His smile grows bigger, and I hate that it’s such a nice sight.
I blow a breath out of my mouth in frustration. “You know what? I no longer care how you are. Hurry up and meet me in the sim. We have a full day of meetings starting at eleven, and then we’re on the road to Bahrain.”
He bends down to grab his AirPod off the floor. “Yes, ma’am,” he mocks, sending me to the red.
I quickly scan his sweaty chest and huff. “And take a shower!”
“You take a shower,” he counters, nodding to my shirt.
Tiny wet speckles dot the front of it from pressing against him. I groan and wrinkle my nose.
“You can join me if you want,” he teases, voice sultry and hot.
Heat spreads over my cheeks at the mere thought. I turn around hastily, to avoid him seeing my unwarranted blush, and storm out of the gym. I let the door slam behind me and go directly to my car. I tear out of my Rome-infested shirt and throw on a wrinkly Vanstone sweatshirt instead, as if removing the thin scrap of cotton is going to hide the way my body burned when pressed against his.
Chapter Sixteen
ROME
Every driver isanxious before a race. Some stay that way even with the tires moving beneath them, while others grow calm from the familiarity of it. I’m typically the latter. Even with a nagging voice in my ear and competition surrounding me, a sense of home settles.
Probably the only home I’ve ever known.
The rest of the race weekend fucking sucks, though.
Especially now, since I’m in the spotlight—and not for the right reasons.
Never mind the fact that Tessa is the first female engineer in our sport. The media has completely blown past that milestone to focus on whyRome Pierce switched teams, no longer driving under his father’s command.
“Remember what we rehearsed," Gia whispers, popping her head in between Tessa and me. “And act like you two get along. If other drivers suspect you two are at each other’s throats, like you’ve been since arriving in Bahrain, they’ll use that to their advantage and twist it to fit their narrative.”
Tessa pats Gia’s arm, the dainty gold rings on her fingers catching the light. “Relax, Gia. We’ve got this.” Her softexpression switches like a flick of a light when pointed at me. “As long as you let me do the talking.”
I snort. “Not a chance.”
Frankly, I’d rather skip out on this entire press conference and let Vanstone’s Princess do what she does best–keep the peace. But then that would mean I’d have to give in to her control, and in case she didn’t notice by now, I like to be in charge.
“I need a drink,” Gia mumbles.
Someone with a headset calls over to us. “They’re ready for you.”
I nod and let Tessa go first.
She hesitates, and I’m positive it’s because she’s confused by my nice behavior.
The cameras are rolling, though, and you never know who’s watching.
Once seated, I do a quick sweep of the room. A few rookie drivers linger in the back behind the camera and a cluster of journalists, along with Gia, who gives us an energetic thumbs up.
I exhale.
No sign of my father.
Yet.
“Rome,” a man garners my attention. “How confident are you heading into this first weekend after the long break?”
I put on my best persona and lie straight through my teeth. “As confident as someone who’s been racing since they were able to walk,” I pause. “Maybe even before then.”
