CHAPTER 46: PERSUASION

Zack’s absolute explosion of excitement from the sidelines.

"Yes! Yes! Holy freaking shit! Maximus. You did it! I knew it!"

Dressa pulled up beside him, her legs coming to a controlled stop.

Maximus turned his head slightly, watching as she placed her hands on her waist.

For a moment, she just stared ahead, the reality of the loss settling over her.

Then, she laughed.

A full, genuine, amused laugh.

Maximus raised an eyebrow, but Dressa just shook her head and let out a small chuckle.

"You sneaky bastard," she muttered, finally looking at him. "I can’t believe you actually pulled that off."

Maximus smirked. "You are really good," he said casually. "But I am absolute..."

Dressa scoffed, but there was no malice in it. Just amusement.

"So cocky..."

Before Maximus could respond, Zack practically tackled him in excitement. "Bro, did you see that? Did you see that?! That was the cleanest overtake I’ve ever seen in my life!"

Dressa rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up, Zack."

Zack ignored her, grabbing Maximus by the shoulders "I knew you had it in you. I knew it! But damn, I wasn’t expecting you to actually leave her in the dust at the last second!"

Maximus simply shrugged, taking a couple steps forward.

Dressa looked at him one more time, "So you’re an athlete..."

Maximus exhaled. "Nope... I just do whatever I say I’m going to do, no matter what..."

Dressa’s lips curled into a small smile.

"Figures."

The small audience around them was still buzzing, hyped from the race.

Money was being exchanged from bets, people were clapping Maximus on the back and Zack was already counting his winnings with the biggest grin Maximus had ever seen. After all, people around there had also bet with him.

Then, Dressa stepped forward, standing right in front of him.

"I’ll be real," she said. "I didn’t think you’d win. Thought you’d put up a fight, sure, but actually go through with it?" She scoffed. "Didn’t see that coming."

Maximus met her gaze. "Neither did you."

That made her chuckle. "Fair point."

Then, without hesitation, she held out her hand for a firm, professional handshake.

Maximus looked at it for a moment, then grasped it.

He wasn’t surprised by her strong grip, but the they exchanged a moment of respect.

Dressa might have lost, but she respected a good race.

And Maximus? He had earned that respect.

She pulled back, her eyes gleaming with something almost mischievous.

"Next time," she said. "I won’t hold back..."

The energy of the race still lingered in the air, electrifying and contagious, as the crowd slowly began to disperse.

The hum of excited chatter filled the space, people exchanging bets, laughing and reliving the race in vivid detail.

Zack was still basking in his victory, because in his eyes, a win for Maximus was a win for the both of them.

He threw an arm around Maximus’s shoulders, his grin wide enough to split his face into two.

"Bro!" Shaking Maximus slightly. "That was insane. You just made me twenty grand richer from the rest of them and I think I love you for it."

Maximus rolled his eyes, shoving Zack off. "Don’t get all sentimental on me."

Zack ignored him, spinning on his heel to face Dressa, who had just finished speaking with a few of her fans.

She turned , noticing Zack’s scheming look immediately.

"Alright listen up," Zack announced. "Since Maximus won, I think it’s only fair that he gets his proper reward."

Dressa raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Maximus sighed. "Here we go..." Zack grinned, pointing between the two of them. "A date..."

There was a best of silence.

"What?!" Both Maximus and Dressa said at the same time, voices overlapping in pure disbelief.

Zack clapped his hands together, pleased with himself. "Yep, you heard me. You two had a fiery, passionate battle on the track and the only logical next step is a night out. You know, celebrate the chemistry."

Dressa scoffed. "Chemistry? Oh please."

Maximus shook his head. "Not happening."

Zack groaned, exasperated. "Oh, come on! Don’t act like you weren’t feeling the tension! The rivalry! The..."

"Shut up" Maximus cut in.

Dressa folded her arms, smirking. "You are way too invested in this."

"Of course I am! This is history! A legendary rivalry!" Zack dramatically gestured between them. "I’m just saying, a race like that deserve a follow up..."

Dressa exhaled, shaking her head with a laugh. "You really don’t give up, do you?"

Zack pointed at Maximus. "What about you? Come on, man. One date. Just one."

Maximus glanced at Dressa, who looked equally unamused by the idea, but there was something in her gaze, something curious.

She wasn’t opposed to spending time with him, that much was clear, but the idea of Zack deciding things for her? That was the real problem m

Maximus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered. "Tomorrow."

Dressa blinked, clearly surprised that he agreed. "You’re serious?"

Maximus shrugged. "If it gets Zack to shut up."

She studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow."

Zack exploded into a victorious yell, throwing his arms into the air. "Yes!"

Dressa rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

With that, the energy began to settle. The celebration had ended and one by one, people retired out of the stadium, the parking lot thinning out.

Dressa pulled her keys from her pocket, spinning them around her finger as she gave Maximus on last glance.

"Nice race," she said, her voice carrying an edge of genuine respect.

Maximus nodded. "You too."

Dressa walked off towards the parking lot area, where she parked her car.

"You heading home," Maximus turned to see Zack right at his face.

Maximus took a slow breath. He should’ve said yes. He should’ve gotten into his car, driven back to his mansion and called it a night.

But instead —

"No," he said.

Zack tilted his head. "Oh?"

Maximus glanced at the parking lot where Obsidian was parked.

"I have somewhere to be."

He didn’t elaborate or explain, and Zack for once didn’t press to know.

"Alright man," Zack said, backing away. "I’ll see sometime tomorrow then. Don’t be late for your date."

’Shit I had already forgotten about it...’ Maximus rolled his eyes but didn’t respond verbally as Zack jogged to the parking lot and drove off.

Now, alone in the quiet night, Maximus finally let himself acknowledge it.

The 30 missed calls.

His phone still displayed them. A number he knew all too well.

His sisters.

His fingers hovered over the screen.

He exhaled sharply, pocketing the phone before he could second guess himself.

There was only one place he needed to go tonight.

He stepped into his car, shut the door and started the engine.

The familiar roar greeted him, he pulled onto the road, the streetlights casting long shadows as he drove through the city.

The closer he got to his destination, the heavier his chest felt.

His family house.