“They want a post-race interview so the fans can see you are okay. Simon is requesting to see you as soon as possible, as well as a meeting post interview with the team.” She rattled off the list, dragging down her finger on the screen. Alexander only nodded.
“Shouldn’t you rest?” I asked. Alex looked up to me with soft eyes.
“Yeah, that’s after.” He shrugged but let out a groan from moving. He was mostly stiff from the impact. The doctor had mentioned that the stiffness would be the biggest issue within the next few days but otherwise he was cleared.
So the day went on as normal. Or what was normal for a high-performance race car driver. Alexander did his interviews. Matteo left with a reassuring smile and a forehead kiss for Gianna before going to meet with his own team. Gianna and I eventually made our way into our own lounge room. I sat in a bit of a daze, worrying. Matteo had been in crashes but nothing this big, and watching Alexander’s car flip on screen had been the worst feeling in the world.
The door creaked open, and Nicola slipped in, the crew key card and VIP tag around her neck on a lanyard. I vaguely noticed how dressed up she was today, the tailored vest and matching trousers, the click of her heels.
“Hey,” she said gently, sitting down next to me. Gianna ran over, giving her a hug before going back to her toys and happily entertaining herself.
“You okay?” she asked after I didn’t reply.
I nodded slowly. “Yeah.” I sighed.
“It’s a lot to watch,” Nicola said, leaning back, kicking off her heels and huddling under the blanket with me. I smiled as she leaned in, resting on my shoulder. I tipped my head to lean on hers in response.
“Mm-hm,” I said halfheartedly.
“But it is a part of the job, Alex has had a big crash before, so have many other drivers. They know the risks, and there’s so much in place, like the halo for the driver’s safety.” Nicola kept going. Reassuring me with facts and experiences, making my heart calm down eventually.
“Thank you,” I said after she was done. I squeezed her tight and she brushed it off with a laugh.
“I know, what would you do without me, huh?” Her million dollar smile was on display and I rolled my eyes at her. Amazed that only a few short months ago I didn’t even know her. That in that small amount of time she had somehow wormed her way into my life, and into my heart. It felt so healing to have a friend, an adult friend. Because that shit was hard.
I took the time in the lounge with my two favorite girls and let my thoughts roam. The whole point of me coming on the road with Matteo had been to get out of my comfort zone, to find what excited me, find my spark again. And along the way Alexander had gone from my brother’s best friend, to my own friend, to my fake boyfriend, to wherever we were now. I knew one thing for sure, I wasn’t faking any feelings anymore, not for the cameras or the tabloids. I wanted to be in his life for real. Today had all but cemented that. Feeling like I was watching his life flash before my eyes, then him walking away with hardly a scratch. Life was too damn short to not take exactly what you wanted.
I wanted us.
33
LUCIA
We had all forced Alexander to rest the next day. He wasn’t happy about it. The Brazil Grand Prix had been crucial, a chance to secure enough points to cement him as the world champion in the Drivers’ Championship. Now, with the crash taking him out of the race, those points were out of reach, and he’d need stellar finishes in the next two races to claim the title. It was eating at him.
All morning, he’d been sulking, scrolling endlessly on his phone. The tabloids were merciless:Reckless or Resilient? Wright’s Costly CrashandIs Belen Racing Betting on the Wrong Driver?Headlines like those gnawed at him, even though we all knew better than to believe the nonsense.
The tension in the room shifted the moment Matteo bounded in, Nicola hot on his heels. His energy was loud, chaotic, and entirely Matteo.
“All right,” he declared, clapping his hands dramatically. “I have a master plan.”
“That’s what you’re calling it?” Nicola asked skeptically, crossing her arms.
“No one asked for your opinion,” Matteo shot back, sending her a halfhearted glare.
“Don’t be rude,” I cut in, narrowing my eyes at him.
Matteo sighed, his expression softening. “Okay, okay. But seriously, I have a plan.” He waved his hands like he was unveiling a great secret.
Alexander, who had been doom-scrolling himself into a dark hole, didn’t even glance up. “And what exactly is this so-called plan?” he asked flatly, his voice edged with exhaustion. Matteo strode over, plucked the phone from Alexander’s hand, and tossed it across the room.
“Seriously, mate?” Alexander barked, his head snapping up. “You had to bloody throw it?”
Matteo ignored him, grinning like he’d just solved world peace. “Right, so in conclusion, since you two are in love and refusing to admit it?—”
“Wait, what?” I blurted, my jaw dropping.
“—Nicola here is miserable or moody or whatever?—”
