Page 10 of Risk

I’d always heard athletes were cocky, but up until then, I hadn’t thought Callum had it in him. Surprisingly, instead of turning me off, it did the opposite. I had an inkling it didn’t matter what Callum did or didn’t do, I’d find it hot.

This time Callum started on what they were calling ‘the grid.’ Above the track, the lights turned red, and then someone started a countdown. Excitement coursed through me. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like with the stands full and nineteen other cars out on the track or the hum of life that would vibrate through the air. When the Grand Prix made its way to Spain again, I would make sure to be there with all the excitement.

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

The lights turned green, and Callum was off.

I jumped to my feet and stood against the railing, watching every turn. Even with what little I knew of Formula One racing, I knew they didn’t repeatedly go around in circles. They also traveled through city streets, through the countryside, and sometimes—as I was informed—at night.

Callum had barely finished the first lap when I heard his breathing pick up. I waited to see if he could work through it without my help.

“Doc,” he panted out.

“I’m here, Callum. Remember what I taught you. Breathe. Focus on taking deep breaths.”

“I’m trying. Keep talking to me,” he pleaded.

“You’re safe, Callum. Feel the air move through your body. Let it calm your body and your mind. Focus only on my voice, what’s right in front of you, and the life force moving in your body.”

“I need more. What’s your first name, Doc? Tell me about yourself. The sound of your voice soothes something in me,” he huffed.

“My name is Aspen Belle, and I’m thirty-two years old.” As I kept repeating my mantra for him, I could hear his deep breathing become quieter by the minute. “Are you able to continue driving?”

“I will because I must. If I hadn’t heard your voice, I’m not sure I could have continued on. Thank you.”

“It’s my job, Mr. Crew.” I’m not sure why I felt the need to remind him, but I did. The company he raced for was paying me three months’ worth of wages for one week of intense therapy.

“I know it is, but there’s something about your voice. I feel it deep inside of me when you speak.”

A flicker of something I shouldn’t have felt started deep in my belly.

For the next hour, we continued on with me talking over the radio. If I stopped for longer than a few minutes, Callum’s breathing would race, so I’d start reading from a book. It felt wrong to delve too deep into personal information. If I was to stay distanced from my client, we needed to keep it strictly professional. By the end of Callum’s driving, he was able to keep calm and only ask that I read to him.

I waited up in the stands as he excitedly jumped out of his car and spoke to the crew. While today had been a success, I wasn’t sure what would happen when he was in an actual race. Could the man in his ear calm his racing heart and breath?

Loud footsteps came from the stands, making me turn to look over my shoulder. A tall man with a lopsided grin moved toward me.

“Dr. Belle, I’m Colton Donavan. I’m the owner of Callum’s team. He’s down below spouting how you’re a miracle worker.”

I stood and met him with only two rows between us. “While he’s doing amazingly well, I’m no miracle worker, I can assure you, Mr. Donavan.”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve come to speak to you about. Callum believes that only by hearing the sound of your voice, he’ll be able to drive. I believe that if you’re not there when he drives, he’ll fail.”

I’d had the same fear as well.

“Do you not believe whoever speaks to him over the headset will be able to help him in any way?”

“Kaspar would if he could, but he’s not trained in any way to guide Callum from losing control. I wasn’t there when he wrecked.” He looked off into the sun as he finished speaking. “The team left him alone, and I believe it got into his head. Now I can help him.”

“How can you help him?”

“I want to hire you to be a part of the team for the rest of the season. Be there for him before and during the race. You won’t have to be in the elements while he races, but he needs you there.”

“Mr. Donavan, while I understand why you’re offering, I have clients here who need me. I can’t leave them,” I tried to make him understand.

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