“And I think I am only in the safe zone because I race for you.” Admitting that sends an ache through my chest.
“Maybe, maybe not. The papers will print what they want.” He shrugs and I can see Anaïs texting on her phone.
“What are you doing?” I peek over at her and she giggles, cheeks flaming red.
“Just texting Nora, you know, in case there is anything she can do.”
“I know what to do,” I say with confidence and I watch as both of their ears prick.
“What’s that?” My dad has a stupid smirk on his face, his foot swinging in the air to a beat that only he can hear.
“I am going to run it by Nora too, but I want your opinion first.”
“Okay?” they both say in unison, and I watch as Anaïs’ hand skates across her chair and links with my dad’s.
“I am going to fake date Athena.”
Their eyes widen; my dad starts coughing. I watch as he leans forward, grabbing a napkin and covering his mouth as he continues to try and catch his breath.
“Royce,” Anaïs whispers, a small smile pressing onto her lips.
“You can’t be serious,” my dad asks once he is over his moment.
“Totally.” I furrow my brow. “She is going to be with me most of the season, so now I have a fake girlfriend and can show everyone that I am committed and can still focus on my career. Nothing will change, I’ll still do me, my career being my number one priority, and she gets her research. I hate that I am known as the paddock playboy.” I shake my head, eyes cast down. “And yes, I know, I bring it on myself but after speaking to Athena about a few things, well, some of her words hit home and I didn’t like how it made me feel,” I admit.
Anaïs looks at me as if she gets it, totally. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“I think it’s a terrible idea.”
Her and my dad speak at the same time before they look at each other. Anaïs shrugs a shoulder up, a cute smile on her face, and my dad rolls his eyes.
“What happens if you fall out? What happens if you cross the line and make it real… then what?” Concern laces his voice.
“That won’t happen,” I say confidently.
“How do you know that? I said I wasn’t going to cross the line with Anaïs but here we are, married, sitting having a conversation with our son.”
I wince at those words.
“Stepson,” she pipes up a little louder in case any unwanted ears hear that.
My dad rolls his eyes.
“No-son.” I shudder.
“All I am saying is, with all the will in the world, all it takes is one moment…”
“I am disciplined. I have to be. I will not fall for Athena. This works out well for her, too.” I lick my lips.
“How so?” His head tilts to the side.
“I don’t know exactly, she gets to see behind the scenes a little more?” I answer with a question, but I am unsure why.
“Yeah, yeah.” Anaïs chuckles softly, grabbing her coffee and settling back in the chair.
“Look, I need to try something. I don’t want to fuck anything up for us as a team because of my image. I know I am not terrible, but I am not great either. What if sponsors pull out because they see a video of me out one night, tongue down another girl’s throat and drinking…”
My dad’s eyes widen.
