“We, Saint Onyx, are extremely happy and confident with the SO26. We truly believe that this is going to be the car to make us the Constructor Champion and even carry one of you boys to your first World Drivers’ Championship.”
A fire burns deep inside my chest. My heart is a jackhammer as the blood rushes around my body, excitement tingling at the base of my spine.
Both mine and Cowan’s radio engineers walk in, holding their hands up in a delicate wave. I’ve no idea why they haven’t been here. Marcel’s eyes flit to mine and I don’t miss the way they’re slightly misted. BJ settles himself down next to Cowan, giving him a pat on the back.
“Is there anything you boys would like to say?” Glenn asks us, my gaze skims to Cowan, his to me and we both shake our heads. “Okay, cool. Then let’s smash this season.”
The room erupts as we all begin tapping our fingers against the desk, causing a drum roll effect.
Fuck.
Chapter Three
Athena
Me
Landed xo
I textEdel as soon as the plane hits the tarmac. I am exhausted after flying from London to Australia. I haven’t slept in what feels like days and I know the jet lag is going to kick my ass. A heavy sigh rumbles inside of me as I glance out the window at the sun bright and I wince. The pilot comes over the speaker, and I listen with intent as he tells us all about our flight and what the local time and weather is for Melbourne.
I mutter to myself, making a mental note to make sure I have everything. I had all good intentions to write on the flight, but instead I sank three glasses of champagne and watchedGilmore Girlsfor the hundredth time.
My phone buzzes in my hand and I smile when I see Edel’s name. It’s not much of a message, a simplexin answer to mine.
It’s only me and a few others on the flight, this was an all-expenses paid holiday, but I still brought my already heavily loaded credit cards with me. I didn’t want them to think I was just here for the free holiday.
Scraping my dark curly hair into a high bun, I fasten it with a hair band. I scrub my face of any tiredness; my eyes feel like they have dirt embedded in them. Unbuckling myself, I push to my feet and grab my backpack.
It’s shameful, but this was only the third time, in my thirty-seven years of life that I have flown on a plane. I was a home body. I liked my home comforts. My home was small and cosy, I had things displayed that made me happy, and everything I ever wanted and needed was there.
An older man skates past me, and I give him a tight-lipped smile. He doesn’t return it.
Asshole.
Walking off the small jet, the warm Australian morning sun hits me, and it feels good.
England was just breaking into spring, but we were still in the in-between of will we get snow or a heat wave. The flowers were beginning to bloom, the mornings were lighter. as well as the evenings… but here, I have stepped straight into what feels like summer.
The air hostess wishes me a pleasant trip, and I flash a toothy grin at her.
Making my way into the airport, I stand at the luggage collection point and wait patiently for my suitcase. After what felt like an hour, the battered case slowly creeps around. Lugging it off, I catch my breath, hands on my hips.
Wow, that’s heavy.
Giving myself a moment or two, my fingers curl around the handle and I begin to drag it behind me to the arrivals lounge.
I am a hot mess. A few curly strands of hair have fallen from my bun and are currently clinging to my face for dear life. My sweater is tied around my waist, and my old, discoloured vest top had seen better days.
I scan the many people standing there with signs, and it takes me a moment to see my name.
Opal Bloom.
Wincing, I give an awkward wave and march over to the impeccably dressed man. He swoops in and takes my case from me without uttering a word, and I follow him out back into the humidity. He loads my stuff into the back of an SUV then slides my door across.
“Thank you…” I look for a name badge.
“Hudson.”
