That is All I Ask For: Chapter 2: A Drive to Remember

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Now that Micah had officially joined the team, Dante and Daniel knew they had their work cut out for them. With three racers on the team, the challenge wasn't just winning—it was making sure Micah could match their pace, both on the track and in the world they lived in.

The next morning, before the sun had risen high enough to warm the asphalt, Dante called Micah to the garage. The air was cool, laced with the scent of grease and rubber. The sky, still tinged with sleepy blues and oranges, bore witness to the day’s beginning.

“Why so early?” Micah asked as he arrived, barely stifling a yawn.

Dante leaned against a toolbox, arms crossed. “To check if Meredith wasn’t just bragging about your driving skills.”

Micah raised a brow, then smirked. “Fair enough.”

“Bring your car to the track.” Dante instructed. “I want to see how you handle it. Follow every instruction I give.”

There was no hesitation. Micah’s smile widened as he turned to fetch his car. He knew he had two options: drive like a rule-follower or drive like himself—the reckless, instinct-driven version who could tear through a city street without ever scratching his car. He chose the latter. His real self.

Once the car was on the track, Dante slid into the passenger seat, his gaze focused and unreadable. “Start with a few laps. Just drive. Let me see what you’ve got.”

Micah nodded, started the engine, and took off.

He barely finished the first lap when Dante gestured for him to stop. The suddenness made Micah tense. Had he exposed himself? Had he revealed too much of what he was really capable of?

But Dante’s expression surprised him. “You’ve got excellent control.” He said plainly. “You were born to race. You just don’t know it yet.”

Micah blinked. “Wait... that’s it?”

“That’s it.” Dante confirmed. “Your reflexes, grip, throttle control—it’s all instinctive. With a bit of adjustment to race car handling, you could be on par with Daniel and me.”

Micah tilted his head. “Discomfort?” he repeated, feigning curiosity.

Dante nodded. “Yeah. Racing cars are built for performance, not comfort. They’re stiff, tightly packed with safety gear—cages, harnesses, and reinforcement bars. You won’t get the luxury of breathing room in one.”

Micah nodded, hiding his amusement behind a mask of eagerness. “Can I start now?”

Dante shook his head. “We’ll wait for Daniel and Juno. Let them assess you too.”

Micah nodded again, silently reminding himself to be patient. His chance would come.

“What do you actually do for a living?” Dante asked after a pause.

“Huh?” Micah was caught off guard, eyes wandering over the garage he had personally funded. He’d spared no expense, even when the team was still considered rookies in the circuit.

“I asked, what you do for a living?” Dante repeated with a small smile, watching Micah take it all in like a child at a candy shop.

“Oh. I work in real estate.” Micah replied casually. Technically true. He owned the company, but Dante didn’t need to know that.

“Which one?” Dante asked.

Micah grinned. “The one that still sponsors you.”

Dante blinked. “Wait… Have you ever seen your boss?”

“He’s always abroad.” Micah replied smoothly. “Our boss recently opened a branch overseas and is focused on getting that one running smoothly.”

Dante nodded slowly, connecting dots in his head. That would explain why Leo had been managing things locally. The overseas expansion lined up with absences.

“Have you seen him?” Dante asked again, voice quieter.

Micah chuckled. “Once. From a distance.”

“If he visits, should I let you know?” Micah offered, trying to test how interested Dante really was.

“No,” Dante replied quickly. “It would be better if we didn’t meet.”

Something tightened in Micah’s chest. “Why? You seemed interested before.”

“He’s probably exhausted. Let him rest when he’s back.” Dante said, avoiding eye contact.

Micah forced a smile. “Sure.”

“Did you have breakfast?” Dante asked, suddenly changing the subject.

“No. Slept late finishing work. Food could wait; I need the sleep to function.”

Dante turned on his heel. “Then come on. There’s a shop nearby.”

Micah followed, warmth blooming inside him.

They walked together in comfortable silence until they reached a small café. “What would you like?” Dante asked.

“Two veg burgers and fries.” Micah said, reaching for his wallet.

But Dante stopped him and paid before he could protest. “Relax. I’m not that broke yet.”

Micah smiled, letting himself bask in the simplicity of the moment.

They returned to the garage just in time for Juno and Silas to arrive.

“How was he?” Juno asked Dante.

Dante didn’t look up from his food. “His name is Micah. And he was good.”

Silas chuckled. “That’s rare praise.”

Juno joined him, walking up to Micah and slinging an arm around his shoulder. “High praise from Dante means you’re probably gifted.”

“That’s too much praise for one lap.” Micah replied, playing modest.

“If Dante says you’ve got it, you’ve got it.” Daniel added, finally stepping into the garage.

“You were listening?” Dante asked.

Silas laughed. “He came with us. He just waited outside to hear your verdict.”

Micah gave Daniel a shy smile, unsure where he stood in this growing camaraderie.

“Meredith said she’s dropping by too.” Daniel added.

Micah’s stomach twisted slightly. Meredith knew too much.

“Should we wait for her?” Micah asked Dante, who only shrugged.

“How do you know Mer?” Daniel asked.

“We were in the same college group.” Micah answered.

“You studied with us?” Dante asked, eyes widening.

Micah nodded. “Business Administration. I was in the stands every time the racing team competed.”

“How didn’t we notice you?” Daniel asked.

“I kept a low profile. All I wanted was to graduate and get away from my family.”

He didn’t say it for sympathy—just to answer the question. But the weight of those words made the air heavier.

He remembered it all too clearly. His father, James Blade, had loved him once. But after his mother died and Aria Jones became his stepmother, everything changed. Aria made sure every mistake her son Michael made was pinned on Micah. The punishments were cruel. The resentment was relentless.

Only once Micah was financially independent did he confront his father. He told him everything—how Aria and Michael manipulated him—and left with a smirk, knowing that the seed of doubt had been planted.

“Who reminded him about that damn family?” Meredith’s voice snapped them back to reality as she entered.

“I’m sorry.” Dante said immediately.

Micah shook his head with a soft smile. “It's okay. You didn’t know.”

Meredith looked at Micah, confused. He hadn’t glared, hadn't decked Dante, hadn’t stormed off—he was calm. She was shocked. Normally, any mention of his family made him seethe. But here he was, smiling through it.

That was when Meredith knew—Micah was falling hard for Dante. If Dante ever rejected him, she feared it would destroy him.

“Should I test his driving myself?” Daniel asked, offering Micah a way out of the heavy topic.

Micah nodded quickly.

“What was that?” Juno whispered to Meredith.

“He’s acting too calm. Micah usually glares or goes cold. Dante must mean a lot to him.” She hid the decking part because she didn't want to bust her friend and support.

Juno and Silas exchanged glances. They had bet the night before that Dante might be catching feelings for Micah. Now it looked like it was the other way around.

“Was he abused?” Dante asked quietly, his expression unreadable.

Meredith’s face turned serious. “Locked in a windowless room for weeks. Allowed out only for bathing or the bathroom. You tell me.”

Everyone fell silent.

“He’s strong.” Dante finally said.

“He is.” Meredith agreed, her voice was softer now.

“Anything that could trigger him?” Silas asked.

“Darkness. He always carries a torch. He can’t stand it for more than a few minutes.”

Dante glanced at Micah’s belt loop where the torch hung. The puzzle pieces made sense now.

When Daniel returned after observing Micah drive again, he had a small smile on his face. “He’s good.”

“I said so.” Dante replied smugly.

“Want to try my car?” Daniel offered.

Before Micah could answer, Dante spoke. “He’ll drive mine.”

Dante pulled Micah away, and the others stood still for a moment.

“Did Dante just act possessive?” Meredith asked.

Daniel laughed, wrapping an arm around her. “Looks like it.”

“Will Micah be okay?” Juno asked.

“He’ll be thrilled. He’s been crushing on Dante since college.” Meredith revealed.

“Wait, what?” Silas asked, stunned.

“Hard.” she confirmed.

“How is he not throwing himself at Dante then?”

“He wants to know if Dante feels anything first. Don’t say anything, or I’ll kill you.” she warned.

Daniel nodded, smiling. He hoped Dante would finally open up to love again.

Micah, meanwhile, stood beside Dante’s car, torn. “Are you sure I should drive this?”

“Why not?” Dante asked.

“Because if I mess it up, I’ll never forgive myself. This car… it’s a dream.”

Dante paused, then nodded. “I get it. I still have my first racing car at home. Want to wait while I bring it here?”

Micah smiled gratefully. “Yes.”

Dante patted his shoulder gently and walked away. Micah stood frozen, heart thudding.

“What happened?” Meredith asked, walking over.

“He touched my shoulder.” Micah said, dazed.

Meredith chuckled. “You love him more than I thought.”

“I do.”

“The team’s already gossiping that Dante’s getting possessive.”

“Then I’ll make sure they only see the side I want them to see.” Micah replied.

“I thought you’d glare at him after the family comment.”

“He didn’t know. I reserve my glares for people who do.”

“Is that why Dante got a free pass?” Daniel asked, approaching.

Micah nodded. “If someone else brings it up again, I might not be so kind.”

“I like your character.” Daniel said warmly.

“I told you; you’d like him.” Meredith added.

“I do.” Daniel replied, kissing her temple, and leaving to get back to the garage.

Micah grinned. “Your man is kind of flirty.”

“And I like it. Just don’t let him know.”

“He already does.” Micah said with a laugh.

“What are you still doing here?” Meredith asked.

“Waiting for Dante. He said he’d get his old car for me to try.”

Meredith smiled. “Then you better drive it like you were born for it.” And left to stay by Daniel's side.

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