Heart and Track

-5-

☆꧁༒Holden Lev Collahan༒꧂☆

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The engine roared as I pushed the limits of my Formula 1 car, the track blurring into a tunnel of speed and adrenaline. This was my sanctuary, my escape from the relentless scrutiny of the outside world. Here, behind the wheel, I could forget about the scandal, the media, and the pressure that had been suffocating me for the past few months.

As I crossed the finish line, I eased up on the throttle and coasted into the pit lane. My team surrounded me, congratulating me on a solid practice run, but their smiles felt hollow. They knew, just as well as I did, that the real race wasn't on the track but in the court of public opinion.

I stepped out of the car and removed my helmet, wiping the sweat from my brow. My manager, Scott, approached me, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Good run, Holden," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "But we need to talk."

I nodded, following him to a quiet corner of the garage. Scott had been with me since the beginning of my career, and I trusted him implicitly. He handed me a tablet, the screen filled with the latest headlines.

"Formula 1 Star Holden Lev Collahan Accused of Abuse by Former Girlfriend."

I clenched my jaw, the familiar surge of anger and frustration rising within me. The accusations were false, but the damage was already done. The media had latched onto the story like vultures, dissecting every aspect of my personal life and turning me into a villain.

"I didn't do it, Scott," I said, my voice tight. "You know that. In fact, I didn't even in any relationship for the past three months,"

"I know, Holden," he replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "But the court of public opinion doesn't care about the truth. We need to find a way to turn this around."

I leaned against the wall, running a hand through my hair. The scandal had erupted out of nowhere, blindsiding me and leaving my reputation in tatters. It started with a former fling—someone I barely knew—going to the tabloids with a fabricated story about how I had mistreated her. The allegations were lurid, sensational, and completely untrue, but they were enough to ignite a firestorm.

My sponsors were getting nervous, and some had already pulled out. The fans were divided, with many quick to believe the worst. And through it all, I felt like I was drowning, unable to control the narrative. 

"I guess you saw the news huh? I never thought your ex will be that crazy," My cousin, Aviel said. He is like my older brother and he knows all of that is not right. 

I looked up as Aviel approached, his face a mix of concern and frustration. He clapped me on the back, trying to offer some comfort. "Yeah, I saw it," I said, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "I never imagined things would spiral out of control like this."

Aviel flashed a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, if anyone can handle a media circus, it's you. You've got nerves of steel, right? Just think of it as another high-speed chase—except this time, you're racing against headlines instead of other drivers."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his attempt to inject some humor into the situation. "Yeah, if only I had a car that could outrun gossip."

raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "A new bar, huh? You know you're speaking my language, Aviel."