Page 98 of Crash Course

Engines roar as the dozen cars lunge forward. Theo has a better start, but Jameson’s right behind him.

They go into the first turn, a steep one and out of sight.

On the huge screen, Jameson hangs on Theo’s tail. The third and fourth cars are tucked neatly behind, stalking them.

“It looks good,” Megan says.

It’s Jameson’s impeccable driving plus the tweaks we made to the setup to suit him. Theo’s no slouch either, enjoying the rare lead and putting in impressive corners.

In a lap, Jameson’s almost in a position to pass Theo.

“He’s catching up,” I breathe.

Jameson sets up to pass, but Theo covers the inside.

My hand squeezes Megan’s. Raj and Zane are behind us.

“Come on,” I say.

“Don’t count out Knox,” Raj warns.

Another few laps and I feel the first drop on my face.

Megan lifts her palm, testing. We exchange a look.

“Fuck,” I swear, my stomach plummeting as more drops find my skin. “Rain’s starting.”

“Who’s coming in for tires first?” Raj asks.

“Jameson and Theo are both staying out.”

Jameson ducks past Theo in an incredible move. My heart is galloping in my chest.

Theo takes it back.

My gaze flicks to the screens. “They have to pit,” I say. Different tires will give them enough grip to keep fighting.

“They’re not.”

I’m not thinking about our argument. I’m thinking about how slippery the road is, how good Jameson is, how even the best driver in the world might defy physics but he can’t rewrite it entirely.

I’m remembering Jameson’s eyes, the urgency in them.

I won’t let you lose.

“It’s raining harder.”

“Back off,” I mutter to Jameson. “Get your tires and come back at him after.”

They’re neck and neck down the backstretch.

Jameson tries again, this time a riskier move. But Theo attacks aggressively.

Neither of them backs out.

“They have to brake.” Megan’s voice is a tight whisper.

“Jameson will,” I say with more confidence than I feel.