After Barry leaves, Chloe pulls the box out and drops it onto the desk.
“I never thought to ask about the dogs,” Chloe says, using a wrench to force the lid of the crate open.
“Barry has hidden layers,” I say, grinning.
“Guys, I’m going to fire up the team,” says Archie, thumbing toward the strategists.“Looks like there’s some press waiting for you, Chloe?”
She glances over his shoulder toward the waiting crew, and then shakes her head at Archie.“No.Tell them to go away.Nicely.”
“You’re going to have to get out there and do these press interviews, Chloe.”I pause for a minute, then continue, “Think of it as the next step to overcomingyour‘issue.’And by the sounds of it, you need a fucking agent.”
“I hate the press stuff, though,” she says, lifting the lid and pulling out the helmet.“I’ll tell you what.I’ll do a press interview, if you finish above fifteen tomorrow.”
“Unfair,” I say, laughing.
“There it is,” she says, spinning the helmet around so I can see “Mind My Hot Rear” emblazoned across the back.
“I can’t believe he already went ahead and approved it,” Isay, snatching the helmet from Chloe.“That whole speech was just to remind us to be grateful.”
“Nah,” she says, smiling.“I think he wants us to know he actually cares.”She holds the helmet toward me.“You gonna wear this for the race tomorrow, then?”
“Yes,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“And are you speaking with the therapist later?”
I nod and take the helmet from her, turning it around to inspect the bright yellow-and-red logo.
“Here,” she says, tearing the plastic seal off the strap.“We better make sure it fits.”She grins.
I let her do it.I let her move in close to me and reach her arms up toward me.I try not to watch her breasts rise as she reaches above me and then pulls the helmet down hard over my head.
She flicks up the visor and we stare at each other for a moment.Chloe quickly smiles, but I can see the worry behind her eyes.
“Are you okay?”I whisper through my helmet, and then quickly add, “About last night?I’ve been trying to get in contact with you.”
She nods quickly, her cheeks coloring a little again.“I’m sorry.I can’t open that door, Matt.This job is too important to me to throw it away on something that’s just too...”She stumbles, her big brown eyes burning into me as she clears her throat.“Disruptive.To the team.”She was going to saydangerous.She’s afraid of what would happen between us, and I’m not sure I understand why.
Still, she’s making it clear she wants me to bury it.Keep things professional.“Areyouokay?”she says, her eyes hopeful.
I’m no liar, but I tell her what she needs to hear in this moment to keep going.
“Focusing ahead,” I reply.
Chloe nods, looking to the floor.Is she sad?Relieved?What I wouldn’t give to be in her head right now.Then one of the strategists calls out to her, and she’s off to join Archie.
On my way back to the hotel, alone, I decide to send what feels like the hundredth text to Stavros over the past few months.All of which have gone unanswered.It takes several versions ofHi againandI’m sorrybefore I settle on what feels like another empty message.
How are you getting on?
It is read right away, but by the time my head hits my pillow six hours later, there is still no reply.
CHAPTER 13
Chloe
United States Grand Prix
Race Day
