Page 68 of Racing Hearts
Sure that’s a good idea?
Henri:
Are you saying I don’t know my sister?
Definitely was going to ignore that loaded question.
My body felt like it had been hit with a ton of bricks. After I walked out of Georgia’s room, I hopped straight into the shower and desperately finished myself off. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as Georgia’s mouth had been back in Monza, but it was the only thing keeping me from going back into her room and ruining her a second time. Seeing her like that—open, trusting, wrecked from my touch—would have to be enough. For now.
This game of cat and mouse had been building between us for the last two weeks, and I’d gone into the room expecting to make her see stars all night. But as I watched her reach out for me, I realized I didn’t want our first time together to be in a drunken haze. Or just a heat-of-a-moment decision fueled by a desire to one-up each other.
In that moment, I knew I wanted Georgia to choose me. Admit that she wanted this as much as I did, and so I decided to play it cool. Tell her that we were even, even if it was far from the truth. We weren’t even.
Not even close.
This little game of cat and mouse we were playing? She was winning. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, her scent, her voice, the fire in her eyes when she was annoyed. Georgia’s imprint was all over my mind, my heart. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, her touch, her lips. She was dominating, and in just a short period of time, I had become a pawn in her master plan to overtake my heart.
Another buzz.
Henri:
Be there in 30. I told her to be ready for a coffee date.
Luca:
And instead, you’re going to bring several uninvited people into herhome?
Sometimes it felt like Henri didn’t know his own twin. If my social battery was close to zero, I knew Georgia’s had to be empty. But if there was one thing Henri liked to make clear, it was that he knewhis‘Peaches’ the best, everyone else be damned.
Deep down, if I admitted it to myself, I knew it was partly why I wanted her to like me so much. Like a petty teenage boy, I secretly loved how much Henri despised us dating, even if it was fake.
Just as I dropped my phone on the bed, it rang again, and my father’s name flashed on the screen. “Morning, Luca. Did I wake you?”
Of course, he expected me to still be asleep because of last night’s celebration.
“No, I’ve been awake for a while now, but I have brunch with Georgia soon. Why?”
“Some good news! Matteo landed you a photo shoot with Helios before the Austria Grand Prix. Probably the best sponsorship news we’ve had all season. You’re doing a great job at selling this, son—”
“But?” I cut him off, knowing what was coming next.
The back of my neck prickled. “You and Georgia have had a lot of success these last few weeks, but there’s uncertainty with Hermes and your contract. It still hasn’t been renewed and we’re about to start summer break. Anthony’s father has really been pushing Hermes, mentioning bigger sponsorship deals if they put Anthony in your seat…”
“What? A win in Monza wasn’t good enough for them?”
“Luca, we need more than one win. Hermes need money. Real, hard-earned sponsorship deals that might fall through if they keep you. I need you to pick up the pace on this.” I knew one win wouldn’t be enough to convince Hermes to sign me, but hearing it confirmed out loud made my heart sink.
As I sat on the edge of the bed, dragging my hands down my face, something clicked. A card I hadn’t played yet.
“You know, Dad,” I said nervously, my hand unconsciously rubbing the back of my neck. “I wanted to ask you something. What if Georgia joined us on the yacht during summer break?”
There was a beat of silence before he responded, too eagerly. “Now that is a great idea! Frankly, I told your mother the same thing last week, but she went on and on about not bothering Georgia on her one break this season. Great thinking, son. She’ll fit right in with the family!”
“I’ll ask her.”
Without saying goodbye, my father hung up, but I knew he was pleased, even if we had different reasons for wanting Georgia on that yacht. Part of me felt bad that Georgia would have to spend the summer break with my family, but my selfish side was incredibly excited to have alone time with her.
No racing, no Henri, no expectations.
