Eva's PoV

"Sharing nachos I see?" My dad was the first to play the embarrassing dad card. I tutted and rolled my eyes at him.

"They give you more cheese." I stated obviously. Francesco laughed heartily as he turned to Dean.

"See? I'm not the only embarrassing dad in the world." He smiled as he ruffled Dean's hair, earning a tut from him too. I offered him an understanding smile. Francesco then turned to my dad. "I knew they would get along well. You have a good kid."

"As do you, Francesco. I can't believe I'd never put two and two together and realised Sirgani was your son too. I can't wait to watch him race today." My dad buttered him up, knowing a deal was close.

"Yes. It is unfortunate that he got into a rivalry with that Ashton. Bad kid, in the wrong crowd and always doing bad things. He beat him last time but I don't have a good feeling about today. Ashton is a cheater, they can both be a little unorthodox to make sure they win. Someone might get hurt." I straightened in my chair. Ashton could get hurt here? I hadn't really looked into this kind of racing at all before I got here, I just assumed it was some tarmac and some bikes, nothing too scary. What on earth am I about to witness?
With a wave of nausea hitting me, I stood up abruptly, causing everyone to look at me.

"I need a drink, that jalapeño was hot!" I invented something quickly. "Anyone want anything?" I received a flurry of laughs and shakes of the head as I quickly exited the booth and headed out for some air. My brain was whirring with all the information I had received and some part of me was telling me I needed to text Ashton to warn him. This was only going to add to the stalker idea in his head but I'd rather see that he is okay and unharmed.

Me: if you're at speedway today please be careful. Rumour has it Sirgani is really out to get you. He's a cheater and he's not afraid to hurt you.

I sent it and shoved my phone in my pocket. Seconds later, a phone chimed from across the hallway and I carefully looked up to see Ashton and his mates crowding around the nacho stall. I watched as he got his phone out and began reading the message, his shoulders slumping slightly as he typed back a response.

"What you having Ash?" Luke asked, but he was completely blanked by Ashton still typing on his phone. "Hey!" He shouted at him, making him look up for a second.

"Right. Sorry. Coke and nachos, extra cheese and jalapeños." Ashton rushed so he could get back to looking at his phone. He carried on typing for a few seconds before he put his phone back in his pocket. He grabbed his food and drink before heading out to the track with Calum, Michael and Luke. My phone vibrated in my pocket as I turned and headed back into the box, finally feeling a little better about the whole thing. At least I'd managed to warn him - if he wanted to carry on doing silly things then that was his own choice. I took my seat next to Dean again and he offered me a sweet smile.

"Feeling better?" He asked humorously. I looked over at him with my signature smirk. There was something about him that I liked but I couldn't place what it was. Was it the mystery of him and his family? People that I only knew because of my dad and therefore had to learn everything about? Or was it his personality? The fact he was from a rich family yet seemed to say grounded, had a sense of humour and could tease me were all good points. He wasn't obnoxious, full of himself or someone who judged people who were not like him. Whatever it was, for the first time in a long time, I wanted to keep in contact with someone and actually make an effort to have a friend.

"Yeah." I laughed. "I think I'll leave the double jalapeños to you!" I said, nudging him with my elbow.

"Sounds like a plan! Look, the race is about to start!" Dean offers me another smile before moving forward in his seat. "My brother is on the yellow bike." I too leant forwards to get a good look at the race. Four bikers sat on their bikes awaiting the green light to begin the race. A yellow bike, which must have been Sirgani, was on the left, a black bike which I'd assumed to be Ashton was beside him and then a blue and a red bike made the third and fourth. I could just make out the two helmeted riders having a heated exchange as they sat beside each other. Ashton kicked out at Sirgani's bike which caused Dean and Francesco to gasp in the box. Sirgani's bike began to topple but he stuck his foot down and steadied it.

"See? Uncontrollable, that Ashton boy..." Francesco mumbled as he shook his head. "This is why my boy acts out. Boys like Ashton only understand you if you act like them..." Dean looked over at me with an expression that said to stay away from guys like Ashton.

"Yeah, you know him don't you?" Dean decided to throw me under the bus in front of the parents. I shot him a look but he merely grinned in response.

"Do you?" Dad looked at me, a hint of disappointment waving over his features before he covered it. Yeah thanks Dean. I barely spend time with my dad as it is, now he'll think I hang out with the wrong people.

"He's in my college. I don't talk to him but I see him around. He hangs out with three others, they're bad eggs." I said vaguely just to get past the conversation.

"That's probably for the best. Don't let him reel you in." Dean said as if he had history with him. I nodded quickly and smiled. Luckily, the tannoy finally announced the start of the race and attracted everyone's attention before that conversation continued. Quickly, knowing everyone was distracted, I looked at Ashton's response from my text to him.

College: How the fuck do you know I do speedway racing?! Noone does. You just wait til I find out who you are I'm going to destroy you and everything you love.

I was shocked by the response this time. Not even a thank you had crossed his mind. Maybe it was better for me to ignore him and let him get through this all on his own, but somehow I couldn't. Something kept telling me I needed to stick at it.

Me: sorry for trying to help

I sent quickly as the race began. I shoved my phone in my pocket and leant forwards to watch the black and yellow bikes race each other. They flew round the corners at speed, the bikes tipping almost horizontal as their knee scraped the ground. The two of them were neck and neck through the second and third laps and finally it came down to the last lap. I gripped the edge of my seat as they began the final lap. Sirgani finally pulled ahead after taking a corner and cutting in front of Ashton. Ashton yanked the accelerator and sped back to level with him. Ashton swerved his bike into Sirgani's one, causing him to wobble and slow down. Everyone in the box huffed and tutted at Ashton's reckless behaviour. Sirgani caught back up again and levelled with Ashton just before the final stretch. With a quick glance behind him, Sirgani quickly kicked Ashton's front tyre causing him to veer off the track. Ashton and his bike fell to the side, skidding along the sandy ground before coming to a halt as it crashed into the barricade. I gasped loudly, throwing my hands to my mouth as I muttered 'shit!'.

"Serves him right." Francesco snapped, crossing his arms.

"He tried the same trick again! Trying to knock my brother off the track. Unbelievable!" Dean hissed. I stood up quickly, flustered by what I'd witnessed.

"I-I... need some air." I stuttered as I rushed out of the box and headed towards the track without thinking. I needed to check he was okay. I needed to check on Ashton.