Chapter 4 New Girl
Chapter Four
Lana made her way toward the racing grounds just as the familiar roar of engines echoed through the air. The parking lot was already packed with expensive sports cars and the familiar racers walking by. No matter how many times Lana came here, it always made her smile.
“Lana!”
She turned just in time to see Zara jogging toward her, still carrying her racing helmet under one arm.
“The queen herself.” Lana grinned, pulling her into a quick hug.
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
“I almost didn’t.”
Zara studied her face for a moment before raising a brow. “You look… terrible.”
“You don’t need to remind me.” Lana yawned.
The two of them walked toward the changing rooms together, weaving past crews preparing their cars for the day’s race.
Today’s race was all about the prize money. Unlike most racers present, Lana had never cared about it. She was only interested in racing because she loved it. But she always pretended to be in need of the money just to keep her identity save.
If they found out she was Erik Brown’s daughter, everything would change. That was exactly why she kept her identity a secret. The only person who refused to let her enjoy that peace was her father himself. Erik Brown never missed an opportunity to remind her how much he hated racing. Every now and then, he would send his crew down to drag her home in front of everyone.
It was humiliating.
Which was probably why she kept coming back. Nothing irritated Erik Brown more than being ignored, and Lana enjoyed that far more than she probably should. She stepped inside the women’s changing room and quickly changed into her racing suit before tying her hair into a high ponytail. Grabbing her helmet, she looked at herself in the mirror one last time.
“Done?” Zara’s voice came from outside.
“Coming.” Lana pushed the door open and stepped back into the hallway.
Her smile disappeared instantly as Tracy came into view. Of course she was here so there was no avoiding it. Tracy spotted her almost immediately and started walking over.
“Lana…”
Lana pretended she hadn’t heard. She focused on adjusting the strap of her gloves and continued walking.
“Lana, please.”
She kept walking.
“Lana!” This time, Tracy caught up and stepped in front of her, forcing her to stop abruptly.
“I’m sorry.”
Lana looked at her for a long moment before letting out a quiet laugh. “You’ve got some nerve.”
“I know.”
“No… I don’t think you do.”
Tracy lowered her head.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Lana smiled coldly. “Oh. You weren’t supposed to sleep with my… ex either.”
“I made a mistake,” Tracy whispered.
“A mistake?” Lana scoffed. “Forgetting my birthday is a mistake. I guess wearing two different shoes is going to be a mistake.” She took one step closer. “And sleeping with my boyfriend isn’t.”
Tracy’s eyes filled with tears. “It only happened once, and I swear I have a reason.”
Lana laughed again.
“Do you really think that’s the part that matters?”
Zara quietly moved beside Lana, sensing exactly where the conversation was heading.
“Lana…”
“No.” Lana held up a hand without taking her eyes off Tracy. “You don’t get to apologize because you got caught.”
“I really am sorry.”
“And I’m really done with you! Is English that hard to understand!”
Lana walked past her without another glance. Behind her, Tracy called her name again, but she didn’t stop. Lana had always lived by one phrase: some people deserved a second chance.
But Tracy? She definitely wasn’t one of them.
Lana pulled on her helmet before lowering the visor over her face. The outside world instantly disappeared, replaced by the familiar sound of engines roaring to life all around her. She climbed into her car and tightened her seatbelt. Her fingers wrapped around the steering wheel as she shut her eyes for a brief second.
The official walked to the center of the track, raising the starting flag high into the air. One by one, the engines grew louder as every racer revved in anticipation.
Lana rested her foot on the accelerator.
Three…
Two…
One…
The flag dropped.
Tires screeched against the road as every car shot forward at once. Lana wasted no time too. She slammed her foot down, her car surged ahead as she slipped between two racers before taking the first corner cleanly.
As usual, she was already leading in. Behind her, several cars fought for second place, but one in particular caught her attention through the rearview mirror. A matte black sports car.
Lana frowned. She didn’t recognize it. She knew almost every regular racer who came here. If not the drivers, then at least their cars. This one… she had never seen before. Either the driver was new, or someone had switched cars. She pushed the thought aside and focused on the road ahead.
The next corner came fast as she drifted through it effortlessly before accelerating out of the turn, widening the gap but the black car followed, still refusing to fall behind.
Lana smiled.
Whoever was behind that wheel wasn’t bad. The final stretch came into view, and she pressed harder on the accelerator until she crossed the finish line.
Cheers erupted around the track as the remaining cars thundered across seconds later.
Three cars crossed almost together.
Lana.
Tracy.
And the unfamiliar black sports car.
Lana climbed out of her car, pulling off her helmet before running a hand through her messy hair. She barely spared Tracy a glance. Her attention was already on the third racer. The driver’s door slowly opened, revealing a young girl. She looked to be around Lana’s age, tall with sharp features and dark hair tied into a ponytail. There was an effortless confidence about her as she removed her helmet and tucked it beneath her arm.
Lana frowned. She had never seen her before. Neither had anyone else, judging by the curious looks spreading through the crowd.
The young girl glanced around before her eyes landed on Lana. A slow smile curved across her lips. “So…” she called, walking toward her. “You’re Lana Brown.”
She said it more like a statement than a question. Lana’s smile instantly disappeared. Because whoever this girl was…
She definitely wasn’t going to be a fan of her.
