Don’t think of him.
She knew he was sitting at third. And tonight, they’d be going on the first of what was to be a whole series of fake dates over the span of nine months. The prospect of him mounting the podium and possibly even winning, while she was left behind, was unbearable. It was bad enough having to go out with the man, but under those conditions—unthinkable.
Move your fucking ass, Ian.
She tapped Corey on the shoulder. “Remind him to brake sooner this time.”
“I did.”
“Tell him again.”
Corey nodded. “He knows.”
Of course he knows. The problem is getting his body to do what his brain is telling it. He was still immature as a driver.
She held her breath as he approached the turn. Anker took it as smooth as a championship skater performs a spin on ice.
“Yes!” Ceci cried.
There were cheers all around. He was in sixth position. The podium was a definite possibility at this point.
Come on Anker, you asinine Alpha-hole. Only three cars behind Sir Stick.
Corey looked over his shoulder. “We’ve got Angelini and Taylor in our sights. He can catch them on this lap. And in the final lap, I think he can overtake Clarke on Big Red.”
Big Red was the name given to turn one. Drivers raced up a 133-foot incline from the starting grid, and when they reached the top, they had to brake quickly to make a tight left hairpin turn. It was a great opportunity to pass.
Ceci thought about it and then shook her head.
“No, if he passes Angelini and Taylor, tell him to keep on Clarke’s tail and wait for the Andretti.”
“Turn twenty?”
Ceci nodded.
“The final turn before the finish line?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? There are better places to overtake before then.”
“I don’t think Clarke will give him the chance. I can see the way he’s racing. He’s going to stay out of range. Anker’s best chance will be the Andretti. Just tell him that up front when he’s chasing Clarke so he doesn’t get frustrated and do something stupid.”
“Well, if you think Clarke is going to stay out of reach up until then, what makes you think he’ll give Anker a chance at the Andretti?”
“You’ll just have to trust me on this. When he has Clarke in his sights, tell him to wait until that final turn to push.”
Chapter Eighteen
Clarke
So help me if she mentions that final turn, I’ll …
You’ll what?
He sighed.
You’ll do nothing and you know it.
