A race to your heart (Zarry AU)

23.- Tantrum 🏁

Zayn's POV

As the racing season continued its relentless pace, we found ourselves caught in a whirlwind of victories and rivalries. But the weight of his words during the afterparty settled heavily on my shoulders. I knew that the time would come when I would have to make a decision when I would have to choose between the stability and safety of Nicky and the fiery, all-consuming love I had for Harry. But for now, I was stuck in the middle, trying to navigate the treacherous path I had laid out for myself, knowing that no matter what I chose, someone would end up getting hurt.

After the last Grand Prix that marked another triumph for the Ferrari team and another chapter in our relationship. From stolen moments in hotel suites to covert messages exchanged in secrecy, our connection deepened with each passing day.

As we stood on the podium our eyes met, conveying a silent understanding that transcended the roar of the crowd.

Harry couldn't say the words that he wanted the most at that moment, so he kissed his tattooed heart over his tracksuit like he said he would. I saw the token of his love and my heart fluttered.

"Congrats, mate!" I said, approaching him and as I hugged him tight, I whispered: "I love you too, babe," into his ear, making him grin. His smile was one of my favorite things in this world.

After the post-race celebration, I noticed Harry changed his demeanor and he was uneasy, a product of watching me interact with Nicky. I knew that he was filled with a sense of resentment and insecurity. Everything was fine between us until reality hit or my life happened.

I was going to spend the next couple of weeks with her, we talked about it and he seemed fine with it. Now, I was sensing he wasn't.

Later in the evening, I was about to take a private flight with Nicky headed to New York when my phone rang.

"I'll be back in a minute, babe," I said to Nicole who was sitting next to me and went to the back of the plane to answer the unexpected call.

"Hello," I said lowly.

"Are you serious that we're not going to be together until Brazil?" Harry let out over the phone.

"Harry, please. We talked about this. I'm... about to take off," I said running my hand over my hair. I could feel an argument coming in.

"Come on, baby. That's a lot of time without feeling you. I miss you, I just wanted to be with you today and celebrate together. As we always do. Please," Harry said.

I wanted to be with him too.

"Babe, please. I... can't this time. We had an... agreement. You understand, don't you?" I whispered against my phone.

"No, I don't," Harry said.

I was caught off guard by Harry's sudden intensity and hesitated before responding, I didn't know what to say.

"Zayn, is she more important than me?" Harry asked and his voice was laced with a hint of jealousy as he confronted me.

"What? Harry... She's my girlfriend, you know that. Babe, please, you know my feelings for you are different," I tried to explain as I watched Nicky waiting for me to instruct the pilot to take off.

"I don't like sharing you anymore, Zayn. You belong with me, not with her," he continued.

I was torn between my feelings for him and my obligations to my fiancee and family, felt the weight of the decision bearing down on me.

"I can't do this now, please can we talk la...," I whispered.

"Don't bother," Harry said in the middle of my pleading hanging up.