“I’m capable.”
“I’m not saying you aren’t,” she said, voice firm. “But we’re now in a bit of a rush to get this all dealt with before next week’s race and—”
“It will be done.”
Livie was quiet as my heart beat in my ears. Zolt brushed back my hair, careful not to touch my skin.
“Okay,” she said. “I didn’t want to take this from you, Fia. I just wanted to make sure you could enjoy your week off, too. Though it makes sense that you know everything for the press statement we’ll make next week.”
“Is itthat bad?”
“It’s everywhere,” she sighed. “Every app. Every journalist is hounding our team. Yvette is forwarding every email she’s had from the press, and right now we’re up to 46.”
“Fuck,” I whispered.
“Yeah, so if you could ask Zoltán to contact me, or more ideally, explain to him what I need, that would be great.”
“Okay. One second.”
I put her on hold and turned to him.
He looked down at me, that concerned expression still on his face. He offered me a weak smile. “You okay?”
“Yeah,”I said. I could lick my wounds another time.“Apparently, the world is worrying over your health. Livie wants to ask if we can publish some of your medical records when I’ve translated them.”
“Right…”He breathed in deeply. “Everything?”
“A few things?”
He nodded. “Not about my mental health. Physical is fine.”
Because he wasn’t willing to face it.
‘Without racing, I don’t feel alive.’
My stomach dropped recalling his words. “Of course.”
I told Livie, who was surprised but appreciative, and then I tried to enjoy the rest of our walk.
“So, it’s going to be a lot more work and less play from now on?”
I nodded. “We’ll need to finish my notes today, and I’ll type them up tomorrow.”
“I have two questions and a request.”
We stopped, and the dogs around us started to trudge back into our vicinity.
“Can you read in the car?”
My eyes narrowed. “Yes…”
“What about six hours today and six hours tomorrow? In the car.”
My eyes became slits.
“And when we get back, we can talk about it as much as you need. But no talking tomorrow unless we’re in the car. I’ll do anything you want. Answer any question about any topic if you give me tomorrow.”
His eyes were intense on mine, patient and hopeful.
