Page 81 of Overtake
As the room clears, Wyn hangs back. “Nico. A moment?”
They wait until the room empties, Heinrich and Marcus deliberately ushering Graham and Junior out.
Nico decides to extend an olive branch. “Thank you.”
“Mate, that was fucking hilarious.” Wyn grins, then his expression hardens. “Look, I’ve been a complete wanker, and we both know it.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But you’ve always been straight with me.”
“You’ve deserved my honesty, especially when you were being a wanker.”
He shrugs. “Yeah, well, watching Reece and now you stand up to my old man made me realize I’ve been buying into the bastard’s bullshit about winning at all costs when you’ve raced clean and still taken four world championships.”
Nico studies his teammate.
Wyn’s grin returns, sharper now. “Plus watching him lose his shit over you kissing TenP was literally the highlight of my year.”
Nico snorts. “About that magic pussy comment...”
“Hey, I say what I see.” Wyn heads for the door. “Come on. We’ve got a race, and your girlfriend has car issues. Advantage WolfBett.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Yet.” Wyn smirks. “But I’ve got a hundred euros riding on you two snogging in parc fermé and I know my teammate won’t let me down.”
“So.” Carlos is waiting in the hallway as they exit, looking far too amused. “The emergency meeting went well.” He falls into step with the two drivers.
Nico’s not surprised that his father was eavesdropping. “You heard all of it?”
“I particularly enjoyed Wyn’s colorful assessment of the situation.”
Wyn laughs. “You liked that, Carlos?”
“Your honesty was refreshing.” Nico’s father drops his chin and considers Wyn from beneath his brows. “And long overdue.”
Wyn shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away. “Yeah, well…”
Nico’s phone buzzes and he glances at it.
Nicolina:
Tell me Wyn really said “magic p*ssy” in a team meeting. Also Seb says u better win today or he’s voting u off Bunny Island.
“See?” Carlos grins. “Your sister agrees with me.”
“Dios mío.You texted that to her? I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Wyn laughs when Nico shows him the message. “Bruv, your family’s more heartless than mine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
On the drive to COTA,I put in my earbuds and turn on some music, but what I’m doing is thinking. The problem with all this attention is that it’s stolen my agency. And Nico’s. I’d only just dipped one toe into the waters of a relationship with him, but now everyone’s splashing about in our business and someone’s bound to piss in the pool.
Life’s always been crowded where we’re concerned. Both of us grew up around F1’s spotlight, and my father’s successful career and spectacular marital failure meant the limelight often found me. I’ve tried not to let the attention bother me, but all the noise makes it hard to think and decide what to do about Nico Belmonte and that kiss.
Right. Enough, Petra.
I close my eyes and make my mind go blank. Today is race day, not the day for figuring out my love life.
Usually I drive us to the circuit, but Rodrigo was waiting in the lobby when we came down from my room, and he took the keys without asking me. Guess he knew I needed a little extra time to get into the zone.
