I smile. This is completely on brand with who he is as a person. All of those compliments would have been said in a supportive way. He is the furthest away from being a creep. “I’ll allow it,” I concede.
We leave the conversation and I start clearing up once Riley has finished rebuilding his taco.
“Shouldn’t you be on some kind of special diet the weekend of a race?”
“Nah, I never did well on those pre-race, restrictive food diets. I felt worst being on them, so I just don’t overdo it. Which is why I am stopping at five tacos, judgey eyes,” he says to me, pointed. “I stay away from excessive alcohol during the season, which is good, because no one else really has more than a couple of drinks at dinners or celebrations.”
“Makes sense,” I reply as I put away the leftover food and start to wash up.
Riley comes up and puts his plate near the sink, and then assumes his position next to me to dry. We have gotten into a good rhythm over the last four weeks, and it is going to be a weird shift to be in my own space at some tracks. I have never been someone who needed or even liked anyone around me for too long. I even opted to live on my own when I went through uni, pushing myself to the breaking point many times, juggling studying and working so I could afford the luxury of my own place. But I loved being on my own. Riley doesn’t make me feel like I'm being confined or have to readjust myself to fit into his space. No one has ever made me feel like this before.
“Oh! Before I forget, Javi said that Monday night we should go to a Japanese restaurant all together,” I say, handing him a plate.
“Yes! That’s a good idea. I know which one he's talking about. You’ll love it.” He nods.
Our fingers brush while I hand him a glass, sending a pulse up my arm.
“Cool.” My mouth is suddenly dry. We continue working in silence.
“Are you all good after your run in with Geoff today?”
“Yeah, honestly, I have dealt with worse. But I appreciate you having my back. Sometimes those types of people need a guy to pull them back into line.”
“It’s bullshit. You handled it really well, though,” he praises.
“Thanks. I am just relieved Rayna didn’t care.” I shake the excessive water off my hands and drying them on the towel Riley is holding. He freezes, looking down at me as I invade his personal space. I have done this before, but something is different tonight. The air feels thick and static. Crackling along the edges. My eyes drift around his face as he stares down at the sink. His firm jaw is clean and smooth. He must have shaved this morning in preparation for the interviews today and the weekend’s media coverage. The top of his chest tattoo peeks up from his V-neck, teasingly enticing a finger to trace along it, discovering what all the shapes and lines mean. I can only ever see hints of native flora peeking through the sides of his shirts. Maybe some animals in there, too? I take in a sharp breath and my lungs strain to gasp in air. Stepping back over to the seats at the kitchen bench to put the island between us, shaking all thoughts out of my head. I try to regain the conversation.What were we talking about? Oh, Geoff The Dick.
“Sounds like Rayna got an email from him by the time we were on our way back tonight, and she said she trusts my instincts for who needs to be put in their place.” I hope that’s what we were talking about. “I have no idea how she is so amazing and understanding! Is she even for real?”
“Raynaisamazing, and she’s always been like that from talking to Koby. She is just one of those special people who will be by your side, no matter what. But she’s somewhat of a legend in the paddock. She, Koby, and her husband started Infraction32, and worked fucking hard to get consistent success over the years.Her husband passed away over ten years ago; driver ran a red and took him out while he was on his motorbike. Sudden and tragic. I mean, Koby is amazing to work for, and being they established Infraction32 together before he started Ghostly Flux, their leadership styles are quite similar. They will fight fiercely for any of us like we are their own because, in their eyes, we all are.” Riley finishes the drying and moves to leaning against his elbows on the kitchen bench facing me. His deep V-neck tee gapes and shows more of his chest.Fuck. Get it together, Mabel.
“Well, I feel very grateful to have landed in her team straight up. Sounds like I struck gold,” I recover.
“Absolutely. You’ll have a great career with Infraction32.” He smiles, his eyes seeming to linger and hold something more.
“Better head to bed. So wrecked,” I announce abruptly. “I’ll have a quick shower to wash the day off.”
“Too easy. I’ll be staying up a little if you feel like slothing out on the lounge.” He stands up and makes his way to the lounge.
Shaking my head, I recover myself and hit the shower.
Drowning my day’s troubles under the scolding hot water, I can’t help shake these new feelings I feel bubbling under the surface.
8
Mabel
“Okay, so if we move around the energy drink promo shoot with the helmet advert, it’ll all fit in for a singular day of work in a week and a half when we get to the next track.” I marvel at my beautifully laid out schedule for the next few weeks.
“Excellent job. If we can optimise Javi’s time and condense his commitments, I’m happy he can focus on racing and working with the team, and not working the camera.” Rayna nods.
“Is it still okay for me to work in the hotel? You don’t need me on track in the office?”
“Not at all. I trust you and we get more undisturbed work done in our rooms. You know I love a chat.” She smiles and winks at me.
Smiling back and laughing, I say, “Alright, well let me know if you need me at all.”
“Heeeyyyyy, Rayynnaaaa!”
