“That’s my girl.” Lena linked arms with her for a second, a quick, grounding squeeze. “Let’s get this over with.”
They stepped out together, Lena’s presence a steady anchor as they navigated the backstage corridors toward the waiting car.
???
Jax
The Marina Bay Sands rooftop was glittering — glass railings framing the infinity pool that seemed to spill straight into the city lights, champagne flowing in endless flutes, music pulsing low under the hum of conversation and laughter. The air was thick with expensive cologne, tropical humidity, and the faint buzz of post-race adrenaline.
Jax leaned against the bar, beer in hand, race suit long swapped for a black button-down shirt rolled at the sleeves and linen pants that felt worlds better than fireproof layers. Eighth place tonight. Not bad — a handful of points, better than most of his season so far, a clean drive with no mistakes — but still not enough. Not when Lucas had taken the win again, flawless as always, crossing the line like it was inevitable.
Lucas stood a few feet away, Mia tucked against his side in a silver halter-neck dress that clung to her curves, backless, long dark wavy hair spilling down her spine like liquid night. Lucas looked at her like she was the only thing in the room worth seeing — eyes soft, hand resting protectively at her lower back. He leaned down, kissed her temple — soft, private — and she smiled up at him, eyes bright with that quiet happiness they’d fought so hard for.
Jax watched them for a second, a quiet warmth settling in his chest despite the frustration gnawing at him.
He was happy for them. Really.
Lucas had fought like hell to get here — the title, the girl, the peace after years of chaos. Mia had been part of it from the start— sharp, steady, the kind of person who made you better just by being around. Jax had watched their story unfold: the initial tension, the heartbreak, the way they’d finally found each other again amid the wreckage. They deserved this — the easy touches, the shared glances, the way the world seemed to quiet when they were together.
Mia caught his eye and grinned, breaking the moment. “Eighth, huh? Not bad, Callaghan. You stayed out of the walls — progress.”
Jax grimaced, taking a pull from his beer. “Feels like participation trophy stuff.”
Mia nudged Lucas with her elbow. “He’s worried about his seat again. Tell him he’s being dramatic.”
Lucas looked at Jax — serious now, no teasing. “You’re not losing your seat. You’re too good for that. But Marcus is right — optics matter in this game. You’ve got to show them you’re all in, not just when the helmet’s on.”
Jax shrugged, trying for casual. “I am all in. Just… not very good at looking like it. Never have been.”
Lucas nodded once, understanding in his eyes. “Then find a way. You’ve got the talent — raw speed, instinct. Don’t let the bullshit take it away from you.”
Mia squeezed Lucas’s arm, then turned to Jax with a small smile. “He’ll figure it out. He always does. Right?”
Jax gave a half-smile. “Appreciate the pep talk. But I’m starting to feel like a third wheel here.”
Lucas smirked. “You are.”
Mia laughed, light and genuine. “Go find someone to flirt with. You’re wasting your talents standing here brooding.”
Jax rolled his eyes, but he glanced across the rooftop anyway, scanning the crowd out of habit.
And there she was.
Aria Moon.
Emerald green dress, low-cut, clinging to every curve like it had been poured on. Hair loose in soft waves, catching the rooftop lights, eyes distant as she stood near the railing with a drink in hand, looking out at the city like she was still half on stage, half somewhere else entirely.
She wasn’t alone. The assistant he’d seen with her earlier at the track was standing close, leaning in to murmur something, hand resting lightly on Aria’s arm in that protective way. Jax’s gaze settled fully on Aria again—the way the silk caught the light, the distant look in her eyes.
He remembered her concert earlier — the way she’d moved in that sequined bodysuit, hips rolling slow and deliberate, grinding with a confidence that owned every inch of the stage, voice cutting through the night like a blade. He’d watched longer than he’d meant to from the team hospitality area, the sight of her body moving like that… distracting. Sexy as hell. But there’d been something else too — a raw edge to her performance, like she was pouring everything into it to drown out whatever storm was inside.
Mia followed his gaze, brows lifting. “You know her?”
Jax shrugged, playing it casual. “Introduced on the grid before the race. Just a quick chat.”
Mia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Her set tonight was unreal!” She tugged Lucas’s sleeve. “Come on. Introduce me. I need to tell her how much I love ‘Here’.”
Lucas raised a brow at Jax. “You heard her.”
