Page 42 of Hot Lap
The women around me subtly straighten, and I get the feeling they respect the fuck outa this chick.
Petra drops into the empty chair beside me, and her attention is hella intense as she gives me a long, measuring look.
"Don't break Reece’s heart. That cow Peony already did. It means something that he gave you that ring, so if you don't want to be in this marriage, end it now. If you string him along, I'll run your arse over."
I blink. Then I laugh, because honestly, Petra’s bluntness is a relief.
"Fair enough. I'll keep that in mind."
She smirks. "Good."
Maria claps her hands. "Okay! Now that the death threats are out of the way, who wants dessert?"
Petra gives her a look. "Fuck you. You know I can't eat dessert until after Sunday."
The laughter that follows is genuine, and for the first time since landing in Qatar, I feel like I'm not totally alone in this madhouse.
“Are you staying?” Lina asks her.
“No. Got sponsor shit.” Petra rolls her eyes and stands, but she’s not quite done with me. “Treat him well and we’ll be besties, Maiken.” With that, she pivots and leaves the dining room.
I watch her go. “Is she always that intense?”
Lina refills my water glass. “Yes.”
Maria nods, and Gudrun adds, “Aigar says that’s what makes her the best driver on the circuit.”
“Damn.”
After dessert, the rest of us make our way back to the hotel elevators together, the easy banter between Lina, Gudrun, and Maria making me feel like I’ve stumbled into a group of sisters. They remind me a bit of some of the dancers back home, which makes me miss Delilah and Yasmine. I should text them. Let them know I’m okay and how weird all this shit is.
As the elevator doors part, Maria grins. "Same floor club!"
Apparently, most of the PNW Nitro people are clustered on this floor. Strength in numbers, maybe.
"When the whole team shares a floor, you have to be careful what you say and do." She stage whispers as we step into the hallway. "Walls have ears."
I laugh, picturing awkward encounters after nights of loud, enthusiastic sex. "Noted. I'll keep the volume down."
Maria's eyes widen before she bursts into giggles. "No, no! I mean the press! They bribe hotel staff for room numbers and plant listening devices." She glances around dramatically. "Sometimes they even book adjacent rooms."
"Oh." My cheeks flush. "That's much worse, actually."
Gudrun nods. "Anything for a story. Be mindful of what you discuss on your room phone."
"And do on balconies." Lina grimaces. "Trust me, they use telephoto lenses."
Great. Just what I need, paparazzi with spy gear.
We reach a junction in the hallway where we need to split up. "Rest well." Lina gives my arm a gentle squeeze. "We're just a text away if you need anything."
Gudrun offers a nod that feels more meaningful than a hug would from someone else. "You'll be fine."
"You're officially one of us now!" Maria gives me an enthusiastic embrace before bouncing down the hallway toward her room.
I watch them go, these glamorous, complicated women who've somehow decided I'm worth welcoming into their circle.
I swipe my key card and step into my room, the heavy door whispering shut behind me. Exhaustion clings to me like a second skin, jet lag pressing behind my eyes. Every muscle aches for sleep, but if I nap now, I’ll really screw up my sleep schedule. Gotta tough it out to reset my biological clock.
