Page 61 of Racing Hearts
“Like you’re using me?” I’d meant it to be a joke, although Georgia’s expression told me I was about as funny as a comedian at a funeral. “Sorry, too soon,” I added, appreciating Georgia’s forgiving laugh. “You know, there’s a balance between showing off versus showing who you are. This charity, these kids, this is something you love to do. Celebrities are always talking about their charities, and yes, I’m sure in a big part to make themselves look good, but think of the good it does for the charity. The money and awareness it would raise could really help make a difference.” Her expression softened, and she looked at me with a mix of gratitude and contemplation, but she said nothing, and I knew that was the end of the subject for today.
As we walked through the streets of Monaco, the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the bustling city. We walked the next half-mile in mostly silence before finally arriving at the Valkyrie garage. Since it was Tuesday, the paddock was mostly empty, barring some mechanics and logistics people setting up. The drivers and fans weren’t expected until Wednesday and Thursday.
I followed Georgia into her driver’s room, loosening my sweater, when I froze. “Um, Georgia, why is there a hamster in here?”
“Oh, that?” she shrugged casually. “That’s just a little gift I got Edward.”
“Georgia Dubois, you know Edward hates hamsters, rats—all rodents!”
“Exactly.” She pulled out a Wilmington garage mechanic outfit from her closet, unrolling it in front of her.
“I’m sorry,” I chuckled in disbelief, “are you going to dress up as a mechanic, sneak into the Wilmington garage, and prank Edward?”
Who was this Georgia standing in front of me?
“Oh no,we’regoing to dress up as mechanics and sneak into the Wilmington garage,” she laughed, pulling out a second outfit. “You guys are always pranking each other, figured it was my turn.”
“Absolutely not!” I scoffed in disbelief. “You’re out of your mind. I can’t sneak into my old team!”
“Wow, and to think you once calledmeboring.” She tsked, nodding her head in disappointment.
Little Miss Goody Two-shoes Dubois did not just callmeboring.
“Come on, Luca. Don’t turn into a coward on me now.” Georgia really did know how to push my buttons.
“Fine.”
Incredibly pleased with herself, Georgia grabbed her mechanic’s outfit, slipping it on over her polo and jeans as I did the same. Grabbing the hamster cage, which was now disguised by a small blanket, we made our way out of the garage and towards Wilmington.
When we approached, Georgia casually waved at the security guard standing by the entrance to the offices. Before he could recognize us, we quickly opened the doors and snuck through. I glanced over at Georgia, who seemed surprisingly composed, and I almost felt embarrassed thatIwas the nervous one.
Spotting Edward’s room, I scanned the empty hallway, knowing most people would be out since it was starting to get close to dinner time. I nodded to Georgia that the coast was clear and she hopped into the room with me hot on her heels.
“I feel like it shouldn’t be so easy to break into another team’s garage,” Georgia chuckled as she looked for a spot to place the hamster. Before I could answer, I heard Edward’s voice down the hallway.
“Fuck!” I whispered to Georgia.
“Quick! In here.” She ran towards the closet, and we piled inside, Georgia silently shushing the hamster like it, too, was part of this fiasco. As soon as the closet door closed, I heard Edward’s footsteps as he entered the room.
“See you tomorrow!” he called out.
A crash made us jump. Georgia’s shoulder pressed against my chest, the hamster cage wedged awkwardly between us. Her breath was warm on my collarbone, and I glanced down at her in the dim space, her lips parted in silent laughter.
“Damn it. Where is this thing?” Edward grumbled, and I silently prayed that whatever he’d lost wasn’t in our hiding place. I flashed Georgia an annoyed look, but she just continued to smile as she shook her head at Edward’s mumbling commentary to himself. She nervously licked her lips before wrapping her hands around my arm for balance, gripping the cage tightly. Here I was, trapped inside my best friend’s closet holding a hamster doing what was probably one of the most ridiculous pranks yet, and all my body could think about was how soft Georgia’s hands felt wrapped around my muscles.
Finally, Edward let out a triumphant “Aha!” followed by the sound of the door shutting behind him. Georgia burst out of the closet, stifling a cackle.
“Fucking hilarious,” she whispered, carefully placing the hamster cage on Edward’s desk, along with a note. “Right, ready?”
I shot her one last disbelieving nod before opening the door, peeking through the small crack. “Coast is clear, let’s get out before someone catches us.” Georgia followed me out of the room and down the hallway, both of us taking care to keep our steps light as we silently walked past the offices.
The moment I stepped outside, I grabbed Georgia’s hand and started running towards the Valkyrie entrance. Georgia let out a squeak but kept up with the pace. We ignored the strange looks from her mechanics as we sprinted our way to Georgia’s driver’s room.
“Edward is going to kill us. I cannot believe you convinced me to do that!”
Georgia shimmied out of the mechanic’s uniform, shoving it into her closet, before motioning for me to do the same.
“Edward is never going to know, and even if he does, he deserves it for all of those pranks he’s pulled on Henri over the years.” She grinned. With her dimples making an appearance on her already flushed cheeks, Georgia looked beautiful as she basked in the satisfaction of her prank.
