Page 140 of Overtake
Marcus comes over the radio. “Outstanding driving, Nico. You earned that one.”
“Gracias, gracias, amigos,”he tells the team over the radio. “Perfect strategy, perfect pit stop. And thank you for supporting me and staying focused through everything that’s happened since Singapore. This one’s for all of you.”
Petra peels away toward the P2 placard in parc fermé, while Wyn guides his car into P3. His first podium since all the drama started, earned cleanly and properly. Nico’s damn happy for him. He needed this.
Parc fermé erupts, hundreds of thousands of fans creating a wall of noise that vibrates through Nico’s bones as he climbs from the cockpit. He replaces the steering wheel, then stands atop the car and raises his fists. Winning never gets old. The cheers intensify, Mexican fans showing their love for a Spanish-speaking champion.
He hops down, charges across the space, and leaps into the arms of his team. There are cheers and laughter and everyone’s losing their damn minds. The mechanics and engineers swarm in, men and women who’ve worked endless hours, supportedhim through every challenge, and stayed focused despite all the bullshit over the past month.
Heinrich pulls him into a bear hug while rattling off praise in rapid German.
Marcus is next. “Brilliant race, Nico! Just brilliant!”
“¡Vamos!”Carlos appears, pride radiating as he embraces his son. “That’s how a Belmonte races!”
Even the Betterton brothers are there.
Damien Sr. clasps his hand and smiles broadly. “Well done, Nico. Beautifully raced.”
“Thank you, Damien.”
Karl nods. “Good race, Nico. This is why you’re a WolfBett.” This is effusive praise from the eldest Betterton brother.
Nico returns his handshake. “I appreciate the team’s support, Karl. It’s been one hell of a month.”
Marcus joins them. “You’ll always have WolfBett’s support. We respect the Belmontes.”
Nico weighs in, then moves to the small podium in front of his car where a towel and a bottle of water awaits. He strips off his helmet, balaclava, and gloves, then downs half the water.
Wyn nods. “Good race.” The pressure of everything his father has done clearly still weighs on his shoulders.
Nico offers a fist. He admires both Pritchard brothers for racing so well considering the circumstances. “You too,chico.”
Wyn bumps his fist to Nico’s. “Yeah, well, still a long way to figuring my shit out.” He turns away as Petra heads toward them.
She’s still flushed from the race, hair wild from her helmet, face creased from its padding. Her gaze narrows as she considers Wyn and she gives him a curt nod, but the kiss she shares with Nico feels natural now, even with cameras everywhere and fans screaming their heads off. Nico could definitely get used to this.
“Nice driving out there, Bunny Boy.” She pulls her hair back with a pink scrunchie.
He wipes sweat from the back of his neck, then wipes her face with the same towel and loves that she doesn’t object. “Not too bad yourself, TenP.”
Water bottles in hand, the three of them head for the cool-down room, still riding the high of finishing on top.
“Lynch didn’t leave you much choice in turn 1,” Nico notes as they watch the start sequence replay.
“No.” Petra studies the footage, toweling off her face. “Though he gave me plenty of blame over radio. Something about ‘aggressive females’ if you can believe it.” She picks up the second place cap, then tosses the third place hat at Wyn and settles beside Nico.
“Says the guy who tried to squeeze three cars into that first turn.” Wyn drops into the remaining chair. “That move would never work.Iwouldn’t even try it.”
Petra focuses on the screen, not acknowledging the comment, a deliberate dismissal. Clearly, she’s not ready to forgive Wyn for all the shit he pulled since Singapore, and before.
Nico dons his first place cap. “Your brother’s getting faster.”
“Yeah, the wanker.” Wyn considers his hat then puts it on.
Grinning, Petra nudges Nico’s foot with hers. “I had you.”
He shakes his head.“Ni pensarlo.”No way.
