Page 51 of Rush
‘It’s not that you weren’t good enough for him, it’s that you were too good. What he did to you says everything about the kind of person he is and has no reflection on you. Don’t let him crush your spirit, please. Don’t change who you are at your core. Because there are people who love you exactly as you are.’
Savi stared at Marco’s shoes, tracing the scuffs with her eyes. ‘I can’t go out there looking like this.’ She choked back the lump in her throat, no more tears falling downher cheeks. She was all cried out for the time being. ‘It’s being broadcast to millions of people across the globe, and they’re going to zoom in on me and I’ll be a laughing stock. I can feel the mascara running down my face, how puffy my lips are…’
‘You’ve got no choice, Cowgirl. It’s got to be done.’ Marco rose to his feet and reached for a cloth, running it under cold water. Seconds later, he was back down at her level, holding the damp washcloth to her forehead, then her neck.
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘Yeah, I do. I’m not getting yelled at when we both miss the podium celebrations, and I also don’t want you to do something you’ll regret. But as much as I wish I could tell you to take your time and calm down…’
‘Okay.’ She drank the water in record time and checked her watch. ‘Time to go.’
‘Oh, thankgod. I honestly thought I was going to have to leave you in here while I went and made excuses on your behalf.’
‘Work comes first. Always.’ She took a deep breath, shook herself out and threw open the trailer door. Marco was right, she couldn’t let Jesse have all the power here.
‘Well,’ he chased after her, ‘right now, yes. Work. Otherwise, Jasper will rip your head off. I know he seems nice, but that’s because you haven’t pissed him off yet. I strongly recommend avoiding doing so.’
The world was moving in one big blur as they headed to the podium, and despite her marching out of the trailer on a mission, her bravery soon subsided. By the time theynavigated through the paddocks, Marco was all but dragging her by the hand and she was running to keep up with him.
‘Mars…’ She hesitated when their team came into view, alongside the other teams who had made the podium in different classes. They were all looking at them, evidently panicked by their late arrival. ‘Marco, I–’
‘You can do this, Savannah. I’m right here with you.’
She swallowed nervously, noticing her teammates looking at her strangely. Could they tell she’d been crying just minutes before? ‘Feeling a bit emotional there, Savi?’ Julien grinned. ‘It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?’
‘You could say that.’ And then she realised just how big this was. Revolution Racing had made history, and every single person who was part of it was celebrating today, whether they were here or at HQ. Savi was part of something incredible, and she couldn’t take it for granted.
Screw Jesse and his selfish, narcissistic ego. He was never going to change, never going to grow. But Savi could. She could keep pushing herself in her career, continue to build her legacy. Alone. Except she wasn’t alone, because she had her family, her team. She had Marco. So that was the other thing she would do: remain open to the idea that good men existed. Marco had proved that time and time again and she wasn’t going to let Jesse taint her view.
21
Marco felt like a little kid at Christmastime. They were in business class, about an hour away from landing, and he’d been asking Savi questions since the minute they’d boarded the plane. He wanted to know what her mum was likely to cook for dinner, how many ranch hands they had, what a typical day on the ranch looked like, if she hung out with her friends when she was home, and most of all, how she was feeling following the bombshell Sapphire had dropped.
‘My dad will probably have some embarrassing sign, so please ignore what it says.’ Savi had her eyes closed, head leaning back against her seat. ‘He always does it, thinks it’s hilarious.’
‘Is he a hugger? I hugged him at Spa without giving it much thought, but I don’t know if that’s his thing.’ Marco was a hugger. His own dad was a scary guy to everyone else, but to him, he was a softie. Always had been. Mars had got his soft side and his work ethic and not a lot else. Both brothers were a clone of their mum looks-wise.
‘Oh, definitely. Didn’t you notice he is basically Gabriel but with less of the CEO energy? It’s no wonder they became fast friends. My entire career stemmed from Gabriel and my dad chatting about hot dogs at the karting track, and Gabriel asking him which kid was his.’
‘That’s adorable,’ he teased. ‘So… everyone in Sheridan genuinely believes that you and I are together, don’t they?’ He raised an eyebrow at her. ‘Does this mean we’re going to get swarmed at the bars?’
‘We will be swarmed every time we head downtown. We won’t be able to pick up groceries without someone I know coming to introduce themselves.’
‘Great,’ he muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm. ‘Just what we need.’
‘It’s different at home. They’re a bit invasive, but they mean well. They just want the best for everyone there, so no, we won’t be left alone but it’s comforting. They’re excited to see Savi from Sheridan, not racing driver Savi. They’re good people.’
‘Is your dad a bar kind of guy?’
‘Definitely not, so it will just be the two of us heading out on Friday night.’
‘What about your brother? I’m looking forward to meeting him most, I think. We can bully you together.’ He nudged her arm teasingly, but stopped when he saw a strange expression decorate her features. She looked uncomfortable. He didn’t want to pry, but there was obviously something she wasn’t telling him.
She snapped out of it and shrugged. ‘He likes to stay home.’
They spent the rest of their flight in silence, only speaking again when they were at baggage claim and figuring out where to go. Marco almost hoped his luggage was lost so he had an excuse to buy the most extravagant outfits he could find. He wanted to wear flannel and denim andanything stereotypical, but instead he only had a selection of t-shirts and shorts. He’d been warned it was hot in Wyoming at the moment, and it was likely going to be hot at Le Mans in two weeks. He always tried to pack for all weather so he could just get up and go anywhere the wind took him. Once again, it had paid off.
It didn’t mean he wouldn’t treat himself to some cowboy gear and cram it all into his suitcase, though. On second thoughts… Savialwayshad two bags. He was sure she could find some extra room for his things, too.
