Page 10 of Overtake
“I know what happened.” I meet his gaze. “Wyn Pritchard’s ambition got in the way.”
The mechanics work around the wreckage, cataloging parts and assessing what can be salvaged for the next race. But there won’t be much. This car is done.
Dad follows my gaze to the destruction. “It’s just a machine. We’ll rebuild it.”
I turn toward the garage’s rear door, thinking about a shower and revenge, but Claudia Rossi, our team’s press officer is there.
“Aspetta, Petra.Media pen first.”
Right.All drivers are contractually obligated to make a press appearance after every race—win, lose, or DNF doesn’t matter. Even after a crash, even after being robbed of a podium, I still have to face the cameras and questions.
“Five minutes, Claudia. That’s all I’m good for.”
“Five minutes.” She nods and steers me out of the garage.
The press pen is a sharks’ feeding frenzy. Microphones thrust forward, cameras flash, voices overlap in their eagerness to get my reaction.
“Petra, can you tell us what happened out there?”
“Any comment on the stewards’ decision?”
I step up to the microphones, every muscle in my body screaming protest. “The stewards have made their ruling. Racing incident.” My voice is flat and professional. “No further comment.”
“But surely you must feel?—”
“No further comment.” I turn to leave.
“Petra! What about Wyn’s defensive move?”
Defensive?
I pivot back to the microphones. The pause stretches just long enough to let them think they’ve got something. Then I add, “I said what I said.”
Claudia’s already creating space between me and the pack. “That’s all for now. Thank you.”
We’re back in the paddock before anyone can follow.
“Not bad,” Claudia murmurs. “Short and sweet.”
“I need a shower...”
“You’ll get an ice bath,” says Cin, who has my gear and just said my two least favorite words.
I glance back at her. “…before I go to tonight’s sponsors’ party.”
Claudia frowns. “Petra, maybe skip it tonight? No one expects you to attend after that crash.”
I stop and face her. “I’m going… to smile, and chitchat, and do all the things expected of me. I’m going to be exactly what they want, the good girl who takes it on the chin and doesn’t make waves.”
Jacintha’s eyebrows draw together. “Why don’t I believe you?”
“Because you’re smart.” I manage an evil little smile for my cousin, then add for our PR manager, “But don’t worry. I won’t embarrass the team or upset the sponsors.”
Much.
Claudia sighs. “Cin, keep an eye on her tonight.”
“I always do.” Jacintha herds me toward the evil ice bath she has team personnel prepare after every race.
