Page 24 of Crash Course

“So they looked almost…cozy.” I huff out a breath. “He’s worked in the garage at HQ for two decades, but he never let on that he knew Luca personally.”

Bree frowns. “Let me teach you about priorities. Finding out why your dad knows Luca Ashford.” She holds one hand flat at her waist. “Getting railed by the most beautiful guy you’ve ever met in real life.” The same hand shoots above her head.

I can’t stop the eye roll. “He does have an amazing smile,” I concede, heading for the door.

“All the better to eat you with!” she calls after me.

“Greatness isn’t built from the ground up, but on the shoulders of those who came before,” Luca Ashford intones from the stage.

In case we didn’t know it was Legacy Day at Ashford on Monday, the flying banners proclaiming it in ARI colors would clue us in. It feels less like a school and more like a medieval castle hosting a jousting tournament.

“If tradition is so important, it’s a wonder we aren’t still racing horses instead of cars?” Megan whispers to me as we stand a few rows deep in the massive crowd, along with Raj and Zane.

Going to Ashford these first few days has been a wild ride, but my new friends make it better. Raj is an eternal optimist who brings his electric scooter everywhere he can and a few places he shouldn’t.

Zane loves designer clothes almost as much as the novelty socks poking out above expensive loafers in class.

Megan’s love of cars is only rivaled by her obsession with K-pop. The lockers we have near the garage at the academy are for storing our books and gear, but hers is filled with posters of her favorite groups. From the way she talks about her siblings being the “good children,” I’m guessing she’s the black sheep of her family.

And by black sheep I mean rainbow sheep dipped in glitter.

“Dekker’s not here,” Raj notes. “The drivers always participate in Legacy Day,” he fills in for my benefit.

Navarro, the other ARI driver, who presumably still has a job, is standing offstage talking with execs wearing suits.

“He’s probably just sore about being fired.” Zane glances around.

My attention drifts to where Jameson and Theo flank their father onstage. Bookends, but hardly matching. Today, they’re both in suits. Jameson’s wearing a tie, Theo’s shirt is open at the collar.

Theo catches my eye and winks.

He does have an amazing smile.

All the better to eat you with.

Does that mean his mouth is good at everything? Hypothetically, of course. I chew on my lip like I’m pondering a serious scientific question as my gaze reluctantly lands on his brother.

If Theo is the golden retriever, Jameson is the black cat. Prickly, untouchable, beautiful in the way that icebergs and diamonds and other things that could kill you are beautiful.

Here’s hoping that he hasn’t noticed my handiwork from Friday. I’m not proud of what I did, but I was angry and the Porsche was right there. Perfect. Tempting.

“And in a few short months, we’ll be passing the torch to one worthy new driver,” Luca continues. “And, we have an exciting announcement. Our new driver…will be someone in this room.”

A buzz rips through the crowd and Theo cuts a look at his brother. He didn’t know. From this angle I can’t see Jameson’s face to gauge his reaction.

“ARI is sponsoring an exclusive three-race series.” Luca raises his voice to be heard over the exclamations. “The Challenger Championship is open to driver-track students at Ashford Academy holding a racing license. The top ten interested drivers based on lifetime F2 and F3 performance are eligible. Points will be totaled across the series and the winner will be offered a contract to drive for ARI starting next season.”

The buzz escalates to gasps, shrieks, and rapid-fire conversation as Luca explains the details. Three months of racing major venues across the country, to mimic the travel of F1 while keeping the focus stateside. The first in October, the second in November, and the final race in December.

What rocks the entire school though, as well as me and my friends, is the news that the new driver could be either Ashford son…or someone else entirely.

Luca waves his hands at the audience, and the noise diminishes slightly.

“Before our technical teams feel left out, ARI is also running a contest for an internship to work next year’s season on the grid. Engineering track students will have until the end of this semester to make your case for the internship.”

“How many spots are there?” a student calls from the crowd.

“One. A paid role, like everyone else on the grid.”