As he did, I glanced around, wondering if Alexander would join us here for the little post-race gathering. Ever since Matteo convinced me to travel with them, Alexander had seemed…around. Hovering just within arm’s reach, his protective stance made sure Gia and I were never caught in the crowds or left vulnerable to the endless flashes of cameras.
Matteo looked over at me, breaking me from my thoughts. “You know, there’s an after-party if you feel like mingling,” he said with a wink. “I talked with Anna and she can take Gia tonight.” He lowered his voice. “And I wanted to surprise Alex and take him out after his big win. This one was really important to him.”
I bit back a smile, he knew he would get me with that. One of my favorite traits about my brother was how intentional he was with his time. I wasn’t sure why this was a big race for Alex, or if there was more going on behind the scenes, like pressure from the team. Matteo had mentioned how his points holding him in first for the Drivers’ Championship were affected by the last few races, that Alex hadn’t secured first in a few races. Last year, and the year before, and the one before that, Alexander had dominated.
I glanced down at my feet. “Matteo, I wasn’t exactly planning on a night out,” I replied, shifting my weight as I looked toward the sleek, lively tents filled with people celebrating the end of the race.
“Oh, please,” he said, laughing. “I know for a fact you were planning on staying in, but this is why you came, to try new things, find your spark again!”
Just as his words left his mouth, I felt a presence behind me. Turning, I found Alexander, fresh from the win, his racing suit pulled down around his hips, a black undershirt hugging his form that looked anything but ordinary. I had seen the outfit on plenty of others, but the whole rippling pectorals and abs that were basically like a shining sign that saidlook at mewas doing something to my brain chemistry. He had changed his hair before race season; gone were the braids, and now a clean-cut fade. The sun makes his dark skin glow. Alexander stood out as the only Black racer on the Formula One circuit; he had fought through unimaginable battles to get here, championed young Black drivers daily, starting programs for them around the globe. Everything about him was attractive, his heart, his new hairstyle, his eyes, his damned godlike body that was basically on display, the rose tattoo on his hand, and the black ink that covered his arms. I shook my head, trying to shake off the rumble of butterflies in my stomach as he walked toward us. His eyes sparkled with something like amusement when he saw my hesitation.
“You’ll come, won’t you?” he asked, his voice low, smooth, and persuasive. He glanced at Matteo and back to me. “It’ll be good for you. I know this isn’t exactly your world, but we’ll keep you company.”
“Did you two plan this?” I ask, mouth agape at Alexander simply entering the conversation, cool as a cucumber, as if he didn’t just win a Formula One race and stand on a podium with a giant golden award.
“I don’t know,” I said, glancing at my daughter and lowering my voice. “Leaving her…” I sighed. “It just feels like a lot.”
“How about we go for an hour then reassess? We can even leave after Gia goes down so you can put her to bed, Anna will just hang out in the living room and call us if she needs anything.” Matteo offered a rather compelling option.
“All right, but only if you promise me I can leave if I hate it.”
He held out his arm, mock-formal. “You have my word.”
I rolled my eyes but agreed anyway. Matteo gave me a playful salute, already retreating with Gia. She waved from his arms, her tiny fingers grasping at the air as we followed behind them.
* * *
Gia went down easily that night, as if the whole world was screaming at me to go out and have fun. It felt so odd to get dressed up to go clubbing. I felt so far from that phase of life, but here I was smoothing down my black dress, the boys on either side of me.
As they guided me toward the celebratory tent, the atmosphere shifted. The pulsing lights and upbeat music hit me, but Alexander’s steady presence kept me grounded, even as Matteo was quickly pulled aside by other drivers, already having his attention split a million ways. Alexander, however, he stayed close by, always one step ahead to ensure I wasn’t swept up in the bustling crowd or that I didn’t feel out of place.
Inside, there was an electric excitement, a mix of race crew, VIPs, and fans clinking glasses and toasting the day’s events. Matteo’s eyes found me from across the way, still managing to keep me within his sight and nodding at me occasionally to check in.
When he finally made his way back to me, he offered me a glass. “Not too overwhelming, is it?” Alexander appeared beside me, his cologne wafted over my senses. He smelled like a cozy cabin during Christmas, or like some candle labeledLeather and Brandy. I wanted to wrap myself up inside it.
Woah, calm down, Luc, this is Alexander. Brother’s best friend, the one the tabloids are obsessed with? The most eligible bachelor on the Formula One circuit. Not the person to have a crush on, get it together.
“Honestly, it’s a lot.” I laughed, but the admission made me feel lighter. “But I’m glad I came.”
“Good,” Alexander replied, his gaze warm as he watched me. “You deserve a little fun, plus this is just the first stop.”
I looked away, trying to keep the blush from creeping up my cheeks at his tone, it was so soft and doing things to my insides. “What do you mean?”
“This is the fake party, where we show up for the sponsors and the reporters while they take their posed pictures. The fun part is after.” He looked on, as if surveying the crowd. “Honestly, we could leave now, no one would notice.”
“You literally won the race, Alexander,” I said, nudging his shoulder. The small touch seemed to jolt him, and his eyes collided with mine. Sharp and observant.
“I win a lot of races.” He shrugged as if it was nothing, but the playful smirk was playing at his lips all the same.
“Let’s get out of here.” Matteo reached out, taking my drink from my hand and placing it on the bar next to us.
“Hey!” I protested.
“Relax, I’ll buy you whatever you want.” Matteo rolled his eyes at me, as a brother does. “Literally anywhere but here.” The boys were both surveying the crowd, as if waiting or watching for something. I followed their glances, noticing a bunch of the drivers were seemingly silently communicating through looks. Soon we were shuffling out of the back and into a black town car being escorted to a new location.
* * *
I smoothed down my dress for what felt like the hundredth time, tugging the hem nervously. The after-party was buzzing with the energy of the race and the excitement of Alexander’s victory, and while I was proud and thrilled, I also felt like a fish out of water. This was the real party, the dark room, the loud music. Matteo and Alexander were right at home among the flashing lights and lively crowd, while I clung to my drink, already on edge from the attention swirling around them. They were engulfed in conversations, being pulled into other groups, and being congratulated. I had migrated to a corner for a small breather, giving myself a mental pep talk.
