“Youcantrust me,” I say.“But can I trust you?I don’t know the extent of our money problems, which I should.I heard that we are dead after Vegas if things don’t improve.Is that true?”
Barry looks sheepish suddenly.“In the background things were slowly happening...”
“What things?”I say, folding my arms.Point made.“Unless I know what’s going on, I can’t help you.”
“Sorry,” he says, looking at his eggs.“Matt was expensive and we just need more investors.More sponsors.I was delaying until—”
“Oh my god, until when?”
“The sponsors dinner in Vegas is our make-or-break.The dinner you’re supposed to attend, though your absolutedisinterest in working a room has been evident from day one.”
I gulp.Okay, I deserve that.But in my defense, I didn’t realize things were so critical.
“And if that doesn’t work?”
Barry sniffs, looking out the window.“It would have worked after all the improvements you made,” he says grimly.“Now who’s going to touch us?”
“You should have talked to me.We were nearly a real team.”
“Youbroke up the team,” he shoots back.“You were a mistake.”
I stand up and wipe the crumbs off my face with my napkin, ready to make a bold move.“Obviously I’ll finish out the season, as per my very low-paid contract.But if you want to fire me now go right ahead.”
Please don’t fire me.Please don’t fire me.
“May as well stay until Vegas,” he says wearily.“We’re finished anyway.”
I feel the eyes of the room back on us, and so I turn on my biggest smile.“Until Vegas, then.”
I strut out of the breakfast room.Next stop: facing the team and Matt.
Still running on the adrenaline of standing up to Barry, I push through the back door and out into the garage.The first person I see is Noah.
I will not let Barry sell him.The thought hits like a sucker punch.
But I have zero leverage.If he goes under, we all do.
And then I remember the article.Shit, this is going to be hard.I somehow cannot believe the professional advice is to say nothing and act like nothing has happened.Can thatreallybe right?
“Race day,” I say, trying to act chill, but feeling my cheeks burn hot.
“Yes, boss,” he says, without looking at me.
“Give them hell today, Noah,” I say, my voice serious.He’s got to perform now either for himself, or so any other team will pick him up.
“Of course, boss,” he replies.
“Matt values you a lot,” I say.“He doesn’t want you to go.And I don’t either.You got real talent.And huge potential.”
He looks at me, finally, and smiles.“Yeah?Really?”
“Yes,” I say, hand on my heart.
Noah grins, momentarily buoyed.“Thanks, boss,” he says.
“I’m fighting for you,” I say to myself, just as I spot Matt out in the pit.He’s already talking to press, the scrum the biggest I’ve seen in the three races since he joined.I walk slowly but purposefully toward him.
I make my way out into the bright sunshine and wish I’d worn sunglasses to hide the fear in my eyes.I know I have to act like everything is fine, but did Matt get the memo?Has the team told him the plan?
