Molly and I are talking about social media strategy for Star News when the drivers start filling up the interview zone after the first practice of the weekend.
I’m hoping I’ll get to see Luke, but I know he’s always busy during race weekends.
I’m not even sure how I should act around him when all my colleagues are nearby.
Should I just treat him like any other driver?
Will he treat me like any other reporter?
A part of me hopes so.
I don’t want anyone to start asking questions about us. I’m trying to enjoy this thing going on between us and don’t want anyone to mess things up for us.
I feel him before I see him.
I look up, already noticing his eyes on me even though he’s talking to another reporter a few rows down.
My pulse quickens at the sight of him, all sweaty with messy hair and his race suit tied around hiswaist.
That’s a sight I’ll store away in my mind for later.
He gives me a small smile before turning his attention back to the reporter in front of him.
When he finishes his interview, he comes over to our stand, and Andrew is ready with all the questions.
I watch him closely, noticing the way he handles the media and the attention with confidence.
No wonder they’ve termed him the golden boy.
He has the charisma and talent to be the next big star, and the way he carries himself only emphasizes his appeal. When he wraps up his interview with Andrew, he passes me slowly, gently squeezing my side before walking away.
That small touch, just to let me know he sees me, makes me feel all mushy inside.
I’m in big trouble.
“It’s weird how the star of the paddock just happens to have so much more time for Star News after our little run-in with Luke Hastings a few weeks ago, don’t you think?” Steve looks at me with a slight smile on his lips.
He’s an observant one.
I open my mouth to answer and deny that no, Luke Hastings certainly doesn’t spend more time here now than before, but I realize I don’t know anything about the past, as I’ve only been here for a short while, and Luke ran into us onmy first day of real racing.
Steve chuckles at my expression before winking at me.
“Your secret is safe with me.”
???
After everything winds down in the paddock, I head back to my trailer when I receive an incoming call from Sarah.
“Hey girl,” I say, but she only huffs on the other end of the line.
“What is going on?” I ask her.
“I just met the biggest fucking asshole ever. Seriously, I thought the guys playing in the NHL were men, but as far as I’m concerned, they’re a bunch of babies.”
Before I get the chance to respond, Sarah tells me about her day from hell, as she calls it.
Sarah’s internship is with the Chicago Coyotes Hockey team. She’s working with their media department, which handles the press for the team and the players. That means she will be working closely with the players.
