Page 103 of Overtake
The meeting continues, all professional focus and race preparation. If anyone notices me checking my phone, they’re kind enough not to mention it.
Well, almost everyone.
“Hot date tonight?” Reece whispers during a technical discussion.
“Team meeting,” I remind him primly.
“Right. That’s why you’re grinning at your phone like?—”
“Laps,” Asuka announces without looking up. “Both of you. After this.”
Reece and I exchange a look, and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am.
Busted.
I love an empty track, so Asuka’s punishment isn’t quite as awful as she’d like to think. Our footfalls echo off empty grandstands as we round turn 1, our pace slow. Mexico City’s altitude is over 7,000 feet, so even a light jog feels like proper exertion.
“So.” Reece’s breathing is slightly labored. “You and El Conejo.”
“Old news. Let’s discuss you and your brother, instead. What’s going on there?”
“Deflect much?” We take turn 2 at barely more than a walk. “Wyn’s trying, for once. Not just repeating what Graham says.”
“Must be complicated. Having a brother, I mean.” We pause at turn 4, both feeling the altitude’s effects. “It’s always been me and Dad and racing. No siblings to compete with or support.”
“Or have your father pit you against?” His laugh is humorless. “Trust me, being an only child has its perks.”
“Yeah, but...” I take a deep breath, the thin air makes even talking more effort. “You had someone who understood the pressure and expectations.”
“And who was actively trying to beat me to earn Dad’s approval.”
“Sure but also someone who knows exactly what it’s like being Graham Pritchard’s son.”
Reece is quiet as we continue jogging.
“You know what’s weird?” He wipes sweat from his forehead. “Watching you and Nico with your fathers. They just let you be who you are and let you figure shit out for yourselves. Fuck, I envy that support.”
“Can we walk this bit?” The altitude’s no joke, and I didn’t get adequate sleep last night. “And yeah, I know what you mean about the support thing. I know I’m lucky. Think Nico knows it too.”
“Though your mother’s making up for Coy’s lack of drama.” He matches my slower pace. “Catch her latest interview?”
“Avoiding it like a case of the clap.” We pause, both breathing harder than this light exercise should warrant. “She’s probably writing her mother-of-the-bride speech already.”
“While Graham’s plotting ways to use it against both teams.” Reece takes a long drink from his water bottle. “You know he’s just waiting for you to slip, right?”
“Yeah. But honestly? After dealing with Kelley’s drama all my life, Graham’s just Tuesday.”
“Try living with it.”
“That’s what I mean though.” We start walking again, neither bothering to pretend we’re still jogging. “At least you had Wyn. Someone to share the crazy with.”
“When we weren’t trying to kill each other on track, you mean?”
“Better than Kelley’s occasional ‘maternal concern’ shit. Would be bloody useful to have a sister or brother to share the load. I don’t like dumping it on Dad. He has enough guilt where The Incubator is concerned.”
Reece studies me for a moment. “For what it’s worth, you’re not flying solo, TenP. The team’s a stubborn lot when it comes to looking after our own.”
I blame the altitude for the sudden tightness in my chest. “Reece?—”
