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Theo sighs. “Is there a bathroom on this floor? I shouldn’t have had a beer before this.”

“Go. I’ll finish this file and be right there.”

I pull up more of the car setup details side by side for the first race after the break. There are expected variances, accounting for driver preference and the like.

Except…

Braking is fresh in my mind after the last race, and that’s why I spot it.

The brake setup is different across the cars. Not hugely, not enough that anyone would call it out, but enough to cause overheating relative to the first car. Enough to cost a few tenths of a second every lap.

It would be attributed to Dekker’s driving. His engineers would tell him he needs to be less aggressive, to better manage the car.

But it wasn’t his fault.

The team did it. They tanked their own driver, and I have the evidence in my hands.

I take photos of the pages on the screen.

“Jamie. You find something?”

I look up at Theo in the doorway.

He’s eager, ready to follow my lead. My little brother, always looking up to me. He has his own future. One I don’t want to ruin.

“No.”

I log off and follow him out.

38

Shay

“With one race left in the F1 season, ARI is still fighting for first place,” Vogel says, clicking to a slide of the São Paulo circuit. “Which makes this weekend decisive.”

Rumors are still swirling about ARI’s dismissal of Dekker, and gossip has reached a fever pitch about their next driver with Jameson sporting a broken collarbone, and him and Theo neck and neck heading into the final race.

ARI’s reserve driver has done an adequate job of filling in, though he’s not as comfortable with the car as Dekker was, so the team slipped another spot in the standings.

This weekend determines which team wins—meaning significant money and status for next year. No one really remembers who finishes second.

The past few days, Jameson’s been quiet. I assume it’s the injury. Or the race. Or both.

I know he’s trying to get in the best possible shape for his final drive, but even his texts seem shorter than usual.

“It is also my pleasure to announce the finalists for the internship,” Vogel says. The drivers’ side of class is sparse this week, with those in the Challenger series getting a pass if they’re prepping.

But those of us who remain are invested. An excited buzz fills the room, and Megan, Zane, Raj, and I exchange a look.

“Once again, this is based on your coursework, but also your impacts on the Challenger Championship for those who have participated.”

She reads off three names, then Megan’s.

My friend’s eyes go round. I’m already hugging her startled frame when I hear my name.

“Fuck yes!” she shouts into my hair. “You deserve it.”

“Thanks. So do you.”