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Kelsey waved the flag right as she passed and Jade raised her arms to celebrate.

That was when her cart suddenly lurched and she flew onto the ground.

The entire crowd went silent.

My heart fell.

“Stay here,” I told the girls before I ran. My legs carried me as fast as I could go, and somehow, I beat Henry there.

“Jade! Jade? Are you okay?” I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe. If she was hurt, I’d lose my mind. I’d get her the best care. I’d do anything⁠—

Jade burst into laughter and sat up.

“I won, bitches!”

Henry skidded to a stop as Jade hopped to her feet and jumped in the air. He looked as panicked as I felt. I sat on my heels and caught my breath, watching closely. I’d heard that Henry had forced them all to wear protective gear, and that had saved her.

But she didn’t fully extend her elbow.

“Can you check her arm?” I asked Henry. He stared at me for a second and I realized he had earplugs in. Instead, I pointed to my arm then at her. His eyes went wide, he gave me a nod, and was about to stop Jade, but I put my arm out. “Let her celebrate.” I nearly yelled it. “She won’t listen until she’s done.”

Henry nodded. Once the crowd had died down, he went over and I followed.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Like I won the race.” Then her smile fell. “And a rock got under the cart. Can you believe this? I was betrayed by what I love.”

“Let me take you to the clinic,” Henry said. “You need an X-ray.”

“Yeah, yeah. If I fight you, Wren, Mollie, and Gabriel are gonna kick my ass.”

Jade was about to go with him when something distracted her. I followed her line of sight and saw Kevin going into town hall.

He left his car in the road.

“Any chance we could have another race?” Jade weakly asked. “We need to be loud.”

“My heart can’t take another one,” Henry said. “We’ll need another distraction.”

“I’ve got this.” Hugh had finally finished. His cart barely petered along, but he puffed up his chest as he rolled to a stop. Slowly, he hobbled out of the cart.

“What is he doing?” Mollie asked.

“I have no idea,” Jade said as she held her arm.

“I can’t believe he even got out of the cart,” Henry muttered.

Hugh slowly made his way to the nearest window of town hall. He slammed his hand on the glass.

“Have a meeting about this, asshole!” Then he dropped his pants.

The entire town screamed and tried to cover their eyes.

Jade wound up only having a sprain. She was told not to buggy race again, but that she would be okay. It was only then that I was able to breathe.

I got her home to nap before I had a meeting request from the last person I expected.

Kevin was reaching out.