“Good thing I’m here then,” Reese said, mid-drink of champagne.
“Here I am imagining smoking every driver in this room, and she brings me right back down to earth, thinking about littlegirls in the stands and the cause that’s more important than all of us.”
“It’s sweet that you think you could do that,” Reese said with a playful wink. “But I’m right there with you about the speech. She knows how to drive home a message. Which I suppose is why she’s Veronica Vance. I take it she showed up in your paddock after a race?”
“Ha. No. Paddock visits must be reserved for Instagram superstars,” Delaney said with a wink. “She contacted my team principal and my agent like a normal transaction. What’s it like to be Reese Maddox anyway?”
“And now that we’ve celebrated the moment, let’s get down to a little bit of business,” Veronica said, precluding Reese from having to answer that question. “Allow me to showcase my team.” One by one, Veronica introduced the room to social media directors, hospitality managers, technical heads, race coordinators, and more. “I saved this particular introduction for last,” Veronica said, eyeing the crowd. “Some of you have already spotted her. In fact, there was a literal line of people waiting to speak with her just a few moments ago. But let me tell you happily that there will be plenty of time for everyone, because Sloane Foster is not just here tonight as a supporter of the academy, she’s joining our team.”
Reese went still.Oh no.
Delaney swiveled in Reese’s direction, her eyes pulled wide in shock. “Get the fuck out of here.”
Veronica wasn’t finished. “Sloane will serve as Director of Driver Development for the academy. Using her vast knowledge of the sport, she’ll offer our drivers insight, group coaching, and individual sessions to enhance their lap times, adjust their mental outlook, use telemetry data to their advantage, anticipate complications on the circuit, and formulate real-world solutions to deal with them accordingly.” Sloane pretended to wipe herbrow as if realizing she had her work cut out for her, which, of course, pulled a laugh from the crowd. Reese tried to remember to breathe. “You can expect maybe even a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it was like to be one of the first female F1 drivers in the history of the sport. We’re blessed, folks. Join me in welcoming my friend, Sloane Foster.”
The applause outweighed anything they’d heard that night. Reese followed the gazes to see Sloane standing a few yards from Veronica, smiling warmly at the room. She didn’t have a flute of champagne. Apparently, the one martini at the bar had been enough. Reese felt the mortification from earlier triple as she understood that she could no longer sweep the exchange between them into the closet and close the door. She was an absolute idiot and would continue paying for it. Only one thing to do. Fall on her sword. She would find a way to speak with Sloane later, apologize again. She’d stand in line if she had to. Climb the tallest mountain. Dance the two-step in a monkey costume. Luckily, the first was all it took to stand face-to-face with Sloane.
“Hi,” Reese said when it was, at last, her turn. “First of all, I’m excited to hear you’ll be joining us.”
“Me too. This should be an exciting series.”
“Secondly, I’m incredibly embarrassed about our conversation at the bar, and I’d like to apologize.”
Sloane nodded and crossed her arms. Finally, she squinted and leaned in. “What conversation would that be?”
Reese exhaled her way to a smile. It was a response filled with grace and kindness that left Reese grateful. Sloane was letting her off the hook. “Thank you for that.”
Sloane lifted a shoulder. “I like fresh starts.”
“I will prove to you that I’m worthy of your forgiveness. And I promise not to behave like an overconfident bobblehead in the future.”
“Prove yourself behind the wheel this weekend, okay?” she said gently. “I want to see what you’re capable of. And I don’t plan to go easy on anyone. Even bobbleheads.”
Reese smiled. “I wouldn’t want you to.” In the midst of her groveling, Reese couldn’t seem to unsee one thing. Sloane’s blue eyes were gorgeous, like sunlight breaking through a canopy of trees. There was also a confident, untamed quality behind them, perhaps the same quality that once had her on the way to becoming the first female world champion at 230 miles an hour. Reese lived for untamed. It’s what fueled her on her very best race days. Well, until she spun out or put the car into a wall. She’d have to learn to balance untamed with … something else she hadn’t yet figured out. “What are your thoughts on tire degradation? Change ‘em early or stay out when the other cars pull into the pits?”
Sloane opened her mouth to answer, and Reese held up a hand. “Kidding. I know you have a line of well-wishers.”
Sloane didn’t laugh. Instead, she watched Reese with interest, and it sent a slight shiver up her spine. This woman had presence for days, but she was hard to read. “I watched your films and have thoughts. Let’s chat soon.”
They stared at each other for a moment as if trying to figure each other out. “Yes. I look forward to it.”
Sloane blinked as if remembering herself. “If you’ll excuse me. I should probably …” She looked behind Reese to the line of other drivers and team members waiting to say hello and introduce themselves.
“Oh. Yes. Sorry. Of course.” Reese stepped aside and only then realized that her pulse was racing, her heart like a drum. It was a foreign feeling. She wasn’t the type who got nervous. Apparently, Sloane Foster had that effect. When she’d laid eyes on her an hour ago in the bar, she’d been drawn to her immediately. She wondered now if she’d sensed a kindred spiritin Sloane. Don’t all drivers have a similar quality? Or maybe it was just how goddamn beautiful she was in person. She stole another look just because. Blond with light green eyes.
“So, she’s sticking around,” Julie said with a clap to Reese’s back. “This is probably the best thing that could possibly happen to drivers at the academy.” She must have caught Reese’s face that said she wasn’t so sure about that. “Except for the whole crash and burn and humiliate yourself at the bar.”
“Thanks for the colorful reminder.” Reese exhaled, trying to stay positive. How she chose to view Sloane’s presence this season would determine how things went. It was essential to readjust and start over. “But actually, it’s good. We talked. She’s being totally cool about the fact that I hit on her and acted like she knew nothing about a sport she dominated.”
Julie grinned. She was a kid realizing a dream. “Because she’s Sloane Foster and entirely awesome. I think I’ve watched and read every interview she’s ever given, and she’s not just a generational talent, but a gift to the sport. And she’s not just brilliant—she elevates everyone around her, Reese. You’re going to see. I swear, if she says something about your line, your setup, or your mindset, youlisten, okay? Because she’ll be right.”
“I get it. She’s amazing. But you sound like you have a fan club in your head just for her.”
“Maybe I do. And don’t get me started on what she’s done for women in this sport.” Julie moved forward, leading with her cane. “Honestly, having her in Formula Next? That’s a gift. For all of us.” Reese wasn’t sure she’d ever seen Julie so animated over a human being. Usually, it was data and spreadsheets and tire plans that got her going.
“I will remember that.”
“You have to. There’s a lot to learn from. Did you know that Sloane always labels her helmet visor inserts with little reminders about cornering lines or braking points?”
