Heart and Track

-9-

☆꧁༒Holden Lev Collahan༒꧂☆

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 Today was a good session. My times are improving, and the car feels perfect. As I pull into the pit lane and step out of the car, I see my cousin Aviel waiting for me, a grin plastered across his face.

"Hey, man. Great session today," he says, clapping me on the back.

"Thanks, Av. Felt good out there," I reply, stripping off my helmet and gloves.

We make our way to the team's lounge area, grabbing a couple of cold drinks from the fridge. "So, what's the plan for tonight?" Aviel asks, leaning back on the couch.

I take a long sip of my drink, pondering. "I was thinking we could hit up that new bar downtown. Heard it's pretty lively."

Aviel raises an eyebrow. "And what about Louisa? You two seemed pretty cozy at the gala."

I shrug, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Louisa's easy. It's all part of the act, remember? She's just playing her role."

Aviel's expression darkens slightly. "Easy, huh? That's kind of harsh, don't you think?"

I roll my eyes, not wanting to get into a debate. "Come on, man. You know how these things work. It's a fake relationship for the media. No big deal."

Aviel shakes his head, but a small smile plays on his lips. "Alright, whatever you say. So, the bar it is?"

"Yeah, let's go have some fun. Could use a distraction. There'll be plenty of girls there," I say, trying to shift the conversation away from Louisa.

As we head to the bar, I can't shake the nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Louisa's face keeps popping up, her smile, the way her eyes light up when she's happy. But I push those thoughts aside. Tonight is about unwinding and having a good time.

The bar is packed when we arrive. Music blares from the speakers, and the place is buzzing with energy. We make our way to the bar, ordering a couple of drinks. As we lean against the counter, I scan the room, taking in the scene.

"There," I nod towards a group of girls laughing and chatting near the dance floor. "Let's go see if they're up for some fun."

Aviel chuckles, shaking his head. "You never change, do you?"

"Why would I?" I shoot back with a grin.

We grab our drinks and head towards the dance floor, weaving through the throngs of people. The pulsating lights and pounding music make it feel like the whole place is alive, throbbing with an electric energy. As we get closer to the group of girls, I put on my most charming smile.

"Hey, ladies," I say, raising my glass in a toast. "Mind if we join you?"

One of the girls, a blonde with bright red lipstick, looks up and grins. "Sure, the more the merrier!" she shouts over the music.

We slide into their circle, and before long, we're all laughing and dancing. Aviel, true to form, is making everyone laugh with his goofy antics. He's always been good at breaking the ice, and tonight is no exception. The girls are flirty and eager for attention, and I find myself enjoying the carefree atmosphere. It's easy to forget about the pressures of racing and the complications of my "relationship" with Louisa.

As the night goes on, I dance, drink, and laugh, losing myself in the moment. But every now and then, a pang of guilt hits me. I try to ignore it, telling myself that this is what I need, that Louisa is just part of the job.

But deep down, I know it's more complicated than that. I can't deny the connection I felt with her, the way she made me feel. And as much as I try to push those thoughts away, they keep creeping back in.

By the time we leave the bar, I'm exhausted but not entirely satisfied. Aviel notices my mood and gives me a knowing look. "Had fun?"

"Yeah," I lie, forcing a smile. "It was a good night."

But as I drive home, I can't help but think about Louisa and what this all means. For the first time, I start to question if this arrangement is as simple as I've been telling myself. And if it's not, what does that mean for us?

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The next morning, I wake up with a pounding headache. The night at the bar was fun, but the aftermath is always a bit rough. As I stumble out of bed and head to the kitchen for some coffee, my phone buzzes with a message from my sister, Charlotte.

Charlotte: We need to talk. Dad's pissed. Come home now.

Great. Just what I need. I quickly down a cup of coffee and head out, my mind racing with what could have set Dad off this time. When I arrive at my parents' house, the tension is palpable. Charlotte is waiting for me in the living room, her arms crossed and a worried look on her face.

"Hey, Char. What's going on?" I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.

"Holden, Dad's really angry. He found out about last night," she says, her voice laced with concern.

I groan inwardly. Of course, he did. "Okay, let's get this over with."

We walk into Dad's study, where he's sitting behind his desk, his expression a mix of anger and disappointment. He doesn't even wait for me to sit down before he starts.

"Holden, where were you last night?" he demands, his voice harsh.

I sigh, leaning against the doorframe. "I went out with Aviel. We hit up a bar downtown."

"And what about Louisa? You're supposed to be in a relationship with her, not gallivanting around with random girls," he snaps.

"It's just an act, Dad. You know that," I retort, frustration bubbling up inside me.

"An act that could very well destroy your career if you're not careful!" he shouts, slamming his hand on the desk. "Do you have any idea how close you came to losing everything the last time?"

I feel a pang of guilt as memories of the past resurface. The scandal, the media frenzy, the near-collapse of my career. I glance at Charlotte, who looks just as distressed.

"Dad, it was just one night. I needed to blow off some steam," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Blow off some steam? Do you think the sponsors will see it that way? Do you think the media will give you a break?" His voice is dangerously low now. "You've been given a second chance, Holden. Don't throw it away."

Charlotte steps forward, her voice calm but firm. "Dad, yelling isn't going to help. Let's talk about this rationally."

He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm down. "Alright, but this behavior cannot continue. You need to be more careful, especially now with the relationship angle. The media is watching your every move."

I nod, knowing he's right but hating the feeling of being controlled. "I'll be more careful. I promise."

Dad looks at me, his expression softening slightly. "We just want what's best for you, Holden. You're incredibly talented, but talent alone won't keep you at the top. You need to be smart about your actions."

Charlotte steps closer, putting a hand on my shoulder. "We care about you, Holden. We want to see you succeed."

I sigh, feeling the weight of their concern. "I know. I'll do better."

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Short chapter but I hope you all enjoy!