Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Are you going to open it?” Colin asks.
Lara beams a smile and loosens the drawstring, pulling out a silver bird with wings stretched in flight. Lara holds it up and Margot explains, “To remind you that you flew once before, and you’ll fly again.”
“I love it,” she murmurs, eyes cutting to me ever so subtly. “I’ll add it to my birthday charm bracelet Dad got me a few years ago.”
Colin’s chest puffs out in pride, but I can see deep down that small flicker of worry in his gaze. I imagine this has been tough on him… his best friend’s son, hitting his daughter. There’s no doubt where his loyalty lies, and if Lance doesn’t make this right with Colin, there’s going to be a dent in the entire friendship dynamic. But that’s a problem for another day.
“I think I’m going to hit the shower and head over to the track,” I say, gaze turning to Lara. “Why don’t you order breakfast and eat out on the balcony, do some catching up.”
Lara nods at me, her arm slipping around her mum’s waist. “That’s a great idea.”
As I head for the bedroom, Colin claps my shoulder. “Good luck today, Reid. You’ve got a hell of a lot of people cheering you on.”
I nod, meeting his gaze. “I’ll give them something to cheer for.”
I let out a long exhale when I’m behind the closed bathroom door. That was a bit of a close call with her parents showing up out of the blue. I know we agreed to keep this secret for now, but I don’t like hiding what is happening between us. And yet, I am also well aware that tensions and emotions are high all around.
Regardless, this seems like the start of something good. Something worth protecting. Even if the next time that door opens, it could necessitate a whole lot of explaining about what Lara and I are to each other now.
♦
By the time I get to the paddock, my nerves crackle with energy. Pit crews scurrying. Cameras flashing. Media crews hovering. There’s a rhythm to race day that starts slow and swells like the biggest waves I’ve ever surfed.
I’ve got a few hours until the drivers’ parade and strategy briefings. Enough time to walk the garages, shake off the nerves.
Enough time to find Carlos.
I head down the row of team trailers and find him right where I expected—leaning against the Union Jack hospitality rig with a bottle of water and a stupidly relaxed smile. He sees me coming and tips his head like I’m five minutes late for something we never scheduled.
“There he is,” he says. “The man of the hour.”
“Lex is P1,” I remind him.
Carlos shrugs. “And you’re P-dangerous. I’d say that counts for something.”
I chuckle and take the spot beside him, mirroring his lean. We stare out at the bustling paddock for a moment—engineers hustling past, VIPs being led through for their curated glimpses of our world.
“You good?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say, then reconsider a more truthful answer. “I think so.”
Carlos’s head snaps my way, eyebrows lifted. “You think so? Hermano, the race is in less than…” He checks his watch. “Six hours.”
I fidget with the zipper on my Matterhorn jacket. “I slept with Lara last night.”
His brows lift, but he doesn’t look surprised. “Bold move. You having morning-after regrets?”
I blow out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “No, not at all. It felt right.”
Carlos takes a sip of his water. “But something’s messing with your head. What is it?”
I glance around to make sure no one’s too close. “The timing. Her being fresh out of it with Lance. The fact that we’ve got all this family shit hanging over us and we’re keeping it secret like it’s something dirty when it’s not.”
Carlos nods, patient. “You think she regrets it?”
“No,” I say instantly. “At least I don’t think so. But… I don’t know what she wants beyond this moment. And I’m not sure I should be asking her to figure that out right now.”
“Because of Lance.”
“Because of everything,” I say, frustrated. “She’s trying to find her footing again. And I’m standing here with a full calendar, a rising career, cameras starting to follow my every move… What if the timing isn’t right? Or what if she thinks this is just a distraction for me?”
“Is it?”
I look him square in the eyes. “No. Not even close. She’s always been more than that.”
Carlos leans forward, resting his hands on his knees. “Then tell her.”
“It’s not that simple. You know the history.”
“I know you two are lifelong friends, just like she was with Lance. Were you ever more than friends?”
I suppose he needs the full picture. “I kissed her once when we were fifteen—Lance made a scene about it, said it was gross, like kissing your sister. That shut it all down. But a few years ago, after she graduated uni, we had one night. It could have been the start of something, but I backed off.”