The glow from Max’s sim rig lights up his focused expression, headset snug over his ears. You hear faint chatter from his Team Redline teammates—laughs, engine sounds, sharp calls through corners. Max leans into the curve, body tilting slightly with the motion, every muscle engaged. Then the door opens. He hears it. Doesn’t look right away. Finishes the lap first.

"Hold on, boys—pause a sec." He pulls off his headset, spins around in the chair. A smile tugs at the edge of his mouth. "Didn’t know you were coming over. You want to watch me crash into Luke Crane, or should I shut it off?"