Renn

Capricorn | 20 | She/her

[itsrenn2]

I’ve noticed that there aren’t many motorheads fics, so I decided to make one

The way I loved you

INTRODUCING…

Leah Maddox reader!

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

Introduction 00 01 02 03 04 05 06

Harris Bowers x Leah Maddox! Reader x Curtis Young

He is sensible and so incredible

And all my single friends are jealous

Leah goes on dates with Curtis, listens to him talk about future plans, and smiles for pictures. On the outside, it looks like a dream. But inside, she’s comparing every steady, sweet moment to the chaos she had with Harris.

But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain

Harris was unpredictable, but he made her feel things deep, raw emotions. Curtis doesn’t give her butterflies; Harris was the butterflies.

He respects my space

And never makes me wait

And he calls exactly when he says he will

Curtis is what she should want. But when she’s alone, she doesn’t dream about Curtis. She dreams about racing cars with Harris, arguing about nothing, then making up like it’s the last time they’ll see each other.

[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

I stared at my phone for a good five minutes before finally calling him.

I didn’t want to explain. Not to Caitlyn. Not to Zac. And definitely not to Marcel. I knew the second they saw the Jeep, they’d start asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer—especially with everything else already piling up.

So I called Harris.

The phone rang twice before he picked up.

“Hey,” he said, voice low like he’d just woken up.

“Hey… sorry. Did I wake you?”

“Nah,” he lied. “Just lying around. What’s up?”

I took a breath, trying to sound casual. “Do you think I could maybe use your garage for a bit today? Just for a few hours.”

There was a pause. “The Jeep?”

“Yeah. Something happened. It’s not major—I just need to fix it, but I don’t want my cousins seeing. I haven’t told them anything. Only my dad knows, and even then, I kind of brushed it off.”

Another beat, and then he said gently, “Yeah. Of course. You don’t even have to ask.”

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you. I’ll bring everything. I just need the space.”

“I’ll unlock the side gate,” he said. “Come whenever.”

I kept telling myself this wasn’t a big deal. That it was just a taillight. Just a bumper. Just a little body damage.

But none of that made it feel less awful.

What really sucked was knowing the truth—and knowing I couldn’t tell it.

Ray did this.

To my Jeep.

To my dad’s car.

And somehow, I was the one stuck patching things up in someone else’s garage, lying to everyone who cared about me.

I crouched by the back of the Jeep, tools spread out across an old blanket. I had gloves on, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back tight—trying to focus on the repair instead of how my chest kept tightening with every turn of a screw.

I heard the garage door creak, and I didn’t even need to look up.

“You’re very committed to pretending you know what you’re doing,” Harris said, stepping in with two sodas in hand.

I forced a laugh, keeping my eyes on the wiring. “At this point, I think I actually do know what I’m doing.”

He set one of the sodas down next to me. “You sure you don’t need help?”

I shook my head. “I’m good. This part’s just tedious.”

He leaned against the wall, watching me like he was trying to figure out if I was okay without actually asking. But of course, he asked anyway.

“So what really happened?”

I hesitated. My fingers paused mid-motion, and I looked down at the cracked taillight like it might offer me the answer I needed.

“I backed into a pole,” I said, and immediately hated how flat it sounded.

Harris raised an eyebrow. “A pole?”

“Yeah,” I said, trying to add more casualness to my tone. “I was in a rush the other night, not paying attention. It was dark. The angle was weird. I clipped it.”

He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t dare look up.

God, I hated lying. Especially to him. But what was I supposed to say?

“Oh yeah, Ray had a meltdown and took it out on two cars like he was smashing up a video game.”

No.

Only my dad knew. And even then, barely. He didn’t want anyone else involved. And neither did I.

“I’ve just been… distracted,” I said after a beat. “Everything with Curtis. And now Ray acting strange like a broke up with him instead of Curtis. It’s like… my head hasn’t been screwed on right.”

Harris nodded slowly. “Well, I’m sorry that pole chose violence.”

I laughed, even though it sounded hollow.

He stayed a few feet away, hands in his pockets, giving me space but not too much. That was something I’d always liked about him. He never pushed too hard. He just let you be there.

“You don’t have to keep it all in, you know,” he said, quieter this time. “Even if you don’t want to talk about it.”

I finally looked up at him, and for a second, I felt it—how badly I wanted to tell someone the truth.

But I couldn’t.

So I nodded. “Thanks. Really. It means a lot that I can be here.”

“Anytime,” he said. “I’ll leave you to it. Just shout if you need a second pair of hands. Or emotional support soda.”

He turned to leave, and I watched him go. Then I looked back at the damage, and it wasn’t just the car that felt cracked open.

It was me, too.

But I’d fix it. I had to.

By the time I finished with the Jeep, the sun had shifted lower in the sky, casting a golden glow across the driveway. I stood up, wiping the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve, and flexed my sore fingers. My shoulders ached, my hands were dirty, and my nerves were shot from holding in so much—but I had done it.

Or at least, enough for today.

Mia had been wandering in and out of the garage the whole time, her nails clicking softly on the concrete. She trotted up to me now, tongue out, tail wagging like I’d just come home from a long trip.

“Hey, baby,” I said, crouching to scratch behind her ears. “You hungry or just proud of me?”

Behind me, I heard the screen door open.

“You done being a one-woman pit crew?” Harris asked.

I nodded, still petting Mia. “For now. I think my arms are going to fall off.”

“You wanna come inside? Pool’s clean. Figured I’d throw something on the grill too.”

I looked at him for a second, surprised by how easy it all felt—like slipping into something familiar without even thinking. I nodded before I could talk myself out of it.

“Yeah,” I said. “That actually sounds perfect.”

The water felt like everything I didn’t know I needed. Cool. Quiet. Weightless.

I floated on my back, letting the water rock me gently, eyes closed as the sun kissed my skin and birds chirped in the trees. I could hear Harris messing with the bluetooth speaker by the patio and Mia splashing somewhere near the shallow end.

I didn’t remember the last time I felt this… okay.

Not good. Not fixed. But okay.

When I opened my eyes, Harris was already in the water, half-floating near the edge, sunglasses pushed up into his hair.

“This feels like middle school summer all over again,” I said, swimming over to him.

“You mean before everything got dramatic and complicated?” he smirked.

“Exactly.”

We both laughed. Mia barked, splashing as she tried to paddle toward us before turning in chaotic circles like she wasn’t quite sure what her goal was.

I watched her, smiling. “She’s awful at swimming.”

“She takes after her owner.”

I splashed him in the face.

He retaliated with a full wave to my chest, and suddenly we were in a full-blown splash war. It didn’t last long—mostly because I was laughing too hard to keep my aim right. But when we both stopped, out of breath, water dripping from our faces, I saw him looking at me a little longer than he probably meant to.

“What?” I asked, breathless.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, glancing away. “Just… it’s nice seeing you smile again.”

That caught me off guard.

I swallowed. “Yeah. It’s… rare lately.”

“I know.”

We fell into a silence that wasn’t awkward. Just… full. Of things we weren’t saying.

He climbed out of the pool a few minutes later and went to check the grill, and I followed, wrapping myself in a towel. We ate burgers off paper plates on the patio, with Mia begging between us, and a throwback playlist playing in the background like it was straight out of a memory.

No big conversations. No questions. Just air and sun and laughter and the comfort of someone who’s known you long enough to let you be quiet when you need to be.

By the time the sun dipped behind the trees, the air had cooled, and I was dry again, wrapped in a hoodie of his I’d stolen from the laundry room.

We didn’t talk about the Jeep.

Or Curtis.

Or Ray.

Or anything that made my chest hurt.

And for a little while, it almost felt like none of it existed.

Just me, Harris, Mia, and a summer night that didn’t ask for anything except for us to be in it.

We didn’t go inside right away. The plates were still on the patio table, but neither of us moved to clean them up. The grill was off, the pool water still and glimmering, and Mia had finally crashed in the grass near Harris’s chair, legs twitching like she was chasing something in her dreams.

It was quiet. Not awkward. Just… still.

I pulled my legs up onto the chair and hugged my knees, wearing the hoodie I stole from his laundry pile—soft and oversized and definitely smelling like him. That realization made me press my face into the collar before I even thought about it.

“You cold?” Harris asked, barely above a whisper.

I looked at him. “Not really. Just feel like disappearing into something soft for a while.”

He smiled a little at that, but there was a flicker in his eyes—something quieter, more serious. I watched him lean back in his chair, arms folded loosely, the kind of relaxed posture that didn’t quite match the way he was watching me.

It hit me then how much we’d both changed. How far we’d drifted, and how easy it felt being back here. Too easy.

“I missed this,” I said suddenly, before I could stop myself.

Harris glanced over. “Yeah?”

“Not just… the pool or the burgers or Mia being ridiculous. I mean… you. Us. Talking like this.”

He nodded slowly. “I know what you mean.”

A beat of silence passed between us, and the tension settled in like something just barely brushing against my skin.

“I don’t really talk to anyone the way I talk to you,” I said. My voice was softer now. Honest in a way that felt both freeing and terrifying.

His eyes didn’t leave mine. “Then why’d we stop?”

I didn’t answer right away. I felt like the air thinned between us, like one wrong word would make everything collapse. But he deserved an answer.

“I think I got used to pretending everything was fine,” I said. “And pretending is easier when you’re not around people who actually see through it.”

That hung there for a moment, stretching between us like a thread pulled tight.

“I always saw through it, Leah,” he said. “Even back then.”

I looked away, chewing the inside of my cheek. “I know.”

He stood slowly and walked over, then sat down on the edge of the lounge chair beside mine. Not too close. Just… close enough.

“You don’t have to pretend here,” he said quietly.

The words nearly undid me.

I blinked fast, not trusting the way my throat tightened. I hated how much I wanted to lean into him. How much I missed this version of us—quiet, real, slightly off-balance.

I looked up at him, and the way he was watching me made my stomach flip in the worst and best way.

“This is dangerous,” I whispered.

“What is?”

“This. You and me. Being like this again.”

He didn’t flinch. “Is it a bad kind of dangerous?”

I didn’t know how to answer that. Maybe both.

I could still taste the past in the way he looked at me. Still felt it humming between us like static. And maybe it wasn’t fair. Not to him. Not to me. But I didn’t move away either.

Harris reached out then—not dramatically, just gently—and tucked a strand of damp hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering near my cheek a second too long.

It felt like a question.

And I didn’t know if I was ready to answer.

His fingers brushed my cheek, soft and steady, and I swear everything in me just stilled.

I should’ve pulled away. Said something sarcastic. Laughed it off like I always do when things feel too real.

But I didn’t.

I leaned in.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t even a full thought. One second I was watching his eyes flick between mine, and the next, my lips were on his—warm, familiar, and careful like we were both remembering something we hadn’t let ourselves feel in a long time.

He kissed me back immediately.

No hesitation. No holding back.

It wasn’t rushed. Just slow. Meaningful. His hand slipped to the side of my neck and I moved closer, letting my forehead rest against his for the briefest moment when we parted.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to say. I didn’t even know what it meant.

But I knew how I felt.

And then—

My phone buzzed. Loud. Jarring. Relentless.

We both froze. I pulled away with a groan and fumbled for it in the pocket of his hoodie I was wearing.

“It’s my dad,” I said, glancing at the screen.

Harris leaned back, lips still parted like he hadn’t fully come down from the moment. “You should answer.”

I hesitated, thumb hovering over the green button, then finally pressed it.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Leah, are you still at Harris’s?” he asked, voice low but not angry. Just tired. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Just finished working on the Jeep. We’re in the backyard. Why?”

There was a pause, then, “Mr. Bowers just texted me. Said he was heading out to check in with Harris and make sure everything was quiet. Didn’t realize it was already this late.”

My stomach sank a little. I turned toward Harris. “Your dad’s coming out here.”

Harris groaned under his breath. “Of course he is.”

I could hear his dad’s voice faintly in the distance already, calling out from the back door:

“Harris? You back here?”

I stood quickly, brushing imaginary wrinkles off the hoodie and tying it tighter around me, like that would somehow make me less obvious.

“We’re good, Dad,” I said into the phone, trying to keep my voice calm. “I’ll head home soon.”

“Alright,” he said slowly, like he didn’t quite buy it. “Text me when you’re back.”

“Will do.”

I hung up just as Mr. Bowers stepped out onto the patio, wearing his usual half-suspicious, half-friendly expression.

“There you two are,” he said, looking between us. “Didn’t realize this was an all-day Jeep repair session.”

Harris stood beside me, completely calm. “It turned into burgers and a swim. Nothing wild.”

Mr. Bowers gave me a knowing look. “Your dad said the Jeep was banged up pretty bad. Everything good now?”

I nodded quickly. “Mostly. Just cosmetic stuff. I’ve got it handled.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, but then he shrugged. “Alright. Just making sure no one’s setting anything on fire back here.”

“Not tonight,” Harris muttered.

Mr. Bowers chuckled, gave Harris a light pat on the shoulder, and walked back toward the house, muttering something about locking up the side gate.

When he was gone, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“Well,” I said, half-laughing. “That was… the worst possible timing.”

Harris turned toward me, one hand sliding into his pocket. “I mean… it’s kinda our thing. Almost moments that get interrupted.”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling that ache of something unspoken settling back into the air between us. “Almost.”

The kiss still lingered on my lips, but everything else—the warmth, the safety, the way I felt when he looked at me—suddenly felt fragile again. Like we’d stepped too far into something neither of us was ready for.

I wrapped my arms around myself and glanced at the pool. “I should probably head home.”

“Yeah,” he said. But he didn’t sound like he meant it.

We didn’t say anything else as I gathered my stuff. Not yet, anyway.

But something had shifted.

And now, we both knew it.

I decided to head home, even though Mia stayed over at Harris’s house—it was his turn to take care of her, just for tonight. The drive felt longer than it was, the hum of the jeep filling the silence while my hands ached from hours of work. By the time I pulled into the driveway, the headlights swept across the garage door like a spotlight, and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding. The jeep looked almost new again—straight lines, clean panels—except for a couple of stubborn dents that no hammer could erase.

Dad was already outside, leaning against the porch railing like he’d been waiting all night. His eyes locked on the jeep first, then shifted to me.

“You did all that yourself?” His voice was rough, low.

I tugged at the sleeves of my hoodie, suddenly self-conscious. “Yeah. Harris just let me use his garage. Everything else was me.”

At the mention of Harris, I noticed the way Dad’s eyes softened. He didn’t push, though, just walked slowly around the jeep, his hand trailing along the side. When his fingers brushed over one of the dents, I saw his jaw tighten. He turned back toward me, his face shadowed in the porch light.

“Leah…” He hesitated, and my chest tightened with the weight of that pause. “I’m sorry.”

I frowned. “Sorry? For what?”

“For this.” He gestured toward the jeep, and I caught the heaviness in his eyes. “If I hadn’t called the police on Ray, none of this would’ve happened. I thought I was protecting you. Instead, it just made things worse.”

His words hit me harder than I expected. My stomach twisted, and I froze, not sure what to say at first. Finally, I shook my head. “Dad, no… this isn’t on you.”

“Yes, it is.” His voice cracked, just a little, enough to make me see how much he’d been carrying. “I should’ve handled it differently. Should’ve talked to him, should’ve… I don’t know. But I put you in the middle, and now your jeep—your freedom—took the hit for it.”

I swallowed hard, stepping closer so he would hear me clearly. “It’s just a car, Dad. I can fix a car. What I can’t fix is you blaming yourself for something Ray chose to do.”

Dad studied me, the porch light catching the deep lines of worry on his face. “You’ve grown tougher than I ever wanted you to be.”

A tired smile tugged at my lips. “Guess I had to. But I don’t regret it. Not if it means I can handle myself—and prove you raised me right.”

He didn’t answer right away, just looked at me like he was trying to read the things I wasn’t saying. Then his voice dropped. “And Harris? What’s going on with you two?”

My stomach flipped, but I kept my face steady. “We decided to be friends,” I said simply, though the words felt thinner than they should.

Dad didn’t argue. Instead, a small, knowing smile tugged at his mouth. “That’s fine. Friends or not, I know what I’ve seen. When your mom was still here, she used to notice it too—the way you and Harris connected. It reminded us of… us.” His smile turned bittersweet. “That kind of thing doesn’t just disappear.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just stood there, my throat tight. Before I could answer, Dad pulled me into a hug, rough but steady, one arm wrapped tight around my shoulders.

“You did more than prove yourself tonight,” he murmured into my hair. “I just wish you didn’t have to.”

I closed my eyes and leaned against his chest, letting the weight of his guilt settle between us. Heavy, but not enough to crush me. And behind it all, his words about Harris lingered—soft, unshakable, like the dents in the jeep.

[itsrenn2]

The Way I loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

The smell of bacon woke me before my alarm did.

I blinked against the early light filtering through my blinds. Mia was curled at my feet, snoring softly. My stomach turned—not from hunger, but from the night before. Ray’s words were still echoing in my head.

You didn’t see anything. You didn’t hear anything. You never left the garage.

I got up, pulled on sweats and a hoodie, and headed to the kitchen. Dad was standing at the stove, flipping pancakes like it was just another morning.

“Morning, kid,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “You hungry?”

I nodded and moved slowly to the counter, trying to act normal.

“Coffee?” he offered, already pouring some into my favorite mug.

“Thanks.”

I sat at the kitchen island and wrapped my hands around the cup. Warm. Safe. Like maybe if I held it tight enough, I could quiet the buzzing in my head.

He placed a plate in front of me—eggs, bacon, pancakes, perfect as always—and then leaned against the counter across from me, arms crossed. Watching.

“You sleep okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I lied.

“You sure? You were out late. Jeep sounded a little tense coming in.”

I looked up from my plate. He wasn’t prying. Just noticing. Like he always did.

“I was just tired,” I said. “Work ran late.”

He gave a slow nod but didn’t look convinced.

“You’ve been off since yesterday.”

I didn’t respond right away.

“I know that look, Leah. Same one your mom used to get when something was crawling under her skin and she didn’t know how to talk about it.”

That made my throat tighten.

I pushed my food around on the plate and tried to swallow the weight sitting on my chest. I wanted to say something. I really did.

“I saw Ray,” I finally said, voice low.

Dad’s eyes narrowed slightly. “When?”

“Last night. After work. He followed me.”

He stood up straighter, tension creeping into his shoulders. “He followed you?”

“I pulled over and confronted him. Told him I wasn’t gonna say anything. He said I better not.”

Dad turned toward the sink, jaw locked. He didn’t say anything for a second. Then, “You okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. He didn’t touch me or anything. Just tried to scare me.”

He leaned both hands on the counter, head down like he was trying to think straight before speaking.

“You should’ve told me last night.”

“I didn’t want to make it worse.”

“You being quiet is what makes it worse,” he said, turning back to me. His voice wasn’t angry—it was careful, protective, and tired. “These guys… Ray, Mikey… they don’t do warnings out of courtesy. They do it when they think someone might be a threat.”

“I’m not a threat,” I said quickly. “I told him that.”

“Doesn’t matter. He saw you. And now he knows you saw him.”

He ran a hand through his hair. Then he sighed.

“Alright. Today, you go to school, act normal. After that, you come straight home.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off.

“I mean it, Leah. Until this thing with Ray blows over—or whatever the hell they’re planning tonight—we stay low.”

I nodded reluctantly. “Okay.”

“Good,” he said, then gave a small, wry smile. “Now eat before all that guilt turns your pancakes cold.”

I smiled faintly, the knot in my chest loosening—just a little.

I said goodbye to my dad as I got into my Jeep, ready to head to school. Before I could even start the engine, the passenger door opened and Zac climbed in like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Morning,” he said, already buckling his seatbelt.

I didn’t mind. Honestly, I kind of appreciated the company.

The whole drive, he kept talking—about wanting more practice with Dottie, how he felt like he was finally starting to get the hang of her, and how he and Alicia had talked things out after everything that happened at the party. He said it was a weird conversation, but it felt good. Honest.

I didn’t say much. Just nodded when I needed to, laughed at the right parts. Letting him talk was exactly what I needed—just a little bit of noise to drown out the thoughts in my head.

Classes flew by after that. I drifted through them, half-aware, barely listening.

Harris tried to talk to me during chemistry, asking quiet questions and nudging me like he could feel something was off. But I kept my eyes on my notes, barely responded. I tuned him out without meaning to.

I just… couldn’t go there. Not yet.

Then came lunch.

I’d barely sat down at the edge of the courtyard when Alicia dropped her bag on the bench beside me like it owed her money.

“Okay,” she said dramatically, “do I look like a ghost or do you just not check your texts anymore?”

I glanced at her, caught somewhere between guilty and exhausted. “Sorry.”

She narrowed her eyes. “That’s it? Sorry? I sent you, like, twelve messages. Two memes. One voice note that deserved an Oscar.”

“I’ve just been… tired.”

Alicia leaned back, arms crossed. “You’ve been ghosting. And not just me—Curtis said you skipped lunch yesterday. Marcel said he didn’t saw you all day yesterday. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“You keep saying that.”

I shrugged and unzipped my hoodie a little, letting the morning breeze cool the back of my neck. “Just needed some space. A break from everything.”

“Well,” Alicia said, flipping open her planner, “speaking of everything—are you even halfway done with the history project? Because I’m carrying this grade harder than I carry my whole friend group emotionally.”

I actually laughed a little. “I’ve started the outline.”

“An outline? Leah. It’s due Monday.”

“You’re the one who volunteered us to work together.”

“Because you used to be reliable,” she teased, then softened her voice. “And because I like working with you.”

I glanced over at her, grateful for the way she could still be sarcastic without being cruel. “I’ll have it done. Promise.”

“Good,” she said. Then her tone shifted, quieter. “And you’ll be at the festival tonight, right?”

I hesitated.

Alicia leaned back, glancing around the courtyard. “So. You coming tonight ?”

“To the festival?”

“Yeah. Come with me. Like old times. Before all the chaos. Just me and you, funnel cake and judging people’s outfits.”

I laughed, but it faded quickly. “I don’t know if my dad’s gonna let me out of his sight tonight.”

Alicia frowned. “What? Why?”

I looked away. “He’s just being really protective. Some things have been… weird lately.”

She sat up straighter. “Leah. Weird how?”

Before I could answer, a familiar voice interrupted us.

“You okay?”

Harris.

He stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, eyes trained on me like he already knew something was off. And honestly, he wasn’t wrong.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly.

He didn’t move. “You sure?”

“My dad’s just being overcautious. That’s all.”

Alicia looked between us, eyebrows drawn together. “Over what?”

Harris didn’t say anything, but I could feel the weight of his stare.

“Nothing,” I said, trying to sound light. “He’s just doing the overprotective dad thing. Making sure I stay in the light, don’t talk to strangers, that sort of thing.”

But Harris wasn’t buying it. His jaw tightened slightly. “Did something happen?”

I didn’t answer.

Alicia shifted next to me. “Leah?”

I stood up before either of them could press more. “I’ve got to get to class.”

And I walked off, ignoring the stares behind me, trying not to feel like I’d just lied to the two people who knew me better than anyone.

Because the truth was—I didn’t feel safe. And I wasn’t sure how long I could keep pretending otherwise.

After school, I headed to my Jeep, hoping for a quiet ride home. I had just thrown my bag in the passenger seat when the door opened—and Caitlyn climbed in without a word, just like Zac had done that morning.

She didn’t ask. She just got in like it was expected, like riding with me was the most normal thing in the world.

I didn’t stop her.

We didn’t talk much at first. The car was quiet except for the hum of the engine and the sound of the radio playing low in the background. I didn’t mind the silence. It was better than having to explain the mess in my head.

Halfway down the road, she finally broke it.

“You going to the festival tonight?”

I kept my eyes on the road. “Not sure.”

She nodded slowly. “It’s gonna be weird if you’re not there.”

I didn’t answer. Because part of me wanted to go—just to feel normal again. But another part of me knew there was nothing normal about tonight.

And Caitlyn didn’t push. She just leaned back in the seat and stayed quiet the rest of the way.

That, somehow, said everything.

We pulled into the driveway, and sure enough, Dad was already standing in the garage with his arms crossed, waiting.

The second I turned off the engine, Caitlyn grabbed her backpack from the backseat.

“I’m gonna head to your room,” she said quickly, giving me a small smile. “Maybe get started on some homework.”

“Yeah, go ahead,” I said.

She disappeared inside, and I stayed by the Jeep, watching my dad for a second before walking over.

“You’re early,” I said.

He gave a little shrug. “Didn’t like the idea of you pulling in alone.”

I nodded, tugging at the sleeve of my hoodie. “Can I talk to you about something?”

“You’re talking.”

I hesitated. “Can I drive my Jeep to the festival tonight?”

His expression shifted instantly—protective, unsure.

“Leah…”

“I know. I know you want me close. And I get why. After what happened with Ray… I know it’s not nothing. I’m not acting like it is.”

I looked down at the driveway for a second before continuing.

“But I’ve been avoiding everyone since yesterday. First because of the breakup with Curtis—I just didn’t want to deal with people asking questions or looking at me like they already knew how I felt. And now with the Ray thing… I don’t even know how to be around people.”

He stayed quiet, just listening. That was always his way.

“I’m not trying to be reckless,” I said softly. “I just want a few hours to feel like I’m still me. To hang out with Alicia, my cousins… not feel like I have to look over my shoulder every second.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes scanning the street like he needed to weigh every possible outcome.

“I guess we can figure this out,” he finally said, slow and careful. “But just the festival. You drive straight there, park up front where it’s busy. You stay in the open. And if you even think you see Ray, Mikey, or anyone shady—you come find me.”

“I will,” I promised. “I swear. I’m not going to say anything about what I overheard. I just… I need tonight. That’s all.”

He looked at me for a long second, then sighed. “You’re still not great at lying.”

“Didn’t try to lie,” I said. “Just tried to keep breathing.”

That got a faint smile from him—tired, but real.

“Alright,” he said. “Go get ready. And no slipping away, even with Alicia.”

I smirked. “You know she’s basically a getaway driver, right?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not helping your case.”

“Okay, okay.” I lifted my hands in surrender and started toward the house. “I’ll play by the rules. For tonight.”

“Better,” he called after me. “Because if anything happens—”

“I know where to find you,” I finished over my shoulder.

And for the first time in days, I almost believed things might feel okay.

After I finished talking with my dad, I headed to my room. When I walked in, Caitlyn was sitting on the bed with the house phone pressed to her ear.

“Yeah, she’s here. Okay,” she said, then held the phone out to me. “It’s Curtis. He wants to ask you something.”

She gave me a small smile before leaving the room, Mia cradled in her arms.

“Hey,” I said, settling on the edge of the bed.

“Hey,” he replied quickly. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?” I asked, a little thrown off.

“I ran into Ray,” he said. “We were talking and… he told me I should check on my girlfriend . Said you didn’t look so great yesterday.”

“Of course he did,” I muttered. “Freaking Ray. He followed me yesterday. Did he say that?”

“Not exactly. He was just being weird. But I wanted to check in with you anyway.”

“I’m fine, Curtis. Really. But thanks for asking.”

“Always. I was your friend first, remember? And I’ll make sure Ray stays far, far away from you.”

I smiled to myself. “I know. And I’m sorry for kind of avoiding you… I’ve just been trying to get my head on straight.”

“It’s okay. Just give me a heads-up next time so I don’t worry, alright? We’re good?”

“We’re good,” I said. “Thanks. I’ll see you at the festival.”

“You better. And just so you know, you still owe me a teddy bear.”

I laughed. “I haven’t forgotten. I’m winning that bear tonight.”

“I’ll be holding you to that,” he said. “See you later, Leah.”

“See you.”

After a while, I stepped out onto the porch and found Caitlyn sitting on the steps, tossing a ball lazily for Mia. The sun was warm, soft light pouring over everything, and the air smelled like fresh grass and sunscreen. I sank down beside her.

“My mom’s driving me to the festival,” Caitlyn said, glancing over. “You should ride with us.”

I gave a half-shrug. “Maybe. I told Alicia I’d meet her there, but I haven’t really decided.”

“Are you guys good again?” she asked gently.

I nodded. “Yeah. We talked yesterday. I think I just… missed her. Things haven’t been easy, and it’s hard holding a grudge when someone used to feel like home.”

“That’s good,” she said. “What about Curtis?”

I looked at her, surprised. “Oh… didn’t he say anything?”

She shook her head.

“We broke up,” I said quietly. “He had feelings for someone else. And I guess… I’m still kind of stuck on Harris in some ways. But the good thing is Curtis and I are still friends. He’s always been that first, and maybe that’s where we should’ve stayed.”

She nodded slowly, thoughtful, and we both sat in silence for a moment. The breeze picked up and rustled through the leaves.

Then Caitlyn turned her head toward me. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah,” I said, glancing at her.

“Why did you and Harris really break up?”

I didn’t answer right away. I looked down at Mia, curled up beside us, and gently scratched behind her ears.

“It was raining that day,” I began, voice low. “Pouring. We were on this narrow back road. Harris said he wanted to take me to a lookout spot. I thought it would be sweet, but…”

I paused, swallowing. “He was going too fast. Like always.”

Caitlyn pulled her knees up to her chest and stayed quiet, just listening.

“I told him to slow down. Twice. The road was slick, and I was scared. But he laughed. He thought I was overreacting.”

I could still feel the grip of the seatbelt across my chest, the blur of trees, the sharp jolt when we swerved.

“Two deer ran out. He swerved, we went off the road, straight into a ditch. And in the middle of the smoke and steam and rain, I just remember sitting there—completely soaked—and thinking, I’m not even scared of this crash. I’m scared that this feels normal now.”

Caitlyn turned her head, her expression soft and heavy with concern.

I glanced away, remembering it too clearly.

Leah: “I told you to slow down, Harris. I told you.”

Harris: “I know, okay? I wasn’t trying to ignore you. It just happened fast.”

Leah: “That’s the problem. Everything with you is too fast. Decisions, reactions, promises… and now this.”

Harris: “It was just an accident, Leah.”

Leah: “No, it wasn’t just an accident. It was the last straw. You never listen. Not when I say I’m uncomfortable, not when I need space, not when I ask you to stop pushing the limits.”

Harris: “So that’s it? You’re ending things over a crash?”

Leah: “I’m ending things because this crash says everything. You drive like you live—impulsively, recklessly. And you think saying sorry afterward fixes it.”

Harris (quietly): “I thought we were stronger than this.”

Leah: “We were. Until I realized I’m always the one gripping the wheel from the passenger seat, hoping you won’t take us off the road. I can’t keep doing that.”

Harris: “…So what now?”

Leah: “I get out. I walk away. You figure out how to fix this car—this mess—without me.”

I blinked back to the present, Mia pressing closer against my side.

“I walked away that night. Didn’t yell. Didn’t cry. I just… left.”

Caitlyn leaned over, resting her hand on my knee.

“I’m proud of you,” she said. “That couldn’t have been easy.”

“It wasn’t. But it was what I needed to do.”

We were quiet again for a few moments. Then I exhaled, slower this time.

“Can I tell you something else?”

“Always,” Caitlyn said.

“I miss him.”

She didn’t interrupt. She just let me speak.

“I know Curtis was good for me. He made me feel safe. Like I could finally breathe. But sometimes… I still miss Harris. I miss who we were when things were good. Before the fast turned into chaos. And I hate that part of me still wants to go back to those moments. Like if I could just touch them again, I wouldn’t feel so… split.”

Caitlyn moved closer until our shoulders touched. Mia stirred, sighing between us.

“I feel guilty for missing him,” I said. “Like I’m betraying what I had with Curtis. But maybe I just miss being someone who wasn’t carrying all this.”

“You’re not betraying anything,” Caitlyn said gently. “You’re just human. Missing someone doesn’t mean you want them back. It just means they mattered. And that’s okay.”

Later, I was sitting at the kitchen table, turning my phone over in my hands when Sam walked in, sunglasses already propped on her head and a Tupperware full of fruit in her arms.

“You doing okay, honey?” she asked, setting the container down.

“Yeah,” I said, half-smiling. “Just tired.”

She gave a small nod and poured herself a glass of water. “Caitlyn told me you weren’t sure how you’re getting to the festival. I wanted to say—there’s plenty of room if you want to ride with us.”

I hesitated. “I might still meet Alicia there.”

Sam gave me one of those looks that moms do—gentle, knowing, but without pressure. “Of course. But if you’re feeling even a little unsure, just know we’d love to have you ride with us. No expectations. Just a soft seat and snacks.”

I looked at her. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

She laughed lightly. “Sweetheart, you’re not a bother. I already let your dad know, just in case. He said it was fine and told me to remind you to he’s always one call away .”

I let out a small laugh. “Of course he did.”

Sam smiled warmly and patted my shoulder. “We’re leaving soon. No pressure—just think about it.”

As she walked out of the room, I looked at Mia, who wagged her tail like she already knew the answer.

Sam glanced back at me with a smile as I buckled in. “Everyone ready?”

“Yep,” Caitlyn said, already queuing up something upbeat.

“Yeah,” I said, leaning my elbow against the window. The sun was warm against the glass, and the air smelled like fresh-cut grass and sunscreen.

As we pulled out of the driveway, I gave one last glance at the house. I knew Mia would be sleeping by the front window like she always did when I left. That tug in my chest—leaving something safe for something uncertain—settled quietly as we turned onto the main road.

The first few minutes passed in comfortable silence. Music played low in the background, and the wind from the open windows tousled Caitlyn’s hair as she tapped her fingers to the beat.

Sam spoke up after a while, glancing in the mirror. “You tell your dad you’re coming with us?”

“Yeah,” I said. “He texted me to wear sunscreen and behave—which I’m guessing was more for Caitlyn than me.”

Caitlyn scoffed. “Rude.”

Sam grinned. “Not inaccurate, though.”

That made me laugh, a small one, but real. The kind that starts somewhere in your chest instead of just your mouth.

“We got lucky with the weather this year,” Sam said. “Remember last time? Rain so hard we thought the food trucks might float away?”. Of course i remember that was years ago my mom was there i remember

“Oh my god,” Caitlyn groaned. “I wore white canvas shoes. They basically dissolved.”

“You made me carry you across the parking lot,” I added.

“I begged you,” she corrected. “And you did it. In soaked flip-flops. You’re a hero, honestly.”

We laughed again, and the sound filled the car in a way that felt light—not like forgetting everything, but like remembering I could breathe through it.

I stared out the window for a moment, watching the trees blur past, the sunshine flickering through the leaves.

“Thanks for letting me come with you guys,” I said quietly.

Sam met my eyes briefly in the mirror. “Of course, sweetheart. Always.”

Caitlyn twisted in her seat just enough to nudge my leg with her hand. “And we’ve got better snacks than Alicia. Just saying.”

I smiled again, not just because of the joke—but because for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel like I was in the middle of something breaking. Just a girl in a car with people who cared about her, heading toward something that might be good.

The music was loud, but not unbearable—the kind of beat that made your bones vibrate a little. Sunlight filtered through the tree line, casting moving shadows across the grass as people weaved around food stands and folding chairs. The scent of funnel cake, fried everything, and too-sweet lemonade lingered in the air.

I had just stepped away from Caitlyn and Sam to check out a booth selling handmade rings when I heard my name.

“Leah?”

I turned, and my chest tightened.

Harris.

He looked almost the same—hair still slightly messy like he’d just run a hand through it, a little sun on his cheeks, and that same familiar nervous energy in the way he held himself. But his eyes were softer than I remembered. Like maybe something inside him had finally quieted.

“Hey,” I said, keeping my voice even.

“You okay?” he asked, stepping closer. “You’ve looked… kind of out of it all afternoon.”

I blinked. “You’ve been watching me?”

He shrugged. “Not like that. I just noticed.”

I crossed my arms, unsure how close I wanted him, emotionally or physically. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” he pressed, tilting his head slightly. “You’ve got that look—like your body’s here but your head’s somewhere else.”

I looked away, biting the inside of my cheek. It was annoying how easily he could still read me. Even more annoying how a part of me missed it.

“I’ve just had a lot on my mind,” I said finally.

Before he could ask more, a familiar voice called out—

“Leah!”

I turned just as Alicia jogged over, wearing sunglasses and a flower crown she definitely didn’t pay for.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she said, grinning. “You disappeared on me again.”

Harris took a step back immediately, like he didn’t want to be in the way. “I’ll let you go,” he muttered. “See you around, Leah.”

I nodded, not saying much as he turned and walked a few steps away—but not far. He lingered, pretending to check his phone near one of the booths, still within earshot.

Alicia turned to me, her smile fading just a little as she took a better look at me. “Hey. Are you okay? You’ve been… different lately.”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

“I’ve been off,” I admitted. “Because Curtis and I broke up.”

Her face fell. “Wait—what? When?”

“A few days ago,” I said, voice quieter now. “I just didn’t really want to talk about it. To anyone.”

“Leah…” Alicia stepped closer. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

I gave a small, tired smile. “I don’t know. Some moments I feel fine. Other moments I feel like everything’s unraveling and I’m just pretending I’m not in the middle of it.”

She didn’t try to fix it. Just nodded and looped her arm through mine.

“I’m here,” she said. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

I felt the sting behind my eyes and quickly blinked it away. I didn’t notice Harris look up until he turned and walked away completely this time, slipping into the crowd without saying another word.

Alicia and I were both taking pictures at the booths, laughing and playing games until the sun finally went down. That’s when we made our way to the stage—we were waiting for the best part of the night.

The mayor came up and started talking, hyping up the crowd.

That’s when I saw Mr. Bowers and Harris walk onto the stage.

The whole crowd started clapping. People were cheering. I stood still, watching Harris for a moment, unsure of what I was feeling.

The countdown started.

“Ten… nine… eight…”

I scanned the crowd, trying to find Curtis. But he wasn’t here. He said he would be. So my suspicions were right. He left.

I sighed. Just as the fireflies started lighting up the night sky, I made a choice.

“Alicia, can you please cover me?” I asked quickly. “I have something to take care of.”

“Sure. But call me if you need something,” she said, giving me a concerned look.

“I hate to ask you this, but… can I borrow your car?”

She blinked, then handed me her keys. “You owe me a ride on the Ferris wheel.”

“Deal,” I said, managing a smile.

I started walking toward the lot when I spotted my dad talking to the sheriff near the edge of the field. He was definitely talking about Ray. I could feel it.

I checked the time—9:20 p.m.—then got in the car and took off toward Main Street.

As I got closer to the little store Mickey mentioned earlier, I heard sirens in the distance. I slowed down—and just then, I saw Curtis walking out of the store. I hit the brakes at the same time another car pulled up.

My dad’s mustang.

Curtis looked at me, then at my dad.

“Get in, dumbass,” my dad muttered, opening the door for him. Then he turned to me, his voice low but firm. “Go back to the festival. We’ll talk later.”

He was mad. I could tell by his tone. So I just nodded and turned the car around.

Back at the festival, Alicia called me the second I parked.

“Are you coming back? I need help with Harris. He wants to race Zac,” she said as soon as I picked up.

“I’m on my way. Just give me five minutes.”

She hung up.

When I arrived, I saw them near Noah’s car. Harris was inside, engine running. Noah leaned against the door, talking to him.

I walked over. Alicia caught my eye and nodded, giving me space to go first.

I stood beside the car.

“Hey. Can I talk to you?” I said, trying to stay calm.

He didn’t look up. “A little busy,” he muttered.

I felt something snap. “Who are you?” I said, my voice rising. “Come on, you’re not the guy I fell in love with. You’re acting like a bully. And I don’t understand why.”

He finally looked up at me.

“I mean it, Harris. You’ve been cold, distant… and I know it’s been hard since your mom died. But this? This isn’t you. You wouldn’t be like this if I stayed close to you.”

“Can we talk about this after the race?” he asked, almost pleading.

I shook my head. “The race is the final straw.”

He blinked. “What do you mean, final straw?”

“If you start that engine, we’ll never talk again. When you shut it off, that’s it. I’m gone.”

He looked at me, breathing hard, like he was still deciding what to do.

I turned to Alicia and handed her the keys. “Here.”

“You two have to talk,” she said gently. “I’m going to leave you alone.”

“I did this for you. You know that, right?” I said.

“Yeah,” she nodded. “But I know he only listens to you. And I’m okay with that. You two really deserve each other.”

“I’m not sure about that,” I whispered.

Then we heard the car door shut behind us.

We both turned.

Harris stepped out of the car and tossed the keys to Noah without saying a word.

“I’m done,” he said simply.

Alicia gave me a small hug. “Just talk to him,” she whispered. “I’ll end things with him. Because I can see it—he’s in love. And it’s not with me.”

“Alicia…”

She was already walking to her car.

I turned and looked at Harris. He walked toward me slowly.

“I wasn’t trying to push you away,” he said, voice quieter now. “I just didn’t know how to let you in.”

“You didn’t have to prove anything,” I said. “Not with Zac. Not with anyone.”

“I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought I was supposed to be tough… I thought if I acted like I didn’t care, it would hurt less.”

“But it doesn’t, does it?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No. Not even close.”

We stood in silence, just watching the fireflies flicker in the trees nearby.

“You still want to talk?” he asked, finally.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “But not here.”

“Come on,” he said, reaching for my hand.

This time—I let him.

We didn’t say much as we walked.

Harris held my hand at first, but I let go when we reached the trail. Not because I didn’t want to be close, but because I needed space to breathe. To think.

The wind had picked up slightly. The sounds of the fair were behind us now, replaced by crickets and the soft rustle of trees.

We reached the old bridge—the one that stretched over the creek just past the orchard. Our spot.

He leaned on the railing, arms folded as he looked out over the water. I stood next to him.

“I used to come here all the time,” he said. “After my mom died. Even when you didn’t know.”

“I kind of figured,” I said. “I came too. A few times. Just… never said anything.”

He let out a dry laugh. “We’re good at hiding.”

“I guess we thought we were protecting each other,” I said softly.

He nodded, not looking at me. “I thought if I kept you away from the mess I was in… you wouldn’t drown in it too.”

“But we both ended up sinking anyway,” I whispered.

He turned to me slowly.

“We were both struggling,” I said. “You lost your mom… and I lost mine. Two people who loved us, who really saw us. And instead of leaning on each other, we pulled away.”

Harris was quiet. His jaw tensed.

“I didn’t want to be the reason you fell apart,” I continued. “So I backed off when I saw you pulling away. And I told myself it was the right thing. That giving you space was love.”

“But it just made things worse,” he said. “Because I thought you were walking away.”

“I wasn’t,” I said. “I was scared. And I didn’t want to be a burden when you were already breaking.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “God… we were both so lost.”

“And we lost each other because we didn’t want to drag the other person down into our mess,” I said. “But maybe we should’ve just been honest.”

He looked at me then. Really looked.

“I’m sorry, Leah.”

“I’m sorry too.”

There was a silence—full, but not heavy.

Then he asked, “So… what now?”

I took a breath. “We start over. As friends.”

His eyes flickered. “Friends?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Because we both need time to heal, and if we’re gonna be anything someday… it has to start with honesty. Not guilt. Not pain. Just… something real.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay. Friends.”

“No more shutting me out,” I added.

“No more pretending I’m okay when I’m not,” he said.

“And no more trying to fix each other.”

He smiled—soft and genuine. “Deal.”

We stood side by side on the bridge, watching the moonlight ripple across the creek. Our arms brushed lightly, but neither of us moved.

For the first time in a long while, it felt like we weren’t alone in our grief anymore.

It wasn’t the ending I used to imagine for us.

But maybe… it was the right beginning.

My phone buzzed—it was Marcel. He was asking if we were still doing the bridge thing. I texted back, Yeah, I’ll be there in five, and just as I was about to put my phone away, he started telling me how Zac pushed his car too hard racing Noah. Now his car was messed up too.

I told him I’d wait for them at the festival. He said he was meeting Curtis there anyway, so the festival became our new meetup spot.

I looked up at Harris.

“Is it okay if we go to the festival again?” I asked.

He nodded, and we started walking in that direction.

“I still have to check in with my dad so we can go home. I don’t have my car yet,” he said.

I gave him a small smile. “Well, you’ve got the whole weekend to try convincing your dad to give it back.”

“I’ll let you know if that ever happens. He’s still really upset about the Corvette.”

I nodded. “I’d feel the same if something happened to my car—or my dad’s.” I glanced at him, remembering the story about his dad’s car.

“I know I messed up,” he said quietly, guilt lacing his voice.

“Maybe you should just talk to him,” I said gently. “I think he’ll listen.”

The rest of the walk was quiet, but it didn’t feel awkward. Just calm. At the festival, Harris asked if I wanted to play some games while we waited. We ended up going to a few booths.

I won a little teddy bear, and I decided I’d give it to Curtis. Then Harris won something too—a small red panda plush.

“For Mia,” he said, handing it to me. “Or you. I don’t think Mia actually needs it.”

I laughed. “I’ll tell Mia that.”

Right then, my phone buzzed again. Marcel texted: We’re here.

“I have to go,” I said.

Harris nodded. “I’ll see you at school.”

“See you at school,” I replied.

“‘If you ever need anything, just call me, okay?’ Harris said.”

“I will. Bye.”

When I saw Marcel and Curtis, the first thing I did was hand Curtis the teddy bear.

“This is for you,” I said, smiling.

He laughed. “Oh, and I see you got one too,” he said, nodding toward the red panda.

“Yeah.”

Then I turned to Marcel. “So… what exactly happened with your car?”

He sighed. “Zac pushed the engine too hard. I knew it was a bad idea—and now it’s wrecked. Harris didn’t show up, but Zac still raced Noah.”

“I’m sorry, Marcel. Maybe we can take a look at it, see if we can fix it. Don’t be too hard on Zac.”

“I know,” he said with a tired shrug.

We walked mostly in silence until the bridge came into view. Zac and Caitlyn were already there, leaning against the railing.

“Hey, guys,” Curtis called out as we approached.

Caitlyn glanced up. “Hey… we didn’t think you were actually coming.”

“Yeah, we would’ve been here sooner,” Curtis said, then glanced at Marcel.

“But we didn’t have a car,” Marcel added, a little sharper.

Zac stepped forward, looking guilty. “Marcel, I’m really sorry. I’ll pay for everything, I swear.”

“With what?” Marcel shot back. “You spent your last twelve bucks on snacks.”

I reached for Marcel’s hand to calm him down. “Let’s not fight tonight, okay? Just for once.”

Curtis and Caitlyn had drifted a little to the side, talking quietly. Marcel didn’t say anything, just held my hand tighter.

“Can we jump already?” Marcel called over to Curtis, breaking the tension.

Curtis nodded and started handing out neon light sticks. “Yeah, here—take one.”

“What are these even for?” Zac asked, turning his over.

“You wear them around your neck,” I said at the same time Curtis did.

“So we don’t land on each other’s heads, Though I might still aim for yours,” Marcel joked to Zac with a smirk.

I looped the light stick around my neck. Mine was blue. It glowed soft and bright in the growing dark.

“I got it, alright?” Marcel muttered to Zac, still a little tense.

We all crossed over the small fence lining the edge of the bridge, one by one, careful but excited.

“Okay,” Caitlyn said, glancing around. “We all jump at the same time, yeah?”

“Yeah,” “Okay,” “Let’s do it,” everyone echoed.

Caitlyn caught my eye and smiled. I smiled back.

“Ready, set—go!” I shouted.

And just like that, we jumped. For a second it was pure silence, then the splash, then laughter echoing into the night.

“Oh my God, it’s freezing!” Caitlyn squealed as she came up for air.

“You wanna get out?” Curtis asked, treading water nearby.

“Nope—I wanna go again!” she laughed, and everyone cracked up.

Marcel swam over to me. “How do you feel?”

“Like the first time I did this,” I said, grinning. “Really good.”

After jumping off the bridge and getting completely soaked, we were walking back toward our houses. The others were chatting about random things, laughing like nothing happened, but my mind was somewhere else—stuck on everything that happened today.

Curtis had been walking slowly beside me. Eventually, he turned to me.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” he said quietly. “I know your dad stepped in before you could do anything… but I appreciate what you tried to do for me.”

“You’re still my friend, Curtis,” I replied, looking over at him. “Before anything else, we were best friends. I don’t know if you remember that.” I hesitated, then added, “When I heard what Ray was planning, and then didn’t see you at the festival… I just knew something wasn’t right. I was worried. And I know how Ray can be.”

Curtis gave me a small smile. “I know. And that’s why I’ll always be thankful—for what you’ve done for me, and honestly… even for Ray, when he didn’t deserve it.”

I smirked a little. “Well, as he likes to say—I’m my father’s daughter.”

Curtis chuckled. “Yeah… and your mom’s too. I remember my mom saying that to me when we first started dating.”

That made me smile, and he pulled me in for a quick hug.

When we reached his house, everyone said goodbye to him. We dropped Marcel off next, and then finally made it to my place. Zac immediately started complaining.

“Why didn’t you bring your jeep?” he asked.

“I didn’t want to get it all wet, obviously,” I replied, giving him a look.

He didn’t say much after that—we were already at the door.

We went straight inside. I took the first shower, then Caitlyn went after me. We didn’t say much—we were too tired. We just went straight to bed.

I was about to fall asleep when I felt someone quietly enter the room. I kept my eyes closed, thinking maybe it was Caitlyn again, but then I heard my dad’s voice, soft and broken:

“I’m sorry, Leah… I’m going to fix it. I promise.”

I sat up, confused. “Dad? What happened? Are you okay?”

He took my hand without a word and led me out of the room. We walked across the house to the garage—the one he uses as storage and to work on his old cars. When he flicked on the lights, I froze.

His Mustang was there—with every window shattered. And just behind it, my jeep.

Also wrecked. Every single window, gone.

My breath caught in my chest. “It was him, wasn’t it?”

Dad nodded.

I didn’t even know what to say. “I’m going to bed,” I mumbled, trying not to cry.

“Hey… it’s okay.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I know it wasn’t our fault. But still…”

“I called the police on them,” he said quietly.

“I saw,” I told him. “That’s why I went looking for Curtis. But you told me to go back to the festival. I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me like that, Dad. And now… I guess I have to face the consequences.”

He didn’t say anything. He just pulled me into a tight hug.

“We’ll figure it out before anyone else notices,” I told him.

“Let’s get some sleep,” he said gently. “We’ll handle it in the morning.”

I nodded. But I didn’t sleep much.

As soon as the sun came up, I was already on the phone, calling around to different auto shops, asking if they had the windshields and parts we’d need for my jeep—and my dad’s Mustang.

I was so angry.

How could Ray tell me he supported me, that he wanted me back in the race world—and then do this?

After all the times I saved his ass at those races…

He still did this.

[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

Curtis came by early that morning to help the guys look for parts for the car. We were supposed to head out with Dottie later, but he texted me before anyone else was even up. Said he was already out front, waiting on the porch.

I clipped Mia’s leash and headed outside. She was practically dragging me down the sidewalk, tail wagging, but I didn’t mind. I needed the walk. Needed the air.

We didn’t say much at first, just walked in silence, the sound of her paws tapping lightly beside us. But eventually, I couldn’t ignore the weight between us anymore.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “Ever since the party, something’s felt off. Between us.”

He gave a soft scoff, not mean—more like someone who’d been holding something in too long.

“Did something happen yesterday with you and Caitlyn?” I asked gently. “My dad told me about the bike. How you let her help. You never even let me breathe near that thing.”

He glanced at me, then looked down at his shoes as we walked. “Yeah. She helped… and after that, I took her to my spot.”

I stopped walking for a beat. “Your spot? Like… your actual spot?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I don’t even know why. I just… wanted her to see it. And that’s when I kissed her.”

The words sank in slowly, like water through fabric, and something tight tugged at my chest.

“So it was before the party,” I said quietly, trying to connect the dots.

“Yeah.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“I didn’t know how. I didn’t even know what it meant, not at first.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, then let out a slow breath. “You’re easy to be around, Curtis. Safe. Peaceful. Like I can just… be.”

He smiled at that. “Same. You’re like a deep breath after a long day.”

Then he paused. I felt the shift in the air again.

“But…” he started.

“But?” I echoed.

“I think I’m into someone else.”

I swallowed. I already knew. “Who?”

He gave a sheepish shrug. “Caitlyn.”

I let out a small, dry laugh. “My cousin?”

“Yeah. It’s weird, I know. But she’s funny in that sharp, sarcastic way… and she sees things in people. I don’t know,” he said, glancing over at me. “I just feel like we could be something. Like there’s a real connection there. Maybe even meant to be.”

It stung—but not in a way I could blame him for. It was honest. And that mattered.

“I think I’ve been doing the same,” I admitted, “with you. Trying not to miss Harris.”

His eyes softened. “You still do?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Not the chaos, not how everything blew up at the end. But the way he saw me when no one else did. Like I was the only one in the room, even when everything was falling apart.”

Curtis was quiet for a second, thoughtful. “So… what now?”

I looked at him and smiled—not forced, just real. “I think we stop pretending this is something it’s not. We were good for each other… but not it. And that’s okay.”

He smiled back. “Friends?”

“Definitely,” I said. “And hey—if Caitlyn gives you a hard time, I’ll put in a good word.”

⸻

Later that morning, I saw Caitlyn near the garage. She was talking to Curtis again, and I don’t know… everything just felt off.

I think I’m gonna bail on today,” I said as soon as I spotted her. “I can help after school if you need, though.”

“No, we need you there,” Curtis said quickly before Caitlyn could respond, trying to catch my eyes.

“I know… but maybe another time,” I mumbled, looking anywhere but at her.

It wasn’t just about the day or the event or the cars. It was her. Caitlyn. I hadn’t talked to her since everything happened, and now knowing what I knew—that she and Curtis kissed, that he had feelings for her—I didn’t know how to be around her. Not yet. I needed space to breathe, to untangle how I felt. And right now, pretending everything was fine at Dottie’s felt impossible.

“You can do whatever you need to do first and then catch up at Dottie’s,” Curtis said. “Because if you’re not there, Zac’s gonna think you don’t support him.”

He wasn’t wrong. But I couldn’t bring myself to say yes.

“Are you two okay?” Caitlyn asked, looking between us.

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I lied quickly. “I just have to help my dad with something for the event. I’ll meet you guys at Dottie’s—it’ll only be like half an hour.” I started walking toward the garage. “You can take my Jeep if you want.”

“Wait—you’re not coming?” Zac asked, stepping out from inside.

“I’ll catch up. My dad needs my help,” I said.

“Okay, but don’t be late—I’m gonna need your tips.”

“I won’t,” I said, forcing a smile. “Promise.”

⸻

I stepped into the garage and called out, “Dad?”

There they were—the two trucks parked in front. One blue. One red.

“Oh, my baby,” I whispered, running my hand along the red one. It was the first truck I ever helped him rebuild. A piece of me lived in that metal.

“No touching—I just cleaned that,” Dad called from behind the lift.

“How rude,” I said, grinning.

“Which one are you gonna choose?” I asked.

“I don’t know yet,” he said a little too quickly.

“Well, Dad, you kinda have to choose one for today. Because tomorrow it’s the festival. You know that, right?”

“I know. Weren’t you supposed to be at Dottie’s?”

I hesitated. “Yeah… I don’t know.”

He gave me that look—the one that said talk to me.

I tried to bolt. “You know what? I should get going—”

He caught my arm gently. So soft. Like he thought I might shatter. “Let’s sit down. Talk for a second. Then you can go.”

His voice was warm, calm. I sat.

“What happened yesterday? After the party?”

I sighed. “Harris and I got into a fight. After he and his friends pushed Curtis’s motorcycle into the lake. Then Curtis and I talked, mostly about my uncle’s car. We went to my room. I cleaned him up, made sure he was okay. But something felt different. Off.”

I paused.

“Then I told him he could stay, but he said he wanted to go home. So I gave him a ride. And on the way back, Harris called me. He was here, so I took him home too. I didn’t want something to happen to him.”

Dad didn’t say a word, just let me keep going.

“Harris said he wants us to be friends again. And I’ve been thinking about that. Then… Curtis and I broke up. Like an hour ago. It was mutual, and it was fine, honestly. We’re still friends. But he’s into Caitlyn now. And they kissed. And I don’t know how to feel about that.”

My voice cracked. “I just realized—I don’t know anything. And that scares me.”

“You don’t have to know everything, Leah,” Dad said gently. “You’re young. You have time. And you have me. You can’t control what happens around you, but you can control yourself. If you need help, I’ve got you. Always.”

I nodded, quietly.

“I just don’t know how things are gonna be with Caitlyn. Curtis is my ex.”

“You dated for six months. I wouldn’t even count him as your ex,” he said, chuckling. “He’s your friend. You work together. He was great for you—but I know you. I know who you are. And I know who you’re meant to be with. And it’s not Curtis.”

I blinked.

“Curtis is like Marcel. One of your best friends. Caitlyn is your family. Your sister. You’ll figure it all out. Maybe not today. Maybe not alone. But that’s why you’ve got me.”

He pulled me into a hug.

“Now go. I’ve gotta talk to your aunt.”

⸻

I made my way to the loft, and as soon as I stepped in, I saw Zac rolling through with Dottie.

He was driving well, but he still needed a little nudge. Marcel had definitely spotted me.

“You think Dottie needs a makeover?” he asked, grinning.

“Oh no, Dottie’s perfect. I know what’s best. How could you even say she needs a makeover?” I teased.

“That’s what I keep telling him!” Mr. Howland chimed in, mock-offended.

“Hi, Buzz. Long time no see,” I said, giving him a hug.

“I know, right?” he said sarcastically, since I’d seen him just last week.

“I just know if you hadn’t shown up, this kid would’ve driven me insane,” he added, pointing to Marcel.

“Don’t be so hard on him,” I laughed. “You miss him every time I come here and he’s not.”

Buzz smiled and pulled me into a hug.

“Oh, Leah,” he said. “It’s really good to see you.”

I spotted Curtis and Caitlyn across the lot, digging through parts for the car. Just seeing them brought back memories—how, a few months ago, after breaking up with Harris, I’d thrown myself into fixing up the car to distract myself. Curtis had helped me hunt down the right parts.

Now, with Zac, Caitlyn, and Curtis all arriving at once, the three of us made our way toward them.

“It’s not me. This car is a joke,” Zac said to Caitlyn.

“Ah, you’re gonna blame Dottie, huh?” Buzz asked.

“He’s not blaming Dottie. Right, Zac?” Marcel added quickly.

“Look, I’m sorry, but this clutch is impossible,” Zac replied.

“You turn the steering wheel too fast,” I said at the same time as Buzz.

“Shocks the tires. Can’t build up traction. And you hit the brakes instead of hitting the gas,” Buzz continued.

“Great. Thanks for the crash course on why I suck,” Zac said, starting to walk off but then turning around. “We have to get to school. So… also, why not just get the clutch adjusted? I can’t even push the pedal down straight. I have to push it all the way down and wiggle it to the left at the very end just to get it to engage.”

As they all started turning away, I gave Buzz a quick nod.

“Your dad didn’t figure out the clutch trick until his second time out with Dottie,” Buzz said.

“Wait, what?” Caitlyn asked.

“Our dad learned how to race here?” Zac asked.

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far. But Dottie—she sure taught him how to hit the fast,” Buzz chuckled. “Look, there are two types of people in this world. Those who hit the brakes and those who hit the gas. There’s nothing wrong with either one of them. In fact, some people think that those who hit the brakes are smarter. The question you have to ask yourself is: which one are you?”

“Thanks, Buzz. For everything,” I said, giving him a quick hug before heading off. The others followed behind me.

Everyone decided to ride with Marcel, but I didn’t hesitate to go on my own. I needed some time to think. I ended up behind Marcel’s car, but he was driving slow, so I passed him and made my way to school.

When I pulled into the lot, I parked next to Alicia. I sat for a moment before grabbing my stuff. As I got out, Harris was suddenly there.

“What are they doing in our row?” he asked.

“We don’t own this row, Harris,” Alicia replied.

“Hey, I didn’t make the rules. I just play by them,” he said.

“Yeah, ’cause they benefit you,” I muttered, and Alicia smirked.

“Hey, do you think I can talk to you?” I asked Alicia.

“Yeah, that’d be great,” she said.

“Are you gonna thank me for driving out of my way to pick you up this morning or…?” Alicia asked Harris.

“Well, it’s not my fault my dad took the keys to my Porsche,” Harris muttered.

“It’s literally your fault,” Alicia said, and I couldn’t help but agree.

“Yeah, how?” he shot back.

“You raced his Corvette without his permission and got it stolen,” Alicia said, then looked to me.

“And then you beat up a kid and pushed his motorcycle into the lake,” I added.

“You two are making it sound like I’m the bad guy,” Harris said.

“Let’s get out of here,” Alicia said to me, completely ignoring him.

“So, we have first period free,” she said once we were alone. “Wanna go for a milkshake?”

“Oh yeah, let’s go,” I answered, and we got into my Jeep.

I noticed Marcel and Curtis watching us from across the lot, confused, but I ignored it and drove off.

We arrived at the diner, and the moment we sat down, Alicia smiled.

“You know, I really miss this,” she said.

“I know. Me too. I just thought it’d be weird staying friends after everything—after you ended up with Harris, and us dating before that,” I said, trying to explain the distance I’d put between us.

“It’s fine. I get it. I think I ruined what we had back then for whatever I had with him,” she said softly. “I mean, it was you and me since first grade, until you started dating in eighth. And after your mom passed… I didn’t know how to reach you. Sometimes, it just hits me hard that I lost my best friend.”

“I get what you mean. But it’s okay. It was just a year and a half. Maybe that’s how it had to be. And now we’re here, drinking milkshakes like old times,” I said.

We had a great time—just the two of us, no talk of Harris or school drama.

“Hey, what I really wanted to ask… they want to go to your house after school to try and save the motorcycle,” I said.

“That’s fine. Are you gonna be there?” she asked.

“Oh no, I’m not helping them,” I laughed. “I’ve got work with my dad and then the dinner later.”

“Oh. I just wanted to apologize to Zac, and I thought maybe if you were there, you could help smooth things over,” she said. I knew her—she was nervous. She liked Zac.

“You want me as your intervention?” I joked. “You don’t need one. But I don’t think Zac is going to stay long anyway. He and Curtis haven’t really been getting along lately.”

“Oh, okay,” she said quietly.

“But you can talk to him at school,” I said as we walked back to her locker. Marcel and Zac were standing nearby.

“You got this, girl,” I whispered, giving her a small push forward. “Bye. I’ll see you later.”

As I turned the corner after leaving Alicia, I spotted Curtis near the front steps. Caitlyn wasn’t far behind him, laughing at something he said. I froze for a second. I wasn’t ready—not to talk, not to explain, not to pretend things were fine when they weren’t.

I ducked my head and kept walking, clutching my books tighter, pretending to check my phone. My heart started pounding as I walked faster, weaving through the crowd, hoping they didn’t see me. I couldn’t handle eye contact. Not today.

Then I heard my name—Curtis.

“Leah.”

I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t. I moved quicker, almost near the side hallway that led to the back entrance.

But as I rounded the corner, I collided hard into someone. My books slipped from my hands. My shoulder jarred from the impact. I let out a startled, “Oh my God—”

Strong hands caught my arms, steadying me before I could fall.

“Careful,” came a familiar voice.

I looked up—and there was Harris. Of course it was.

“Seriously?” I muttered, half-exasperated, half-breathless.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low, not teasing for once.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” I tried to pull back, but he bent down and started picking up my books.

“You know,” he said as he handed them to me, “if you’re going to avoid people, maybe don’t sprint through corners like you’re dodging landmines.”

“I’m not sprinting,” I snapped, though… maybe I was.

He raised an eyebrow. “Right. Just out for a casual jog through a school full of people you clearly don’t want to see.”

I let out a sigh and leaned back against the wall for a second, hugging my books to my chest.

“Don’t worry. I covered for you,” Harris said after a beat.

I blinked. “What?”

“Curtis was turning this way. I stepped between you two. He didn’t see you.”

I looked up at him, unsure what to say. He didn’t owe me that.

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

He shrugged. “Don’t mention it.”

And for a moment, just a brief one, we weren’t exes or people with a messy past. We were just two people in the hallway—him still a little bit reckless, and me still figuring out how to breathe around the people I once trusted.

Then someone called his name down the hallway, and the moment broke.

“I’ll see you around, Maddox,” he said before heading off.

I stood there for a few seconds longer, heart still racing—not from the near-fall, but from the way Harris had caught me without saying too much, without needing to say anything at all.

I made it through the day like a ghost. No eye contact, no conversations. Hoodie up, headphones in, eyes on the floor. If I saw someone coming—especially Curtis or Caitlyn—I turned down a different hall.

Skipped lunch. Hid out in the photo room again.

Every notification that popped up on my phone was ignored:

Marcel: You good?

Alicia: Where did you go??

Curtis: Can we talk?

I didn’t open them. I didn’t need to. I already knew what they’d say. And I wasn’t ready for any of it.

When the final bell rang, I waited until the halls started clearing before heading to the lot. I spotted Curtis leaning against Marcel’s car, scanning the crowd. I ducked behind a row of trucks and jogged the long way around the parking lot, head low.

By the time I reached my Jeep, my hands were shaking—but I’d made it.

I climbed in, tossed my bag in the passenger seat, and let out a breath. I didn’t even turn on the radio. Just silence. Just the road.

When I pulled into the driveway, the garage door was already open. My dad was under the hood of an old project car, hands deep in grease. I parked my Jeep, grabbed a hair tie off the dash, and headed over without saying a word.

He looked up and gave me a nod. “You wanna help or just look pretty in those jeans?”

I smirked. “Both.”

I slipped into old clothes and joined him, falling into that quiet rhythm we always had when working on cars. He handed me the socket wrench; I passed him a ratchet. We didn’t need words. Just music, tools, and the soft hum of something being built back from nothing.

The sun started dipping low, casting orange across the garage floor.

“Drive go okay?” he asked, tightening a bolt.

I nodded. “Better than school.”

He didn’t press. He never did.

We finished up, wiped our hands on old rags, and he clapped me on the shoulder. “Alright, kid. Go do whatever it is you do.”

I wandered toward the old office tucked in the back corner of the garage. It was small—barely enough room for a desk, some stacked invoices, and a shelf of random parts and papers—but I needed to find a form for a part I ordered for my truck. I started digging through the drawers, humming along to the music still playing outside.

That’s when I heard footsteps.

I stayed quiet, crouched beside the desk.

“What’s going on, Ray?” I heard my dad ask, voice guarded. “Hey there, Mikey.”

“Good to see you, Logan,” Mikey replied casually.

“Can I help you guys?” Dad asked.

“Maybe,” Ray said. “Uh, we got a little something cooking tomorrow night.”

“When the lights go out,” Mikey added.

“…A job?” my dad asked.

Ray cleared his throat. “Well, I know things have been a little tough around here, so… just wanted to give you a chance to get in on it. Lights go down at 9:00. Figures we give everyone 20 minutes to get to the festival. Main Street’ll be empty.”

There was a pause, then I heard the familiar sound of my dad clicking his tongue. “You’re hitting our town?”

“Yeah,” Ray said, not even pretending to be sorry. “Look, I know you always had a little rule about not shitting where you eat, and I respect that. Times have changed though. It’s nothing their insurance won’t cover.”

Mikey jumped in: “We got three prime targets. I got Edie’s Rare Coins. Vic’s got that—”

“Hey, Mikey,” Ray cut him off, voice sharp. “Stop talking. Let’s just see if Logan’s even interested first.”

A beat passed.

“Thanks for thinking of me, Ray,” my dad finally said, “but I think last time was the last time.”

“Until the next time,” Ray replied, his voice easy.

I stood up slowly, thinking they’d leave—and that’s when I bumped the edge of the desk. A small thud echoed through the office.

“Oh, and uh…” Ray said, his voice darker now, “trust you’ll forget everything we just talked about.”

I froze as the door swung open.

There they were—Ray, Mikey, and my dad staring right at me. Ray’s eyes landed on me like I was a problem that needed fixing. My dad moved faster than I could react, yanking me behind him.

Ray raised a hand mockingly. “Yeah, ‘cause you know if this whole thing goes sideways… I’ll know it was you.” He looked from my dad, then right at me. “Or the little princess here.”

And just like that, they left.

The second the door shut behind them, my dad turned to me. His eyes were sharp, serious.

“Did you hear everything?” he asked.

I nodded once.

“I won’t say a word, Dad. I promise,” I said quickly.

He shook his head. “It’s not about that.” He looked back toward the garage, hands on his hips. “I have to go to work.”

I didn’t ask what that meant. I knew better.

The diner was slow. A few regulars, some late-night coffee orders, a couple of tired truckers at the counter. I didn’t mind. Slow meant less talking. Less thinking.

I moved through my shift in autopilot—refilling cups, wiping counters, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might ask if I was okay.

Alicia texted once. Curtis twice. I answered neither.

By the time we were ready to close, it was just me, Brenda from the morning shift counting the drawer, and the low hum of the neon sign flickering outside.

“Everything good, sweetheart?” Brenda asked, not looking up.

“Yeah,” I said, tying my hoodie around my waist. “Just tired.”

“Drive safe,” she added, like she always did.

I nodded and walked out into the quiet of the parking lot, the door clicking shut behind me. The lot was nearly empty except for my Jeep and some fog rolling low across the pavement. I slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and cranked the heat. The sky was inky black, the streetlights buzzing faintly overhead.

It wasn’t until I was halfway home, just past the gas station at the edge of town, when I saw the headlight in my mirror.

A motorcycle.

Far enough back not to be obvious… but not far enough to go unnoticed.

I changed lanes. So did they. I turned left down Maple. They turned too.

My pulse started to spike. I gripped the wheel tighter, eyes flicking to the mirror every few seconds. The streetlights blurred as I passed beneath them. I wasn’t panicking—but I wasn’t stupid either.

I wasn’t imagining it.

He was following me.

I turned sharply into a side road, gravel crunching beneath my tires. The motorcycle slowed, then followed, its engine rumbling low and smooth.

Enough.

I threw the Jeep in park and jumped out, standing in the middle of the road before he could fully stop.

The bike pulled up ten feet away, its headlight blinding for a second. Then Ray cut the engine and stepped off, helmet under one arm, smirk on his face.

“Evenin’, princess,” he said casually.

“What do you want, Ray?” I snapped.

He looked around, slow and dramatic. “Relax. Just enjoying a night ride. Pretty roads. Quiet town.”

“You followed me.”

“Followed? Nah. Just happened to be going your way.”

“Cut the crap. If this is about what I heard—” I crossed my arms—“I’m not saying anything.”

He tilted his head, smile fading into something colder. “You sure?”

“I don’t owe you anything,” I said, standing my ground. “Whatever it is you and Mikey and your guys are planning tomorrow night—it’s none of my business. I’m not interested, I’m not involved, and I’m not talking.”

He stepped closer, boots crunching against the gravel. “See, that’s the thing about people who know stuff, sweetheart. Sometimes they talk without realizing they’re talking. You tell one person, they tell another, and before you know it, people start asking questions.”

“I don’t talk,” I said flatly. “You already know that.”

A long silence stretched between us.

Finally, he nodded once, the barest sign of approval. “You’re your father’s kid, I’ll give you that.”

He turned back to his bike, straddled it, and pulled his helmet on.

“Be smart, Leah. You didn’t see anything. You didn’t hear anything. You never left the garage.”

Then he revved the engine and sped off down the road, his taillight shrinking into the dark.

I stood there for a second, heart racing, gravel still crunching beneath my boots.

Then I climbed back in, locked the doors, and drove the rest of the way home without stopping.

I didn’t text anyone. Didn’t call my dad.

But I knew this wasn’t over. Not yet.

[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

After the cemetery, we went back to the house, and I crashed the second I hit my bed. The last thing I felt before falling asleep was Mia curling up beside me, her warm body pressed against my side.

I woke up to my phone buzzing. It was Marcel.

“Hey, Marcel,” I said, my voice groggy as I picked up.

“Hey,” he said. “Are you going to the race today? I heard Zac and Caitlyn are already there. Might help clear your head, you know?”

“I appreciate it, but—” I started.

“Just come with me,” he cut in, gently but firmly. “We’ll go together.”

“I’ll go,” I gave in. “But I’m taking my own car. I’ll follow you. Just give me a few minutes to get ready.”

“I’m outside,” he said. “Waiting in my car.”

“Of course you are,” I muttered with a small smile and got out of bed.

I threw on a pair of black jeans, a red top, my favorite boots, and a white jacket. After fixing my hair, I went to my dad’s room.

“I’m heading to the race with Marcel,” I told him. “Might go to the after-party too, but I’ll call you either way.”

“That’s fine. Just take care—and no drinking. But if you do, call me and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Yes, Dad. Bye.”

When we got to the race, the crowd was already thick, the energy buzzing. I spotted Harris among the racers, gearing up. Marcel went over to talk to him, and I stood next to Zac, watching them. The engines were being prepped, the drivers focused.

Then one of the race organizers looked right at me and shouted, “Can the Queen of the Race do us the honor of starting the first race of the season?”

The crowd erupted, chanting my name, and I felt a strange wave of something I couldn’t quite name—nerves, maybe, or excitement. I took the flag and stepped into the space between the two lead cars.

“Are you ready?” I asked the drivers.

The sound of revving engines answered me.

“Three… two… one… Go!”

I dropped the flag, the wind rushing past as the cars took off, engines roaring. It was electric. And of course, Harris pulled ahead—winning, just like always. The crowd exploded into cheers.

Everyone started heading to the after-party. Marcel and I got into our cars and joined the line, engines humming as we followed the rest of the racers into the night.

As soon as I parked, I saw Marcel waiting for me.

“Where’s Caitlyn? I thought you said she was already here.”

“She said she’d see if she wanted to come.”

“Oh my God, Marcel. You should’ve told me.”

“I just thought you needed a distraction, after everything that happened today—and what today is.”

“It’s fine. I appreciate that. You’re a great friend, and I’m always thankful for that. You should head into the party. I’ll call Caitlyn.”

I called Caitlyn, but she didn’t answer. So I started walking toward the party. I noticed a few looks thrown my way. I didn’t look back—I knew exactly who it was: Harris and part of his group.

I greeted a few people and made my way through the crowd, looking for Marcel and Zac. I found Marcel easily, but before I got to him, I stopped to make myself a drink. Just as I reached the drink table, there he was—Harris.

“Hey, welcome back, Queen,” he said. “You know, I miss seeing you at the races like this.”

“You know I just came because I needed a distraction, right?”

“I know. And it’s good to see you back here. How was it?”

“It’s always nice. It’s like… my mom never left.”

“I get that. I started visiting my mom’s grave with my dad. Over time, he started coming with me too.”

“I’m sorry about that, Harris. You know I really—”

“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry about anything,” he interrupted. “Here—cranberry vodka. Your favorite.” He handed me a cup.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said.

“It’s fine. I’ll do it again—if it means you’ll talk to me again,” he said, and I smiled.

“Thanks for the drink—and the flowers. You know my mom would’ve loved that.”

“I’ll always do that. No matter what,” he replied. As I started to walk away, I heard the song playing in the background. “Get Him Back” by Olivia Rodrigo. I couldn’t help but think that was ironic.

I stepped outside to try calling Caitlyn again.

“I’m going to call Caitlyn. You should go ahead into the party,” I said to Harris, and he nodded.

“Hey, Caitlyn,” I said as soon as she picked up. “Are you okay? You sound agitated.”

“I’m good. Where are you?” she asked.

“I came to the party. Marcel’s here, and Zac too. Don’t you want to come? I can come pick you up if you want.”

“Actually, I’m with Curtis right now,” she said. I was confused—he hadn’t texted me after school. “He can drive me to the party.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Tell him I said hi. I’ll see you guys in a bit,” I said and hung up.

Just as I finished the call, Marcel walked up to me. I saw Zac talking to Alicia, so we didn’t want to interrupt.

“You need a drink, Marcel. Let’s go,” I said, grabbing his shoulder as we headed back into the house. I was mixing Marcel’s drink when we heard Harris’s voice.

“Yo! Everyone downstairs, now,” he shouted.

“You think we should go?” Marcel asked.

“If you want. I really don’t care,” I replied, and Marcel took my hand. We headed downstairs.

“I just wanted to welcome our new friend Zac to… Sorry, Zac, what’s your last name again?” Harris asked.

“Torres,” Zac answered.

“Not Maddox?” Harris said again, then turned on the TV. A news report began playing. It was about the heist. My uncle had been the getaway driver. “Isn’t that your dad? The driver, Christian Maddox—Zac’s dad. Leah’s uncle. I mean, look at him go. Oh wait—here’s my favorite part. Watch this move. Right there. That takes some serious skill. Oh, and they never caught the guy. Nope. Dude just got away with twelve million bucks.”

The room was dead silent.

“So tell us the truth, Zac. We’re all friends here. How much of that cash did Daddy send you? Where’s he been hiding all these years?” Harris asked.

“I don’t know,” Zac replied in a low voice.

“Harris, that’s enough,” I said, glaring at him. “This is supposed to be a party, not a damn gossip show. So why don’t we all mind our business and actually party?”

The crowd cheered.

I saw Caitlyn talking to Zac and made my way to find Curtis. I spotted him walking toward Noah—who was sitting on Curtis’s bike. I quickened my pace.

“Get off my bike,” Curtis said.

“How about you make me?” Noah replied.

“Okay,” Curtis said—and punched him. Chaos exploded. People tried to pull Curtis back, but as I called his name, someone tackled him.

“Hold him down!” Noah ordered, and then punched Curtis in the face. I lunged toward Noah and shoved him, but someone grabbed and restrained me.

“God, this bike’s filthy,” Harris said, looking at it. “Let’s give it a wash.”

“No, no, no!” both Curtis and I shouted, as the crowd cheered again.

Marcel stepped in Harris’s way. “Harris, come on, man. Don’t do this.”

“I saw your piece-of-shit car out front,” Harris said. “This bike goes into the lake, or your car does. You decide.”

That made Marcel step back.

“Please, Harris, don’t do it!” I shouted, trying to break free from whoever was holding me.

“Hey! Put the bike down, asshole,” Zac said, stepping forward. “You think you’re special just because your last name’s all over a dying town?”

“I think it’s time for you to disappear. Just like your fugitive dad,” Harris shot back.

Zac walked toward him again, but Noah tackled him—and Harris pushed the bike into the lake.

The guy holding me passed me to Noah just as he walked toward us.

“What the hell is wrong with you? You’re basically kidnapping me in front of the whole school!” I shouted. As soon as he let me go, I shoved him in the face. “Don’t you ever fucking touch me, or you’ll see what I’m capable of.”

“Let us alone,” Harris said as he came back inside.

“You wish. I’m leaving,” I snapped.

“I want to talk to you—to apologize for what I did.”

“You made me a fool in chemistry, thinking you’d changed. And then the stunt you just pulled with my cousin and Curtis? That’s so you. I was an idiot to think you’d ever listen or change. You hurt me—and you hurt my family.”

“Don’t say that,” Harris said, clearly shaken.

Right then, Alicia walked into the kitchen.

“I’m leaving,” I said, but she stopped me.

“I’m sorry about everything,” she said sincerely.

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault. I’ll see you at school.”

“Harris,” Noah said, entering the kitchen. “Your dad’s Corvette…”

“What about it?” Harris asked.

“It’s gone.”

“And now I’m really leaving,” I said, walking out.

When I got home, the garage light was on. I headed over to see if everyone was there.

“I can get you the parts you need,” Curtis said as I walked in. Everyone looked at me, and I went straight to hug him.

“From where?” Zac asked.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to ask him that,” Marcel replied.

“Yeah, I think we’re good, bro,” Zac added.

“If anyone knows about this, it’s us,” I said. I grabbed Curtis’s hand—we needed to talk.

“Wait. Would you help me rebuild it?” Caitlyn asked.

“Can I see what we’re working with?” Curtis replied.

He took a look at the car. “This looks impossible,” he said—then smiled at Caitlyn. There was definitely a vibe between them.

“Can I help?” Marcel asked.

“Why are you holding a wrench?” I asked with a smile.

“In case you need me to hand it to you,” he said.

“Thanks,” Marcel said.

“Okay, so say we get this back on the road—who’s going to race it?” Caitlyn asked. Marcel and Curtis looked at me.

“Oh no. I can’t do it. This car has history, and I’ll never be able to live up to that.”

Caitlyn closed the hood—and we all saw Zac sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Guess we have our driver,” I said with a smile

“Did you want to stay here?” I asked Curtis. We were in my room, and he was still holding Mia gently in his arms. “I can get the guest room ready if you’d rather,” I added, wiping a bit of dirt from his face and cleaning the bruise.

“I can walk home,” he said quietly.

“I can give you a ride, you know,” I offered, trying to keep my voice calm and soft.

“I don’t want to bother you.”

“You don’t bother me, Curtis. You’re my boyfriend,” I reminded him gently. I could feel his body tense a little. “Is everything okay?”

He hesitated. “Yeah… I just hate what happened today.”

“They’re assholes,” I interrupted before he could say more. “I can text Alicia and see if we can swing by the shop tomorrow to look at the bike.”

“I thought you two didn’t talk,” he said, surprised.

“We don’t,” I clarified. “But she apologized for what happened at the party—even though it wasn’t even her fault.”

He nodded slightly, then added, “I’m sorry for not defending you when Noah grabbed you.”

“It’s fine. You were still being held back, and honestly, between your punch and mine, I’m pretty sure Noah’s going to be furious tomorrow,” I said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

“I think I’ll take that ride,” Curtis said. “So my mom won’t worry.”

“Fair enough. Let’s go,” I replied, grabbing my keys.

The ride to his house was quiet. Something felt off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I didn’t want to be paranoid, but the silence between us was heavy.

“If you need a ride tomorrow, just call me,” I told him as we pulled up to his house.

He nodded. “Goodnight,” he said, then got out—no kiss on the cheek or forehead. He just left.

As I pulled into my driveway, my phone rang through the car’s hands-free system.

“Hey, I wanted to apologize again…” a familiar voice said.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I snapped.

“You need to understand—your actions have consequences. This is one of them.”

“I’m really sorry,” he added. “Please… just let me see you. Talk to you. I need to.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”

“No, I’m at your house now. But I don’t see your Jeep.”

“I’m almost there. Can you wait?” I asked.

“I’m on the porch. Remember, I don’t have a car,” he said.

When I pulled into the driveway, I saw him waiting just like he said. I opened the door. “Just get in. I’ll give you a ride home.”

“I’m sorry about earlier—what I did tonight.”

“I’m not the one you need to apologize to,” I said coldly.

He exhaled. “Your cousin started talking to Alicia at the diner. And then after in the party too I just saw them… and I guess I lost it.”

“So you made a whole scene… because you were jealous?”

“I don’t remember you ever being that jealous before.”

“That’s because I trusted you,” I said. “I’d let you lead me through a race blindfolded. But with Alicia, it’s different.”

“You can’t talk about your girlfriend like that—especially not with your ex,” I added firmly.

“I meant it when I said I want us to be friends,” he insisted.

“You’re drunk,” I replied.

“No, I mean it.”

“Where’s Noah?”

“I told him I needed to talk to you. He gave me a ride.”

“If he ever lays a hand on me like he did today, he’ll regret it,” I warned.

“I already talked to him. He won’t touch you—or any of them—ever again.”

“I don’t need you to fight for me.”

“I’ll always do it,” he said simply.

“We’re here,” I announced as we pulled up to his house. His dad was on the porch.

“Where’s my Corvette? I know you took it,” Mr. Bowers asked.

“I don’t know,” Harris replied.

“Leah, it’s late. I’m glad to see you, but you should head home,” Mr. Bowers added.

“Of course. Just wanted to say hi,” I said politely. “But I’m leaving now. Bye, Mrs. Bowers. Bye, Harris.”

When I got home, my dad was waiting for me in the living room.

“Darren Bowers just called. He wanted to make sure you got home safe,” he said. “Are you and Harris… back together?”

“No, Dad. He came to apologize, but he didn’t have a car, so I gave him a ride.”

“Did something happen with Curtis?”

“No, not really. He left earlier. Caitlyn helped him with his motorcycle,” Dad said.

I blinked, confused. “Wait, what? He came here?”

“Yeah. Dropped off some flowers for you, and apparently needed a chain for his motorcycle. Caitlyn helped him with it.”

“But… he never lets me help him with his bike,” I murmured, more to myself than to him.

“Yeah, that surprised me too, honestly,” Dad said.

“I think I just need to sleep,” I said quietly.

Dad pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead. “Goodnight, princess.”

[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You



Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

“I hate that we don’t have any classes together until after lunch,” I said, glancing at Curtis as we walked.

“I know, but at least you’ve got Marcel. And one of your cousins, right?”

“Yeah, but still. You’d think they’d put me in first-period mechanics like you. Why would I want to start my day with chemistry? “

“Leah Maddox complaining about school—now that’s new”, Curtis teased, flashing that smug grin.

I shot him a look. “No, seriously. I like Mr. Delaney, but she’s a lot sometimes. And I’ve got this weird feeling about today. Last class, she mentioned switching partners. I actually like being with Katie—she’s funny and we work well together.”

“Don’t be so pessimistic. It’s going to be fine,”Curtis said as we reached my locker. He handed me my backpack, like he always does. I never asked him to. I just like that he does.

“Okay, but I need to tell you something. And you have to promise to stay calm,” I said, pulling out my binder.

Curtis paused. “You’re scaring me, babe.”

“It’s not bad, I swear,” I said quickly. “It’s just—”

The bell cut me off.

“Tell me at lunch, okay?”he said, grabbing my hand and my backpack again as we made our way to chemistry. When we got to the door, he leaned in, brushing a hand against my face.

“Don’t worry about anything. Everything’s going to be fine, okay?”

“I know. I’ll tell you later,” I whispered.

Alright. See you in a bit, he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. And just when he leaned in for another—

“Ahem.”

We turned.

“I need to get to class”, Harris said, standing behind us with his usual unbothered tone. “Second bell just rang. Wouldn’t want to be late.”

Curtis rolled his eyes.” Love you, babe. See you at lunch,” he said loudly, kissing me again—definitely for Harris’s benefit. I didn’t stop him.

“Me too,” I said, watching him walk away.

As soon as I took my seat, Katie turned to greet me, but before we could say anything, Mr. Delaney cleared his throat like he was about to read our obituaries.

“I’ve got some exciting news,” she said, pushing her glasses up. “Lab partners for the quarter. No switching.”

Groans filled the room.

I twirled my pen, already bracing for a name I didn’t know.

“Leah Maddox…” she called.

I barely looked up.

“…and Harris Bowers.”

My pen stopped mid-spin.

That moment when your stomach drops but your face hasn’t caught up yet? When the air shifts and you feel every single pair of eyes land on you?

Yeah. That.

A chair scraped. Someone whispered, “You’ve got to be kidding.” Maddie, probably. Or Zoey. It didn’t matter. They all knew.

I lifted my gaze. And there he was.

Harris. Calm. Composed. As if this was just another Tuesday. His eyes locked on mine like he’d been waiting for this moment.

He didn’t flinch. Just gave that half-smile. The one that used to undo me.

I hated how my body still remembered what my heart had tried so hard to erase.

Mr. Delaney kept reading names like she hadn’t just lit a match and dropped it into gasoline.

I felt the stares. The whispers. Didn’t they used to date? Didn’t that crash and burn?

Harris walked over and dropped into the seat beside me like nothing had ever gone wrong.

“Looks like we’re back,” he said low, like it was a secret between us.

I didn’t look at him. “Guess the universe has jokes.”

“Or Mr. Delaney’s a sadist.”

I glanced at him, just enough to meet his eyes. There it was again—familiarity. Friction. That almost-spark.

“Let’s just get through it,” I muttered, opening the notebook. “No drama.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

We started working. Like nothing had changed. Like no time had passed. It was annoying—how well we still synced. I wrote. He measured. I labeled. He set up.

We were seamless.

And that scared me more than anything.

Now and then, I caught people watching. Maddie. Caleb. Even Mr. Delaney. Waiting for something to blow up.

But we don’t blow up.

We simmer. We smolder.

And as the blue liquid started to swirl in our flask, I had the strangest thought:

We’re back where it all started.

Same lab. Same hands moving in sync.

Same fire—just waiting for oxygen.

When class ended, people cleared out fast, the usual chaos of slamming lockers and hallway chatter filling the space. I stayed behind, packing up slower than I needed to.

And when I looked up, he was still there.

Harris leaned against the counter, arms folded, watching me like I was a puzzle he still remembered how to solve.

“You’re still here,” I said, not looking at him.

“So are you.”

I zipped my bag too hard. “Don’t start.”

“I’m not.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and charged. He stepped forward—careful, like he didn’t want to spook whatever peace had settled between us.

“You ever think about how good we were?” he asked.

My heart stumbled, just for a beat. I crossed my arms, mirroring him.

“In lab?”

His look said come on.

“We were good,” I admitted. “And then we weren’t.”

“I messed it up,” he said, no hesitation.

I blinked. “Is this… are you actually owning something right now?”

He gave a tired smile. “Don’t get used to it.”

I waited.

“I was angry,” he said. “At everything. My dad. Life. You tried to help, and I pushed you away. Said things I didn’t mean. Did worse.”

I remembered all of it. The silence. The sudden disappearances. The way I felt like I was clinging to a ghost.

“And then I blamed you for walking away,” he said softly. “When all you did was finally pick yourself.”

That one landed hard. My throat tightened.

“I didn’t want to,” I said. “But I had to.”

“I know.”

We stood there. Quiet. Level. Maybe for the first time since everything fell apart.

“I don’t expect you to trust me,” he said. “But I’m not the same guy.”

“You still wear the same cologne,” I muttered.

He smirked. “Alright, not everything changed.”

I looked at him—really looked. He wasn’t acting. He wasn’t pushing. Just standing there, telling the truth.

“I’m not saying let’s go back,” he said. “But maybe we stop pretending it meant nothing.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Maybe. If you show me. Not just say it.”

He nodded. “Then I will.”

A quiet moment passed before he added, almost too casually, “Your boyfriend really made a performance out of things this morning.”

I gave a tired laugh, already knowing what he meant. “You mean the loud love confession and the strategic forehead kiss?”

He nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching. “And the second kiss. Right when I walked up.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, that’s what we always do.”

“Right,” he said, watching me carefully. “Just routine, huh?”

I shrugged, keeping my voice steady. “Curtis doesn’t like loose ends.”

His jaw shifted slightly, but he didn’t press. “And you?”

“I don’t know,” I said, then added, quieter, “Some things don’t feel that loose.”

He didn’t say anything for a second. Just took a small step forward—not too close, but close enough to feel the air shift again.

“You don’t have to explain it,” he said. “But I saw the way you pulled back.”

I met his eyes. “And?”

“And maybe that means something.”

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was heavy. Loaded. Like we were both toeing the edge of something that could either fall apart or catch fire.

I didn’t answer directly. I wasn’t ready to.

Instead, I nudged the conversation somewhere safer. Somewhere easier.

“We are really good in lab,” I said, shifting back to the bench.

He smiled at that, small and real. “That’s where it all started, remember?”

“Yeah,” I said, softer this time. “I remember.”

And the strange thing was—it didn’t ache the way it used to.

It started with whispers.

By second period, I’d already heard my name three times in the hall. First, after chemistry—just a hushed “Leah Maddox… with Harris Bowers?” Then again near the science wing vending machines—“Did you see them? She didn’t even look mad about it.”

By third period, the volume turned up.

“She raced again.”

“With Ray Young, no less.”

“I saw the clip—she smoked him.”

I kept walking. Head down. Jaw tight.

I meant to tell Curtis. I was going to tell him. Before school. I even said, “I need to tell you something, but you have to stay calm.”

And then the bell rang.

And then he kissed me—in front of Harris—loud, purposeful, the kind of kiss that’s more about making a point than saying goodbye.

I felt Harris watching.

Curtis knew it too.

And I didn’t stop it.

Now it was lunch, and I was done pretending the silence between us wasn’t humming with everything we hadn’t said.

I found him behind the school, near the edge of the field where the wild grass still grew tall. We used to come here to escape, back when things were simpler. Today, he wasn’t sitting.

He was pacing.

My stomach dropped.

He heard.

“Hey,” I said gently, backpack slipping from my shoulder.

Curtis turned to me, jaw set. “You raced.”

It wasn’t a question.

I swallowed. “Curtis—”

“With Ray.”

That hit harder than his tone.

“I didn’t plan it,” I said, stepping closer. “It was last-minute. His driver bailed, and he said that he need a good driver—”

“You didn’t even tell me,” he said, voice low but sharp. “You could’ve. You should’ve. But instead I find out from Tanner, who saw it on some random guy’s Instagram story. You didn’t even think to say it yourself.”

“I was going to,” I said, “literally this morning—before the bell rang.”

“Yeah,” he snapped, “right before you let me kiss you in front of Harris like we were fine.”

I blinked.

“That kiss?” he said, almost laughing. “That wasn’t for you, was it?”

My throat went tight. “Curtis—”

He stepped back, just slightly. “You didn’t stop it.”

“Because it’s more complicated than you think,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

He shook his head. “No, it’s not. You raced again. With my brother. You didn’t tell me. And now you’re paired up with your ex in chemistry, and everyone’s talking like it’s déjà vu.”

I hated that he said it like that. Like I had plotted it. Like I wanted the attention. The chaos.

Like I was her again.

“I wasn’t hiding it to hurt you,” I said. “I just—didn’t want it to be a thing.”

“You’re Leah Maddox,” he said bitterly. “Everything you do is a thing.”

I closed my eyes for a second. “It wasn’t about picking sides. Ray needed someone, and I needed… something. I don’t know. The speed. The control. For one second, I felt like me again.”

He looked at me, all heat and ache behind his eyes. “And you didn’t think I’d get that?”

“I thought you’d think I was slipping.”

He exhaled hard, looking away. “I don’t care that you raced, Leah. I care that you didn’t want me to see it.”

I stepped forward, reaching for his hand, but he didn’t take it.

“I just wanted to keep the two parts separate,” I said quietly. “The version of me that races and the version that dates you.”

His voice cracked—just slightly. “But you’re still both.”

“I know,” I whispered.

Curtis turned, finally looking me in the eye. “You used to let me in. And now it feels like you let everyone else see that side of you—but not me.”

“I’m scared that if you see it, you’ll think I’m still wrecked.”

“I don’t care if you’re wrecked,” he said. “I care if you trust me enough to let me stand there with you while it happens.”

The air hung still for a second.

Then—

“You kissed me like it was a message,” I said.

He didn’t deny it. “Maybe it was.”

I sighed. “Harris didn’t matter in that moment.”

Curtis raised a brow. “Did he matter after?”

I didn’t answer. Because I didn’t know how.

The bell rang in the distance.

Neither of us moved.

“I’m not asking you to be someone you’re not,” he said finally. “I’m just asking you to include me in the version that still needs the road.”

I reached for his hand again—this time, he let me take it.

“You don’t have to race to understand me, Curtis. You just have to stay.”

He squeezed gently, but his voice stayed low. “Then don’t make me wonder if you’re choosing the road… or choosing me.”

“I’m choosing both,” I said. And this time, it felt true.

This time, he didn’t pull away.

We walked to homeroom together. We didn’t say much—just did our own thing—but somehow, that quiet between us felt okay. Things were… settled. Even without words.

Then the secretary stepped in and called my name. My dad had come to pick me up. It was that time again—our monthly visit to Mom’s grave. It’s been a year and six months. Still counting.

Just before I left, Curtis reached out and took my hand. He looked at me with this soft, apologetic look.

“Sorry,” he said quietly. “I forgot what day it was.”

“It’s okay,” I told him, giving his hand a squeeze. “The day doesn’t have to matter—not enough for us to fight about it. We’re good. No matter what. I love you.” I leaned in and kissed him.

He kissed my forehead, and I turned and headed toward the front office, where Dad was waiting. He pulled me into a hug, and Zac was there too.

“I told him he could take the Jeep after school,” Dad said, handing me the keys.

“Okay, but he better take care of my precious,” I teased.

“I will,” Zac said with a grin. “You don’t have to worry.”

When we got to the cemetery, we sat for a while in front of Mom’s grave. Someone had left flowers. I recognized them immediately—those were her flowers. The same kind Harris brought her the first time they met. Her favorites.

“Should I tell him he doesn’t need to do this anymore?” Dad asked gently.

“It’s okay, Dad,” I whispered. “Let him.”

We sat and talked to Mom for a while. About life. About everything.

And then I took a breath. “I have to tell you something, but please don’t get mad.”

Dad raised an eyebrow, waiting.

“On Saturday… I didn’t go to work. I went to a race. With Ray Young.” I hesitated. “And it felt really good. I know you’re not a fan of me racing, but maybe I could do it once in a while? You know how that feeling is. Please, don’t judge me. Not in front of Mom.”

Dad just smiled—soft, tired, and proud. “I’d never do that, Leah. I’m just glad you trusted me enough to tell me. And like I said before—I’ll take you to as many races as you want. I’ll always support you. And you know your mom would be proud of you too.”

We sat in silence for a while after that, just letting the wind pass through the trees.

Then I looked over at him and asked, “Do you remember what I told you once? About you and Mom’s love?”

His eyes warmed with memory.

⸻

*“You know,” I had said, my voice shaky, “you two always made it look so easy.”

He looked at me, confused. “What do you mean?”

“You weren’t married. You weren’t even together. But when I saw you two… it was like watching two halves of the same song. You never stopped loving each other. Not really.”

He let out a slow breath and sat down, elbows on his knees. “We didn’t always get it right. But your mom… she was someone you carry with you. Even when things didn’t work, that never changed.”

“I noticed,” I said, my throat tight. “I always noticed. And I loved that about you two. That kind of love… it’s rare.”*

⸻

“Sometimes I look up,” I said softly, “just hoping I can have something like that too.”

He smiled and touched my shoulder. “You’ll write your own story, Leah. And I’m sure—no matter what—you’ll find someone who loves you that deeply. Maybe even more. You deserve the world. And if someone can’t see that… you still have me.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you more.”

I looked up at the sky, the clouds shifting slowly above us, soft and open like the world was listening.

“I love you, Mom,” I whispered. “And I’m so glad I’m your daughter. Thank you… both of you.”

The wind moved through the trees like a quiet answer, rustling the leaves in a way that felt… familiar. Like she was there. With us.

Dad pulled me into his arms, holding me close. He didn’t say anything—he didn’t have to. He could feel it too. That she was here.

“I know,” he murmured. “She’s with us.”

And in that silence, wrapped in my dad’s arms, I let myself believe it. That love—real love—doesn’t end. It just changes form.

And somehow, that was enough



[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

Introduction 00

Once they stepped away from me, they went straight to my dad, who was standing with Marcel. They were deep in conversation, so I made my way over to Marcel.

Hey Marcel, I didn’t know you were here, I said, pulling him into a quick hug.

I was helping your dad out with some things, he replied casually.

My dad turned to Zac and Caitlyn. This is Marcel, he said, gesturing toward him. And this is Caitlyn, Zac, and Sam. You’ll probably be seeing a lot of Marcel—he lives just a few houses down. He’s Leah’s best friend.

Yellow door, Marcel added with a grin. Anyway, I gotta roll—work calls. Another day, another dollar, right? He laughed awkwardly, but everyone just stared at him. Okay, tough crowd. I’ll, uh, see you both at school

I’ll walk with you, I said quickly. Thanks for covering for me at the diner the other day. I think I’m going to quit… but please don’t tell anyone

What? And why are you telling me that? he asked, surprised

Just… don’t say anything, okay? I need to talk to my dad first. And don’t mention it to Brooke or her parents

Alright, but you owe me, he said with a smirk.

Let’s see if you’re actually good at keeping secrets—then I’ll pay you back! I called out as I headed toward the garage.

Did my dad give Zac the loft? I asked the moment I walked in

Yeah, Caitlyn replied.

Well that’s not fair I said, half-joking, but there was a sting of real disappointment behind it

I’m going to help my mom, Caitlyn said just as my phone started to ring.

I’ll help too—just need to take this call first, I replied, stepping aside to answer

Hey babe, how are you? I said as soon I answered

Not your babe,” Ray’s voice shot back. “But I need your help

Is Curtis okay? Why do you have his phone?

He’s fine. I just need a favor

I’m not racing again, I said immediately.

Please—this is the last time, I swear.

Does Curtis even know you’re asking me?

No, it was a last-minute thing. Our driver bailed and I thought of you. My favorite sister-in-law

I’m your only sister-in-law, I muttered. Fine, I’ll help. But don’t tell Curtis. Or my dad

Deal. I’ll see you at the usual spot?

Nope. You’re picking me up and driving me back. That’s the condition

I’ll see you soon, Leah.

Bye, Ray, I said, hanging up and slipping my phone into my back pocket

I turned to my dad in the garage . Hey, I’m heading to the diner—Marcel just called. They need extra hands later tonight.

He looked at me as we enter the house. That’s fine. But you’re eating with us first. Then you can go to work.

Sounds great, Dad. Thanks.

After dinner, I changed quickly, tying my hair back and grabbing my jacket. I said goodbye to everyone, told Caitlyn I’d text her later, and headed out. As I stepped outside, Ray’s car pulled up like clockwork.

We didn’t say much on the drive. We didn’t need to. The hum of the road, the scent of gasoline in the air—it all felt familiar. Like muscle memory.

When we arrived, the lot was already filling up. Engines revved. People stood in loose circles, laughing, watching, judging. I recognized some faces—names I used to know, voices I used to trust. We weren’t those people anymore.

And then I saw him.

Harris.

His arm slung around Alicia like it was nothing. Her smile was all teeth, and his was colder than I remembered. A weird ache bloomed in my chest—not heartbreak, not jealousy, just history.

I looked away fast.

Well, I didn’t know he was going to be here, I muttered to Ray.

He winced. Oh… right. Forgot you two had history. Sorry. Good news is—you’re not racing him

“You know I’ll win no matter who it is, right?”

Ray smirked. Damn right you will.

The announcer’s voice cracked over the speaker. Drivers to the line—let’s go.

I walked to my car and slipped behind the wheel. As soon as my hands touched the steering wheel, it was like the world snapped into focus. The noise faded. My heartbeat synced with the hum of the engine.

I belonged here.

For a moment, I forgot everything—the diner, the weight of secrets, the sting of seeing Harris. Out here, it was just me, the machine, and the road.

Engines roared around me, headlights casting beams across the cracked pavement. I eyed the starting light. Red… yellow…

Green.

We launched forward. The tires screamed. I shifted gears, weaving past the blue car to my left. The night air slammed into me through the open window, and I leaned into it like I could outrun everything that haunted me.

I hit the curve hard—felt the back tires skid, corrected fast. The adrenaline pulsed like fire in my veins. I was flying. Alive. Free.

Someone tried to cut in on my right. I tapped the brake just enough to slide behind, then gunned it on the straightaway. The finish line came into view—and with it, a flood of memory. Harris and I used to chase that line like it meant everything. And maybe, for me, it still did.

I surged forward.

First.

Mine.

The flag waved. The crowd roared. I let out a breathless laugh, gripping the wheel like I could never let go.

Ray ran up, beaming. You did it. Still got it.

I never lost it, I said, stepping out of the car, heart pounding. I looked around one last time—at the people, the chaos, the place that used to be home.

And for just a second, I missed it.

The rush.

The race.

The girl I used to be.

Then I turned away and walked toward Ray’s car, leaving it all behind—for now.

As I turned toward Ray’s car, the crowd parting around me, I heard footsteps behind me—quick, familiar.

“Leah.”

I didn’t have to look to know who it was. But I did anyway.

Harris stood a few feet away, hands in his jacket pockets, trying for relaxed. Like we hadn’t been everything and then nothing. Like it didn’t matter.

That was a hell of a run, he said. You’ve still got it.

Thanks. I kept my voice flat. Didn’t know you still showed up to these..

Not often, I mean not races like this you know, he said, glancing behind him. Alicia wanted to come and I’m glad we did.

I didn’t say anything. Just looked past him like I didn’t care. Maybe I didn’t

He stepped a little closer. So… where’s your boyfriend tonight? Curtis, right?

There it was. The real reason he came over

I met his eyes. Curtis likes motorcycles. This scene’s not really his thing.

Harris gave a half-laugh, like that amused him. Right. The clean, polished type. Bikes over backstreets.

I smiled, sharp and sure. Yeah. And he doesn’t need to show up to prove anything.

A flicker crossed Harris’s face—something between regret and ego. He recovered fast. Well, either way… congrats. You were fast as hell out there.

I always am.

I turned before he could respond, walking off with the roar of engines still in my ears. Behind me, I heard Alicia calling his name, sweet and possessive. He hesitated for a second, then walked back to her.

And me?

I didn’t look back

I didn’t have to.

Ray gave me a ride back home. We didn’t talk much during the drive, but just before I got out of the car, he looked over at me.

I know all that racing stuff is in your past, he said. But if you ever want to get back into it… you know who to call. You’ve got real potential, Leah. I mean that

I smiled. Thanks, Ray

I stepped out and headed for the front door, still buzzing from the race and what he’d said. But the second I walked inside—

Who was that? a voice called from the hallway.

I jumped. What the hell, Caitlyn! You scared me

She stepped out from the shadows, holding a water bottle. Sorry! I was just coming back from the garage and saw you pull up. I wanted to talk to you. Where were you?

I hesitated for half a second, then decided not to lie.

I went to a race

Her eyes lit up.. Oh my god. Tell me everything

I dropped my bag by the stairs and let myself breathe for a moment. It felt… different. Like I could actually breathe again. I don’t know—it just made me feel alive. I think I forgot what that felt like

She nodded, watching me closely.

“I left racing after the whole thing with Harris, I continued. “And especially after my mom died, it just didn’t feel right. Nothing did. But tonight…” I looked down, a small smile playing at my lips. “I think I just really missed it. Not the drama. Just the drive

Caitlyn stepped closer and gave my arm a light squeeze. That’s cool. I’m happy for you, Leah. Really. And just so you know, I’ll always support whatever you decide to do. Racing or not.

I looked at her and felt that rare, quiet kind of peace. The kind that said maybe I didn’t have to pick between who I used to be and who I was trying to become

Thanks,I said. That means everything.

Caitlyn and I were still sitting on the stairs, legs tucked up, the house quiet around us except for the occasional creak of settling wood

After a long stretch of silence, I finally said, I saw Harris today too. He congratulated me

Caitlyn’s head snapped toward me. What? And you were just gonna keep that from me?

I laughed under my breath. No, not really. I was gonna tell you. It was just… weird

Weird how? she asked, narrowing her eyes.

He’s with Alice now. I’m with Curtis. It just felt like… I don’t know, a moment that didn’t belong to either of us anymore

Caitlyn nodded slowly. Yeah, but you guys broke up a year ago. You’re allowed to move on. Both of you

I know, I said, tracing the edge of the stair with my thumb. It’s just—Harris and I always raced together. Being back there, feeling that same energy… it was like déjà vu. Like I blinked and we was with me just smiling and telling me that I got this

Before Caitlyn could respond, my dad’s voice echoed from down the hall

Girls, I know you’re catching up, but it’s late. You’ve got school in the morning.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. Boringggg,I called out, grinning

He chuckled. Go to sleep, Leah. You too, Caitlyn. Goodnight, kiddos.

Night, we both called back, almost in unison

Caitlyn gave me a look, one that said, We’re not done with this conversation

I smiled and bumped my shoulder gently into hers

Tomorrow, I said.

She nodded.

Tomorrow

I woke up early, like I do every day, to help my dad in the garage before school. Mia padded out of my room beside me, her tail wagging softly, but we didn’t make it far before a voice stopped us.

Hey, where are you heading? Caitlyn asked from down the hall.

I’m going to the garage to help my dad. Just another routine morning, I said, smiling.

Okay, let’s go. I wanna see what you’re working on.

Oh, you’re gonna love it, I said, already grinning.

When we got to the garage, I turned to my dad. Don’t you think Zac’s gonna be mad with all the noise?

He’s fine, don’t worry about it, he said, not even looking up from what he was doing.

A few minutes later, my dad called out, Morning, Zac! How’s the futon?

It’s fine, Zac mumbled from the upstairs window. What’s that noise?

That,” I said proudly, is a high-torque impact wrench. 3300 RPMs, dual bevel, great ergonomics.

Zac blinked. Great. What time is it?

Just after five, Dad answered.

Normal people don’t wake up this early, Zac groaned.

Check it out, Zac, Caitlyn said, walking over with the wrench in her hand. Fourteen hundred pounds of max breakaway torque.

You’re not beating that in a cordless, Dad added.

Zac squinted down at us. You guys trying to sell me one?

I chuckled. Maybe.

Uncle Logan’s gonna teach me how to install high-temp brake pads, Caitlyn said excitedly. Wanna help?

No. I want to sleep. It’s still dark outside. What’s wrong with you people?

Told you, I said with a smirk as soon as he shut his window.

Caitlyn pointed at the car under the tarp. What you got under there?

That car’s off-limits, Dad said before I could answer. I even mimicked him under my breath. My only rule.

Your only rule? In a garage full of dangerous tools? she asked, raising a brow.

There are lots of rules, Dad replied.

That’s just the most important one.

So what can I work on? she asked, glancing around.

We could finish the Supra, we both said at the same time.

Later, after we wrapped up, I took a quick shower and got ready for school. We all sat down for breakfast, the kitchen warm and busy with the usual morning chatter.

As I was finishing up, I heard my dad talking quietly to Zac in the other room.

You know Leah’s always lived here. Everyone knows her, looks out for her. But I need you to take care of my girl too.

I didn’t want to interrupt, so I slipped out quietly and went to say goodbye to Mia.

As soon as we got into my Jeep, I glanced at them and asked, You guys excited for your first day?

Before they could answer, I added, Oh, and one thing—Marcel might seem a little weird at first, or at least that’s what people say, but just give him a chance, okay? He’s my best friend.

I’m not expecting anything, honestly. That’s the reality, Zac said, then looked out the window. And can we please not tell people we’re cousins?

Wow, okay. So I guess we’re not related anymore, I said, half-joking, trying to lighten the mood. But people already know you’re close to me—at least Harris does.

Your ex? Zac raised a brow.

Yeah. He saw you guys at my mom’s funeral, so I’m pretty sure he made the connection. But… I get it. I know you don’t want people knowing who your dad is, and that’s fair. I trailed off, trying to comfort them, but also maybe comforting myself a little too.

Caitlyn and Zac both smiled, and the rest of the drive was quiet, just my playlist humming softly through the speakers.

When we pulled into my spot, I put the car in park. Alright, we’re here. You want me to give you a quick tour, or are you good finding your way?

We’ll find our way, Zac said, hopping out.

Okay. But if you need anything, seriously, just text me, I said as they walked off.

I stayed in the car a few more minutes, until I saw Curtis pull into the lot on his motorcycle. I got out and walked toward him. He smiled when he saw me and pulled me into a hug.

Hi, babe! I said as he kissed my cheek.

Hey, he said. How was your weekend?

My family just got here. I’m actually kind of excited about it.

I can imagine, he said with a smirk.

You wanna walk me to class? I asked.

I’d be happy to.

[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

I was brushing my hair when The Way I Loved You started playing.

That first chord hit like muscle memory. My hand froze mid-stroke. And just like that, I was back there.

“But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain…”

It always started with thunder, didn’t it?

We were standing in the middle of the street like idiots, rain pouring down, completely soaked. I don’t even remember what the fight was about—something stupid, like it always was. A text he ignored. A look I misread. Words we shouldn’t have said, thrown like punches, sharp and reckless.

You never say what you mean, Leah! Harris shouted, water dripping from his curls, eyes wild.

I didn’t run! I screamed back, breath catching. You pushed!

He stepped closer, jaw clenched. And yet you’re still here

And he was right. I was

Then suddenly, he was kissing me like he was drowning and I was the only air left. His hands tangled in my hair, my back hit the side of his car, and the rest of the world just fell away

We were soaked, shaking, and completely wrecked

But so alive

And maybe, just maybe, I loved him most when it hurt like that

“And it’s 2 a.m. and I’m cursing your name…”

The clock blinked 2:04 AM.

I should’ve been asleep. Instead, I was sitting on the floor of my room, wrapped in a hoodie that still smelled faintly like him, staring at my phone like it held the answers. Our messages had gone from playful to ice cold in less than ten texts

He’d said something sarcastic. I snapped harder

And now… silence

I threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a hollow thud, and I whispered, “Asshole,” but my voice broke halfway through

I buried my face in my hands and rocked slightly, like movement could settle whatever this was inside me

It didn’t

I didn’t know if I wanted to hate him or call him

But I knew one thing: I still loved him

“So in love that you act insane…”

We sat in his car , windows fogged. Whether it was from the argument or the rain, I couldn’t tell anymore.

Neither of us spoke

He was gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing holding him together. I had my knees pulled to my chest, cheek against the cold glass of the passenger window

You drive me fucking insane, Leah, he finally muttered, his voice raw.

I turned to look at him. Yeah, well… right back at you.

Then we both laughed. Or maybe cried. Or maybe both

That was us

Unstable. Chaotic. Magnetic

Harris wrecked me in the most beautiful, terrifying way. We never made sense on paper. But somehow, in our own twisted language, we made perfect sense

“Breaking down and coming undone…”

“It’s a roller coaster kind of rush…”

The first time we said I love you, we were mid-fight

He was halfway down the driveway, backpack slung over his shoulder, face like stone. I was crying. Angry. Spinning out

I love you, you idiot! I screamed at his back like I wanted it to hit him

He stopped. Turned

His face crumpled—hard and soft all at once

You can’t say that when you’re mad, he said

I feel it when I’m mad

He came back to me like he didn’t know how not to. Pressed his forehead to mine.

Me too, he whispered. God, me too.

No one else had ever made me feel that much

Curtis laughed at something Marcel said from across the booth, tossing a fry at him like they were in some PG-13 teen movie with predictable jokes and perfect teeth.

I smiled. Sort of.

It felt practiced. Familiar. Like a reflex.

He turned to me and nudged my milkshake closer. You’ve barely touched that. You okay?

Yeah, I said automatically. Just tired

And he let it go. Because that’s what Curtis does. He doesn’t dig. Doesn’t challenge. Doesn’t shake the ground beneath my feet.

Maybe that’s what I thought I needed after Harris. Something solid. Simple.

But as I stared at the swirl of vanilla in front of me, I realized: I wasn’t tired.

I was numb.

“He can’t see the smile I’m faking…”

“And my heart’s not breaking…”

“’Cause I’m not feeling anything at all…”

Curtis kept talking—his history quiz, his track meet, Ray coming home this weekend.

I nodded when I was supposed to, smiled when it fit the moment.

But inside?

Nothing.

No spark. No fight. No chaos.

Just… silence.

“And you were wild and crazy…”

“Just so frustrating, intoxicating, complicated…”

I glanced out the diner window and saw someone who looked like Harris for half a second—same hoodie, same slouch. My heart jolted before my brain could remind me it wasn’t him.

Of course it wasn’t him.

Curtis reached across the table and touched my hand gently, like I might bruise. He meant well. He always does.

Hey, you sure you’re okay?

I blinked, forced myself back into the moment. Yeah. Sorry. Zoned out.

He smiled. Wanna go see that comedy later? The one with the talking dog?

Sure, I said, though I barely heard him

If it were Harris, he’d mock the movie trailer. Steal my popcorn. Argue about the ending. Kiss me breathless in the parking lot while we laughed and fought at the same time

Curtis will drive me home. Say goodnight like it’s an ending. And leave it at that

And it hits me

Harris didn’t leave because he stopped loving me

We just… broke.

The kind of break you don’t hear until the silence after

“Got away by some mistake and now…”

I looked at Curtis again. His warm, steady eyes. The way he held my hand so carefully

He was everything Harris wasn’t

But he wasn’t Harris.

And I didn’t know if that was the whole problem… or the entire point.

Leah, can you please stop listening to that song? Everyone’s almost here, my dad called from downstairs.

I’m coming! Just give me five minutes!

I tugged on a clean hoodie, flipped off the music, and opened the door—just in time for Mia to crash into me like a mini missile

I laughed despite myself. Mia! Chill out

Mia, our dog. The one Harris gave me for our one-year anniversary. Our “daughter,” he used to call her. She was as much a part of us as anything we ever said

I scratched behind her ears, let her race ahead of me down the hall, and followed her out onto the porch. We sat there together—waiting for my cousins and aunt to arrive, waiting for the new chaos that was about to fill this house

Waiting…

But my chest still felt like it belonged to something I lost

To someone I loved hard enough to remember in every damn lyric

Mia’s curled up at my feet, tail flicking every few seconds like she knows something’s coming.

The air on the porch is humid, thick with the scent of summer and cut grass and the last bit of rain still clinging to the trees. I hear the rumble of a car before I see it—tires crunching gravel, a back window rolled halfway down, someone’s music playing too loud

My heart skips. Not from grief. Not from Harris. Just… from something new

The car door flies open and Caitlyn spills out like a tornado. She shrieks when she sees me and practically launches herself over the steps. ¡LEAH! she yells, like we weren’t just texting two hours ago.

Behind her, Zac slams the trunk shut and raises a hand in a lazy wave. Yo.

I laugh. Really laugh. Like it lives in my chest again instead of somewhere buried behind old heartbreak and fading memories

Caitlyn hugs me so tight I can barely breathe. We’re finally here. This is about to be the most chaotic, ridiculous, and beautiful thing ever

I nod, smiling against her shoulder. Yeah. It really might be

Zac slings his backpack over one shoulder and bumps my fist as he walks by. Good luck keeping up with us

I’ve been surviving Mia, I say, pointing at the dog now racing around the yard like she’s training for the Olympics. I can handle you two

He grins. Bet.

[itsrenn2]

The Way I Loved You

Summary: Curtis might be “right,” Harris felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.

00

Leah Maddox

Leah is the kind of girl who can rebuild an engine before breakfast and still ace her physics exam by noon. She inherited her love for cars from her dad, spending weekends elbow deep in grease and grinning through the smell of motor oil. Intelligent, driven, and endlessly kind, Leah balances her popularity with genuine warmth people gravitate toward her because she listens, cares, and never forgets where she came from. To her family, she’s the glue that holds everyone together. To the world, she’s proof that brains, beauty, and heart can all belong in the same person.

When she’s in love, Leah is both soft and strong. She’ll hold your hand while driving stick shift, tease you about your music taste, and then quietly kiss your cheek when you’re too tired to talk. She’s fiercely protective of the people she loves, and once she gives you her heart, she’s all in steady, fearless, and beautifully real.

But after her mother passed away, Leah’s world shifted in ways she never expected. The confident, warm girl who once held everyone together now carried an invisible weight. Without her mom’s steady presence, the emotional anchor of her life was gone, and Leah struggled with a quiet loneliness beneath her usual strength.

At first, she threw herself even harder into her passions fixing engines, excelling at school to fill the void and keep from breaking down. Yet those around her noticed a subtle change: the easy warmth in her smile sometimes faltered, and the laughter that once came effortlessly now felt rarer. Leah became more guarded, reluctant to lean on others the way she used to.

Still, through the grief, Leah grew in unexpected ways. The loss deepened her empathy; she listened more, understood pain in others better, and her kindness became a refuge not just for friends and family but for herself too. She learned that strength doesn’t mean carrying everything alone, and slowly, she began to let people in again.

Leah’s love became even fiercer protective not just out of loyalty but from a profound appreciation of how fragile life is. The girl who could rebuild an engine and ace physics became someone who rebuilt her own heart piece by piece, balancing resilience with vulnerability. Her mother’s memory became a quiet strength inside her, guiding her forward.

Logan Maddox and Leah Maddox

| My little girl - Tim McGraw |

You remember the day I show you how to drive?

Oh the thing I remember is how scared you were about something happened to the mustang

Well I have to take care of my baby and now you have to take care of yours, here it’s the keys baby

You’re kidding right

You’ve earned it, all those hours learning from me, all the hard work

Thank you, Dad. This means everything I love you

I’m proud of you, Leah. Now, get ready this Jeep’s got a lot of miles and memories waiting for you

Emma Miller and Leah Maddox

| In My Daughter’s Eyes - Martina McBride |

Mom, I don’t want to say goodbye

I know, sweetheart. Neither do I

I don’t know how I’ll do this without you. You’re the one who made me believe I could do anything… even when I doubted myself

You’ve always been stronger than you think, Leah. That fire you have for cars, for life it’s all you. We just helped you see it

I want you to know how much I love you. How much I’ll miss you every day

And I love you. Always remember, you carry a piece of me wherever you go. In your heart, in your courage, in your kindness

I promise I’ll make you proud

You already do, every single day.

Leah Maddox and Harris Bowers

| Style - Taylor Swift |

Looks like dinner’s on you, Harris

Alright, alright you earned it fair and square. You crushed me out there

Told you. You better start practicing your apology speech

You know, you didn’t just win the race today… you kind of won my heart all over again.

Smooth. Very smooth

I mean it. Racing with you — it’s more than just competition. It’s… fun. It’s us.

Yeah. It is.

Leah Maddox and Curtis Young

| Too sweet - Hozier |

You’re easy to be around, Curtis. It’s… peaceful. I don’t feel like I have to be anything

Same. You’re like a deep breath after a long day. But

But?

I think I’m into someone else

Oh. Who?

Caitlyn…

Leah Maddox and Caitlyn Torres

| Dorothea - Taylor Swift |

Okay, you were right. It was the timing belt. I owe you soda and eternal mechanical respect

Told you. This car’s practically speaking to me at this point

Yeah, well.. Dad and Logan would be proud if they saw us in here like this

It feels like we’re fixing more than just the car, you know? Like… something between us. Something from before everything got complicated…

I never stopped having your back, Leah. Even when I didn’t say it. Even when Curtis happened

I know. I think I just needed to come back to places like this — where I still feel like me

Well, for what it’s worth… there’s no version of my life where I don’t want you around. You’re more than my cousin, you’re my constant

Damn. That was deep for someone with a socket wrench in her hand

Garage therapy, baby. The grease helps the feelings come out smoother

Leah Maddox and Zac Torres

| Everything I wanted - Billie Eilish |

Hey, Leah… I brought you something

Thanks, Zac

I know this has been… really hard

Hard doesn’t even cover it. It feels like the ground’s been ripped out from under me. Like the part of me that made sense of everything is just gone

I don’t have the right words. I just want you to know you’re not alone. You don’t have to be strong all the time

But everyone’s been looking at me like I’m supposed to hold it together for my dad, I don’t know how

Nobody expects that. Not really. You can cry, you can break down. I’m right here ready to catch you if you fall

You always were the steady one. I don’t know what I’d do without you

You don’t have to. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll get through this, one day at a time

It’s just… Mom was my anchor. Now I’m adrift

Maybe I can be your anchor for a while. Or at least your lifeline

Lifeline sounds good. I think I’m going to need a lot of those

And you’ll have them. Me, Logan, everyone who loves you. We’ll hold you up when you can’t stand

Thanks, Zac. For reminding me I don’t have to be alone in this.

Always, Leah. Always

Leah Maddox and Marcel Crawford

| Matilda - Harry Styles |

You know I can’t fight with them right?

Marcel I don’t need you to fight with anyone, I can do it on my own

Cool, cool, cool… just a friendly reminder in case you forgot where your best backup is

Backup? I’m the whole team

Alright, but don’t come crying when you need a sub!

[youbutstupid]

You can ship JJ with whoever you want but I will not accept Will LaMontagne slander. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, he was a perfect husband all throughout his and JJ’s marriage.

He moved from New Orleans where his family’s legacy lay to be with JJ in D.C. He accepted all of the late nights with grace and he never once held it against JJ when she had to leave all of a sudden to go on a case. He bandaged her up and comforted her when she got back and supported the fact that she wanted to carry on working at the BAU despite the danger it posed to her.

He also accepted JJ’s work family as part of his own family. He sat with Rossi in the hospital after the car crash with Mr Scratch. He let Reid be the godfather to both of his sons. He looked after Jack when Hotch got arrested, even staying at Quantico for the entire day to take care of Jack whilst the team were out. He showed up to all of the BAU events and got along with everyone. He was even willing to have his wedding in the back garden of JJ’s colleague, only surrounded by JJ’s other colleagues and no one else.

Marriage is about sacrifices and he was always willing to make them, that man existed for JJ and their sons. You can ship JJ with someone else without lying and saying that he was a bad husband because I would normally never praise a man for simply being a good spouse but he was perfect.

[spencerstargirl]

WILL IS THE PERFECT DAD AND HUSBAND !!!!!!

[whorrorifics]

I need them in a way that is concerning to feminism.

[prettybaby-landry]

Girl Breakfast

Girl Lunch

Girl Dinner