‘Stop ruining this for me! I got this interview on my own merit. You’re starting to sound like my colleagues.’
That makes me feel awful, not least because her eyes are starting to water. I want to make Minnie’s life better, not add to her plate. I ruffle my hair and walk over to wrap her in a hug. Despite not being a big hugger, she doesn’t push me away, and I give her a little squeeze in gratitude.
I’ve warned her. There’s not much more I can do without chaining her to the bed, and although I’d very much like to do that for different reasons, I think I’d be castrated on this occasion. Clearly I’m right and she’s wrong, but she’s a grown-arse woman. She can make her own mistakes.
I release a raggedy breath and rest my nose against her hair. ‘I’m sorry, Min. Where’s this interview taking place?’
‘The Team Hub and on track.’ Her voice’s muffled against my shoulder. ‘We’re doing a hot lap.’
I take it back. I’m not sorry. Vengeful nightmare piece of shit teammate. I’m already charging to the bedroom. ‘I’m coming.’
‘What?! No you’re not?—’
‘I’m coming!’
‘What about keeping us a secret?’
‘Give me ten minutes!’
Chapter 27
MINNIE
As I go through my questions for Micah in my head, Jack sighs from behind the wheel. It’s so dramatic it’s nearly Oscar-worthy.
‘He’s hard on the throttle and harder on the brakes. You’re not used to the G-forces or the strain on your neck, so lean back against the headrest at all times. Be sure to stretch before you go in.’
I make a mental note. ‘Ok.’
‘Try and keep your head aligned with the movement of the car. Follow the racing line with your eyes, and don’t resist the G-forces – if anything, gently lean into them.’
‘I will.’
He scratches the back of his head. ‘His dad will want to talk to you. He’s his manager, agent and publicist all rolled into one. He even tried to work on the car once but Lorenzo stepped in.’
I blow out a breath. I knew Micah’s dad followed him everywhere but I didn’t knowthat.
‘He’s overbearing AF,’ Jack goes on. ‘And don’t call him Mr Adetunji. If you want to get on his good side, he’s “boss” or “sir”.’
I reach into the back for a spare sheet of paper and pen. ‘Got it.’
‘Micah has a little sister in the F1 Academy. She’s pretty good, could be great, but his dad couldn’t give a shit. His life is Micah. There’s a mountain of pressure on him. Doesn’t matter if he wins a race or gets a podium – he’s expected to be a World Champion. Nothing less matters.’
I’m scribbling down every word, using my thigh as a makeshift desk. My pen punctuates the paper in my haste. ‘Right.’
‘Micah’s big on body language and if he senses you’re nervous or weak, he’ll jump on it, so ask your hard questions in the car while he’s driving.’
‘Anything else?’
He looks over at me with a roguish smile. ‘When he’s got his earphones in before a race? He’s listening to Prince.’
‘No.’
‘Oh yes. His race engineer told me once.’
I put my pen in my lap. ‘Why are you helping me? You don’t want me to do this.’
‘I want you to get everything you need from this interview. He’s a slippery fucker and he’s not going to tell you shit while dressing it up like he has, so you need to know how to manage him.’
