Reese arched a brow. “Are you starting your own F2 team?”
Veronica walked further into the room. “You’re familiar with Formula Next?”
She’d heard the rumors. Everyone had. “The driver academy?”
“Exactly. Ten teams. Two drivers each. I have it on good authority that I could convince Ravensport to keep you on. Just at the academy, which would provide you with a more direct pipeline anyway.”
She blinked, trying to process the offer and the logic. “Formula 1 is my next step.”
Veronica passed her a sympathetic smile. “I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Without a redemption arc, that is. Your F2 team is about to drop you, not promote you. I doubt thatanyone else will pick you up. If you want to be behind the wheel, I’m offering you an opportunity that, with all due respect, I’m not sure you deserve.”
“Ouch.”
Veronica held up her hands. “I shoot straight. You’ll learn this about me.”
“I can handle it.”
“Good. The academy races exclusively on Formula 1 weekends. Qualifying on Friday. A sprint race on Saturday. And a feature race on Sunday morning. The first race is in the spring.”
While Reese hated that it felt like she was moving backward rather than forward, she also knew that the academy might be her last shot. If she wanted to race, she didn’t have the luxury of choice. At least, not anymore. She sighed. “And when I take the championship. What then?”
A small smile tugged at Veronica’s lips. “You’re very sweet, but have you seen my lineup? You’ll have an uphill battle in front of you.”
“And if I blow past all of them?”
“Then there might be people at the end of the season who want to have a conversation. I make no promises.” She still wasn’t at all convinced, and that was fine. Reese loved a challenge, and Veronica would see what she was capable of sooner or later.
“And you think Ravensport is in?”
“They will be,” Veronica said, like she owned the world. “I have a way of convincing others.”
Reese blinked. “I think I just saw it in action.”
“Thank you for allowing me to bend your ear, Reese. I envision a beneficial relationship ahead.” Veronica extended her hand, and Reese shook it. “My office will be in touch with your agent.”
She watched Veronica Vance glide out of the room, having changed the trajectory of Reese’s immediate future in the span of just three minutes.
That was four months ago, and here she sat ready to kick off the Formula Next season. All women drivers would make up the grid, unlike what she was used to. In reality, she enjoyed the idea of surrounding herself with top female drivers chasing their dreams. Women, in general, were her absolute favorites. It was just a shame she was going to have to beat all of them on her way to the podium.
“I don’t mind taking the couch,” Julie said, gesturing to the pullout. As a last-minute addition to her contract, Julie didn’t yet have her own accommodations. Reese had agreed to let her crash until Ravensport and the academy officially added her to the team. Reese had worked hard to ensure Julie remained part of her deal, even if it meant sacrificing other small perks. She honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else in her ear when she was out on the track, heart hammering, tires hot, engine screaming, knowing Julie’s voice would keep her alive—and maybe sane.
“Good, because I prefer sleeping like a starfish.” Reese flopped onto the armchair opposite and offered a wink. The Miami skyline glimmered through the sliding glass doors, a reminder of the upcoming weekend and its looming importance. Julie settled onto the pullout, cane leaning against the edge, and already had her tablet open, scrolling through telemetry from practice, the predicted weather, and a tentative strategy. Reese let herself watch for a beat, grateful that this was the one person who would push her, scold her, and—when necessary—save her from herself.
“What time are we due at the reception?”
“Not until six,” Julie said.
Reese pushed herself out of the chair and crossed to the window. “You want to grab a fun drink before the officialdrinks?” she asked. She felt slightly out of sorts. Tonight meant meeting a flood of new people—drivers, academy sponsors, team principals—and the thought of it all buzzing around her at once made her restless. It didn’t help that her brother wouldn’t be there. Ravensport had elected to keep Luke with the F2 team, which meant that for the first time, Reese was truly on her own.
“I’d love it, but I have our strategy to work through.”
“And we have so much time for that. Honestly, Jules. We’re in Miami. Shouldn’t we take advantage?”
Julie sighed and turned around. “I’m worried you’re assuming these women are going to be easily dominated. That you’re going to breeze in here and win.”
Reese nodded. “You’re right.” She lifted her shoulders as if to say,and?Because she had every intention of blowing these women away once the starting lights went out. She didn’t come here to play checkers.
Julie nudged her glasses up her nose. “This cannot be a replay of your stint in F2. You’ve got to get your head in the game. Less smiling. More work.”
