Page 27 of Racing Hearts
Well, at least I didn’t have to feel guilty about passing Lily.
It wasn’t the race win I’d hoped for, but I was proud of the achievement. Pressing the radio button, I went to congratulate the team, but as I opened my mouth, a wave of intense nausea hit me. The adrenaline from the final lap had run its course, and I suddenly realized how intensely ill I felt.
“Yeah… uh… thank… the team…”
My voice was barely audible. No doubt the pit wall took my words as an indication of how upset I was about losing, but truth be told, I was surprised I could get anything out.
I pulled into my P3 parking spot, the cheers of the crowd a distant hum behind the pounding in my ears. Henri was already up on his car, fists in the air, playing to the cameras.
For a second, I just sat there, my hands gripping the seat belt, trying to will my body to get out of this car.
Don’t faint in this car, Georgia.Don’t let this race be for nothing. I had to make it to the weigh-in station, or I knew my race wouldn’t count.
One hand made it to the halo. Then two. I pulled, hard, launching my body out of the cockpit with whatever will I had left. My feet hit the ground like cinder blocks. I forced myself toward the weighing station, nodding at the officials, barely hearing their congratulations. A staff member tore off the slip and handed it to me.
I wasn’t sure if I ever actually took it, because all I could focus on was my buckling knees.
Well, shit.
Chapter Eleven
Luca
“That’s second place, Luca!” My engineer called into my radio, before passing it to my father who had managed a spot on the pit wall.
“A 1-2 finish for Hermes. I couldn’t be more proud of how you drove today, son.”
Proud. A word my father hadn’t said to me in over a year. My body tingled at hearing it over the radio, like a spark bringing a fire back to life.
As soon as I climbed out of my car, heat slammed into me like a concrete wall, but I ran towards my mechanics, giving them a large group hug. They’d earned this second place, too.
Across the paddock, Henri was basking in the chaos of celebration, lifting his helmet for a victorious fist pump, his crew practically vibrating with glee.
But something was missing.
Someonewas missing.
Georgia wasn’t with him.
A pulse of panic fired through me. Before I even realized I’d moved, I was running towards the weigh-in station. That’s when I saw her—standing unsteadily, her helmet in one hand, the weight slip fluttering from the other like a leaf in the wind.
She swayed.
“Georgia!” I shouted, just as her knees buckled.
I caught her before she hit the ground, her body collapsing into mine. Georgia’s limbs dangled limply as I lifted her up, her head lolling against my chest. Sweat glistened on her pale forehead, her gold hair plastered against her damp skin.
“Georgia!” Henri’s panicked voice broke through the noise. Before he could reach her, I gently scooped her up in my arms, letting her head rest against my chest.
“Medical tent. Now,” I demanded, clutching Georgia tightly to me as I sprinted towards the medical tent with Henri in tow.
“It’s likely heat exhaustion,” the doctor said as we crashed into the tent. “Or heat syncope from lack of water. Let’s get her flat; she’ll come to in a moment or two.”
I laid her down gently, brushing damp hair away from her face as the medic began his assessment. Her eyelids fluttered, mouth moving sluggishly.
Henri pushed me out of the way, and I begrudgingly let him take my place next to Georgia on the cot. As much as I hated leaving her side, she needed her brother more than she needed me in this moment.
Henri grabbed my water bottle, putting it to her lips as he demanded her to drink slowly. Her eyes fluttered open, and the moment her beautiful blue eyes locked on to mine, relief flooded me. A few drivers had experienced heat syncope throughout the weekend, but there was something different about watching Georgia endure it. It made my stomach twist, head spin with frustration.
