He hopes their luck will turn around before they drop into the bottom five.
We talk about my shit race on Sunday, and he tells me he watched it all unfold on live television.
“I can’t believe the fucker Peter is leading, and even making it seem like he deserved that win,” he says, and I couldn’t agree more.
Peter was going all out in every interview, saying he was the fastest driver on the track that day, which is total bullshit.
“Yeah, tell me about it. And now I have to play catch-up to get on top,” I tell him, feeling my irritation growing.
“But something tells me that it’s not just Peter Centimo making you even grumpier than usual,” Sebastian says, and I groan.
“I’m never grumpy,” I huff back, and he just laughs at me, confirming his point.
I sigh and tell him about my fight with Jessica and the no-contact period afterward. It’s not like I run into her when I’m in Monaco, and she’s probably already at the circuit inBahrain.
“Man, I never thought of you as a quitter, but damn, you’re losing your game,” he says, and I defend myself by telling him all about how I went to find her to do just that, fight for her, but she turned me down and wanted to believe the worst.
“It sounds like both of you are too stubborn and proud, which makes me wonder if the sex is as explosive as your arguments,” Sebastian laughs, and I roll my eyes at him.
“We never made it that far, you asshole, but judging by the make-out session we had the night before everything went to shit, I would think so,” I tell him, feeling the tension in my body rise just at the thought of it.
I’m certain we would be absolutely fantastic together, in every way.
“Look, Luke, it sounds to me like she’s scared of the whole Luke Hastings show and everything that comes with being with you. And can you really blame her? She’s just got a massive opportunity in her dream role, and you come along, using your charm to win her over. The day after you take her out on your first date, she sees pictures of you online with Victoria, basically the female version of you. I know you and your character, so I know she’s got nothing toworry about, but she doesn’t know that.”
I reflect on what he just told me. I haven’t really considered her perspective. She is new to this life, and especially the world of a famous athlete.
“When did you get so wise?” I ask him, and we both start laughing.
“I don’t know, man, I’ve been watching way too much Dr. Phil.”
We talk some more before hanging up, and I promise to pay for his first-class tickets to Australia so we can catch up properly in a few weeks when he’s on a short break. It’s not like he doesn’t have his own money, but he still makes me pay for the trips just to mess with me.
I decide that when I get to Bahrain, I will try to resolve this situation and make things right again.
???
A few days later, I’m contemplating how I’ll approach Jessica. She probably doesn’t want to talk to me or see me, but I have to try at least.
When I get to the paddock on Thursday, I go straight to Star News, but there’s no Jessica in sight.
“Hey man, all ready to fight for this lead this weekend?” Andrew asks me, and I give him a side-hug.
“Yeah, you bet. I’m looking for someone, Jessica, she’s an intern here, right?” I ask Andrew, pretending that I don’t know what the inside of Jessica’s mouth feels like.
I knowdamn well she’s an intern here, but he doesn’t need to know just how well I know her. Andrew looks at me with a bit of scepticism, probably wondering why I’m asking about her.
“She’s been called over to the Audi team to help them with a story about Peter. She’s over there with Molly right now.” He tells me, and I curse under my breath.
There’s no way I can go over there and demand to see her.
That would raise way too many questions about our relationship, and since I don’t know if she’ll hear me out, I’ll have to wait.
“Okay, thanks, man.” I leave Andrew and feel my anger simmering.
Fucking Peter Centimo.
Of course, he’s swiping right in on Jessica. It might not have been his idea, but if he’s seen Jessica, I’m sure he’s as taken with her as anyone could be.
