“Then fire her.”
Elio glares at me. “I can’t. Her father’s my biggest sponsor, and one of the most important investors on the team.”
Right.
“Sounds like a you problem.”Be nice, jerk,the angel on my shoulder—who sounds suspiciously like Victoria—sing-songs. “So… are you looking forward to the next race?” I toss the menu on the table separating us.
“Obviously. Why wouldn’t I be?” Elio gives me an aggressive glare.
I shrug. “Just trying to make small talk.”
“Cut it out,” he growls. “Nobody wants to hear your voice.”
Fuck this. Why am I putting in the effort whenhe’strying to give my bad temper a run for its money?
“If you don’t want to be here, there’s the door,” I say flatly. “I’m trying to extend an olive branch—”
“Anolive branch?” he repeats with a dubious laugh. “Afteryearsof you only giving me attention when you wanted to insult everything about me?Please. I know you’re here because Ilya wants us to become best friends. It isn’t happening.”
Alright, this might be more difficult than anticipated. Elio’s got a lot of anger to unpack.
A month ago, I would’ve told him to shove his grievances so far up his ass he chokes on them, but now… “Lay it on me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Let it out,” I clarify. “Everything you’ve been wanting to say. I won’t insult you.”
He narrows his eyes, gauging my sincerity. I don’t particularly like the idea of making myself a target, but if that’s what it takes to get an upgrade package, it’s what I’ll do.
“You’re an asshole,” he surmises.
“And you’re a—” I cut myself off before I can say something mean. “A solid driver.”
“Really?Because you’ve spent the last seasons telling me how bad I am, even though I place above you every singlefuckingtime. You’ve neveroncegiven me helpful advice or even constructive criticism; all you do is try to make me feel like shit. That’s what you do with theentire team.” He leans forward, and I clutch my leg so tightly my nails nearly stab through the fabric of my pants. “You are goddamninsufferable,and I can’t stand that you might actually get re-signed. Do everyone who knows you a favor and, if you get an offer somewhere else,take it. We’re fuckingsickof you.”
He hits me right where it hurts. Telling me that he and the entire team want me gone…
Your father needs to head to Italy for some inspiration. We’re thinking of staying there for at least a year, so you’ll need to do boarding school again…
Sorry, I can’t make your graduation. I have a gallery opening…
No, you can’t come with us this summer—being on the road is no place for a child.
I want to shout at Elio. I’mthisclose to making a goddamn scene.
Instead, I stand, drop a few bills on the table, and stalk out. He can eat an overpriced salad or sandwich on his fucking own.
Except he doesn’t have the good sense to stay behind, because the idiotfollows me out.
“What, nothing to say?” he taunts. “Because youknowI’m right. You’ve pushed everyone who might’ve liked you away. But don’t worry, man, because I’ll takeverygood care of the intern when she tires of you—”
My next motions are purely instinctual. I round on him, fist his shirt in my hands, and slam him up against the brick wall of the café right next to the restaurant.
“Don’t. Fucking. Talk about her,” I hiss. “Say whatever you want about me, but don’t eventhinkabout her. I get it; you hate me.” I roll my eyes. “I’m sure I’ll lose countless nights of sleep over your insignificant opinion. But Victoria?” I shake my head. “Off. Fucking. Limits.”
A camera flashes somewhere to the side of us.Shit. I release him as quickly as I grabbed him and turn in the direction of a flash. It’s not the paparazzi, thank fuck, but it is a bystander who obviously recognizes us. She’s standing with a group of girls who are probably on their way into the restaurant.
Shit, shit, shit.
