The adrenaline drips through my veins, and I lose myself in the high I’ve missed. I’ve driven my supercars around local roads, but this is racing against the best, and I’m starving for it.
“I’m coming for you, Tawny,” I growl into my mic.
Senna laughs. “I’ll be there before you.”
“I love this,” Tawny shouts with a giddiness that makes me laugh. “Bring it, Coulters.”
Senna tries to crowd me out, but I refuse to back down as I level with her.
“Get lost, Niki,” Senna snaps.
“Not today.” I crank my engine and ease ahead of her before the corner. I take the curve with ease.
We’re near the end of the first lap already. We agreed on two laps, and as much as I want to look at Rosie as we pass her and Jacs, I’m all in on this battle. When I win, I’ll convince her to sit beside me in the next race. I want her hand on my thigh as I drive and the scent of the soap that always lingers around her deep in my lungs. Her beaded bracelet presses against my chest, where I tucked it in my racing suit.
I gain on Tawny as I reach the chicane. Senna picked the wrong car, and she’s lagging.
It’s me and Tawny now with half a lap to go.
There’s radio silence as my speed climbs on the straight. I’ve not felt this powerful since the day of my crash. I falter as I remember crawling out of my car as flames licked at my racing suit and having to rip my helmet off at the last minute as a barrier trapped me.
But I did it and I survived. I tremble slightly as I grip the wheel.
This is where I’m in control. Not when I was in the hospital or while I hid in my villa in Greece, but here behind a wheel. I’ve been through hell in a car, and I survived. I’m not the man I was, but I can be that guy again.
I floor the accelerator and nudge the space behind Tawny. I need this win to show Rosie the man I can be. She’s experienced the weak side of me. I want her to see my power.
Anxiety that I’m not enough disappears with the fumes from my car. I adore the power, the speed, and the control. I’m closer to driving professionally again. I’ll beat this health anxiety and be the man I was before the crash, the hospital, and the virus.
My chest tingles with adrenaline and excitement as I level with Tawny.
I imagine my strut after returning to F1, followed by the moment I’m back on the podium, staring into the crowd, and seeing Rosie’s beaming face.
Metres from the line, I pass Tawny with a fist pump.
I cheer through the radio. “How do you like me now?” I say before laughing.
“Screw you, Niki,” Senna replies.
“I loved every second of that! I nearly beat Niki Coulter,” Tawny shouts.
As I ease up on speed, I drift around the track before parking outside the main building.
For the first time in a long time, I’m the fucking winner.
I step out of the car, and Rosie runs to me.
“Can I come with you next time?” She’s breathless as she reaches for my hands.
CHAPTER 33
Rosie
Iswallow noisily as Niki grips the wheel. I shift in the passenger seat as my gaze traverses his body.
My lips are impossibly dry, and I moisten them slowly.
Niki flips his visor open and stares. His darkening blue eyes make my fingers tremble.
