“I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have told you.” He stretched a hand toward her. “Don’t go away upset.”
Anna flinched. “Please leave me alone. I need to think.” She ignored Isaac’s outstretched hand and stricken face. She wanted to be alone. Not only was she upset about Spencer and his rumors, but she’d lashed out at Isaac and didn’t know how to take it back.
She ran for his trailer and locked the door before sliding to the floor and letting the meltdown continue, wracking sobs and screams that overwhelmed everything for the duration. She wished she’d let Isaac hold her, but she was too embarrassed to go back. He hadn’t followed, respecting her wishes.
When she was once more under control, she washed her face and sent Catarina a text, grateful she had another friend. Her hands still shook, and her throat felt raw.
“Had a fight with Isaac. Can I stay with you tonight?”
The reply was quick.“Of course. My door is always open for you. Where are you?”
Her hands shook as she typed.“Locked in Isaac’s trailer.”
“I’m still at the track. I’ll come get you. We can go for dinner.”
Anna twirled her ring and leaned her head back against the wall.
Another text came in.“Girl’s Night. You can fill me in.”
“Thank you.”Anna didn’t have long to wait before there was a tap on the door.
“It’s me,” her friend said. “Are you okay?”
Anna opened the door, grabbed her purse, and the two of them climbed into a taxi. It was a relief to get away without seeing anyone. The MotoGP riders were still busy signing autographs.
After a subdued dinner, she and Catarina returned to the hotel, and they went up to the hotel room that Anna shared with Isaac. She needed to collect her clothes and her toothbrush but didn’t want to run into Isaac alone. She wasn’t ready to speak to him—afraid all she would do was cry or make things worse. She was ashamed of how she’d reacted to news about his help.
She listened at the door, but inside was quiet, without sounds of the TV or of movement. It seemed empty. She flicked on a light and gathered her belongings, stuffing them into her suitcase. She hurried so she wouldn’t be interrupted. Already she was as much ashamed as angry. Maybe she should stay and talk things out. Try to explain she’d already been upset and had handled her meltdown poorly.
When something was difficult, she gravitated to Isaac. More than anything she wanted one of his hugs.
They headed downstairs to Catarina’s room. Catarina hadn’t pushed her for details about Spencer, but her friend had been livid about the blowjobs for money stunt. Several times, Anna tried to talk about the elevator proposition and the assault in Germany by the trailers, but her throat stuck, and her voice failed. She was too embarrassed by how she’d handled things on her own. She should have reported him.
Seeing her distress, Catarina said, “You can stay with me the rest of the weekend and in Cervera too if you want. I have room. When you’re ready to tell me the rest, I’m here.”
Her friend’s kind words brought Anna’s tears back but after watching a familiar rom-com and thrusting everything heavy from her mind, it was time to sleep. She still had race duties tomorrow and Sunday, which meant she would have to face Isaac and apologize for her outburst.
After they were ready for bed and the room was dark, it became easier to talk. In halting stops and starts, she told Catarina what Spencer had done, starting with Indonesia and ending with Germany—everything she’d been too scared to tell Isaac. She’d been terrified of what he might do to Spencer. Of course, Isaac wasn’t like that, it was just her fear.
Now that Anna was thinking more clearly, it became obvious that she’d done what she’d accused him of doing. Kept important information to herself. Maybe she wasn’t meant to be close to anyone. Would she end up alone? Her late-night self-pity wasn’t helping.
“You need to report Spencer,” said Catarina, interrupting Anna’s spiral. “What he’s doing needs to be on record. He’s popular and good looking and keeps getting away with it.”
There was a long pause. Would Catarina continue?
Catarina’s voice was softer when she resumed, almost too quiet for Anna to follow and she strained to listen. “I left the racing circuit eight years ago because of Spencer and one of his friends. I got sick of the constant harassment and of watching my back. I didn’t report them and he’s still hurting people.”
“What if no one believes me?” said Anna.
“I do and the other women will believe you. You might not be the only one he’s hurting. Isaac believes you and so will Angel. Think about it. It doesn’t have to be right now, but I don’t want keeping it to yourself to be something you regret.”
“Do you regret it?” Anna’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Yes. Especially when I hear your story. He’s still taking advantage of his position and his popularity. Who knows how many others he’s hurt? If you want my support, I’ll go with you.”
“I should have said something,” said Anna, her voice hoarse and filled with sadness. She sniffled and reached toward the box of tissues, fumbling until she’d located them. The room grew quiet, the silence broken when she finished wiping her tears and blew her nose.
“I know,” said Catarina. “What are you going to do about Isaac? I don’t agree with what he did. He should have told you. But he’s one of the good guys, and he was trying to look out for you.” She yawned. “Sorry.”
