The meeting with Rayna and Micah was dull, listening to new sponsors’ pitches. I listened, but if my half-assed notes for the day are anything to go by, I was definitely not paying attention.
Rayna and Micah are discussing some points from the last sponsor when they turn to me.
“Sophia?” Micah asks from across the table.
Snapping out of my trance, I reply, “Yeah?”
“You alright?” she asks again. I wonder how long she’s been trying to get my attention for.
“Yes. All good. Sorry. Caught in my thoughts,” I fob off, and their conversation picks up where it left off. I realise they are talking about a few of the guys from today being good looking, and Micah lightly teasing Rayna if she liked any of them.
“I’m not on the lookout for anyone.” Rayna blushes, waving a hand at her friend.
“Come on, you’re not dead! That tall one with the hand tattoo was pretty cute!” Micah presses, a rare smile on her stoic face.
“Micah! Stop.” Rayna laughs.
Micah raises her hands up. “Any of them tickle your fancy, Sophia?”
“Now, now. This is between you two. Don’t drag me into it,” I play.
“How have you been going with all that ex-car engineer stuff?” Micah asks kindly.
“Yeah, I guess I just want to focus on my career and be taken seriously,” I blurt out.
“You can still have a love life and a career. Sure, it depends on if you want one or not, and how flexible and understanding your partner is of this profession, but don’t ever worry that your credibility will be in jeopardy if you decide to let someone into your life,” she shared. “I understand your concern, though. I’ve been here for well over a decade, Rayna longer. I had to put up with the comments and double standards when I first started. Same with any of the women in the paddock back then. It was bullshit. But it’s changed. Which is great. No one cares what anyone does. It’s none of their business.”
“It’s nice the paddock focuses on work these days,” I offer, raising my eyebrows. “But surely there would be talking and rules around the talent? I have heard a few comments floating around that kind of situation.”
“I mean, I guess it could get a little messier, but no different than two mechanics dating,” Rayna pries with a kind smile. “Does that open up your dating prospects?”
I scoff. “No. Not at all. I’m still happy focusing on my career. No need for distractions from anywhere.” I smile back at them.
“You are still human and entitled to happiness. I have seen a lot of women, and men, close off and only work. It’s a lonely life,” Rayna offers.
“Ohhh, giving her ‘it’s a lonely life’, but you don’t take your own advice?” Micah pipes up. “I see how it is.”
Rayna rolls her eyes and stands up with a smile. “I am done with this interrogation. I’m heading back to the hotel for the sanctuary of my hotel room and a good book.”
Micah stands up and concludes with, “Maybe you need to stop reading those romance novels and see who is around.” Raising an eyebrow and the side of her mouth at Rayna.
Micah is abrupt, but that’s the way she is. She doesn’t mean any malice. Anyone else, and I would speak up, but Rayna knows how to handle Micah. They are friends and I have absolutely heard Rayna tell Micah to can it. It’s their give and take.
Loving that the heat is off me, I try to stay as quiet in the background as possible for the duration of the cab ride to the hotel.
29
Javi
“Do we really need to be in this good of shape to race motorcycles?” Cole moans.
“They do still have engines, right?” Riley puffs out in agreement.
Cole, Fleur, Riley, and I are running on the four treadmills at the training facility. We have been on them for at least an hour, killing our cardio.
Cole and Riley are the only ones moaning about it, and they have both slowed down to a light jog.
Fleur shoots a look at me and rolls her eyes. “Do we let Ham know about this?”
