Coco's Pov.
I leaned against the railing, trying not to look too anxious—or too impressed. Below us, the racers were coiled at the starting line, Xavier in the lead like he belonged there. Calm. Sharp. Deadly.
Crusher stood next to me, unusually still for someone who practically vibrated with chaotic energy.
"You okay up here, Sparkplug?" he asked casually, popping a peanut into his mouth from a paper cone one of the drink girls had handed him. "You're buzzing like a faulty spark plug."
I exhaled slowly through my nose. "stop calling me that "
"Why? It brings me joy," he said solemnly. "Besides, you kinda are a spark plug—small, mouthy, and threatening combustion.
I gave him a sideways glare. "You've got a death wish, don't you?"
He smirked, but not quite as cocky as before. "Nah. Just a thing for scary girls."
"Keep it up and I'll tell Xavier you're harassing me."
That earned a short bark of laughter. "You think he doesn't already have his fangs out every time I look at you for more than five seconds?"
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
Crusher chuckled again but looked back toward the track before answering. "Relax, Sparkplug. I wouldn't touch what's not mine. And he—"
He paused.
"He's... territorial"
I tried to ignore the little flip my stomach did at that. Instead, I focused on the racers below. My eyes snapped to Xavier. He leaned forward on the bike, fingers flexing on the throttle. Everyone else looked wild, frantic—he looked silent.
Focused. Like a storm with a target.
As if sensing my worry,
Crusher nudged my elbow lightly. "He's fine. This is his world."
"He could crash."
"He won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do." Crusher's tone lost all humor for a beat. "Cage doesn't race to show off. He has.... a purpose."
I scoffed.
"I hate how smug you sound."
"I get that a lot." his creepy smile returned.
I didn't want to trust crusher, or Xavier or even my own heart that was pounding so hard for someone I claim to hate.
But my eyes stayed locked on the him and I found myself whispering under my breath,
" You better come back in one piece, Xavier Cage."
.......
The crowd's roar rolled over us like thunder, but I didn't hear any of it.
I stared hard at the track, pulse pounding behind my eyes, my grip on the railing bone-tight. I hadn't even realized i'd stopped breathing when Crusher gently pried my fingers free.
"Hey," he said, casually stuffing something into my hand. "You're gonna crush the damn rail. Relax."
I blinked down at the object: a bright red candy, half-melted in its wrapper.
"What is this?"
"Sugar," he said, as if that explained everything. "I've seen people pass out here. You're next if you don't calm the hell down."
"I'm not—" I paused. Unwrapped the candy. Popped it into my mouth. Sweet. Sticky. Strangely grounding.
He popped another in his mouth like it was no big deal.
"There," he said, nudging me lightly with his elbow. "One emergency meltdown averted."
"I wasn't melting down," I muttered.
"Sure. You just happened to look like someone watching their favorite character get killed off in slow motion."
I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth twitched.
He smirked. "You ever seen him ride before?"
"No."
"Well," he said, "you picked a hell of a first show."
The engines revved louder again as the riders neared the final stretch.
Crusher leaned forward, squinting dramatically. "Tell you what. If he doesn't win by at least half a second, I'll let you punch me in the face."
I snorted, " deal."
Down below, the bikes shot past the finish. The announcer's voice was drowned out by the roar of the crowd, but I could see it—Xavier won. Clean and fast.
My body finally exhaled. I didn't even realize i'd been holding that much air in.
Crusher clicked his tongue. "Damn. Guess I keep my face."
"Shame," I said, licking sugar from my fingertip. "I was kinda looking forward to it."
He clutched his chest. "She wounds me."
I chuckled.
*******
Third person POV
The crowd parted like waves before a storm.
Xavier stalked through the pit, helmet in one hand, sweat-slick hair falling over his brow. His shirt clung to him, dirt and heat still sticking to his skin—but his expression?
Glacial.
His victory hadn't touched it. No triumphant grin. No celebratory strut.
Not until his eyes found her.
Coco.
Still by the railing. Still breathless. And unfortunately... still laughing at something Crusher said.
Xavier's jaw clenched.
Crusher, of course, noticed him first and greeted him with a salute and a grin way too smug to be innocent. "Your fan club's been delightful, Sparkplug here included."
Coco didn't react—but Xavier did.
His gaze cut sharply to Crusher. Then to Coco.
"Sparkplug?" he repeated, voice deceptively calm.
Coco blinked. "Oh. Yeah. He thinks he's funny."
Crusher gave a shit-eating grin. "I am funny."
Xavier didn't smile. Didn't blink. "Don't call her that."
Crusher raised his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Touchy."
Xavier stepped in front of Coco, blocking her from Crusher's view entirely, his eyes still fixed like steel.
"You okay?" he asked her—voice low, but edged like a blade.
Coco, startled by the tension, blinked up at him. "seriously?"
"I won."
"You almost died."
"But I didn't."
Her eyes narrowed. "One day, that comeback won't work anymore."
"Good thing today's not that day."
Crusher cleared his throat loudly.
"Well, I'll just... disappear into the sketchy shadows. Like the mysterious, devastatingly attractive background character I am."
Xavier didn't turn.
He was still looking at Coco—eyes dark, expression unreadable. Something tight wound through his chest.
That damn nickname.
She was his. Only his.
He stepped closer—too close. Close enough to make her breath catch.
"You were worried," he said.
"I wasn't—"
"You were."
His eyes dipped to her lips, quick but unmistakable.
She stepped back, flustered. "You're sweating."
"You're deflecting."
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
Like you really like me. Coco thought.
"That's—ugh—you are so—"
"So what? "
Behind them, Crusher giggles. "You two are so cute. It's romantic, really."
Xavier didn't look away from her. "You coming?"
She crossed her arms. "Where to?"
"To sneak you back in," he said like it was obvious. "Or do you want me to let him walk you to your dorm?"
Crusher perked up. "I volunteer—"
"No," they both snapped.
Xavier's smirk ghosted back—satisfied this time.
"Let's go," he said, turning.
Coco rolled her eyes but fell into step beside him, muttering, "Overbearing boys with control issues..."
Behind them, Crusher called out, "Jealousy looks good on you, Cage!"
Xavier didn't answer.
He wasn't jealous.
Right?
************