“How much has the car changed from last season?” Cowan asks and all eyes are on him, the data guys popping their heads up from their computers.
“Slightly. We knew we could improve but overall, we were happy with the car at the back end of the season,” Loretta states, her eyes glued to Cowan.
“You drove the car last season,” Glenn pipes up, a confused look on his face, “and you tested this year’s car. Did you feel a difference?”
He shrugs. “I didn’t think it had as much grip around the corners, slight understeer maybe.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “There is nothing wrong with the car, it’s a lot better than last year. You just need to get used to it.” I go back to tapping my fingers on the table.
“What’s your excuse then? Pretty sure you beached it a few times coming out the corners.”
My temper is rising. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, my nostrils flare as I try and keep my cool.
“Shit happens, man. Don’t come at me for my driving when you’re not exactly in the top three.” My words hurl at him and he laughs, his eyes skating around the room; my dad looks furious.
“Boys,” he snaps, “let Loretta finish. Once this is done, I’ll get you both on the sim and set it up exactly as the car is now. Stop being petty, you’re meant to be teammates, for fuck’s sake.” His tone is harsh, and I puff my cheeks out; Cowan sits a little lower in his seat.
“Loretta”—my dad turns his attention to a now flustered analyst—“please continue.”
I feel Athena’s eyes on me again, but I refuse to look at her, because if I look at her, I will never want to stop.
An hour later, I am peeling myself from the seat after listening to the longest spiel about the data. I know I should be interested, but I’m just not. All I care about is getting in the sim, practicing, and then racing my car around the track and leaving Cowan in the sparks that fly.
Athena is hot on my heels, three of her strides are one of mine.
“Hey, slow down,” she calls out.
I twist around, now walking backwards, as I look her up and down. “My bad, princess.” I wink, spinning and slowing myself down so she is now walking next to me.
“I got some notes.” She nods, looking down at the notebook that is pressed against her chest.
Jealousy picks at the base of my neck and I have to internally shake myself that I find myself getting jealous over a fucking notebook. If I hadn’t just signed a contract, I would be looking for my next lay – pronto.
This is my problem. It’s never enough. The chasing girls, the adrenaline of what I do, I am constantly looking for my next fix. Nothing seems to hit right.
This is why this fake dating scenario is good. It’ll help me get clean from my bad habits.
I was just hoping she didn’t fall into that category.
“If you missed anything, I’ll be happy to fill in the blanks.” I beam at her, slowing outside a door and pushing it open.
She stands, eyes bulging slightly from her head as she ducks underneath my arm and into the sim room. “Woah.”
“Yup.” I follow in behind her, closing the door and moving towards the sim.
“How much time do you spend in here?” she asks, perching herself in the corner. Crossing her legs underneath her, she slips her pen from out of her pony and opens her notebook.
“A lot.” I wink as I push the button to see if anyone is on the other side of the window. “Steve?” I say and after a beat or two, he answers me as I kick my trainers off. “Play Melbourne track.” I lower myself, grab my gloves, and change into my boots that sit in a cubby under neath the screen.
“No problem, boss. Last year’s car or this year?”
I flick my eyes up at the screen. “What do you think?” I smirk, scoffing and he loads it up. Pulling my boots on, I tie the laces. “You don’t have to stay.” I turn to look at her; her head is leaning to the side slightly, eyes locked on the screen.
“I would like to… if that’s okay, of course?”
“Yeah, no problem.” I slip my gloves on and climb into the rig.
The seat adjusts around me and I buckle myself in. Reaching for the VR headset, I slide it on so I immerse myself into the scene.
