The two cars revved loudly as they both sat impatiently at the start line. It was cool out and the sky was a dark blue with no clouds and a large amount of twinkling stars. The crowd waited in anticipation as did Leighton and the guy he was up against for the girl in shorts and a graphic tee who stood between the vehicles with the flag on the end of her raised hand to allow them to go.

Before she brought her hand down Leighton boosted the crowd's engagement with enthusiastic whoops. It was clear who the majority was here for. Leighton's name was chanted on a loop with unison clapping.

I didn't think the race would be more than just his friends and his competitor. To have reporters and a crowd of more than a hundred people meant that this was a major event.

As a final taunt, he saluted his rival with a cocky grin. The girl brought the flag down and they were off, leaving a smoke of dust behind them. They drove at a ridiculous speed and left tire tracks in their rear. The tracks intertwined when they swerved around each other to throw the other off and get ahead.

My heartbeat with fear when they came close to running into each other and I exhaled relieved when they didn't.

Leighton was beginning to fall behind, but that didn't seem to bother him considering he took that time to pose for the flashing cameras. One hand on the wheel and eyes on the crowd with a winning smile, but he wasn't winning. He blew kisses and they swooned and cheered louder.

His attention went back to the road ahead the closer they came to the finish. He pressed on the gas harder than he had the entire race and quickly he gained the speed needed to be neck and neck with the other racer. They continued to tie until flames were expelled from Leighton's mufflers and he crossed the finish line. The crowd exploded in a frenzy and I stood there in awe.

He stopped the car and hopped out to claim and declare his arrogant victory. Seth and Rowen sprinted down to him on the track.

"That's a thousand lost." I turned to Angel with a jeering smile, my arms crossed around my chest. He shook his head and laughed.

"I'm not surprised." He shrugged.

I rolled my eyes. "Then shouldn't you have known better than to vote against him?"

"Yeah, but that's what I've grown accustomed to." He said flatly.

"That's ridiculous," I chastised and he nodded.

We left the crowd and just walked around together. The wind picked up and now I started to truly feel the cold. It appeared in goosebumps on my arms and sudden chill throughout my body. I wished I wore a jacket because my long sleeves were doing a terrible job of keeping any warmth.

He took off his hoodie and handed it to me. I looked down at the grey hoodie with surprise. "Are you ready to go?" He asked and I looked up at him.

"Sure..." I took the hoodie from him. "Thanks."

I put it on over my blouse and in an instant I was warmer. His masculine scent hung on its neckline and sleeves.

We weren't too far from the crowd, but the noise had gotten more tolerable. When we reach the parking lot the noise suddenly picked up again.

Angel sighed heavily when he turned around. Before I could, arms wrapped around me from behind and I was picked up off the ground. I panicked a bit, not being able to see who it was because they spun me in addition to the camera flashes that stunned my vision.

When they put me down I saw that it was Leighton and he chuckled gleefully.

His pretty face accompanied by the stars that clouded my vision from the dizziness.

"Hi?" I giggled nonplussed.

"You were gonna leave without congratulating me?" He uttered wounded with narrowed eyes, but his tone of voice was playful and still he smiled.

"I won!" He spoke again breathlessly.

"Yeah, you did." I nodded with a chuckle and wrapped my arms around him.

Bubbling with excitement he showered me with kisses. My cheeks redden with every kiss and I felt warmth flood my chest. I forgot that he had brought his entourage, that pictures that would be posted and printed were being taken of us.

I forgot Angel.

I laughed when he eased up and looked at me, eyes lit like he was high off delight and his grin like a child's. I knew now more than before that he really needed this win. That it was important on a deeper level.

He stepped away from me and into the spotlight, everyone quieted for him to speak. "I owe my winning tonight to Eden." He took my hand and brought me beside him. "My lucky charm," he told them, then snuck a kiss on my cheek.

I smile with a disquieted exhale. I had no time to process how uncomfortable I was becoming or how rapid my heart was beating. I swore everyone could hear it over the noise. Naturally, I suppressed my anxiousness and went along with whatever he was doing.

They attacked me with questions about my family that I replied in the ways I rehearsed with my mother.

"If they ask about your father's work with the mayor, say that they're holding a press conference soon," she coached.

"And any questions about our immediate affairs you give an open-ended answer, to keep them coming back for more."

I was never supposed to answer for myself but for us as a whole. Without them there I was in charge of keeping our family perfect. It got harder to keep this up and ignore how close they stood to me.

Minutes ago I was cold and now Angel's sweater was suffocatingly hot. My palms were pruned with sweat, air was hard to grasp and they continued bombing us with questions.

For an instant Leighton settled his gaze on me. I tried to liven my expression to make my distress less obvious but he noticed.

He took my hand and interlocked our fingers-I cringed at my sweaty palm- and walked us through the crowd, while he said our goodbyes.

We walked until we reached his black Ferrari. I could breath freely again, away from the crowd.

"Are you alright?" He asked before he let go of my hand.

"Mmhm." I nodded.

He pressed the button on his keys and the doors began to open upwards like butterfly wings. Leighton got in on the driver's side and I followed suit in the passenger seat.

A thought came to mind and I shouted, "Angel!"

"What?"

"Him and I were supposed to leave together, I completely forgot." I spoke more to myself than to him.

"Why would you be leaving with him?" He questioned, his voice contemptuous.

"Because he brought me here." I looked over at him, he was already looking at me. He was uncertain as to why that was the case but didn't press further.

"You'll see him at the party," he grumbled. The doors closed and he started the car.

"What party?" I glanced at him as I fastened my seatbelt.

"At my house," he told me as he pulled out of the lot.

I thought bringing up Angel had dampened his mood. For most of the drive I watched him contemplate wether or not he wanted to revive the conversation about him.

Finally he made up his mind and did. "Are you going to tell me why Angel was the one who brought you to the race?" He frowned with his nose scrunched.

"He picked me up, we went on a date," I told him.

He raised his eyebrows and his jaw went slack. "Why?"

"Because he asked." I shrugged. It became quiet again.

"Did he say anything to you?" He asked.

"Like what?"

"About me."

"He told me you guys aren't really friends anymore, and about your brother...I'm-"

He took a sharp breath and shook his head. "Please don't apologize, I hate that."

Our conversation ended with growing tension as he pulled into the driveway with many other cars.

He met me on the passenger side and locked his hand with mine, I don't question it and we walked in together.

The double aluminium doors of his mansion opened wide to an abyss that flashed with rainbow lights to the beat of the loud music. We passed through clouds of smoke from hookahs, vapes and simple cigarettes. They made way for him like citizens do for royals.

He greeted them with friendly nods and bro hugged a few all while continuing to hold my hand. They congratulated him on his win, he replied with humble thanks but with every praise his strode became more prideful and his chin thrusted complacently.

He clearly enjoyed people telling him how he was great, but who didn't.

More people were showing up and it was getting louder. I looked around hoping one of them was Angel.

"Hey," Rowen said coming straight at me, arms wide. We're approached by the rest of his friends.

I smiled. "Where have you been?"

"I should be asking you that." He said as we parted.

"Congrats!" Avery sang while she pulled Leighton in for a hug he didn't return.

Rowen grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Let's not pretend you didn't bet against him," he exposed her and they laughed. She glowered at him then walked away.

"Not gonna lie, I was expecting another explosion." Seth joked, gesturing the action despite the full cup in hand.

Valerie stood next to him, in front of me with her arms folded in their usual place. She didn't join the laughter.

"Leighton, can I talk to you?" She said vexed.

"What's up your ass tonight?" Seth asked and we turned out attention to her.

"Fuck off." She hissed.

Leighton exhaled an exasperated sigh before he walked away and she followed behind him.

I took this as an opportunity to find Angel.

"Have any of you seen Angel?" I asked them. Rowen gave me a look that I ignored.

"Last time I saw him was at the bar," Seth told me, I nodded and started towards it.

I found the bar and walked up to Angel who was leaning against its post, nursing the drink in his hand. I tapped his shoulder and then stepped into his view.

"Hey," I croaked awkwardly.

When he saw me his face fell instantly and I regretted even approaching him so I sped up my apology. "I didn't mean to just go without telling you, they were all crowding me and everything just happened really fast," I rambled in my defence.

"Eden, stop." He said wearily, then cleared his throat and straightened against the post. "How long have you known Wylder?"

My head slanted slightly with narrowed eyes. He waited for me to answer without easing my confusion.

"We met briefly a few weeks ago, but besides that as long as I've known anyone else here," I replied.

He sighed and shook his head. "Ok, I really enjoyed your company tonight-"

"Yeah, me too," I interjected with a nod.

"But I have enough issues with Wylder and I won't create another one with you as the centre." He sneered disdainfully.

My heart sunk a bit hearing that so I took a breath. "Angel..."

He looked away from me and rested his cup on the countertop. His demeanour bittered as he came closer to me.

"In case you didn't realize, Wylder basically declared to anyone interested that you are his and that is no good for me or anyone, especially you," He informed with an ill tone as he shortened his stance to address me at eye level. I could smell the beer on his tongue.

He walked away from me before I could gather my thoughts to reply.