Page 8 of Away We Go

“Hey, Cherry!”

My mind swirling with this turn of events—there’s no waythatman is flirting withme—I look over and smile at Patrick Laurent, who’s standing next to Nicky, beaming back at me.

Patrick is Nicky’s new teammate, a rookie this season, and young, closer to my age. He’s cute and sweet and has a French accent that makes my knees knock a little whenever we talk. In the days since we were introduced, he’s made an effort to find me and make me feel welcome and I wonder if he’s as desperate for friends as I so obviously am.

Of course, the thought of this handsome, rich F1 driver needing me to make him feel less lonely is ridiculous and speaks to my delusions of grandeur. The people who frequent the hallow halls of the F1 pit lane are so beyond me; if I let myself think about it too much, I’ll pack my bag and head straight home.

It’s that intimidating.

“You ready to watch the race today?” he asks. Unlike Nicky, he’s average height for a driver, with ocean-blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and a ready smile. There’s a warmth to him I find very attractive.

Not that I’m here to find a man, especially Nicky’s teammate, but I’m drawn to people with such good energy.

“Shouldn’t you be over there?” Nicky interrupts, pointing to the other side of the garage. I’ve heard tales of animosity between teammates, but having met Patrick, it seemed unlikely to be the case here. Being cross with this young man was like being annoyed with an overzealous puppy.

“Ah, yes, Nicolai,” Patrick answers, his eyes wide as saucers. “I was just heading there.”

Nicky’s jaw tightens. “Run along, then. You don’t want to lose focus before the race.”

I gape at him, wondering at his attitude. He’s being curt to the point of being rude.Is this the famous Ice Man people talk about? The cutthroat racing driver with ice water running through his veins?

Patrick’s chuckle has a nervous undercurrent to it, and I know he’s intimidated by the man towering over both of us. It’s understandable, really. Nicky is a legend in this sport, a four-time world champion, who only just missed out on his fifth title last year by a measly three points. I’ve heard it’s made him more hungry, more determined to get the job done and get it done early this year. Perhaps that’s why he’s a crankier version of himself today?

“Right, well, I’ll see you later?” Patrick says to me and I nod, feeling Nicky move closer into my space as I wave goodbye to his teammate.

“Um, are you alright?” I ask, tipping my head back to look up at him when I turn to find him so close.

His head bobs, eyes fixed on the other side of the garage. “I’m fine.”

I’m nervous now, both because of his proximity—he smells as good as he looks—and the anger I feel simmering inside of him. So, I do what I always do when I’m anxious like this; I make it all about me.

“Have I done something wrong?”

His eyes snap to mine and his expression softens. “Of course not.”

The tight feeling in my neck and shoulders loosens.

“Just be careful with the guys around here…” he trails off and I look around.

There areonlyguys around here. Who exactly do I need to be wary of?

“Sure thing,” I say, feeling it’s the right response.

He smiles now, trailing his fingers along the outside of my arm. I forget how to breathe.

What’s with all the touching?

“I’ve got to go.” His gaze flickers over me again and I feel iteverywhere. “And I like seeing my name on your shirt.”

My face explodes into a bloom of colour as he throws me a smirk over his shoulder, walking away with the swagger of a man who knows he has it all and has it all together.

“Phew…” I exhale, gathering my muddled thoughts and putting them in order.He’s clearly just messing with you, my inner voice lectures.If I couldn’t keep the attention of Troy from Accounting, there’s no world in which Nicky could see me as anything other than a little sister.

My internal monologue pauses for a second before a little voice pipes up:But what about…?

I try to quiet the pesky voice in my mind, putting on my earmuffs and finding a spot at the back of the garage to pull together my plan for the day ahead. But apparently, my inner voiceis in a mood today and won’t stay quiet. The words shimmer on the page in front of me while my mind instead insists on playing this one scene on repeat, in HD and surround sound.

It happened just over a month ago at my brother’s wedding. Nicky was there as the best man and I was one of four bridesmaids. I’d been so excited to see him, especially after Matt had offered me a role as part of Nicky’s social media team. It had been like a dream come true and I couldn’t wait to say thank you to the man in person.

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