Page 109 of Away With You
“You’ve done it,” Nicky says as the festivities die down and we’re ushered off the podium and away from the jubilant fans. “A far cry from last year, hey?”
I nod in full agreement. Twelve months ago, the two of us had stood on this podium and received our trophies in a very different mood. That day, Nicky had taken first place and was a grumpy sod after his self-imposed distance from the love of hislife, Cherry. As for me? I’d been no better. That day, just before the Monaco race last year, was the day Victoria dumped me. The day she told me she’d fallen for my brother. The day I’d believed myself to be heartbroken.
“Yes,” I agree, nudging him with my shoulder. “This time I’m the one on the top step.”
He shrugs, no longer the single-minded racer with only winning on his mind. Now that he had Cherry, the guy was so mellow. He was like a different person. “Eh, I’m happy for you, Nate. Winning at Monaco is the pinnacle of your career. Enjoy it.”
I bump my fist against his with a grateful smile, watching as he scuttles off to find his girlfriend. Speaking of which. Time to find Katie.
“Not so fast,” Theo grumbles, stepping in front of me with his eyes narrowed. He knows exactly where I’m heading.
“Come on, man. I’ll be quick.”
He smirks. “We both know that’s a complete lie. Once you get your hands on Katie, I’ll have lost you for the rest of the day.”
“Theo,” I groan out his name. “It’s her first time seeing me on the podium.”
His face softens ever so slightly. Which, for this man, may mean I’ve won. “And you’ll have to wait fifteen more minutes. Time to face the press.”
Or maybe not.
“Fine,” I say, following along behind him. “At least these interviews will go better than last year.”
He grunts in return. “Can’t go much worse.”
It’s true. Last year, I’d been a mess. Heartbroken and betrayed, I’d taken that second place to heart. Second in the race, second in love. I’d been so surly and uncommunicative with the press pack that Nicky had to step in and take over answering questions, and then I’d left to nurse my wounds inpeace. Not even celebrating achieving almost winning the most prestigious race of the year.
“Don’t worry, man. I’ll make up for it now.”
Theo nods, and I take a seat in front of the microphone. While I stare out at the crowd, waiting for the questions to fly at me, I take a beat and let it sink in. Let the happiness sink in. Today I’d won the most coveted race on the F1 calendar, but that was nothing compared to the knowledge that after this, I get to celebrate with the woman I’m crazy in love with.
Katie Winslow.
These past three months with her have brought me more happiness than I believed possible. After reuniting in Melbourne, we have settled into a relationship that brings me peace and exhilarates me at the same time. Despite all Katie’s reservations, our lives have slotted together perfectly. In the weeks between races, I spend at least a few days back in London with her, even if the travel and the jet lag work against me. It’s worth it.
During those times at home, I take her out on dates. We go to dinner at the pub and spend time hanging out with Jade. We go on picnics together, when the weather cooperates, and when I had a two-week break in the calendar, we even took a mini break. A blissful weekend in Bruges, along with another snow globe to add to Katie’s collection.
And during all of this, what I’ve been jokingly calling our courtship, we’ve fallen deeper in love. Katie has dropped all her walls and has embraced having me in her life. Her face lights up when she sees me, and there’s no longer an aura of sadness and loneliness around her. After many dark years, she’s coming back to life.
“So, tell us, Nathan. How are you planning on celebrating this win tonight?”
I’m drawn back into the present, my eyes squinting against the spotlights glaring down on me. “Well, my girlfriend is here with me this weekend. So, we’re celebrating together.”
“Your girlfriend? Miss Katherine Winslow?”
“Dr Katherine Winslow,” I correct the reporter with a hard stare. They need to get this right. Katie agreed to have her name linked with mine publicly when she realised that the publicity could help get her research funded. It’s sad, really. What she does every day is so important, and yet it’s only being recognised because she’s with me. A man who races cars around the track for ninety minutes every other week. The world is upside down. “And yes, she’s with me this weekend. And I’m thrilled to bring the win home for her.”
The crowd murmurs with excitement. I’m not one to speak openly about my love life. Not after the disaster that was my breakup with Victoria. I’m not sure I’ll ever trust the media with full details of my life after that.
“And is it true you’re living together?”
I raise a brow at Theo, who’s glaring at the reporter. This line of questioning isn’t typical of a post-race interview.
“Yes, that’s true,” I admit, unable to swallow my smile of happiness. Katie and Nuke had moved into my home a month ago, and since then, it’s been pure bliss returning from a race weekend to find the two of them cuddled on my couch together. “Now, are there any other race-related questions you want to ask? Or else I’d like to get out of here.”
The group all throw questions at me at the same time, and I chuckle, dealing with each one in turn until Theo steps in to wrap it up. Finally.
“Am I free to go?” I ask as we leave the press behind.
