We lie there catching our breath when my phone rings. I want to throw the damn thing out the window, but Jessica sits up and grabs it for me before handing it over.
“It’s okay. It could be important,” she tells me. I look at the caller ID and see that the team principal is calling, which probably means it’s important.
He doesn’t call me often, especially on my private cell, because he knows I don’t want to be bothered unless it’s something urgent. I pick up.
“Hey, it’s Luke.”
“Hey, mate. I’m sorry to tell you this, butI have to call an emergency team meeting. Someone has trashed the garage, and I don’t know if the cars have been tampered with. I need everyone to get down here and check everything.” I curse and sit up.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I tell him, and then I hang up.
I fill Jessica in, and she quickly finds our clothes scattered around the room, helping me get dressed.
“I’m so sorry about this. I want nothing more than to stay here with you,” I tell her, holding her in my arms and running my hands down her back.
“It’s okay, Luke. I hope the cars are all in good condition. I can catch a ride with you back to the paddock if that’s okay, and I’ll let you get to your team.”
Once again, I’m struck by how amazing she is, so understanding.
When we’re all dressed, we take the elevator down, and I use the time wisely, exploring every nook and cranny of her mouth.
When we reach the paddock, I first drop off Jessica at her bus. Jessica leaves me with one last lingering kiss before going inside her trailer, and I continue down to our team’s spot, where the chaos awaits.
Our team principal updates us, and thankfully, the initial reaction was bigger than the actual mess in our garage.
The paddock and garages are heavily guarded by security to ensure that no one has unauthorized access to the cars.
One of the security guards was taking a smoke break and returned a few minutes later.
Our garage is full of paint, but it doesn’t seem like anything else has been tampered with. Sometimes activists of different sorts will pull stunts like this in order to gain attention for a cause.
By the time we all get out, it’s late, so I decide I’ll go back to my hotel and get some much-needed rest.
???
The next day is packed with practice, team meetings, and media. I try to sneak away for a minute, but whenever I see my chance, someone calls my name and asks for something.
I fire off a text to Jessica, thankful that I finally have her number.
Luke:How is the princess today?
Her response comes almost immediately.
Jessica:Well, a particular hotshot driver just sent me a text, so the day is looking up.
Luke:Who is the bastard? Do I need to kick someone’s ass?
Jessica:Getting violent for me already, Hastings?
Luke:You know how I like getting my hands dirty.
Jessica:You and me both.
Talking with her makes me feel light and happy amid a busy day. Just as I’m sending off my reply, I get called to a strategy meeting, but my mind is elsewhere.
Chapter 18
JESSICA
