“Chloe, you’re the biggest softie I know.It wouldn’t hurt to show a little emotion from time to time.”
“I know, I know.Matt’s on my ass too,” I moan.“I’m just afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.And to be fair, I’ve said barely anything and managed to make the news.What if I actuallydidsay something?What then?There are so many possible catastrophes.”
Keyla giggles.“At least you look hot,” she says.“That blow-dry.You finally spending some of your salary?”
“Yes,” I confirm.“Got my nails done too.”
She chuckles, and I down my orange juice, checking my watch.I have to leave for the track soon.“How’s things going with Matt?”she asks lightly.
“Please don’t ask if you don’t want to hear the answer,” I say.
There is a long pause, and I hold my breath.Part of mewants to share it all, but another part wants to keep it close to my chest.
“Oh no,” she says.“You’ve done it.You’ve slept with him?”
“Technically no....But we’re not exactly innocent coworkers either,” I confess, grimacing as I wait to see how the news lands.Keyla is silent for a while and then she just sighs.
“You like each other,” she says gently.“I could see it that night at the bar in Austin.I can hear it in your voice.It’s just such bad timing, Chloe.”
I throw myself back and stare at the ceiling.“We can’t be the first team principal and driver who have had a fling, can we?What about Suzie and Toto?”
“Suzie didn’t drive for Toto, and anyway, they’re married.Also, I know you.You can’t havea fling.Especially with Matt Warner.Can’t you guys just cool it until the season’s over?”
“Wearetrying.”
“Doesn’t sound like it,” she says, laughing.“Oh, Chloe.I just really don’t want to see this ruin anything for you.Or ruinyou.You know I love you.”
“I know, Keyla.I do know it.”
She’s right.He did hurt me once upon a time, and while I want to believe that he wouldn’t do it again, I can’t be sure.Still, I can’t seem to stop the direction this is going.Neither of us can.
“I am afraid of being hurt, but this feels different.It feels grown-up, like we’re on the same level, and I’ve never felt that before....I feel so confused.”
“Are you both going to be home during the break?”she asks.
“Well, I am.Matt doesn’t come home much anymore, but he said he might this time.”
“Try to have some time out.Work through your feelings.”
“I will.You’re right.It might be good to cool off a bit.It’s so intense at the moment.”
“That’s F1,” she says.“What happens on the circuit...”
“Stays on the circuit?”I ask, hopefully.
“Tends to end up in the paper,” she says, laughing.“And you really don’t want that, Chloe.”
On the way into the lot, just hours before the race, I spot Jack Sheppard chatting away to a couple of the officials from the FIA, holding out his phone mid-interview.I watch at a distance for a moment, until Jack glances over and waves toward me just as the interview wraps.
“Hey you,” I say, not inclined to stop, but eager to thank him for the good press.“Thanks for the piece this morning.”
“Stone-Cold Chloe Coleman,” he says, chuckling, pulling down his fedora and stepping away from his conversation.“Can we talk?”
“Talk?Sure,” I say, glancing over at a coffee cart.“Flat white?”
“You’re in Mexico,” he says, laughing.“You’re going to want a café de olla.”
I nod my head toward the cart, and he follows me.“But put that bloody phone away,” I say.“It makes me nervous.”
