“Thanks for sharing,” Sophia directs to Fleur, placing a hand on hers.
Fleur smiles and looks to her glass. “Not the type of convo to be had with no alcohol in our cups.”
“My relationship with my parents is really strained,” I offer. “They're set in their ways, and it took me starting therapy to come to terms with the fact that I won’t be able to change how they behave and their attitudes. It was one of the reasons I wanted to move from rally to bikes. I can travel with the team now, where before, I would race home as soon as the rally weekend was done because I didn’t want to deal with them guilting me. But my therapist was really helpful and supported me when I thought about switching and travelling here. I knew it was time to put the distance between us. And it has already been so much calmer. I can’t believe the stranglehold they had over my happiness and mental wellbeing.”
“That’s a really powerful move to recognise that. Well done,” Fleur comments with a smile.
I nod and smile. A shared understanding.
“How about you, Sophia? Awful or amazing parents?” I ask.
Fleur swaps her hand and puts it on top of Sophia’s, who smiles at the gesture. “I had amazing parents. Dad passed away when I was twelve from prostate cancer, and Mum had a heart attack a year and a bit ago.”
“Shit, I am so sorry.” I instantly regret asking.
“No, don’t be. It’s ok. I mean, yeah, it does suck. But there isn’t anything I can do about the situation.”
“Plus, you had Javi Bear to secretly console you last year,” Fleur teases to lift the mood.
Sophia rolls her eyes and laughs. “You hang out with them too much.”
“Kinda my co-workers there.”
“Hang on, secretly console you?! You’ve gotta tell me the story now!”
Sophia regales us with the story of what happened between her and Javi last season. The secret romance, the support he showed her when she needed it the most, and the ultimate accepting of her developed feelings once she felt she was ready to let someone into her heart.
“Well, if I wasn’t a puddle of jealousy of you before, I definitely am now. That all sounds so romantic,” I gush.
“Yeah, it was pretty fucking adorable,” Sophia replies wistfully.
“Alright, I am pruney and I need more food other than these nibbles. Did we want lunch?” Fleur announces, stepping out of the spa.
My stomach growls at the mention of lunch, and I have no choice but to agree.
“The bathroom you changed in has showers all set up, so take your time. I’ll make us some lunch,” Fleur offers.
After lunch, Fleur drives us back to the hotel. Javi waves Sophia over in the hotel as he stands around, chatting with Daveand a brunette woman. “See you tomorrow.” Sophia nods with a squeeze on my shoulder and moves to join them.
Continuing up to the room, I hear Riley finishing up a call with his parents as I enter the room.
“Hey. How was your day?” he asks as he shuts his laptop.
“Great! Fleur’s property is beautiful.”
“Yeah, it’s incredible there at night.”
“Hey, so, the girls asked me if you had mentioned Kiara to me? Did you have a falling out, and that’s why they were asking how you were going?”
Riley’s face turns from happy to solemn in an instant, and I regret asking him such a personal question. “Sorry, you don’t have to tell me if it’s too much.” I raise my hands up.
“No, it’s okay. I’ve wanted to share this with you but haven’t found the right time.” He inhales deeply.
6
Riley
“My sister committed suicide at the end of last season. She suffered from depression and overdosed on her antidepressants. She used to travel with me, so she wasn’t alone. I thought being with me would help keep her mind occupied. And she did love it, but she was good at hiding her depression and not communicating when she was having a hard day. She told us she was away with her friends, but she ended up being in a hotel room on her own.” My voice strained with the weight of my words. The raw emotion. The empty void she’s left behind.
