“It’s somewhat within their rights, though several of the bylaws were disregarded. I could sue if I wanted to, but I don’t.”
Jesus Christ. My buzz wears off as suddenly as it came on. “Lilah, are you—”
“Okay? Perfectly. I’ll find another job soon. I already have some firms interested, but…” she sighs. “It’ll be tough without a recommendation letter, which I’ll certainly struggle to get.”
“If you need anything, you know I’ll always help.” Keith’s tone is also stained with unusual concern. I share a look with him, and a silent agreement passes between us; ifeither of us ever runs into thepartnerwho did this to Delilah, we’re going to kill him.
“Besides, corporate law has already bored me. I’d like to do something more hands-on and less structured, like…” she trails off. “I dunno. Being in-house council somewhere. It’s whatever. We’ll see what ends up happening.”
It’s not whatever… but I know my best friend, and I know that as always, she needs to work through this on her own. Outside interference right now will only upset her.
“Back to you,” she says breezily, flipping over to face me. “It’s time you fess up. Ten inches or eleven?”
Knowing that two of my favorite people in the world are cheering me on from the VIP lounge—which Keith managed to talk his way into—gives me a gust of strength, and in return, I give my all to the team.
Just not in the way Asher evidentlydemanded.
“I’m sorry,” I tell Ilya. “I can’t be in his ear. I… I can’t hear his voice. It’d be too distracting. I’ll be inyourear if you want, but—”
“Victoria.” Ilya’s tone is harsh. “I have made great allowances for you this season—”
“And I’ve taken a checked-out driver and made him into a strong player on the board,” I cut him off unbendingly. “None of your allowances have been misplaced or misused. In fact, I’ve done nothingbutgo out of my wayfor this team, and get paid less than minimum fucking wage to do it, so donottalk about allowances.”
Ilya tilts his head sharply to the side, but I think there’s a new glint of respect in his expression. Hopefully that’s not just wishful thinking.
Ilya takes my arm and pulls me to the side of the pit wall. “I hope that what I’m about to say doesn’t go to your head, Victoria. You might’ve made incredible strides this season, but you are, fundamentally, still just an intern.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” I quip.
“Asher needs you,” Ilya says without preamble. “Forgive my forwardness and unprofessionalism, but heneedsyou in order to do well. And Gaston needshimto do well. Now, I imagine whatever he did to cause such a… rift between the two of you is substantial. And you can go back to despising him or avoiding him after the race. But, as a favor to me, please. Talk him through it.”
My throat tightens.Not here. I can’t get emotionalhere,in front of my boss. Delilah and Keith would never let me live it down.
“Tomorrow,” I say after a few beats, my voice surprisingly strong. “You sprung this on me today. I’ll be in your ear, or Ethan’s, or whoever’s speaking directly to him. But tomorrow, I’lltryto be in his.”
Ilya’s jaw clenches, but he gives me a nod. “Let’s hope that’s enough.”
It is enough—but only just barely. I see Ilya uncharacteristically pull Asher aside just before he buckles in. Whatever exchange the two of them has leads for Asher to finish qualifying in P11.
It’s objectively a good place.
But I know the car—I designed it. And I know Asher. He should’ve finished firmly within top ten.
And I can’t help but feel like I’m at fault for not buckling up and doing what needs to be done.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Asher
Ilya’s words echo in my head on a loop long after qualifyings.Do well, and you might just convince her to have your back.
Might. No guarantee that I’ll have Victoria in my ear today, only a vague possibility. And, considering how our last conversation went, my chances are low.
I’m still determined to make the most of the gift she gave me. I stumbled in qualifying because I’ve only been in this car a few times, but I’m ready now. I’m going to be in the top ten.
I’d just feel a lot fucking better about my chances if I had her in my ear.
I don’t know when she became so integral to my performance, but she is. She’s integral to every piece of me.
