Page 61 of Retrograde
As Faith disappeared into the crowd, Lucie let out a deep breath. Whilst this was all so exciting, she had a lot on her plate this season. Between work, her career and now Brett, she felt pulled in so many different directions but this was everything she’d ever wanted. So why was she beginning to feel overwhelmed with the plates she was juggling.
‘Hello, Lucie.’ Jasper appeared behind her, hands clasped together as if he was nervous.
‘Hi, Jasper. That went well!’ She gestured at the carin front of them, the spotlights hitting it in all the right places as it sat proudly on the stage.
‘It did, didn’t it? I’m feeling rather proud of the direction we’ve been headed in the last couple of years. How is Anderson doing? I know he’s scheduled his first therapy appointment, so that’s great.’
‘He’s doing fine, I think. He’s working on my dad’s classic cars today. He had a rough start to the week, but he seems to be settling in nicely.’ She didn’t want to tell their boss that Brett had been struggling with night terrors. He could choose what to tell Jasper and when, it wasn’t for Lucie to give that detailed an update, she wasn’t his nurse or his keeper, she was his friend.
‘That’s good. He was okay after the statement was released yesterday?’ Jasper frowned.
Lucie thought back to how he’d been. Although he’d been quiet and a little shy around her, she had put that down to their antics the day before. He had formed a habit of hovering near her, starting and stopping sentences and then disappearing into the kitchen to help Rosa with baking and cooking. They were already on their second tiramisu of the week.
‘He was a bit quiet, but I didn’t let him on his phone or tell him what people were saying online. Obviously, he’s probably had a sneaky look today since I’m not there, but I guess I’ll find out how he really is when I get home. I’ll keep you updated.’
‘That’s brilliant. Thanks for looking after our boy.’ Jasper patted her on the shoulder as he moved on to find one of his clients.
This team was Brett’s home. He truly wastheirboy. He would always have a place here, if he stayed committed to facing his demons.
24
Lucie had suffered a tumultuous night’s sleep. The sudden shift between her and Brett made spending last night alone, without him next to her or at least across the hall, feel heavy on her heart, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that if he let her, she would be back in his arms tonight whether it remained platonic or not. Her willpower was at its lowest point, and she didn’t have the energy to pretend she didn’t want him any more.
She yawned as she crossed the border into Capannori. Faith had sat in her room with her until long past midnight so they could start planning the schedule for Le Mans content.
They’d almost nailed the schedule, but knowing how particular they were, they would be emailing and texting back and forth with changes over the next few days. Their next mammoth task was rounding up the social media staff for every other team on the grid, double-checking the nature of their content plans, and finalising the social media schedule for the organisation’s main accounts. Thankfully with Esme’s promotion and the recent introduction of an experienced social media manager from another championship, they could keep up.
As she turned into the road leading up to the farm, Lucie could see a car she didn’t recognise on the driveway.Her parents hadn’t had much of an opportunity to make friends yet, only with neighbours who all lived within walking distance.
She parked next to it and made a beeline for the voices she could hear round the back of the house. There seemed to be quite a few higher-pitched tones, and then she heard it. Cleo Anderson’s cackle of a laugh. Brett’s family were here.
‘Do I hear myfavouriteAnderson siblings?’ she called out, rounding the corner. Two heads of rich, brunette hair looked up at her and she was met with screams.
‘You’re back!’ Cleo ran to her and jumped into her arms, her tall frame nearly knocking Lucie to the ground, while Piper held back with a grin on her usually sullen face. Maybe Maggie was right, Piperwasactually a fan of hers.
‘What are you guys doing here?’ She hugged them tight, so thrilled they were there, especially when she saw the smile on Brett’s face, and Maggie over at the table with Rosa, fussing over something but stopping briefly to wave at Lucie.
‘We wanted to come and hang out with Brett while you’re at Le Mans. Booked the flights with Mum’s savings when we heard you guys were coming. It’s winter break and Piper had leave to use at work, so we figured why not come and annoy our brother.’ Cleo pulled Lucie over to the table, where there was fresh fruit juice, salad, charcuterie boards and pastries. It was a spread that rivalled the five-star service those in the motorsport industry were accustomed to. All Rosa’s doing, no doubt.
‘Are you doing the whole Euro Summer trend thing?’ Lucie glanced down at their outfits. They each wore summer dresses; Cleo in a white one with a lemon print all over it, and Piper in a sage-green satin midi dress. They looked like they had been plucked straight from a travel blog.
‘Yes! We’ve already cycled to the market in town. We got new tote bags, silk scarves, and Rosa recommended thebestfresh pasta and truffle oil which we’re going to use for dinner tonight.’ Piper listed off their purchases, her eyes alight with excitement. It was the most animated Lucie had ever seen her.
‘You girls are so funny,’ Rosa teased. ‘I didn’t even know what the term Euro Summer meant until you arrived! The only social media content I consume is what my Lucie posts.’
‘Whatdoesit mean?’ Mateo mumbled, confused.
‘It just means spending your summer in Europe, embracing the culture and the fashion, Mr Carolan,’ Cleo informed him.
‘Oh.’ He looked down at his shorts and shoes. ‘Do crocs count?’
Everyone laughed as he wiggled his Lightning McQueen crocs in the air, the light-up ones that were near-impossible to find. They had been a gift from the Andersons last Christmas, and he never took them off.
Brett poured some juice into Lucie’s glass and leaned in close. It sent shivers down her spine as she felt the warmth of his breath on her neck. ‘How was your trip?’
‘It was good. Lots of positive media coverage,’ shemurmured back. She didn’t want to open this conversation up to the whole table and have Brett made to feel awkward about his absence. ‘Woods passes on his best wishes.’
‘Really? That’s nice.’ He smiled back at her. ‘Did you all go out last night?’
