She nods.
“Testing in Bahrain in two weeks will be different from a wet, cold England,” I muse. “But you should get that looked at.”
Jacs nods before side-eyeing me. “Where were you today?”
“I was distracted watching videos of other reserve drivers,” I lie. The truth will lead to more questions.
“Senna told me you didn’t pick any of the assistants you interviewed yesterday, even though you need one, seeing as you’re always late,” Jacs says.
“Why didn’t you pick one?” Senna asks.
I roll my eyes. Her face pinches like our dad’s does when he’s angry.
“Because they just wanted to get in my pants. I wantsomeone who can be the assistant I need and not someone who wants to fuck me.”
Tawny and Jacs chuckle.
Senna huffs. “It can’t be that hard to find. You’re a shitbag. I’m sure there are loads of people who’d rather vomit on themselves than fuck you.”
“One of the people I interviewed airdropped a naked semi onto my phone during the interview, and another one asked if my cock was as big as the rumours suggest before I kicked her out. Before you and Connor got together, he and I owned every city we raced. I’m a feckless playboy.” Or I was before this existence.
Her lips quirk. “I’ve missed you. Even though you’re pushing me to despair, I’m glad you’re home.”
I wink at her, but my stomach remains in knots. “Me too.”
I shake my head as Connor takes the last corner. Two years ago, I was in the car, speeding through corners, taming its power, and making it do what I wanted, and now I’m a mess of a man.
“So why were you late, really?” Jacs asks.
“The car is looking good,” I say, pointing at the screens even though Connor is parking outside the garage. My fake smile hurts my face already
“Are you sleeping with someone?” Jacs presses.
“No. Are you?”
“Yeah, quite a few people actually.” She smirks.
“Jacs,” Tawny replies. “You don’t have to be so smug. I thought you swore off dating.”
“Someone in our family has to get out there. You don’t.”
As Connor walks into the garage, the press crowds him. He strides in like a hero. I miss the rush I got from that. All eyes on me. Strangers congratulating me and laughing with me. And the attention. I loved it.
My least favourite journalist, Ollie Ginold, makes a beelinefor me. I shove my hands in my pockets to hide the tremble. “Niki Coulter, it’s great to see you’re back. Where were you last year?”
I take a deep breath and force a smile. “Travelling, Ollie. I wanted to see the world, and I knew Senna would be the best team boss.” I’ve practised for my first conversation with the press multiple times in front of the mirror.
“So you didn’t run away because of the accident.”
“No. Nothing to do with that.” My mouth dries up.
Senna furrows her brow at the reporter. “Any questions related to today’s Shakedown?”
“Do you miss driving, Niki?” Ollie asks. “Or are you glad not to be driving today because you nearly died?”
Senna sucks in a breath. “That’s enough.”
“It’s okay,” I say, my palm hovering above her shoulder because I’m struggling to touch her. “I still love driving. Sometimes I race against my friends and Senna at a local airfield. I’m the reserve driver for Coulter this year.”
