Chapter 10: Under Neon Lights

CHAPTER TEN

   Under Neon Lights

The city looked different at night.

Louder. Wilder. Brighter.

Neon lights reflected off expensive cars lined up under an abandoned highway bridge. Music played from speakers. Laughter mixed with the deep growl of engines.

This was Leonard’s world.

Fast cars. Risk. Adrenaline.

But tonight felt different.

Because he wasn’t here to escape.

He was here because of Valeria.

“She said she’s racing tonight,” Cassian muttered beside him. “Didn’t think she still had the nerve.”

Leonard leaned against his car, jaw tight.

“She shouldn’t be here,” he said.

But across the street—

Aurora stood.

She didn’t belong in this world.

She wore a simple hoodie and jeans, hands tucked into her sleeves, eyes wide as she looked at the crowd.

She hadn’t planned to come.

But she had overheard Mira laughing earlier.

“Leonard and Valeria? Oh, they’re back at the night races.”

Back.

The word stayed in her head.

So she came.

Not to fight.

Not to accuse.

Just to see.

And maybe understand.

Valeria stepped out of her silver car confidently.

Black leather jacket. High boots. Hair tied back.

She looked like she was born for the night.

“Leonard,” she called smoothly.

He didn’t smile.

“You shouldn’t be doing this,” he said.

Valeria laughed softly. “Still trying to control everything?”

“I’m trying to keep you from making stupid choices.”

She stepped closer.

“You mean like you did?” she whispered.

The tension between them was thick.

History. Regret. Pride.

And then—

Valeria noticed something.

She looked past Leonard.

And saw Aurora.

Standing alone.

Watching.

Valeria smiled slowly.

“Well,” she said. “Looks like you brought an audience.”

Leonard turned sharply.

His eyes found Aurora instantly.

And something inside him shifted.

Aurora felt exposed under the neon lights.

She almost turned to leave.

But she didn’t.

Leonard walked toward her quickly.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I wanted to see,” she said quietly.

“See what?”

“This,” she gestured around. “Your world.”

Leonard’s expression softened slightly.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“Because it’s dangerous?” she asked softly.

“Yes.”

Aurora looked at the cars.

“At least it’s honest,” she said.

Leonard frowned slightly. “What does that mean?”

“At school,” she continued, “everyone pretends. Here, at least you know what people want.”

Before Leonard could respond, Valeria walked over.

“You must be Aurora,” she said smoothly.

Aurora nodded slightly.

“You’re brave,” Valeria added. “Most girls wouldn’t come here.”

“I’m not most girls,” Aurora replied quietly.

Valeria’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Interesting.

The race organizer shouted for drivers to line up.

Valeria turned to Leonard.

“Race me,” she said.

Leonard’s jaw tightened.

“No.”

Valeria smirked. “Scared?”

“No,” he replied coldly. “Done.”

The word surprised everyone.

Valeria blinked. “Done?”

“I don’t race like this anymore,” Leonard said calmly.

The crowd murmured.

Valeria laughed softly. “Since when?”

Leonard’s eyes shifted.

To Aurora.

“Since I realized I don’t need it.”

Silence fell.

Aurora’s heart pounded.

Valeria followed his gaze.

And finally understood.

“Oh,” she whispered.

It wasn’t about racing.

It wasn’t about pride.

It was about her.

Valeria stepped back slowly.

“So that’s what this is,” she said.

Leonard didn’t deny it.

For the first time—

He chose.

Not speed.

Not reputation.

Not his past.

But something quieter.

Something softer.

Aurora.

Valeria smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Careful,” she said softly to Aurora. “Boys like him don’t change easily.”

Then she turned and walked back to her car.

Engines roared.

The race began.

But Leonard didn’t move.

He just stood beside Aurora under the neon lights.

“You really quit?” she asked softly.

He looked at her.

“Yes.”

“For me?” she whispered.

Leonard hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then he said quietly—

“For something better.”

Aurora’s breath caught.

The city noise faded around them.

And for the first time—

The danger wasn’t in the cars.

It was in the way they were looking at each other.