How naive I had been.
NixonArmaswas smirking, trying to cover his mouth as he looked me over again.
“I don’t fuck my clients,” I sighed and picked up the file. I was sighing because I was losing my patience with him, though I feared he might think I was sighing because of my statement.
Damn, I needed to stop overthinking.
“Guess that’s good for your job,” he said, leaning back to stare at the ceiling. “Crishas a rule that nothing can hurtCiclati. Relationships being one of them.”
Exactly.
He snorted, laughing to himself. “It’s ironic though. It’s all in vain.”
“We’re done here,” I said before he could start asking for me to play my tiny violin. “The next team meeting is in a month. Don’t fuck up beforehand.”
His smirk was let free as I walked out, taking the corridor, hoping for theCiclatidoor to be signposted.
Chapter3
While Nix and I had our meeting, a new fastest lap for the track had been made by a rider named FrankFeldt.
For the southern France circuit, going over 200 miles per hour.
Nixon’s jaw ticked on hearing the news. His face stiffened and gained a serious edge.
I doubted my presence helped.
“I’m beating it,” he swore. “I’m beating that idiot.”
Crisonly rolled his eyes. The staff took no part in the testing race. Family members joined us in the pits, taking off the wheel warmers and getting the bikes ready.
The mechanics checked everything was safe and then left it. They weren’t insured.
I found the risk peculiar, butSalihalaughed with the rest of them. “I can’t wait for you to hearAlv’swife,” she said and nodded at the blonde standing beside the bike he’d sat upon. “There are no commentators for this, so she does her own with one of the other wives. It is hands down one of the most hilarious things to listen to.”
My past co-workers had become my friends, but there was never this level of warmth within the teams.
Even wearing the baggyCiclatitop that Nixon had thrown at me made me feel involved. I was excited to watch Nix andAlvget on their bikes and thrash everyone else.
A bell rang and it was time, but before they started to pull out the bike stand, I rushed over, phone landscape and poised for a photo. “Smile!”
It came naturally toAlv, his big toothy grin shining brightly as Nix’s expression was gloomy.
WhenAlvreached over to put an arm around Nix’s shoulders, Nix only glared at his touch. “Smile!” I repeated, more strained. “We want to squash all those negative rumours that you aren’t the best of buds still!”
Nix smiled. If you could call it that. His lips curled upwards, but there was no warmth.
Alv’swife came up behind me and cheered in French, “Say best friends!”
And they did. I got the shot andSalihasigned me into the sporting accounts as the men wheeled out their bikes.
“Wave me when I overtake you, old man,” Nix taunted.
Alvpulled down his visor. “Fuck off, man child.”
But Nix beamed as they left.
Crisgestured to his large chair directly before the screens and passedAlv’swife a headset. She grinned and took it, placing it on her head and giving a big thumbs-up.
