“Royce and Cowan will go to their press obligations with Nora and her team, and we will see them in a bit,” she answers, her fingers linked with Creed’s as we take a slow walk back to the garage.
“How is Cowan?” I find myself asking, trying to keep up with Creed’s long strides.
“He is okay, that’s the main thing.” Creed’s deep voice vibrates through me.
“Was it his fault?”
Creed turns his face to me. “In this case, yes. He tried an overtake and didn’t leave enough space. It’s gone to the stewards to make a decision, but it’ll be likely a grid penalty for the next race.”
“Oh, that’s not good.”
“No, it’s not. Not on the first race,” he grumbles and Anaïs puts a huge smile on her face.
“But, these things happen,” she says. It’s like she’s trying to lighten Creed’s mood. “And Royce got on the podium.”
That’s all it takes for Creed to be grinning like a cheshire cat again.
“Yeah, he did.”
“I think we need to celebrate tonight.” She nods, tightening her grip on Creed’s hand.
“I agree.” He pulls her into his body and kisses the top of her head.
“Will it be a whole team thing?” I ask as we make a slight turn and walk through the back end of our unit.
“Usually is. Royce doesn’t normally join us, but then again, this is his first podium.”
“Oh, what does he do?”
I wish I never asked because the way Anaïs looks at me, wiggling her brows, has me feeling nauseous. I don’t want to think about him being with anyone else. But the thing is, I know he can be with anyone, even whilst we’re in this fake dating situation. He doesn’t belong to me. We’re not allowed to sleep together—not that I want to—but I’m sure he will find a way to slip out. Plus, we don’t even share a room, so who knows what goes on in there when I am gone.
A shiver traces up my spine, but I don’t react.
Walking back into the garage, I grab my notepad and phone that I left and make my way to the press area to see if I can listen in. By the time I get there, Royce is nowhere to be seen. Rubbing my lips together, I walk back towards our unit in hopes of finding him, but it seems he tracks me down first.
“There you are.”
I smile, but only the floor can see it. Slowly turning to look at him, his messy black hair is slightly damp, his eyes still have that sparkle that I saw when he climbed out of the car.
“I’ve been looking for you,” I admit
“I’ve been looking for you, too.” He smirks and steps towards me.
Toe to toe, I tilt my face to look at him. “Well done,” I mutter, “you drove so well.”
“Thank you.” His smile grows and I wonder if he can hear the way my heart is thrashing deep inside my chest.
“What are you doing now?” I find myself asking, rocking onto the balls of my feet, holding onto my notepad.
“Not a lot, eat…” His eyes flick down my body. “Shower.”
I ignore the way his blue irises drag me in.
“Maybe get a nap.” His tongue drags slowly across his bottom lip.
“I see,” I breathe, tightening my grip to my notepad.
“Why do you ask?” His head tilts.
