“Trying to pull my hair out, Jess?” Vincent said, and I hurriedly loosened my frantic grip on his hair.

“Sorry, I’m really excited,” I said, and he laughed, giving my leg a squeeze as it dangled over his shoulder.

“You can pull as much as you want,” he said. “I don’t mind.”

It was a good thing he didn’t, because as soon as Jason’s tires touched the starting line again, I was right back to gripping his hair. When the Z launched forward, I was screaming at the top of my lungs.

I was no expert by any means, but from my viewpoint, Jason made it through the course without any flaw. The crowd erupted into cheers; the announcer claiming that the run was stunningly close. Manson was smiling wide, giving a high-five to Lucas and clasping his hand. Vincent squeezed my legs. Everyone’s excitement was palpable in the air as Jason drove back into the pit to join us.

Vincent let me down from his shoulders, and the moment Jason stepped out of the driver’s seat, I flung my arms around him. He lifted me completely off my feet, holding me with just one arm as he pulled his helmet off with the other.

“That was amazing!” I exclaimed, breathless as I kissed him. He put me back on my feet, but kept his arm gripped around my waist as Vincent kissed him.

“You nailed that,” Vincent said, smiling wide. “That was a first-place run, no doubt about it.”

“We don’t know that yet,” Jason said, but I could see the hope on his face. He knew he’d done well, but he reserved celebrating until everyone had gathered at the podium in front of the stands. The day had flown by and the sun was now set, the track’s massive overhead lights illuminating the podium as the announcer introduced the third-place winner before turning his attention to the final two drivers.

“We had a very close run between our two top drivers today. I know it came down to the details for our judges.” As the crowd’s cheering for both drivers settled down, I stood between Vincent and Manson, waiting with bated breath. “But there can only be one winner, and I’ve got the final scores from the judges here. First place is…”

I was practically crushing Manson’s hand in anticipation.

“Jason Roth!”

The crowd erupted, but I could barely hear them over my own cheering and the excited yelling from the boys as Jason accepted his trophy from the announcer. We surrounded him the moment he stepped off the podium, other drivers coming up to congratulate him and shake his hand.

It was the first time I’d seen them all look truly, unabashedly joyful. This was their world, this was where they found happiness. And they’d invited me into that, they’d brought me to share in their joy.