I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Leah, Aren’t You Going for a Lap?

”Um, I thought there was only one changing room,” Leah said, a little embarrassed.

”I asked when I first got here. Asher’s is on the left, and my brother’s is on the right. I thought you knew,” Phoebe Peyton said, standing beside Asher Keating with a gentle smile.

”I...” Leah was at a loss for words. ’Why didn’t I think to ask before?’

Asher Keating didn’t say anything. The three of them stood at the doorway, waiting for Liam Peyton. When he came out, Leah was still a bit embarrassed, her face slightly red. Liam, on the other hand, greeted them with his usual composure.

”Leah Grant, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red?” Phoebe Peyton asked, looking puzzled.

”It’s nothing, nothing. I’m just a little hot.”

Leah let out an awkward laugh. Asher Keating glanced down at her; her face was indeed quite red. He then looked over at Liam Peyton, who seemed perfectly normal. Asher’s eyes narrowed slightly.

By the time they returned to the stands, Sheila Hughes and Ethan Shaw were already seated. Leah hurried over. Sheila handed them some water and gave her a curious look. ”What’s up with you?”

”I just walked into the wrong changing room. I mistook Wynn for Asher and even gave him a hug,” Leah whispered in her ear. ’I want to die of embarrassment.’

”Pfft... You’re really something else. But what’s the big deal? It was just a hug, not a kiss.”

Sheila Hughes chuckled and glanced at Liam Peyton, who had just sat down. She whispered, ”Besides, this Liam Peyton is really handsome, too.”

Leah made a soft ”tsk” sound and turned away, ignoring her.

When Shawn Grant and the others were done, Liam Peyton glanced at the time and asked Leah, ”Leah, you’re not going for a lap?”

Leah’s eyes lit up. She turned to ask Asher Keating, ”Asher, can I?”

Asher Keating was a little surprised. ”You know how to do this?”

”Tch, she used to do this with Mason back when she was abroad. Mason said she’s got guts.”

As he spoke, Shawn Grant tossed his car keys to Leah. ”Take mine. You drove it when you were abroad, so you should be used to it.”

Asher Keating stood up. ”Alright, let’s go. I’ll join you for a lap.”

”Hey, Asher, why don’t I go with Leah Grant?” Phoebe Peyton stood up, smiling. ”You men drive too aggressively. Leah and I can just have a casual lap for fun.”

Asher Keating looked at Leah, who in turn looked at Phoebe Peyton. She hadn’t expected the gentle Phoebe to know how to race. ”Phoebe, won’t your dress be a problem?”

”It’s fine, I’m wearing flats. Asher, can I borrow your car?”

Asher Keating gave his car keys to Phoebe Peyton, then turned to Leah and said, ”Be safe.”

”Mm-hm, I will.” With that, Leah followed Phoebe Peyton toward the garage.

Sheila Hughes had gone to the restroom. When she returned and didn’t see Leah, she asked around and learned that Leah had gone down to the track. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head, and she scrambled to the very front to get a better view.

Asher Keating and Liam Peyton were already standing in the front row. The garage door opened, and Shawn Grant’s rather flashy purple car and Asher Keating’s understated black one drove toward the starting line.

”Leah actually knows how to drive one of these!” Sheila Hughes exclaimed, her initial surprise quickly turning into excitement.

Liam Peyton watched the cars on the track and smiled slightly. ”I’ve raced with her once. She’s actually very good.”

Asher Keating pursed his lips, saying nothing, but a flicker of anticipation entered his eyes. ’This girl... she’s full of surprises.’

”Who do you guys think will win?” Sheila Hughes asked the men, turning back excitedly.

”I’ve got to bet on my sister, of course. Wynn, how’s Phoebe’s driving?”

”I’m not sure about Phoebe, I’ve never seen her drive. President Keating, have you ever raced against her?”

”Yes. She’s decent.”

Asher Keating’s answer heightened everyone’s anticipation. As the flag dropped, the two cars shot forward almost simultaneously. Sheila started yelling, ”Go, Leah, go!” even though she knew Leah couldn’t possibly hear her. She couldn’t contain her excitement.

Leah took the first turn ahead of the other car. Her hands clenched the steering wheel as she slammed her foot on the accelerator.

The car’s speed shot up instantly. Racing—a sport that sent adrenaline surging through your veins. The roar of the engine, the screech of the tires on asphalt—every sensation was a jolt to her senses.

She deftly switched between the accelerator and the brake. Phoebe Peyton’s car fell back a little. Leah planned to increase her lead on the next turn; if she did, she should be able to win.

But she didn’t dare let her guard down. Phoebe’s skills were good, and she was already catching up. It was obvious she was also planning to overtake on the next curve.

The two cars fishtailed at nearly the same instant. Just as Leah was about to correct her steering, Phoebe’s car also changed direction. The two vehicles were practically scraping against each other. Startled, Leah yanked the wheel.

Phoebe seemed just as startled and wrenched her wheel in the opposite direction, but her car shot uncontrollably toward the side of the track. Leah froze for a split second before reacting, slamming her foot on the accelerator. The engine roared to life.

Leah desperately chased after Phoebe’s car. As she pulled level, she could see the panic on Phoebe’s face through the window. Leah stomped on the gas again, surging ahead of her. She executed a sharp one-eighty, turning her car to face Phoebe’s head-on, and slammed on the brakes, trying to use her own vehicle to force the other one to a stop.

Phoebe’s car was moving too fast. The tires of both vehicles shrieked piercingly. Leah’s hands were trembling, but she didn’t dare let up, keeping her foot pressed firmly on the brake with all her might.

The spectators in the stands knew something was wrong the moment they saw Phoebe’s car veer off course. Asher Keating was the first to vault over the railing, sprinting desperately in their direction.

Thankfully, the sandy runoff area provided some buffer. Leah finally managed to bring Phoebe’s car to a halt, but the fronts of both vehicles were practically destroyed. As the cars stopped, Leah gasped for breath, her face ashen. Her hands were slick with sweat, and her legs were shaking uncontrollably.

”Leah!”

Asher Keating rushed over and yanked open the car door. Leah, her pretty face deathly pale, looked at him with trembling lips. Asher crouched by the open door, his eyes quickly scanning her from head to toe. Only after confirming she wasn’t hurt did he let out a sharp breath of relief and pull her into a tight hug. ”Are you okay?”

”Asher... my legs are shaking.”

Leah’s voice trembled, but she was coherent. Asher released her, unbuckled her seatbelt, and helped her out of the car.

”Leah! Are you okay?”

Sheila and the others came running, shouting her name. Sheila’s face was also ghostly white. Seeing that Leah was unharmed, Liam Peyton went over to Phoebe’s car, opened the door, and helped her out. Phoebe’s legs were shaking just as badly, and her face was utterly drained of color. The two women locked eyes, both of them deathly pale.

Phoebe suddenly pulled away from Liam, ran over, and threw her arms around Leah. ”Leah Grant, thank you! Thank you so, so much. If it weren’t for you, I would have died here today.”

Her voice was thick with the lingering terror of having survived a disaster. Leah wasn’t prepared for the embrace. Phoebe was shorter than her, so the way she clung to Leah felt almost like a child seeking comfort.

Leah suddenly felt a surge of what she could only describe as ’boyfriend energy’. She patted Phoebe’s shoulder. ”Phoebe, it’s okay now. It’s okay.”