Page 88 of Over the Limit

The meetings were held in uber private locations with switched cars and fake names. Anything and everything to avoid the press and their speculation.

I’m actually surprised there haven’t been any leaks already, but secrecy was tight for this reason. Chandler and his team know what they’re doing.

“So Rossi hasn’t signed with anyone yet, right?” he asks, knowing how confused I was by Rossi’s comment after the last race.

“Do you think anyone’s actually talking? Nope. Everyone’s playing the field. Maybe he has. Maybe he hasn’t. But all the players I’m interested in are talking, and that’s what I need to focus on. If they weren’t talking, then I’d know. I’m sure he’s doing the same.” And trying to fuck with my head while he’s at it.

“What is Apex saying?”

“The same shit they’re all saying.”

“You need a good race under your belt? That they need to see more of the season?”

“Pretty much, as frustrating as that is.”

“What’s your dream scenario, mate?” he asks when he already knows. But he also knows me well enough to know that talking about it helps me clear my head.

“A multi-year contract. I don’t want any of this let’s just finish out the year and we’ll do a one-year contract extension bullshit.”

“That’s daunting.”

“It is. I want a home where I don’t have to be worrying about this shit next year. There’s enough pressure as it is to perform. Knowing each race hinges on if I have a ride or not the next year makes it even tougher.”

“Lach, every race matters whether it’s a multi- or a single-year contract. You know as well as I do that you can have a contract one minute and be out of a seat the next. Look at McElroy a few years back. His team bought out the remainder of his contract and he was out a ride for a year. And off the grid is never a good place to be.”

I scrub a hand over my face and sigh. “Don’t I fucking know it.”

“So who’s offering a multi-year contract?”

“No one is offering anything yet. That’s the problem. Until words become actions written on a goddamn paper I can sign, I’m in the fucking bubble.”

“Just like Rossi.”

“I think?” I push out a laugh. “I mean, all the players are still talking to me so that means he’s full of shit and hasn’t signed anywhere.”

“So that means it’s yours for the taking.”

“It means I need to have a good fucking finish is what it means.”

“True. What does your gut say?”

“Moretti won’t offer. They’re talking but they have Riggs and just signed Bustos for two years. No way they’re going to renege on the Bustos contract and, let’s face it, Riggs is marrying a Moretti so he’s not going anywhere.”

“And Gravitas?”

“There’s interest there.” A lot actually and unexpectedly.

“And you’ve been spending time with Zola Chamalet. That doesn’t hurt.”

Great. If he knows, then everyone knows. “That’s a whole other situation we’re not getting into.”

“Situation?”

“Don’t believe everything you read, Dad.”

“That’s why I’m coming straight to the source and the source isn’t exactly answering me.” He makes a noncommittal sound. “I’d say dating a gorgeous woman who has connections in the right places isn’t exactly a hardship.”

“It’s strictly platonic.”