While the camera guy adjusted the shot, Mack straightened her shirt, making sure the JJR logo was visible, and tried to forget Kelley.Hana positioned Mack so that the track was at her back and smoothed down a lock of Mack’s flyaway hair before giving a countdown signal.
“I’m here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where teams are making last-minute preparations for qualification day. With me is rookie Mack Williams, the only woman vying to make this year’s field.” She turned toward Mack. “Mack, you’re new to IndyCar. Tell us what it’s like to run this track for the first time.”
Mack mined her brain for the PR training she’d done at JJR’s office, grateful for the softball question. Most IndyCar reporters took it easy on drivers but Hana was known to throw occasional punches. “Hi, Hana. It’s wild and humbling to drive at this place. Indy means so much. I’ve been watching this race since I was—oof.”
“Mama! I met Leo Raisman!”
Shaw slammed into her side and Mack looked up to see Laurie wearing an expression of unbridled horror. Aware that the camera was rolling and there was nothing else to do, Mack laughed and gestured at her daughter. “Well, I’ve been coming here since I was my daughter’s age.”
Hana’s eyes lit up. “And this is your daughter?”
Mack looked right into the camera and told the truth. “Yes. I can’t tell you what it means to me to have my family here today. It’s a dream come true.”
Just as Hana started to ask another question, Kelley sauntered into the frame and stood on the other side of Shaw. Hana stopped midsentence as her eyes bounced between Mack and Kelley and the spot where Kelley rested a proprietary hand on Shaw’s shoulder.
Hana blinked rapidly but recovered quickly. “Oh my! Folks, joining us is MotoGP star Kelley Caruthers!”
Mack willed her face to stay blank but she suspected it was turning pink anyway. She was a little flustered by Shaw’s presence, but she was utterly humiliated by Kelley’s. He might as well have pissed on her and Shaw to mark his territory.
“Hey there, Hana.” Kelley soaked up the attention like a dry chamois towel, standing ever so slightly in front of Mack and Shaw. Another inch and he’d topple his own daughter.
“Kelley, it’s great to see you back racing after that monster wreck!”
“It’s great to be back, Hana,” he said smoothly. “My entire focus for the past year has been on recovery and training. Motorcycle racing is my only reason for living. Nothing else matters.”
Hana blinked, seemingly unsure how to respond. Mack could feel the tension in Shaw’s body, the way she held her arms tight to her sides.
“You should come across the pond and cover two-wheel racing. More exciting.” Kelley winked and smiled like a goddamn toothpaste commercial, even as his hand still rested on Shaw’s shoulder.
Unbidden, Mack thought of Leo, his genuine smile and comfort with not being the center of attention. Nothing like Kelley’s slick, sleazy arrogance.
Hana recovered and gestured around. “But even you couldn’t stay away from the excitement of Indianapolis in May!”
Suddenly, Kelley pushed past Mack and Shaw. “Hey, man!” He clasped hands with a figure in a black polo shirt, and when they pulled away, Mack saw Mario Andretti. If there was such thing as track royalty, Mario was king.
“Hey hey, Motorcycle Boy!”
Mack could tell by the angle of the camera that she was completely out of the shot now as the cameraman tracked Kelley and Mario’s reunion. “You see this guy?” Kelley hooted. “My old buddy Mario is here!”
Ever affable, Mario clapped Kelley on the shoulder. “Heard you’re racing again. It’s hard to stay away, eh?”
“I’ll be dead before they take me off the bike.” Kelley grinned, not at Mario, but directly at the camera. Next to her, Shaw flinched. Mack reached for her daughter’s hand and squeezed tightly, wishing she could dick-punch her child’s father on national TV.
Hana touched her earpiece, then flicked her hand and the cameraman lowered the bulky equipment. “Riley Motors is doing a last-minute engine switch and we need to report on it. I’m sorry, Mack.”
Mack smiled but it felt fake even to her. She felt as nauseated as she had after the first day of practice, as if she were under g-forces instead of locked into a power struggle with her ex. Today was supposed to be the biggest day of her life, the day she achieved her biggest dream, and instead she was sinking deeper and deeper into an emotional quagmire.
“Can I get a redo later? Maybe after your qualification run?” Hana looked pointedly at Kelley. “We’ll do it over the wall. Solo.”
What else was there to say? Mack nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Hana.”
Hana leaned in, her voice low. “Go show the boys how it’s done. I’ll be rooting for you this month.” She wound the microphone cord around her wrist and nodded behind Mack. “Hey, Leo. One-on-one interview later? Maybe a JJR teammate interview?”
Mack whirled around to see Leo standing behind her. His eyes flicked from Mack to Shaw to Kelley, a look of revulsion on his face.
From:[email protected]
