The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 352

Liora’s POV

The abandoned parking lot was situated on the edge of campus. It was the kind of place that the campus security guards wouldn’t notice us using for illegal activities; or at least, by the time they did hear the noise and got here, the race would be over and we would already be gone.

It was really just a cracked stretch of asphalt with weeds pushing through the gaps and a chain-link fence sagging on one side. Hardly a proper lot for racing in. But right now, with the bright white of headlights cutting through the darkness and a crowd of students packed along the edges, all chattering excitedly amongst themselves, it almost felt like I was at the real racetrack again.

Almost, but not quite. Because the stakes were much higher here than they had been at the track. At least back then, all I had to offer up was a bit of cash and not a night spent with a guy who I couldn’t decide if I loved or hated.

I stood near the front of the crowd with Mia at my side and my jacket zipped up against the cold. My breath came out in little white puffs. Somewhere behind us, music was playing from someone's car with a heavy bass that I felt in my chest. The noise did nothing to quell my nerves, but at least no one would think that I was shaking from anxiety and not from the cold.

“Okay. So.” Mia pulled her sleeves down over her hands and looked up at me. “Who do you think is gonna win?”

“Zane,” I said without hesitation.

“You sound pretty confident about that.”

“He’s been racing for years, Mia.”

She tilted her head as she gnawed on her thumbnail. “Callum seems pretty determined, though.”

“Determination is nice, but it’s not always enough to win races.” I shifted my weight, tucking my hands into my pockets and feeling the folded edge of the list brush against my fingers. I’d forgotten it was still in there. “Zane will win, though. I’m sure of it. If I beat Callum twice before, then Zane certainly can.”

I said it firmly, because I needed it to be true. If Zane won, this whole circus was over. Callum would have no choice but to leave me alone and stop asking me out. Then, I could finally move on for once.

At least, that was what I had been telling myself since this afternoon, when I had initially agreed to the whole stupid arrangement in the first place. It was a lot easier to think about it this way rather than the alternative.

Both cars were lined up at the makeshift starting line someone had marked with a strip of orange tape. Zane’s car was sleek and low to the ground, the kind of car that looked fast just sitting still.

Callum’s was darker, a little wider and rougher around the edges, and he was leaning against the driver’s side door with his arms folded across his chest, talking to no one. His gaze found mine right away.

I looked away and scanned the crowd. It was then that I spotted a familiar pink tracksuit at the edge of the other end of the parking lot. Bianca.

She was standing on the far edge of the crowd, watching everything. Her arms were folded and her face was unreadable. She wasn’t looking at Callum, nor was she looking at Zane.

She was looking directly at me with a piercing gaze. And the worst part about it was that she didn’t even seem angry or conniving or any of her usual moods. She was just… staring at me like she could see right through me.

I looked away first, pretending I hadn’t noticed, and turned my attention back to the cars.

Zane had climbed into his car. Callum was doing the same, pulling the door shut. One of the school cheerleaders moved between the cars, holding up a large checkered handkerchief that she waved in the air. All of the guys in the crowd whistled and cheered.

Mia pressed closer to my side. “I’m a little nervous,” she admitted.

“Don’t be.” I offered her what I hoped was an encouraging smile and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Zane won’t get hurt.”

She shot me a look that said she didn’t buy that, but she didn’t push it. I kept my eyes on the starting line.

At the very last second, Callum’s car pushed forward. Just by a few inches. But enough to win him the race.

“Dammit.”

I cursed under my breath as the crowd went wild. Mia looked up at me, but I didn’t look at her. All I could do was stare in shock and disbelief and frustration as the cars slowed and Callum climbed out first. His eyes found mine right away despite the crowd. I swore he was smirking at me.

Wordlessly, he walked around to the passenger side of his car, never breaking eye contact, and opened it.

The crowd parted. Everyone looked at me, waiting for my next move.

I sighed and walked over. Zane met me halfway. He was breathless, but smiling, clearly still hopped up on adrenaline despite his loss.

“Do I have to?” I whispered as we passed by each other.

Zane smirked and shrugged one shoulder. “You agreed to the terms, Princess.”

I rolled my eyes, but I knew he was right. I’d made my bed, and now it was time to lie in it. With Callum. Right in front of everyone, and while Bianca was watching and likely plotting my demise, no less.

Finally, I walked over to Callum. He smiled at me.

“Don’t worry,” he said, opening the car door a little wider. “I’ve got a great restaurant in mind.”