My first thought was Nix.
Then Clara’s hands on him. Then how much I didn’t want to date Frank. Which was exactly why I should.
“When?”
“After the race tomorrow?” he asked, rocking back on his heels. “After I win again.”
I laughed at his confidence. If the storm hadn’t hit, I didn’t doubt that Nix would have won. The man was just too ruthless.
“A date tomorrow,” I repeated, just to confirm. “When you win, you might be busy.”
TheCiclatidoor flew open. Nix stood, jaw as tight as the rest of his body. “Livid, you’re needed.”
Shitting hell.
I gave Frank an apologetic smile and rushed into the pit box. “Nix—”
But everyone was inside.Lucahad clearly just got back from qualifying, and Abbe was over his shoulder with an iPad.
Everyone looked up when I shouted Nix’s name with desperation.
I tried to sound casual. “Nix, what am I needed for?”
But thenCriswas there, another tablet in hand that he pressed towards me. “New contract,” he said. He lowered his voice and put a dramatic hand to his mouth to try and hide his words, “You might want to check the salary.”
But instead, I was watching Nix get on his bike and ride down the pit lane. He was always last to ride. By the screens of the times so far, only seven riders had come back.
No one looked as shocked as me. I caughtCrisrolling hiseyes. Abbe didn’t even look over his shoulder at him.
But I returned my gaze to the tablet and blinked at the price. “That—that’s quite the increase.”
Which I had to ask for.
Don’t ask, don’t get, as Abbe had said.
Though it wasn’t quitedoublemy original salary.
I signed.
Chapter 18
As always on race day, Nix arrived before anyone else despite staying at the hotel. Maybe he thought if he was closer, I would go and apologise. I didn’t. He stayed in his room and I stayed in mine.
The coach was quiet as it often was on the way to the circuit on race day. Everyone was focused, following their own rituals.
Frank, next to me, played Clash of Clans on his phone. He was the most easygoing of them all, seemingly unbothered by the fact he had qualified first.
But I couldn’t stop thinking about who had qualified second and I hardly looked at him in the pit box.
Nonetheless, he won, pushing the limits as always. Abbe was furious, worried about him burning out his tyres.
With a clear 3-second lead for the last two laps, Clara was waiting at the winners’ box where the three winners pulled up on their bikes to be interviewed. He took off his helmet, dismounted his bike, walked to her at the edge of the barrier and kissed her hard.
So, that was that.
I had to sit there for their interview in the pit box. They sat close to each other on stools, knees touching.Lucasat a footaway, glancing at them and then smiling awkwardly at me.
He was clearly uncomfortable in the love bubble.
