Racing Rivals, Racing Hearts ☆ [Diego Brando x Reader]

The Horseshoe (4)

After a rigorous training session, you found herself at The Horseshoe, the horse-themed restaurant where you were to meet Diego Brando for lunch. As you entered the establishment, the familiar aroma of hay and leather greeted you, reminding you of the equestrian world you inhabited. The atmosphere was lively, with patrons discussing races and sharing tales of triumph and defeat.

Spotting Diego at a corner table, you made your way over, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. You couldn't deny the lingering awkwardness that had settled between the both of you since the initial encounter at the training ground.

Diego, ever confident, gazed over as you approached. "I was thinking you weren't going to make it," he greeted with a genuine smile playing on his lips. You smiled softly as you took a seat across from him, "I apologize, I got a bit caught up."

Your gaze meeting Diego's as you replied, "Thank you for the invitation. But let's make one thing clear, this isn't a date."

Diego chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "No worries, Y/N. I'm well aware of that. This is simply an opportunity for us to talk, share insights, and perhaps establish a healthier rivalry outside of the racing world."

His words resonated with you, even if a part of you remained cautious. You recognized the value of expanding this connection beyond the confines of competition. It was an opportunity to see each other as more than just adversaries, to understand the person behind the fierce competitor.

Throughout the lunch, conversation flowed easily between you and Diego. As you both ate lightly, discussions included racing techniques, training regimes, and even shared anecdotes from races. The topic of you or Diego's pasts, however, remained off-limits. You both understood that trust needed to be earned and that revealing too much too soon could be detrimental to your competitive pursuits.

Diego's confidence was evident as he spoke, his passion for racing and his belief in his abilities were shining through. He was quite the cocky one, just as you once were back in your prime racing years. You found yourself both captivated and challenged by his personality. His charisma was undeniable, drawing you further into the complexities of this newfound alliance.

As you neared the end of the meal, Diego's expression took on a more thoughtful demeanor. "Y/N, there's something I wanted to discuss with you," he began, his voice earnest. "I have an event to attend in the city tonight, and I was thinking..."

You raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Thinking what?"

Diego continued, his words measured. "Well, it's a rather fancy event, and I believe appearances matter. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us if you accompanied me."

Your surprise was evident, and a moment of hesitation passed before you responded. "Accompany you? Why?"

Diego leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "Y/N, it's an important step to ensure a healthy rivalry. By being seen together outside the racing world, we can challenge the notion that our competition is solely defined by the racetrack. Plus, it will give us more time to get to know each other and perhaps strengthen our bond."

You considered his proposition, your mind weighing the potential risks and rewards. While the idea of attending a fancy event with Diego was intriguing, you couldn't shake the underlying suspicion that his motives may not be entirely selfless. Yet, the opportunity to spend time together in a different context held its own allure.

Taking a deep breath, you finally nodded. "Alright, Brando. I'll go with you. But let me make one thing clear—this doesn't change our rivalry. Trust is still something we need to earn, and we'll continue to compete fiercely on the racetrack."

Diego smiled, a mix of gratitude and determination in his eyes. "Of course, Y/N. Our rivalry remains intact. But perhaps, through this experience, we can discover a healthier way to coexist both as competitors and as individuals."

You nodded, "We'll see, when's this event?"

"Tonight"

"Tonight?!" Your eyes widen a bit at the short notice.

"The idea of you coming with me didn't appear until I saw you at the training grounds today." Diego said with a smirk plastered on his face.

You sighed and shook it off, luckily you have lots of fancy outfits on deck.

———

As you both left the restaurant and went separate ways. you couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the evening ahead. You knew that the event would be a test of not only both of you and Diego's ability to navigate social settings together but also the ability to find common ground beyond the shared passion for racing.

Little did you know that this evening would mark a turning point in this relationship, forging a bond that transcended the racetrack and allowing the opportunity for you and Diego to explore the depths of this rivalry and the shared aspirations.

☆☆☆