Page 115 of Out of Control

“This thing with you and my sister?”

“You mean the thing that’s none of your business?”

“Yeah. That.” He clears his throat. “I’m not real thrilled with it.”

“Just like I’m not real thrilled that you’re my girlfriend’s brother.”

“I can’t help that.” He shrugs.

“Just like I can’t help loving her. You of all people should understand that.” I take a sip of my beer.

“Fuck,” he mutters.

“Look, you don’t have to like me. You don’t have to forgive me. I know I screwed up all those years ago. I did some shitty things, things I’m not proud of. I blamed you for something that wasn’t your fault. Wisdom comes with age and with meeting someone who pushes you to be a better person each and every day. That person was your sister.”

“Quit making sense, Rossi. I think I liked things better when I didn’t actually begin to like you.”

“Same.” I chuckle.

“So where does that leave us because clearly, we’re stuck together for the time being?”

“Seems to be the case.” I take a sip of my beer and savor the taste. “I don’t expect to be best friends, but I hoped that today I proved I can at least be a good teammate.”

“Agreed. On all fronts.” He holds his hand out for me. I stare at it, then up to his eyes, before shaking it. “Thanks again for the help today.”

“No problem.”

He shoves up from his seat and starts to walk away. “Oh. And if you hurt my sister, we’re going to have a fucking problem.”

I chuckle to myself but keep my eyes on the track and grandstands in front of me.

Even footing.

What is it with Navarros and their need for it?

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Rossi

“I hear this is where all the drivers go to get a break from being so incredible,” Sofia says when I enter my hotel room.

She’s standing in a yellow jumpsuit, her hair thrown up in a messy ponytail, and adoration etched in every line of her expression.

For me.

Whew.

The sight of her after the day I’ve had—my parents showing up, my podium, my chat with Cruz—is like the reward after a long fucking battle.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, everything in my life is good. Is positive.

I finally belong.

“I don’t know about incredible, but I know seeing you here is the best part of my day.”

“Is that flattery, Mr. Rossi?” she asks as she moves toward me and slides her hands up my chest to thread through my hair at the back of my neck.

“Maybe.” I brush my lips over hers.