Page 77 of Retrograde
‘Brett wants to be honest. The organisation wants him to be honest. As for Revolution, we’ll be standing our ground, supporting him publicly. He still has a spot on the team, Lucie, I meant it when I told him he was welcome back if he stays sober. I’ve been on the phone non-stop since the story broke. A couple of our big sponsors are happy to weather the storm with us,which is a huge relief. We’ve worked hard to build connections, and they know Brett well. They’ve seen his performance and behaviour during race weeks, and they’re trusting us and him with our approach to this. They agree that every driver has personal issues away from the sport, and if we handle it well, the damage will be minimal. For now, I want you to keep quiet on socials. Just let the initial reactions wash over.’
Lucie nodded then realised her boss couldn’t see her. ‘He always said he wanted to be open about it one day, we just didn’t expect to lose control of when that happened.’
‘I imagine he’s feeling quite vulnerable right now. He may be telling me he’s okay, but I’m worried. I wonder if someone should go out to Australia and see him. I think I could convince Marco to abandon what he’s doing and go, right?’ Jasper pondered.
‘I, uh…’ Lucie thought about it for a second, deciding whether she wanted to do what she was about to suggest. Screw it. ‘There are some things I need to say to him. I’ll go.’
She could practically hear him narrow his eyes. ‘Has something happened?’
‘We, um, yes? I kind of let him tell me how he feels, and then I just… let him go.’
‘Lucie!’ Jasper gasped. ‘He finally told you?’
‘What do you meanfinally? What do you know?’
‘You two have been in love for years. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.’
‘Has he told you that?’ Lucie flushed.
‘No, no. I just knew. You two have something very special, I’ve been waiting for you to both come to your senses.’
‘Hm. Anyway, I’m going to go to Sydney. Today. Well, I’ll get there tomorrow. Keep me posted on team business though, please. I know it’s nothing to do with me, but Brett…’
‘Is everything to do with you. You’ve got it, Carolan. I’ll transfer you the cost of the flights. Go take care of our boy.’
Lucie hung up the phone and placed it on the counter, only now looking at Bea’s amused expression. ‘Did your boss just give you dating advice?’
‘I believe he did.’
‘Better get you packed!’
Lucie landed at Sydney airport, still very unsure of herself and what she was about to do, or say, to Brett. She’d watched him with countless other girls, hiding the way she felt. If he understood how much that had hurt her, he would understand her hesitation. She needed to explain her side, that she was so scared to let him in all the way, let him know that she loved him too.
It was ten o’clock by the time she got to Brett’s apartment, but she’d rung the buzzer eight times until security had informed her he’d been gone all afternoon and evening. Unsure of where to start looking, and being too afraid to call him because she wouldn’t know what to say until she saw his face, she headed over to his family home.
‘Luce?’ Piper answered the door in her pyjamas. ‘He’s not here.’
‘Oh. You’ve spoken to him, then?’ Lucie stared at her feet, unable to look at his twin without feeling immensely guilty for the pain she’d caused him.
‘Yeah, he came by for dinner. Surprised us, then told us he’d fucked up.’
‘Hedidn’t fuck up.’
Piper rolled her eyes. ‘You’re both ridiculous.’
‘Um, do you know where he is?’
‘I can track him!’ Cleo came running down the hall. ‘I told him if he wasn’t going to stay with you, so you could keep an eye on him, then he had to download this app. He agreed.’
That made Lucie feel better. If he was going to run riot across the city and drink, he probably wouldn’t have let his sisters monitor his every move. ‘Can you have a look, please, Cleo? He’s not at home.’
‘Um…’ she grimaced. ‘Says he’s at a club.’
Piper threw her arms up. ‘Well, what was the fucking point in you having that app if you don’t check it regularly? Come on, Lucie, we’re going down there.’
‘You might want to change…’ She looked Piper up and down.
‘Don’t people wear nightdresses out these days? It’s silky, it’s leopard print. Cleo, let me borrow your Dr Martens.’ Piper held her hand out impatiently while her sister scrambled to find the boots, throwing them at her one at a time as she dug through the cupboard under the stairs.
