Page 359 of Rogue Riders Duet

Isaac bristles. “Isla had nothing to do with that. I didn’t even tell her we were together until I was sure about the relationship.” He shakes his head. “She left him. I don’t know how it works in your world, Hiccups, but people fall in and out of love. Shit happens.”

I never fell out of love with Finn Greer.

In my world, that doesn’t exist.

“She said she left him because she was sure he didn’t love her,” he adds quietly.

I bite my lip, remembering Finn telling me exactly that, that she filled a hollow space.

“I do love her. She’s my everything.” Isaac runs a hand through his hair. “I’m not with her out of spite. They weren’t happy, and that’s not my fault, but it’s not hers or Greer’s either. Some people don’t belong together. Some do.”

I hold his gaze for a long second.

Is Isaac Raine actually capable of being decent?

The thought hits harder than I expect, but it doesn’t rewrite history.

Doesn’t erase what he took from me.

“Fine,” I relent. “Maybe that’s true, but what about me, huh? What’s your explanation there? Gonna say you weren’t touching my bike before the race? That it was a faulty part? A misunderstanding?”

“Alaina—”

“Don’t Alaina me. I saw you crouched next to it, with your hands on it. Right before the race. You touched it.”

He looks down at his feet, then up again, his throat moving. “I don’t deny I was checking your bike before the crash.”

“But?”

He doesn’t answer.

“What now?” I snap. “I thought we were being real, but the second it gets too real, you get all cowardly again?” My heart slams against my ribs as my breath comes fast.

I need him to say it.

“Fine. Me first, then, balls on the table. I came back to ruin you. To race in your category and rip the overall title right out of your smug, undeserving hands.”

“Well,” he lets out a dry, bitter laugh. “That went great.”

“Fuck you,” I bite out. “That’s my truth. Now tell me yours.”

There’s a beat of silence again before he finally answers.

“How does it feel? Getting disqualified? Watching your career end?”

Motherfucker.

Who the hell does he think he is?

My lungs fill with fury, and the retort is locked and loaded, but then I catch another flicker in his eyes. He’s not smug about it, and he’s not gloating right now. He’s just honest. Curious, maybe? He actually wants to know. Just like that, all the wind goes out of me.

“Not good, but it’s not the end of the world either.” I force a breath. “Maybe I’m even a little relieved it’s over. I’ve got other things going for me now.”

His gaze shifts to the house behind me. He nods once, straightens, and pulls the car door open.

“See you around, Hiccups.”

Before I can even respond, he slides into the driver’s seat and starts the engine.