I lift my eyebrows at Jacs, who purses her lips, but her twinkling eyes reveal she’s trying not to laugh. I’ve missed my friends.
“You’re more beautiful in person,” Scott says, making Clara giggle. “Are you in Melbourne for work or pleasure?” He drops his voice and growls the last word.
Clara presses her finger to her mouth and pretends to consider his question.
“I was working in Sydney, but I have some free time.” She glances at me, but I check my phone. No messages. I should leave. The sooner I’m in my home where I can control everything and lock myself away, the better.
Scott slides his fingers through his tight black curls. “Maybe I can help you with that. I know all the beautiful places, although they pale in comparison to you.”
“Was I like this a couple of years ago?” I whisper to Senna.
“You were worse. An absolute prick with women,” Jacs retorts quietly, making Senna laugh.
“Niki, could we chat?” Clara says. “I’ve missed you.”
I grit my teeth. She’s missed the old me, the guy I’mstriving to be. “Another time. I’ve got a plane to catch.”
“It’s your private jet. It’ll wait for you,” Clara replies. “I’d love to see some of the places this guy mentioned withyou.” She nods in Scott’s direction. “Maybe you could note them for us.”
“Ouch.” Jacs winces at Scott. “That’s got to hurt.”
“Billy was obsessed with you years ago,” Scott says, his stare focused on me.
“Yeah?” I reply.
“He used to talk about how you were the greatest driver and you won all the races, and if he got to be like you, he’d made it.”
My ego hasn’t been stroked like this for a while. I lift my chin. “Is that right?”
He leans in close enough to make me hold my breath. I need to get home.
“That was when he was a teenager. Not now, though. He’s better than you. You’ve were out of the game for too long. What do you do now?”
My nostrils flare as my confidence drops. “I get on my private jet and get the fuck out of here. Goodbye, everyone. Scott, tell Billy I said hi and that I always came first in Australia.” I turn to Senna. “I will be the advisor for the team. I’d also like to drive in one of the practice sessions at the next grand prix.”
I walk away, trying to avoid touching anyone. Someone jolts me, and my cap nearly falls. I press it to my head and stride quicker.
I’m not ready to drive in a practice session. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be ready to drive professionally again.
CHAPTER 20
Niki
It’s the day after I returned from Australia. I spent the entire twenty-hour flight berating myself for asking to drive in a practice session.
I’m not ready.
I nearly messaged Rosie to ask her thoughts, but she’s my assistant, not my counsellor or my wife.
I shake my head as I knock on Senna’s office door. “Hey, sis.”
“Don’t tell me you’re giving up the advisor role. I’m meeting with the board later, and it’s the only good news I have for them.”
“Are things that bad?”
She looks up from the papers covering her desk and attempts a smile. “No, they’re great, but I hate meeting with them. They moan about everything and always go back on their promises.”
I wince internally. “I’m excited about the advisor role, so you don’t need to worry.”
