“Yeah. Me too.”
The waitress brought beer, and I nursed mine while Javi browsed.
“Is there a reason Russell’s so overprotective?” he asked. My thoughts must’ve been written all over me.
“It’s not about Kaia,” I said. “It’s about me. He can’t stand the idea of her with me. If he knew the truth, he’d fucking lose it.”
Javi sipped from his glass. “Then make sure he doesn’t. You can’t risk it. Your career’s on the line. If he kicks you off the team now, finding another before the season starts will be tough.”
A lump clogged my throat. “I know,” I said, my voice tight.
Minutes later, the waitress set our steaks down. Javi thanked her and waited until she left. “Speaking of career.” He picked up his fork and knife. “I asked around—no one’s heard from Miguel. My agent has contacts in racing. He says Miguel isn’t working with anyone right now. In fact, apparently he hasn’t since your dad died.”
An ugly weight settled in my gut. “Are you sure? Maybe he joined a smaller team?”
“Carlos is sure. I’ll keep checking once I’m back, but it looks like he retired. Who knows where he is now?”
The news should’ve eased me. If Miguel retired, maybe his silence wasn’t personal. Still, Javier’s words unsettled me. Why would Miguel walk away from a career he excelled at?
“I’ll email him one last time,” I said, cutting into my food.
Javi shrugged. “If it helps, do it.”
We talked about his team and mine through the rest of dinner. As I paid the bill, Javi yawned. “Fuck, I didn’t think jet lag would hit this hard.”
“I forgot it’s your first time overseas,” I said, slipping my wallet into my pocket.
“Let’s head back. I’m sure you want to check on Kaia.”
Jet lag, my ass. He’d given himself away without knowing it. Thoughtful bastard. And he was right—Kaia needed me.
“Yeah, I’d love to,” I said. “Thanks.”
***
The house was silent when we returned. Russell must’ve gone to bed early. Good. Javi always said I had no poker face, and I doubted I could hide how much I hated what Russell pulled tonight.
“Good night,” Javi said, disappearing into his room. I waited a few beats to be sure the house stayed quiet, then slipped into Kaia’s.
She was curled beneath the comforter, bedside lamp still on, her diary open beside it. I closed it and sat on the bed. My hand drifted to her hair before I could stop myself. She stirred, turned, and blinked awake. “Ash. Why are you back so early?”
I bent to kiss her. “Javi was tired. We had dinner and came home.”
“I see.”
I traced my fingertips across her face. Her skin burned, her eyes red and swollen. She’d been crying. Anger surged, and I dropped my gaze to the comforter so she wouldn’t see how furious I was at her father.
“I hate living here.” Kaia tucked her hands under her cheek. “I hate all of it. This house, my life. I wish I could find a job, earn enough to move out, but I’m stuck. My father made me stay to prove a point. Your mom came home, and he went to his room with her without looking at me once.”
She wasn’t wrong. Russell thrived on power, and keeping us apart was the perfect way to wield it. Javi’s warning about my career pounded in my head, but right now, I didn’t give a fuck.
“Get dressed,” I whispered.
Kaia’s brows lifted. “What?”
“I borrowed Ale’s car. Everyone’s asleep. Let’s get out, do something fun—or nothing. I don’t care, mi niña. I just know I won’t let you spend the night crying.”
Kaia caressed my cheek. “Estás loco.”You’re crazy.
