mouth permanently. But I force myself to breathe, to think.

“You’re pathetic, Chad,” I say, my voice ice-cold. “You lost. On the track and off it. Walk away while you still can.”

For a second, I think he might actually throw a punch. His whole body trembles with barely contained fury.

But then security’s there, grabbing his arms and pulling him back. He doesn’t go quietly.

---