I trusted him, but I couldn’t talk while holding back tears.
He stepped inside. “Listen. About next weekend—don’t worry about your father. Go out, go to a party, whatever. I just need one thing from you.”
“The name of the club so you can show up and drag me home?”
He snorted. “Didn’t plan to make a habit of it, peque,but if you insist…”
I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands. “Then what do you need, Ash?”
He held out his phone. “Your number. I’ll give you mine. I want you to have someone you can call.”
I took it. “Fine.”
When I passed it back, his fingers closed over mine.
A touch that long couldn’t be accidental.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Asher
Since arriving in Stetbourg, we’d had a couple of team meetings, but I didn’t expect another one this Monday. So far, things had been fine—probably because our team manager was in charge. Grant wasn’t a dick like Russell, and to him I was just another racer. No family baggage complicating things.
But with the way I felt around Kaia—who filled my head almost as much as racing—I didn’t see myself bonding with Russell anytime soon.
“This season looks promising,” Grant said, rubbing his palms together. “If everything goes according to plan, the World Championship will be within reach.”
He looked straight at me, like our shot at it depended on my results alone, but I wasn’t the only racer.
Ethan shifted in his chair. “The champ will bring us plenty of wins.”
A smirk tugged at his mouth. When our eyes met, he winked. I’d bet he was hoping I’d lose.
“I’m sure of it.” Grant chuckled. “Besides, we need some this season. Oh, and before I forget—the team’s anniversary gala is right after Christmas. Needless to say, we expect you there.”
A gala? News to me. Ethan, though, didn’t look surprised. “Hear that, champ? Hope you won’t bail this time.”
I didn’t remember ever bailing—unless he was still sulking about me skipping drinks after our race.
My phone buzzed before I had to answer. Javi. I set it down, but it vibrated again.
“That’s all for today.” Grant tucked his laptop under his arm. “You know where to find me.”
I left the conference room right behind him. My phone rang before I could call Javi back.
“Hola.” I leaned against the hallway wall.
“¿Estás liado?”Are you busy?
Never too busy for him, especially when he called out of the blue. “No. ¿Qué pasa?”No, what’s up?
“Sit if you’re standing.” Javi’s nervous chuckle shot adrenaline through my veins. “Looks like Sport Union Madrid wants me.”
It was like being doused in ice water. My heart leaped, hands trembling so bad even gripping the phone tighter didn’t help.
“Joder, tío.” My voice caught. “For real?”
“Yeah. I’ll be joining them in January. Fucking pinch me, Ash… This is… Fuck, I don’t even know. I’m scared I’ll go to bed and it’ll be gone when I wake up.”
