When I look up, he’s smiling softly to himself, watching the screen.
I settle back against his tanned pec. ‘Yeah, it is,’ I say, even quieter.
Chapter 28
TIAGO
‘Despiértate.’
Wha—
I make to rub my eyes and my entire body spasms.
OW.
Everything hurts. Why?—?
Yesterday returns in vivid flashbacks. The pep talk. The explosion. Leone’s bankruptcy.
Jules.
I know she’s not here without opening my eyes. The blankets are tugged tight on the far side. I can’t smell anything but my brother’s cologne. Did I dream it? Spooning, talking late, watching four episodes of possibly the greatest noughties show ever produced.
‘Tiago, despiértate.’
I finally open my eyes to find JC sloping over me, face set in a deep frown. I really don’t need his saltiness. My shoulder’s pounding and my head feels like I fell on it.
Oh wait,I did.
How did he even get in?
‘Buenos días,’ sings Isa, eating a mango from the penthouse kitchen.
Oh great, so this is a family reunion. And I’m not wearing any pants.
JC raises his middle and index fingers. ‘Two words.’ There’s an urgency to his usual monotonous tone. ‘Turbo failure.’
I struggle to sit up, rolling awkwardly and relying on my good arm. My neck protests, an angry stiffness at the base of my skull.‘¿Qué?’
‘I got a call this morning from Leone’s legal team. The fire was caused by a pressurised oil feed line to the turbo which burst. It’s a manufacturing defect. The engine supplier’s giving full compensation.’
WHAT?
I don’t believe this.
It’s a fucking miracle!
‘For real?’ I utter.
The corners of his lips quirk. ‘Leone are in the clear.’
‘Holy shit!’ I jerk up, and a catching pain spikes in my shoulder joint, reminding me it hasn’t made the same lightning-fast recovery as my team.‘¡Ay!’
Isa laughs. ‘You look better.’
‘It hurts. It all hurts.’
‘You’ll improve every day,’ is Trey’s contribution, coming in carrying drinks. I stare longingly at the white cup. ‘I have all your notes from the doctor. She gave me Co-codamol for any big pain spikes, and an anti-inflammatory we don’t get even in the US to be taken after breakfast.’
