Jungle Off-Road Club
After one lap on the experience track, Sydney Sawyer's legs were numb from the bumpy ride when she got off. Heat pooled under her helmet, humid and stifling. She was sweating, her whole body feeling sticky and hot.
She felt like she'd lost half her life, yet Sebastian Lockwood's breathing was perfectly calm.
Sydney Sawyer could only sigh to herself:
'There really is a huge difference in stamina between people!'
The four of them had a simple lunch at a farmhouse-style restaurant next to the club, and by then, Sydney Sawyer was already ready to call it a day and go home.
"Sis, let's go off-roading for real," Chester Sawyer said, having thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"You guys go ahead. I'll sit this one out."
The off-road trail went into the mountains. Even at a fast pace, the round trip would take about two hours on an even more rugged road. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it.
"We came all this way. It'd be such a shame not to experience the mountain trail." Chester grew more excited as he spoke. "Just now, when Mr. Shaw sped up, the vehicle literally flew! It was so thrilling—"
Sebastian Lockwood looked at her. "I'll drive you this time."
"Then it's settled! Sis, you'll ride with Sebastian, and I'll stick with Mr. Shaw."
After speaking, Chester shot Sydney a conspiratorial look, his smug little expression clearly saying:
'Sis, I know you're too shy to say it, so I'll help you! Aren't I the best wingman?'
'Praise me!'
Sydney Sawyer wanted to cry. 'I'm not being coy, I'm just genuinely exhausted.'
Donovan Sheridan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
'Did you even ask for my opinion?'
'Why is this kid just like Sebastian Lockwood, ordering me around without a second thought?'
"Young man, did I agree to go with you?"
Chester pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow. "My sister and I are beginners. It's not safe for us to drive an ATV off-road alone, and we definitely can't ride in the same vehicle. Sebastian just said he'd drive my sister, right? So… are you saying…"
"You want to ride with my sister?"
Donovan Sheridan's pupils contracted slightly.
'What the hell!'
'Just shut your mouth.'
'Ride with my sister? What kind of suggestive talk is that?'
'I'd like to live a couple more years, thank you very much.'
"You've been playing for a while, you must be thirsty. Come on, I'll take you to buy a drink."
"I'm not thirsty."
"As a doctor, I need to tell you that you shouldn't wait until you're thirsty to drink water. I think you're thirsty and need to rehydrate."
Donovan Sheridan dragged Chester Sawyer toward the small convenience store inside the club.
**
Sydney Sawyer couldn't win against Chester and ended up getting on Sebastian Lockwood's vehicle.
After getting on, she tried to keep some distance from him, her hands awkwardly searching for handholds on either side of the rear seat.
"Sebastian, I'm ready."
Sebastian Lockwood turned his head and looked at her. "Are you sure you'll be okay like that?"
"I…"
"Miss, the off-road section is much bumpier, and we've also set up some obstacles. It's easy to get thrown off like that, which is very dangerous. We recommend you hold on to the gentleman in front of you," a staff member advised.
"Okay."
Sebastian Lockwood was putting on his helmet when he felt her clutch the fabric of his shirt.
The cloth at his waist tightened, pressing against his body and creating a sudden feeling of restraint.
The corners of his lips curled up slightly. He put on his half-helmet and drove off.
The jungle off-road mountain trail was even more rugged and bumpy than the track inside the club.
To make the drive more interesting, they had even added obstacles like a small wooden bridge and sections for drifting. Sydney Sawyer felt like she was about to be flung off…
She had originally planned to take the opportunity to wrap her arms around him, but she'd wanted to do it gradually. Right now, however, she felt her life was on the line and couldn't care less about being reserved or proper.
Her grip tightened, and she wrapped her arms firmly around his waist!
She was clearly terrified, holding on tightly. Her whole body was jostled by the bumpy ride, bumping against him. But that wasn't the most lethal part…
It was the position they were in. Her every breath blew, without fail, against the back of his neck.
Rapid and uneven, yet searingly hot.
Sebastian Lockwood had brought them here with his own agenda, but he never expected her to be this scared. The sensation of her breath on the back of his neck was stimulating, and unexpectedly, it was he who felt uncomfortable.
"Sebastian, slow down—"
"You used to complain I drove too slowly, and now you think I'm going too fast?"
'Complained he was too slow?'
'That was so long ago, and he still remembers?'
Sydney Sawyer bit her lip. 'You really can't tell, but he certainly holds a grudge.'
"On a road like this, the engine can stall if the speed is too low. If you're really scared… just hold on tighter."
His voice, carried by the warm wind, poured into Sydney Sawyer's ears, brushing against them, hot and ticklish.
Sydney Sawyer was terrified of being thrown off, so she didn't have the mental space for any romantic daydreams. She held onto his waist with no intention of letting go.
Her fantasy last night about going for a ride had been so picturesque.
'Something about wind blowing through fields of wheat, gently tousling my long hair, the ends brushing against his face, him helping me tuck it back, me blushing shyly… Isn't that how it always is in TV shows and novels?'
'How did it turn into this when it's my turn?'
—
Donovan Sheridan, with Chester Sawyer in tow, took the lead and quickly left Sebastian Lockwood behind.
He really couldn't stand seeing those two being all lovey-dovey. Sebastian used to be so wild; who could ever beat his speed?
But now he was carrying a girl, and the moment she wrapped her arms around his waist, he probably lost his soul.
The man wasn't just driving a vehicle; he was cultivating romance. Of course he had to take it slow.
Even though his own speed was already fast, he was still getting criticized by the person behind him:
"Mr. Shaw, you're too slow! You need to step on it."
"Tired already? Don't they say a man at thirty is fiercer than a tiger? Your stamina is pathetic."
…
Donovan Sheridan was simmering with frustration. 'If you're so great, you drive!'
'Wouldn't it be better to be at home in the A/C, ordering takeout?'
'Why the hell am I out here taking crap from a kid?'
**
Sebastian Lockwood was looking out for Sydney Sawyer, so he drove slowly. The jungle off-road loop ended up taking over three hours. By the time they arrived back at the club, it was nearly dusk.
Sydney Sawyer felt as if her internal organs had all been shaken out of place. She took off her protective gear and equipment and found a place to rest.
"Sis, I'll go get you some water. What do you want?" Chester was still full of energy.
"Just bottled water."
He asked Sebastian Lockwood and Donovan Sheridan what they wanted before heading to the club's small convenience store.
As he was about to leave with four bottles of water in his arms, he saw a few familiar figures. The one in the lead, Ethan Bauer, had a cigarette pinched between his fingers and was walking toward him. "Chester, we've been waiting for you."
Chester had previously filmed a vlog and posted it on his social media. This group must have tracked him down from that.
"What do you want now? Didn't you get beaten badly enough last time?"
Ethan Bauer, the bruises on his face not yet faded, walked over with the cigarette dangling from his lips and blew a puff of smoke at him. "Last time was only because your sister was there. Let's pick a new spot. You dare?"
Chester didn't say a word.
"The college entrance exams are over. It's time we settled the score between us, don't you think?"
"Where," Chester said.
"The same alley by the school. Ten o'clock tonight. I'll be waiting."
As he spoke, Ethan Bauer blew a few more puffs of smoke at him, making Chester frown and cough.
Before leaving, the group made sure to add a warning:
"Don't bring your sister again."
'His sister is ruthless. She grabs one person and beats them half to death. Who can handle that?'
…
When Chester returned, he naturally didn't tell Sydney Sawyer about what had just happened.
He handed out the water as if nothing had happened. Only Sebastian Lockwood, when he took his bottle, gave him a long, meaningful look.
**
The four of them had a simple dinner out. Sebastian Lockwood planned to drop the Sawyer siblings off first, then Donovan Sheridan, but Chester claimed he wanted to go for another ride and didn't get out of the car with Sydney.
Sydney Sawyer had been through the wringer today. She was drenched in sweat and couldn't wait to go home and take a shower.
Chester had always loved to have fun, and she figured he hadn't had his fill yet. Since he was with Sebastian Lockwood, she wasn't worried.
After she got out, leaving only three people in the car, Chester put on an innocent face. "Sebastian, why don't you take Mr. Shaw home first? I'll just get out here for a stroll and a bit of fresh air."
When he tried to open the rear door, he found it was locked.
"Sebastian? Why'd you lock the door?"
Sebastian Lockwood took off his glasses and wiped them. When he put them back on, the frames seemed to catch a cold light. His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel as he turned his head to look at the boy.
"Chester. Do you smoke?"