And it’s even worse watching him fly off the blocks in pole position, several car lengths already between himself and Harper as they go into turn one. It’s chaos a little further back as Nils overtakes Elijah to take that shock eighth place qualifying position. Elijah’s gone from that big-sprint win and those huge, eight extra points, to struggling to hold on to any points at all in this race. It shows just how fast things can change in racing and why it makes such an exciting spectator sport.
Just to make things worse for Elijah, he drops it into turn eleven on lap eight and very quickly ends up in the barriers. It annihilates the six-second lead Johannes has built up over Harper as the safety car is deployed whilst Elijah’s car is rescued and we all bunch up again on the track.
Johannes grumbles frustratedly, even as he checks in to make sure Elijah’s okay. We decide not to pit, just eight laps into the grand prix, despite the fact it would be a cheap pit stop, and the pack of five trailing behind us follows suit.
I listen in to Elijah’s radio from just after the crash, and the scream of ‘Noooooo’when he realises he can’t reverse out of this with the damage he’s sustained is bloodcurdling. He will be all too aware of how much this hurts his championship title challenge, especially with how vigorously both Johannes and Harper are battling now.
Luckily, that’s the only chaotic part of the race and Johannes maintains the lead for pretty much every lap, except when he pits before Harper. Just two laps later when Harper pits, Jo steals it straight back.
Harper goes for a late lunge on turn one of the very last lap, but runs out of straight to make the move, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Johannes’s defensive game is nothing short of flawless as he blocks all Harper’s last-ditch attempts to overtake.
Watching Jo on top of that podium, the biggest grin on his face as he kisses the trophy, is almost painful. I have to look away or I’m going to end up falling into big, stupid love with him.
ChapterSeventeen
Johannes
After my win in France, I spend a week with my parents in Dortmund. My dad has a lifelong fear of flying, so they don’t make it to many races, and even the closer ones are too much for them as they get older, but they are still the most supportive parents I could ask for and leaving them again was hard.
It’s a short trip across the border to Zandvoort in the Netherlands. Harper flew in last night, so we’re getting dinner together in an hour, just the two of us, which will be nice. I love our extended group of friends but it’s rare we get to spend time like this anymore. That makes it feel extra special.
I’m about to head out to meet him when my phone rings.
‘Hey, so I know it’s meant to be just us two going for dinner tonight, but…’ I wait for him to say that Kian’s flown in early, rather than meeting us in Italy for Monza next week, or that Elijah’s gatecrashing the evening. I sigh, though I’ve already accepted the inevitable. ‘But, I just had a meeting with Jackson and, man, he’s bummed out right now. I think he’s really starting to panic about being announced as team principal.’
Wait… what? Is he cancelling on me to spend the evening with my ex? This is what happens when you keep secrets.
‘We can go out another time, no big deal,’ I say.
I’ll stay in and game with Nils. No big deal.
‘No, don’t be silly. He’s just going to come with us for dinner.’
That’ll be afuck nofrom me.
What the fuck is he playing at?
‘Does he, uh, know that he’s crashing a dinner out with me?’
‘Yeah, of course. He needs this right now, Jo. I know you don’t really know him very well, but he’s a good guy. He and Kian have become good friends over the years. Ki’s worried about him.’
I almost snort out a laugh at that. Don’t know him very well? Like I haven’t seen every inch of that man’s body! Like I don’t see through the charm to the asshole beneath.
‘Sounds like you should take him out and you and I can catch up another time,’ I say.
‘Come on, Jo. Please?’ Harper says.
Fuck my life.
This might actually kill me.
‘Right, sure, fine.’
‘Thanks, Jo! He needs this.’ I need it like a hole in my head, but what else can I say?
‘See you there,’ I say tightly before ending the call.
I look at my reflection in the mirror. I’m wearing one of my tightest pairs of black jeans with a midnight-blue vest and sheer black shirt over it. I was going for an easy, casual vibe and I don’t want to change to appease Jackson, but I feel very exposed and vulnerable right now. I want to pull on my comfiest hoodie and sweats to protect myself from him.
