Rule Number One
The first rule of the Throttle Nine was simple.
No dating inside the group.
It was Zane’s rule. And everyone had agreed to it… mostly because it made sense. They were too close. Too loud. Too chaotic. Dating eachother would ruin everything.
At least, thats what Maya told herself as she tightened the strap on her helmet.
The sun was dipping low, painting the parking lot in gold, Nine bikes lined up like soldiers. Engines idling. Music blasting from someone’s speaker.
“Last one to Millers Bridge buys food!” Riley yelled, already revving her engine.
“You’re on,” Tyson said quietly, but his eyes flicked to Maya.
Maya noticed.
And she hated that she noticed.
“Try not to cry when i win again,” she shot back, swinging onto her bike.
Tyson smirked. “You’ve won once.”
“Still counts.”
The engines roared at the same time. The sound vibrated in her chest, in her bones. This was her favorite part. The second before they took off, the second where everything felt possible.
Zane help up his hand.
Three.
Two.
One.
They launched.
Wind tore past Maya as she leaned into the curve of the road. Tyson was right beside her. Too close. Competitive close.
She pushed faster.
He matched her.
They rode like that side by side, daring each other to break first.
The bridge came into view.
Maya accelerated.
Tyson did too.
For half a second, they were neck and neck.
Then Maya edged ahead by inches,
She skidded to a stop at the bridge, pulling off her helmet, breathless and grinning.
“I win.”
Tyson parked beside her, pulling off his helmet slower, his dark hair was messy, his expression unreadable.
“You cheated.”
She laughed. “You’re just mad.”
The others rolled in seconds later, yelling, arguing, shoving eachother playfully.
But Maya barely heard them.
Because Tyson was still looking at her.
Not competitive.
Not teasing.
Something else.
“You were fearless back there,” he said quietly.
Her smile faltered a little. “I always am.”
“I know.”
And for a moment, it felt like the world had gone silent.
Untile Zane clapped his hands.
“Alright! Food run. Lets go.”
The moment shattered.
Maya grabbed her helmet, pretending her heart wasn’t racing for a reason that had nothing to do with speed.
Because Rule Number One existed for a reason.
And if she kept looking at Tyson like that?
They were both going to break it…
Maybe even a bed…
