PitBabeS2, Chapter 1 pg6

  pg6

 Yet, he wasn’t scared in the least. His heart pounded with excitement, the thrill so intense it was almost maddening. It felt like the early days when he first fell in love with racing, when Alan taught him techniques to mold him into a racer—times of learning, failing, improving, and learning again. Because of this, it could be said with certainty that Charlie had reawakened Pitbabe’s racing spirit.

   In a split second of carelessness, Charlie overtook Pitbabe, seizing the lead. The crowd roared, and even the commentators couldn’t stay seated. The final race of the season had become an X vs. X showdown, with the top two spots held by the same team, neck and neck, evenly matched. Gamblers who bet on other teams could only clutch their heads in despair, as there was no sign the top two would leave any opening for others to catch up.

   It was unclear whose heart was pounding harder—the king about to be dethroned or the loyal knight eyeing the throne. The final corner would decide who was superior. Both Pitbabe and Charlie were on edge, leaning into the moment. Defeat might not be the end of everything, but why be the one to lose? A victor wants to keep winning, while someone who’s never crossed the finish line first yearns to taste that experience. That’s the selfish beauty of all competition.

   The racing couple locked eyes in the final second before their cars crossed the finish line.

   “Pitbabe!!!”

   The commentator’s voice boomed, followed by the deafening cheers of speed-hungry fans. The race result wasn’t exactly unexpected, but calling it entirely predictable wouldn’t be quite right either. For a fleeting moment, as the cars sped around the track, everyone likely thought, Today, there might be a new king. And trust me, it wasn’t just the spectators— even the racers themselves were thrilled to the point of goosebumps.

   “Congrats,” were Charlie’s first words. The young man stepped out of his car, helmet in hand, kissed his senior’s cheek, and flashed a proud smile, as always.

   “Almost had me,” Babe ruffled the kid’s hair with a playful grin. “Regret it?”

   “A little,” Charlie answered honestly. Of course, he was disappointed that he still couldn’t beat his boyfriend by the end of the season. But since the one he lost to was Pitbabe, it didn’t sting too much. To Charlie, it was just a mountain he hadn’t climbed yet—not that he’d never conquer it. “I got a bit distracted, though. I knew from that moment I’d lose.”

   “Distracted by what?”

   “Just wondering what I’d ask from you if I won.”

   “Oh?” The skilled King laughed, delighted by his boyfriend’s response. “Did you figure it out?”

   “I did, but I lost, so I don’t get to ask anymore.”

   “Why not try asking anyway? Maybe I’ll be generous.”

   “Hmm…”

   While Charlie was mulling it over, Kim, who had just gotten out of his car, trudged over and gave Babe a light pat on the shoulder, speaking in a flat tone.

   “King almost got his legs sawed off out there.”

   “And it wasn’t even you doing the sawing,” Babe shook his head, clearly unimpressed with Kim’s performance this round, which wasn’t far from how Kim felt himself. Kim shook his head, discouraged.

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