Page 30 of Break My Heart

I chuckle. “That’s a side benefit.”

“One which should be exploited,” Maya smirks.

“Seriously though. Too many people will recognize me because of who my father was to the sport. I can’t hide from that.”

“You’ll look beautiful,” Emery announces.

Amy jokes, “We expect a play-by-play of your lavish lifestyle.”

I roll my eyes.

Maya raises her hand. “I don’t care if I only see the inside of your purse. I’d prefer to eavesdrop.”

We all break into laughter before Amy murmurs, “Talk to us. Tell us what you’re feeling.”

Maya leans forward dramatically. “Okay, first, let’s address the obvious. You’re officially working with Apex Orion Racing.”

“Boo. Hiss,” Emery adds, making a thumbs-down gesture. Then she asks, “Is it wrong if I start cheering for Red Bull to kick Apex’s ass?”

I shout, “Yes! I’m going to give up most of the year fixing Apex’s problems. Root for me!”

Amy’s face is thoughtful. “That means we’re rooting for Leo to win.”

I scrub a hand over my face. “Yes.”

Maya makes a gagging noise. “I still cannot believe this man doesn’t know who you are.”

“Right?” Emery cuts in. “Like, sir, you dated our friend, but did you get to know her?”

Amy starts solemnly, “I’d date you…” before an off-screen squawk makes it clear that her live-in boyfriend is eavesdropping.

A laugh slips out of me before I can stop it. I shout, “Don’t like the competition, Bren?”

His laughter in the background is my only response.

Emery shouts triumphantly. “There it is! That’s what we’re here for!”

“Moral support,” Amy agrees.

“I’ve got plenty of fields to hide his body,” Maya offers.

“There’s no need. His words were just…unwelcome.”

Emery fires back. “Babe, he totally deserved being booted out of your life.”

While I agree, I can’t help but think of all the nights I’ve thought of him since we broke up. I remember the warmth of his body lying against mine and hate that my first instinct still isn’t anger but missing him.

Amy’s voice pulls me back in. “Are you ready to talk about it yet?”

I think about that moment and break it down slowly in my head. Instead of dismissal, all I recall is Leo’s shock, horror, and immediate regret. “You saw his email. He knew he messed up.”

Maya scoffs. “Good. I hope it keeps him up at night.”

“It will,” Emery says confidently. “Men like to think we spiral, but they’re the ones who can’t handle something simple.”

“I bet he stares at his ceiling questioning all his life choices,” Amy adds. “Though that isn’t your responsibility.”

I nod, even though my heart still aches. Shoring myself up, I tell them, “Besides, I’m here for the work, not Leo.”