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“It’s not a state secret or anything. Six months ago, I rolled it while I was out for a run near my aunt’s house. High ankle sprain. I rushed my recovery, pushed too soon, and reinjured it. It hasn’t felt the same since.”

“Niggles like that are a bloody nuisance,” he says, wincing in sympathy. “I’ve had my fair share over the years. They’re like uninvited guests that never quite leave.”

“If you’ve got any recovery wisdom, I’m all ears,” I say, glancing at him. “Even with Zoe’s help, I can’t shake off the stiffness. Especially in the mornings.”

“Right, then, when are you heading back to the gym?”

“Tomorrow,” I say slowly, wondering where he’s going with this.

“Morning or early afternoon?”

“Mid-morning. Around ten.”

“Brilliant.” He taps a rhythmic beat against his knee. “Text me the address. I’ll meet you there.”

“You want to go to the gym with me?”

“It’s easier to show you a few stability exercises than to explain them over coffee,” he says with an easy shrug. “Besides, I really ought to be doing some strength work and getting some cardio in. I’ve been getting lazy since the tour started.”

My gaze accidentally drops to his arms—defined, lean, and definitely not slacking. I force my eyes back onto the road and tighten my grip on the steering wheel. “I forget you guys are a different type of professional athlete.”

“We are. Don’t let the jazz hands fool you,” he says dryly.

We share a laugh as the skyline shifts. A massive marquee with swirly silver letters looms over the highway—Welcome to Neptune Bay.

“Blimey,” Max whispers, staring up at a massive steel track.

We stand and watch for several seconds as a chariot-shaped train thunders past, wheels screaming against the steel rails before it plunges into a dark tunnel carved into the building ahead.

“That’s Trident’s Run,” I say, following it with my eyes. “It’s what Neptune Bay’s known for.” Right on cue, another train whips overhead, full of screaming riders clinging to their restraints like their lives depend on it.

Max doesn’t take his eyes off the track. “That’s one ride I think I’ll skip.”

Though I’m slightly disappointed since it’s my favorite ride, I don’t want to force Max into doing something he doesn’t want to do.

“No worries,” I say. “But if we can, it’s worth asking for a backstage look. There’s this massive tunnel that runs through the largest shark and ray tank you’ll ever see. It feels like you’re underwater the whole time.” I glance back up at the track arching overhead. “Whoever designed it is a genius.”

“Well, that’s a relief, because, er . . .” Max rubs the back of his neck, shifting his weight. “To be honest, I’m not exactly the biggest fan of roller coasters.”

I’m caught somewhere between wanting to laugh and wanting to wrap an arm around him. In the short time I’ve known him, he’s seemed untouchable. He performs in front of thousands of people every week. He’s the type of guy who will break out into song in the middle of a crowded coffee shop.

Yet seeing him rattled like this brings him right down to earth. It’s a reminder that beneath all the cocky swagger, he’s just as vulnerable as I am. Everyone has a breaking point. And apparently for Max, it’s a hundred-foot drop.

“It’s fine by me if we skip all the rides. There’s plenty of other stuff to do here. Eating, shopping, watching animal shows . . . come on, let’s go check in.”

I lead him away from the overcrowded general admission lines and toward the Will Call window. There’s no line here. Just two employees chatting inside an air-conditioned booth. I approach the closest one, who notices us and beckons us forward. “Hi, I’m here to check in,” I say to the woman behind the glass.

“Name?” She starts typing on her keyboard.

“Keller. Party of two.”

She taps a few keys, and her smile noticeably widens. “Got it. Just one second. I’ll let your tour guide know you’ve arrived.”

As she picks up a sleek black phone to place the call, Max lets out a low whistle. “A private tour guide? Pretty posh. You said your friend was an engineer?”

I turn to face Max. “Yeah, he is. His firm works with the park.”

Now that I think about it, I’ve never actually asked Theo too much about his work. I know he’s the head of his office, that he’s always flying to London, and that he has a poorly hidden crush on Kaori. But he’s always redirected the conversation back to me. I thought I knew Theo, but there’s a whole side to his life I know nothing about.