He’s here, which means that Rome may be here too.
Assumptions start to pile in my head, rocking the boat of confusion again. I keep my eyes closed, but my ear strains in the direction of Van’s low voice.
“Are they both asleep?” he asks in a hushed tone.
“Quinn is drooling on me, so I think so,” Beck says.
I keep as still as possible.
“Where’s Rome?” Graham asks.
The disappointment is swift, knowing that he isn’t with Van.
I’m confused, and I know there are things going on that I’m unaware of, but right now, all I want is everyone I care about to be next to me.
“He’s here, but he’s keeping his distance.”
“What? Why?” Graham asks.
“If I had to guess, it’s because he’s ashamed,” Van answers.
“Ashamed?” Beck questions.
“What aren’t you telling us?” Graham asks.
There’s silence, and my heart beats faster.
“Can you fucking spit it out?” Beck snaps.
I hear the scruff of Van’s hand against his five o’clock shadow, and I imagine him dragging his palm over his face in frustration.
“Lucas added an illegal mod to their car, which is why Beau’s brakes gave out and caused tonight’s crash. Same with Rome’s from last season. Apparently, he had Rome sign an NDA and threatened him with it…amongst other things.”
It takes everything in me to keep my eyes shut.
“Fuck, no way. Is that why he came to our team? Because he found out his dad was cheating?”
“Yes,” Van says. “But there’s more.”
There’s more?
“Like?” Graham asks.
“Let me remind you that Noah is in the ICU, and Mom and Dad are barely holding it together, so keep yourselves under control after I tell you this.”
“I’m intrigued,” says Beck.
Me too.
“Lucas drugged Tessa.”
I stop breathing.
Quinn shifts, and then I hear her sleepy voice. “Excuse me?”
“What do you mean Lucas drugged Tessa?” Beck asks.
“In Italy. When she fainted and had to go to the hospital. I guess he slipped something into her drink to mess with Rome. He’s been holding shit over Rome’s head to make sure he doesn’t renege on the NDA and tell the FIA about the illegal modifications.”
