“He’s okay,” I said as I approached, her mouth opened and a strangled sob came out, her knees giving out. I leaned forward, collected her into my arms, and tried to block out the world.
“It’s alright, Luce. He’s okay, he’s okay,” I said softly. She took a moment, cleared her throat and wiped her tears, standing up, shoulders back.
“He’s bruised up, maybe a concussion, but the Halo did its job. He’s asking for you.” She scooped up Gianna from Anna’s arms and looked at me with determination.
“Lead the way.”
I was behind the paddock, tucked into a little alley of scaffolding and crates where the camera crews wouldn’t find me—yet. I had a handful of minutes before I had to smile and say everything was fine. That I was fine. That crashing out was unfortunate, but part of the sport.That I didn’t just watch my best friend’s car fold like tinfoil and think for three long seconds that he was dead.
I scrubbed a hand down my face and tried to steady my breathing. I didn’t even hear the familiar heels clicking until she spoke.
“You look like shit.”
I glanced up, and there she was. Nicola. Arms crossed, hair pulled back into a ponytail that had long since given up on being polished, eyes sharp but soft at the edges.
I tried for a smirk. It didn’t land. “Thanks. I really needed that boost.”
She didn’t fire back. Not like I expected.
Instead, she stepped closer, glancing around like she was making sure no one could see her before sitting down next to me on the low barrier.,not saying anything for a beat.
That’s what got me. Nicola Moretti not saying something wasworsethan any snark she could throw at me.
She nudged her knee against mine. “That was a nasty crash.”
I swallowed hard. “He’s okay.”
“I know.” Her voice dropped. “But that doesn’t meanyou’reokay. Are you?”
And just like that, the tight knot in my chest nearly split open.
“No one ever asks me that,” I said before I could stop myself. “Everyone assumes I’m the one whoisokay.”
She was quiet for a moment. Then she shifted, her knee brushing mine again. “Yeah, well. I don’t believe everything people say about you.”
My head snapped toward her, surprised. She wasn’t looking at me. She was looking straight ahead, lips pressed together like she regretted saying that out loud.
And itundidme a little.
“I thought I was about to watch him die,” I said softly. “I spun out, and he got caught in the wreck. That could’ve been it. AndI was thinking…it was my fault. I don’t know how to come back from that.”
Nicola didn’t say anything. Instead, she reached for my hand.My hand.Her fingers slid between mine and she squeezed once.
It rocked me more than I cared to admit. We sat there like that, her hand warm in mine, the muffled sounds of the race in the distance, engines still screaming as if nothing happened.
And me?
I was absolutely fucked.
Because in the middle of all that chaos and fear, it was her that grounded me. Not the race. Not the team. Not even my family.
Her.
The girl I’d been annoying all year. The one who rolled her eyes when I flirted and called me an idiot like it was my damn name. And yet, she was the one sitting here now. Knowing what I needed before I could ask. Comforting me without calling it out.
When she finally let go of my hand, I felt the loss like a punch.
She stood and smoothed down her trousers, all business again. “You’ve got interviews waiting, the team wants you to do the Pitspark magazine one too. Better put on the charming idiot mask.”
