He nods subtly. “I understand.”
My heart falls, and I look away. A tear slips out of the corner of my eye, despite my efforts to keep it intact. Rome’s finger sweeps across my cheek, and he flings it away, letting his hand linger there for longer than it should.
Why does this hurt so much?
We sit in the quiet for too long before I can’t take it anymore.
I quickly climb to my feet and sniff up the rest of my emotions. Rome is a part of our team right now, even if it’s messy between us, and it’s time we pull ourselves together.
“Let’s go sit with the rest of the team,” I say.
Surprise flickers across his face, but he pulls himself to stand.
The FIA is likely looking into each aspect of the race, the modifications, Vanstone, Pierce, and everything in between, and whether or not my heart can take it, he’s not going anywhere yet.
I’d told myself Rome came here to burn Vanstone to the ground, but somehow, we were the ones who ended up being the match.
Chapter Forty-Eight
ROME
I sitbeside Vince inside the glass-walled conference room, and surprisingly, I’m calm. The past week took my nerves and unraveled them one by one, now leaving me unperturbed for this FIA hearing.
Jerry, one of the only stewards I know by name, pops up on the screen first, with the rest of the FIA members following shortly after.
“Vince,” one of them says, nodding at my boss.
Vince nods back. “Leo.”
“How is Noah?”
Vince drums his fingers over the conference table. “He’s awake and talking. They discharged him yesterday, and he’s at home where Rose is monitoring him closely.”
Jerry nods. “That’s good to hear. Considering he’s a Halston, I assume he’s itching to race again.”
Vince chuckles. “It was the first thing out of his mouth when discharged. But it’ll be at least four to six weeks until he’s fully cleared.”
Which means Beck will get his chance to drive.
“Well, why don’t we get started,” Jerry says.
I swallow and sit up taller in my chair.
They start off by listing article numbers and regulations, repeating the incidents that followed after Noah and Beau crashed on the circuit, none of which I need a reminder of.
“Clearly, your actions after the collision had nothing to do with the incident itself, but we assessed the footage, and we cannot disregard the unsportsmanlike conduct between you and Lucas Pierce.”
I’d do it a thousand times over again.
“Understood,” I say.
“For the physical altercation, we have decided that a two-race suspension within a twelve-month timeframe is punishment enough for your actions. I’m sure you are familiar with it, but that means if you have another altercation with any other driver, you will serve the two-race suspension immediately following.”
So, in other words, I’m on probation with the FIA.
Which is shockingly lenient, given the situation.
I clear my throat. “I understand.”
