Chapter 2

I turned and walked toward my bike.

But Lina was already sitting on it, wearing a brand-new racing suit.

When she saw me coming, she seemed to suddenly remember I existed. She gave me a small, almost timid look.

"Nora, I'm sorry. But Lucas said — starting today, this bike is mine."

My head rang like a bell had gone off inside it. I spun around, grabbed Lucas by the collar, and yanked.

"What is this? You gave her my bike?! On what grounds?! That's MY bike — who gave you the right?!"

My eyes burned. I stared him down.

"I built that bike over six years!"

"Three hundred qualifying races. Broken bones. Hospital bills. That bike was born from every one of those nights — every hour I spent with the engineers tearing it apart and rebuilding it!"

"It's won five world championships with me. And it was the first thing you ever —"

I bit my lip and stopped myself.

Because that bike was more than a racing machine. It was the first motorcycle Lucas ever built with his own hands. It was the gift he gave me the day he asked me to be his.

I still remembered how he looked that day — pushing it out in front of me, cheks flushed, asking if I'd ride beside him all the way to the top.

He said, "Nora, racing is dangerous. Out there on the track, you face every second alone. I can't always be beside you — but I want this bike to be."

And now he was giving it away. Handing it to someone else like it meant nothing.

Lucas simply pried my fingers off his collar, his voice even and unmoved.

"That bike is registered under the team."

"All the modification costs went through team accounts."

"Didn't you just say you were done with the team? Done with me?"

"If you're leaving the team —"

"then you have no claim to team property. Why shouldn't I give it to a new rider?"

I stared at him. Something cold moved through me all at once.

Six years ago, when the team couldn't even afford to rent practice track, I was the one who poured every prize check back into it. I was the one grinding race after race, chasing sponsorships, keeping the whole operation alive.

All that money I had bled for — the moment it touched a team account, it stopped being mine.

I didn't even have the right to use it anymore.

Lina tugged carefully at Lucas's sleeve.

"Lucas, maybe just let it go."

"Nora's been with the team a long time. I'd feel terrible if all of this happened because of me."

Then she turned to me, voice soft.

"Nora, don't be upset with Lucas. The rally takes a real toll on your body, and you're thirty now — he's just worried you can't handle the strain anymore."

I heard every word.

And I laughed. Not because it was funny.

But Lucas had already turned away, crossing the floor toward Lina. "Let me fix your gear."

He crouched down, lifted her foot onto his knee, and adjusted her boot straps himself.

Lina's face went bright red. Her eyes kept drifting toward me, wide and innocent.

"Lucas, isn't this a little..."

Lucas gave a low, quiet laugh.

"There's nothing wrong with it."

"You're the most important person on this team today. Nobody else even comes close."

Each word landed like a slap.

The people around them closed in, filling the air with warm laughter, explaining the upcoming race — wind conditions, terrain, competitor profiles.

I stood exactly where I was. Not one person looked at me. Not one person had even thought to get me a comm earpiece.

What they'd left for me was a backup bike. An old model that had been retired the year before.

Everyone was waiting me out. Waiting for me to cave.

Because without team support, there was no way I could finish a rally race on my own.

I clenched my jaw so hard my nails nearly broke the skin of my palm.

Then my phone buzzed.

A message from the manager of the team in next paddock over.

"I heard everything. Nora — there will always be a place for you on my team."