“I’m back, motherfuckers!”I shout into the radio.
“Matt.Jesus fucking Christ, the mouth on you,” says Archie, laughing.
Chloe’s voice comes through the radio.Well, first it’s a chuckle, and her joy radiates down the line into my ears.“Don’t screw it up now, okay?”
“Sure thing, boss.Anything else?”
“Yeah, bring me that podium.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I reply, feeling a cocky grin spread across my face as I eye up that checkered flag, watching the team climbing the chain-link fence between the track and the pit to cheer me home.And I finally feel it again.That fire in my belly as I cross the line.
It’s relief that hits first, and then right behind it, tears.
A cathartic, quiet sob as I take my victory lap, slowing down so Noah can catch up and drive alongside.He raises a fist and pumps it into the sky, before flying off ahead of me.I know what they will be saying.
What a story here at Las Vegas tonight.The two Ardens side by side, in what is surely the Cinderella story of the season.Whoneeds first place when you can drag a team from the bottom to the top in just five races.I’d bet my house on Coleman getting a contract extension into next season and beyond.
I know what we just did.I grin through the tears, my vision blurred, unable to wipe my eyes until I get this damn helmet off.I can hear Archie and the team celebrating in my ear, but my mind is already looking forward.Tonight, I proved something to myself.But I slow down and take in the moment, hoping this will be just the beginning for this team.
I pull up into the third-place slot in the pit and leap into the arms of the cheering team.
CHAPTER 29
Chloe
As Matt pulls into third place, he yanks out his steering wheel, pushes out of the car, and stands on top pumping his fist.I watch him rush to the team and leap into their arms.Celebrating third place like it’s first is my new jam.This was a victory beyond our wildest dreams.
I glance across at Jasper, who smiles his toothy grin back at me, slow-clapping with a cigarette dangling from the edge of his lip.
“Gonna go tell your boyfriend he did good?”
“Thewhole teamdid good,” I mutter, my cheeks hot.
“Your secret is safe with me, kid.”
I blush hard and want to protest, but Jasper waves my embarrassment away.Is there anyone who doesn’t know something went on between Matt and me?I wonder.“Wanna talk to me about next season?”he says, grinning.
“You’ll stay?”
“Fuck yeah.We’ve got a couple of Rossinis to beat.”Then he grins.
Just then I feel the heavy thud of a hand on my back and turn to see Barry beaming at me.“Well, well, well.”
“Happy, then?”I say, seeing the strain his grin is putting on those round cheeks.
“I’m happy,” he says.“I suppose we need to talk about next year.”
“Next year,” I say tentatively, balling my hands into fists.“I’ve got the plans ready, if you want to see them.”
I feel the curl of the two dogs around my legs and instinctively reach down to rub their heads.Ginger licks my hand, and Roger sniffs my ass and I laugh.
“Looks like they want you to stay,” says Barry, looking out at the crowd.“Hey!Look at that!”I follow his pointing finger to where I see a few fans in black and green, one of them holding a sign with a cartoon picture of Ginger and Roger that says, go underdogs.Barry’s face almost explodes with pleasure, the smile reaching the crinkles in the corners of his eyes, his arms out wide as he moves forward to get a closer look.
“Underdogs no more!”I shout, enjoying watching Barry finally get some recognition, as he walks out with the two greyhounds and the handful of supporters go wild.
The press conference is packed as Matt and the two Rossini drivers file in.The room springs to life as cameras swing around in their direction, and to my delight, they turn their lenses on Matt, who grins at the room.The smile is almost cocky.A twinge of that playful arrogance that every fan used to love, or love to hate.
I follow behind, not in some ridiculous green pantsuit this time, desperate to show the world how serious I am, but in my Arden kit, my two race engineers beside me, jostling with the press for a spot to watch Matt seize his moment and shine.
