Page 23 of Racing Hearts
“While it’s certainly fun watching you battle it out with the press like a dutiful general, have you considered just joking with them?” I suggested. “They’re so worried about you being able to face the heat, just tell them you eat chilis for breakfast.”
“Wh-who on earth would believe that?” she scoffed.
“It’s not about them believing you, Georgia. It’s a joke.” She looked about ready to combust at my idea. “Find yourself in an uncomfortable situation? Make ‘em laugh. Divert the attention elsewhere.” Georgia looked skeptical but she didn’t dismiss the idea.
Progress.
“Joke with the lionsbeforethey eat me, got it.”
“See, just like that.” I grinned, pointing finger-gun-style.
A knock on the door startled both of us. “Georgia, you’re needed back at Valkyrie!” the voice called out.
“Best you head back. I’m sure you’ve gottonssssmore practice laps to watch.”
Georgia scoffed, smoothing out her team jacket as she stood up. “Right, yes, see you Sunday for the coffee date. Good luck in qualifying.”
We made our way out of my driver’s room and to the Hermes’ back exit, but before we could exit, a dark chuckle caught my attention.
“Well, well, well. Georgia, collecting consolation prizes, are we? I see the paddock’s mostunexpectedcouple has finally gone official.” I didn’t need to look at the person to know who was behind me. Only one person could master that sarcastic, southern drawl.
Anthony.
Georgia balled her hands into fists at her side, but before she could step forward, I pushed her slightly behind me, squaring up to Anthony. At six-one, I lorded over the five-six American driver, but to his credit he didn’t back down, continuing to gnaw on his apple as he sized up the two of us. His confidence reeked of someone who believed they held all the cards, and every part of me wanted to knock him down a few pegs.
“What can I say, Anthony, just couldn’t hide my excitement any longer. Snagged me the best racer on the grid, don’t you think?” I gave Georgia’s hand a quick squeeze in a show of affection.
Anthony ignored me as he stepped closer, his eyes searing into Georgia’s bright blue orbs. “Really hopping from driver to driver, I see.”
I felt Georgia’s entire body bristle beside me, but her voice was ice-cold calm. “Well, much like cars, Anthony, even boyfriends need upgrading.”
He ignored her. “What does Éliott think about you having a new boyfriend?” I felt her falter. Not much, but enough to notice. Enough to piss me off with that same anger I’d felt back in Barcelona.
Edward had insisted that her relationship with Éliott had been platonic, but something about Georgia’s death grip on her pants told me she’d heard that theory from other people.
Or they’d actually dated. A thought that made my stomach sour more than I appreciated.
“Who do you think set us up?”
The words came sliding out of my mouth, and Georgia immediately gave me a questioning side-eye. Our press teams were going with a loose story about us ‘falling in love’ during her garage visits to her brother, but I couldn’t help the sly words leave my mouth in an effort to put Anthony in his place.
Anthony raised his brows in mock delight. “The ex set up the new beau? You might want to be careful who you introduce her to, Rossi.”
“For the last fucking time, he was not my—” Before Georgia could finish her thought, I dragged her out of the hallway, leaving Anthony’s smug face behind.
“Gah!” Georgia screamed as soon as we were outside. “It was one fucking time!”
Her cheeks were bright pink, her eyes blazing. But just as quickly, her face shuttered again. Calm, collected. Only the way she wrung her hands betrayed her.
I really wanted to ask about her explosive comment, but now didn’t feel like the time to satisfy my curiosity. “You okay,amore?” I asked gently. “I should have made sure that Anthony wasn’t around.” Georgia shifted uncomfortably, and I could tell she was searching for the right words.
“I knew I’d see more of him when I agreed to this.” She looked down at her feet, then back up at me with something close to vulnerability in her eyes—something she clearly hated.
“Look, I’m only going to say this once, so savor it. Whatever happened between you and Anthony doesn’t matter. He’s a joke. You? You’re going to be a fucking World Champion. Let him rot in mediocrity.”
She nodded before glancing at her phone which had been buzzing since we’d left my driver’s room. “It’s Nora. She’s been ringing me nonstop. Look, I gotta run, but I’ll see you Sunday. Good luck in qualifying tomorrow.”
She started to walk away, but just before she turned the corner, I called after her.
