Page 55 of Hot Lap
"I was dodging the media." He fastens his seatbelt.
"They're the absolute worst this weekend." She doesn't look up from her phone. "Have you seen what they're saying about Maiken?"
Reece's jaw tightens. "Some of it."
"Total bollocks, all of it." She finally glances up. "Your dad's fingerprints are all over this." She sets her phone down, studyinghim for a moment. "I have to say, though, your wife was bloody brilliant last night. Worked that sponsor dinner like she'd been doing it for years."
Reece is surprised by the shift in topic. "You noticed that?"
"Hard not to." Petra shrugs. "The way she handled the FuegoFrío people? Impressive. Most newcomers freeze up or try too hard. She was natural."
Reece runs a hand over his face. "I was a complete arse for even taking her to that dinner. Didn't think about what a challenge it would be, throwing her straight into that shark tank."
"Didn't look like much of a challenge for her, though. She adapted quickly."
"She shouldn't have had to adapt at all." He stares out the window at the passing landscape. "I didn't think it through. Just assumed she'd be fine."
"Well, she was more than fine. Give her some credit."
His phone pings with a message from the ViveLux PR coordinator.
Running 15 minutes behind. Wardrobe & creative teams setting up now. Expect 6 outfit changes & 4 activity stations.
He pockets the phone. “Sixchanges?"
"Bloody nightmare." Petra rolls her head on her neck. "They wanted eight for me. I told them no more than six or they could go dress a pig."
Reece laughs. God bless Petra Hayter and her ferocity.
Twenty minutes later, they arrive at an upscale fitness center that's been completely shut down for the shoot. Security guards man every entrance, and black screens have been erectedover the windows. The sleek, minimalist ViveLux logo adorns temporary barriers.
Inside, the space has been transformed. Each section of the gym is now a distinct photo zone: a row of treadmills backlit with dramatic blue lighting, a weight area with strategically placed mirrors, a boxing corner surrounded by chrome panels, and a stretching zone with stark white fabric.
A swarm of stylists, photographers, lighting technicians, and brand representatives descend upon them immediately.
"There they are!" The creative director is a woman with a buzz cut and a tablet clutched in her hand. She strides forward. "Our champions! We're running behind, so let's get started with wardrobe immediately."
They're whisked to separate areas. Three stylists efficiently strip Reece of his team gear and begin assembling the first look: ViveLux's new "Performance Elite" training shoes, compression shorts, and a technical jacket in PNW Nitro's colors with ViveLux branding prominent on the chest.
"The concept is 'Precision in Motion.'" The creative director appears beside him as the stylists make final adjustments. "We're showcasing how ViveLux technology enhances elite athletic performance, just like in your car."
"Right." Reece forces enthusiasm he doesn't feel.
Petra emerges from her wardrobe area looking equally thrilled, wearing similar gear. "You look like you're enjoying this as much as I am," she mutters as they're positioned on adjacent treadmills.
"Highlight of my day."
"Big smiles!" the photographer calls. "You're athletes at the peak of performance!"
They jog at a carefully controlled pace. Fast enough to look dynamic, slow enough to avoid actual sweat that would require makeup touch-ups.
"I spied Dirt Bag at the press conference." Petra has a gift for chatting through her camera-ready smile.
Flash. Click.
"Perfect! Now look focused, determined!"
"Yeah. With Graham's production team." Reece adjusts his expression to something approximating athletic determination.
