He paused, listening closer. She sounded… slower. Not weak, exactly — Nan had never been weak — but the rhythm of her words was different. A little more breath between sentences. A little less snap.
“You okay, Nan? You sound a bit… off.”
A small huff. “I’m fine. Just old bones, love. Getting up early to watch a race on the other side of the world takes it out of me these days. Nothing a cuppa won’t fix.”
He frowned, the car humming along the expressway. “You sure? You’ve been watching every session this weekend?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Though I did nod off during qualifying. Blame the heat here — it’s been muggy even for Brisbane.”
Jax’s grip tightened on the phone. She’d never admitted to nodding off before. Never admitted anything took it out of her. She was the one who’d sat through entire nights in hospital waiting rooms when he’d broken his collarbone at sixteen, the one who’d driven him to physio at 6 a.m. without complaint.
“Nan—”
“Don’t fuss,” she cut in, but gently. “I’m still here nagging you, aren’t I? That’s proof enough I’m kicking. Now stop worrying about your old Nan and focus on that next race. Austin’s a beast — hot, bumpy, unforgiving. You’ll need your head in it.”
He swallowed. “Yeah. I will.”
“You’re still my boy who used to cry when he lost a race. And you’re still the one who got back in the kart the next day. You’ll figure this out. You always do.”
He swallowed again, throat tight. “Love you, Nan.”
“Love you more. Now go win something next time so I can brag at bridge club. They’re getting tired of hearing about your eighth places.”
He laughed, softer this time. “Deal. I’ll do better.”
“You will. Call me after Austin. And eat something proper — none of that hotel rubbish. And Jaxon?”
“Yeah?”
“Slow down a little yourself. The world won’t end if you take a breath.”
They hung up.
The car merged onto the airport expressway. His phone pinged — social media notification.
He opened it absently.
The photo from last night stared back at him.
Him and Aria on the rooftop — shoulder-to-shoulder, both smiling, city lights glittering behind them. She looked small next to him, emerald dress hugging her curves, eyes bright. He looked tall, imposing, arm almost brushing hers. They looked… good together. Like they belonged in the same frame.
He huffed a quiet laugh. “We do make a great-looking couple.”
The thought passed as quickly as it came.
He opened the debrief file instead.
Focus.
Travel today. Unpack last night’s data tomorrow. Show them he was a serious contender.
But Nan’s voice lingered — slower, a little breathier. The first real crack in the woman who’d always seemed unbreakable.
He pocketed the phone and watched the city blur past the window.
Eighth wasn’t enough.
But it was a start.
