Page 31 of Collided (Dirty Air 2)

Sophie

Maya likes to vlog all of our adventures, from Shanghai to Monaco. She plans different vlog segments for each day before the race.

She begs me to make my vlog debut, and who am I to say no? Her Fan versus F1 Racer idea convinced me in a heartbeat. I’ll compete against Santi in a series of games Maya planned, where the winner gets street cred and a gift card to Starbucks because Maya lives life on a budget. I don’t need the money because I prefer gloating rights. Santi makes easy competition because he tends to have poor impulse control.

“Okay, so today you’re both going to compete in three rounds of games. Whoever has the most points by the end wins the entire competition.” Maya flips her ponytail over her shoulder. She looks all professional in her Bandini polo and jeans, with a clipboard to keep track of points.

Santi grins at me. My body fails to feel anything when he shakes my hand.

“The first round will include a scavenger hunt where you’re allowed to pick one person to help you. Here are the lists.” Maya passes us each a sealed envelope like a secret spy mission. “Choose your person wisely. Send me your pictures and videos as you take them because whoever finishes first wins a point for this round. Be careful because some items can get you in trouble.”

Santi tears at his envelope. “I want to say in advance that I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Let the best person win. I hope you’re okay with runner-up. I’m sure you’re used to it with Noah anyway.”

Santi barks out a laugh as he walks away. After reading through the list, I text the only other person I’ve befriended during my time here, hoping he can help me out.

A few minutes later, I get the all-clear to visit the McCoy garage. I tread carefully into enemy territory. The crew fumbles around, passing tools and tires to different workers while others spend time clicking away at computers. Liam’s car is parked smack dab in the middle of the garage. The chrome paint gleams, shining bright and standing out against the plain white walls.

“Look who finally decided to join the dark side.” Liam’s voice sends a current of energy up my spine.

“Help me, Liam Zander. You’re my only hope.” I attempt my best Princess Leia voice.

Liam’s eyes light up. “Are you a secret nerd?”

“It takes one to know one.” I shoot him a cheeky grin. “My dad dressed me up as Princess Leia for three Halloweens in a row. He claims she’s the one princess he respects, and I can’t disagree.”

“We think alike.” He winks at me.

I ignore the way one wink makes me feel because it seems safer than going up and kissing him.

“So, I have a list.” I dangle the envelope in front of him.

“We already discussed it. Are you here to knock off an item?”

I shake my head. “No. This one’s different. You said you’re free, right?”

He nods.

I pass him the envelope. “Perfect! You’ve officially volunteered yourself to help me with a scavenger hunt. I’m competing against Santi. There are seven items, and we can do them out of order, but we have to finish first.”

“All right, read them to me.”

I open up the paper. “Take a video with the checkered flag on the Monaco finish line. Steal a security officer’s golf cart. Play flip-cup with a rival racer. Hijack someone’s Instagram live video. Steal a tire from a “best of the rest” team. Roll the tire across the pit lane (video or it didn’t happen). Take a picture in a non-Bandini car.”

Liam and I strategize for a few minutes, coming up with the best way to tackle the items.

“Let’s hit take a picture in a non-Bandini car first. That’s easy. Hop in.” He walks to the cockpit of his car.

I attempt to get in, except these guys make it look way easier because my legs can’t make it over the side without me falling over. Liam laughs before he lifts me and places me in the car. His hands press up against my stomach, and my skin buzzes from the heat of his touch. Stupid skin-on-skin contact.

He pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of me. “Do a funny one. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to sit in a World Champion’s car.”

“It takes a special man to get a hard-on from his own Championship title.” I throw my legs over the side as I pull my sunglasses down my nose, puckering my lips. “Eat your heart out, Marilyn Monroe.”

Liam shakes his head as he snaps a picture, his throaty laugh making me feel all types of things. Hopefully, I come off way more seductive than I feel. Solely for the photo of course.

He coughs as I struggle to get out of the cockpit. No doubt my ass is on display from my jean shorts, a poor choice for today’s activities.