Man, he thought,how quickly they forget.Didn’t I just save her life? Didn’t they just call me a hero?
“An encroacher is not a cockroach,” he said. “An encroacher is um, well, it’s a—”
“An interloper?” Nico suggested. “An intruder? Someone who’s not wanted?”
Beatrice pushed him. “Why wouldn’t you want Nico?”
Sofia did likewise. “Is it because she’s a girl?”
He suddenly felt exposed and vulnerable. That’s when he realized he was still wearing only a towel. What’s more, he could feel it slipping. He grabbed it, holding it in place, looking frantically at the three pairs of glaring eyes.
Escape.
It was the only option.
He turned and ran.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
ROCCO AND NICO
ROUND 7: RACE 7: MONZA, ITALY
Rocco was wheel-to-wheel with Anker. Clarke was just up ahead. Anker tried to pass him on his right, but Rocco stayed with him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Anker inching left, threatening to make contact with him, but Rocco held firm.
Rocco: Anker’s trying to squeeze me out. I don’t know if we have more power but if we do, let’s use it.
Race Engineer: Go for it, Rocco. Push. Push. Push.
Rocco: Copy.
Rocco increased his speed, got out in front of Anker, and was just on Clarke’s tail when Anker approached on the right of him. In another second, all three cars were wheel-to-wheel. Anker pulled out in front, but as he did, he veered left and made contact with the front of Rocco’s car. Clarke shot out ahead of them both, avoiding contact while Rocco skidded but was able to regain control and keep the car on the track. Anker slid far right into the gravel.
Rocco: Can you check my front? I was sandwiched.
Race Engineer: We’re checking. You got past Anker. Well done. He’s back on track. Just behind you.
Rocco: Copy. How far back?
Race Engineer: Looks to be at least three seconds.
Rocco: Copy. Where is Nico?
Race Engineer: She moved up one position. Holding steady at ninth.
Rocco: Copy.
Rocco smiled. She could earn some points this race. They both could. She’d moved up to ninth after starting at tenth, and right now he was second after starting at sixth position. Seven laps to go.
Race Engineer: Excellent, Nico. You’ve moved up to eighth.
Nico: Copy. Where’s Rocco?
Race Engineer: He’s second, just behind Clarke with Anker a couple seconds behind him.
Nico: Copy.
Nico smiled. He would make the podium, maybe even come in first if he could overtake Clarke. And she was about to earn her first Formula 1 points, if she could just hold position. Six laps to go.
