“Just tired,” I said, but my voice sounded unconvincing, even to me.
Matteo studied me for a second longer before shrugging. “Well, you should rest up. We’re hitting the circuit hard next week.”
I nodded, grateful for the out, but as Matteo turned back to the screen, I couldn’t help but glance toward the door, wondering when Lucia would be back.
Matteo muted the TV, leaning back against the couch with an appraising look. “Tired, huh? You don’t usually zone out like this unless something’s up.”
I forced a laugh, shaking my head. “I’m fine, Matteo. Just thinking about strategy for the next race.”
His brow furrowed. “Strategy? You’ve been racing long enough to know you don’t think about strategy until you’re sitting in the car. What’s actually going on?”
“Nothing,” I said, a little too quickly.
Matteo’s eyes narrowed, and he tilted his head. “You’re a shit liar, Alex. Always have been. Spill it.”
I hesitated, weighing my options. Matteo was my best friend, but I couldn’t exactly confess.Hey, your sister is all I think about, and I’m this close to kissing her every time we’re in the same room, no cameras necessary.
“Seriously, Alex. What’s eating at you? Is it the team? Are they still not talking about renewal yet?”
I opened my mouth to deflect again, but Matteo’s serious expression stopped me. He’d always had this uncanny ability to sniff out bullshit. Iwasstressed about a renewal, it just wasn’t at the forefront of my mind at the moment.
“Yeah, mate, I know I could find another seat, but I want to stay with Belen.”
“I’m sure it’s just some backend bullshit. The media is eating up the whole fake relationship. Belen has to see that the media is taking you seriously again, even though they should have always taken you seriously, they just suck.”
Matteo grabbed another round of beers and we got into it.
19
LUCIA
The boutique was bustling, full of chatter and the soft rustle of clothes being pulled from racks. Nicola was rifling through a rack of dresses, holding one up and then immediately putting it back with a dramatic eye roll. Meanwhile, Gia sat in her stroller, her little fingers wrapped around a stuffed giraffe, playing pretend with it.
As Nicola held up another dress for inspection, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting a text from Matteo or Alexander, but my stomach dropped when I saw the message.
Unknown Number
I know what you’re doing.
The words stared back at me, cold and accusatory. My heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down my spine.
“Lucia? What’s wrong?” Nicola’s voice pulled me back to reality. She was looking at me with concern, her hand frozen mid-reach for another dress.
I handed her my phone without a word, unable to say it out loud.
Her eyes scanned the screen, and her expression darkened. “Oh, hell no.”
“Do you think…?” I trailed off, my voice shaky.
Nicola’s lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s him, isn’t it? Your ex?”
I swallowed hard, nodding. “I don’t know who else it could be.”
“That bastard,” she hissed, gripping my phone tightly. “Lucia, you need to tell Matteo and Alexander. This isn’t something you can handle on your own. Come on, we’re going back to the hotel. You’re telling them. No arguments.”
Back at the hotel, Nicola wasted no time. She handed Gia her favorite book and a snack, then scooped her up. “I’ll take her into the bedroom. You go talk to them. And, Lucia,” she added, her voice softening, “they’ll want to help you. You don’t need to do everything yourself, let us take care of you now and then.”
I nodded, my stomach twisting with nerves. I could hear the voices of Matteo and Alexander from the living area. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the room. Matteo glanced over first, his easy smile fading when he saw my face.
