Page 55 of Faster

Chapter Thirty-Eight

And she was going to leave Panther at the end of next season.

Things with Liam had settled into a new normal—one where neither of them spoke to the other unless it was absolutely necessary—after Brent had shown up in Baku ready to race.

Thanks to his efforts during the back end of the season, the team would also get second in the constructor’s championship.

As far as the world was concerned, all was well in the orbit of Panther Motors.

But it still felt like a bit of her insides had come loose every time she felt Liam come into a room.

It didn’t seem to get better, and she couldn’t imagine it ending.

He didn’t even talk to her in the car anymore.

She knew certain messages came from the team, and she was sure there were others in the garage who suspected they’d been together and broken up because of the state of affairs. But no one said anything.

And it was the absence of any acknowledgment they’d meant anything to each other that hurt so much.

But it was her fault she’d started a doomed relationship that had to stay a secret.

Part of her always knew it would end this way.

The way everything they’d shared together had simply been erased by a tacit agreement made her wonder if it was worth it.

The only time she wasn’t swamped by memories was when she was working.

She could push her love for Liam and how it had ended out of her mind when she was meeting with the engineers and strategists.

She didn’t ruminate while she was eating the meals her dietician basically forced down her throat or going through the grueling workouts she’d demanded from her trainer.

Her mind was so disciplined that she didn’t even dream of him anymore.

But when she was in the car, she was truly free.

Ironically, the ice-cold racer she’d become would be one who could make her father proud. Only she didn’t care whether her father was proud of her anymore. She didn’t even care about what Liam had to say about her as a racer. She knew she was quick, and she knew this was what she wanted to do.

But she wanted Liam too. Without him as her person, the pole positions and victories felt hollow.

She just had to get through the driver’s parade and the crush of celebrities in the paddock and on the grid until she could be free again. This particular driver’s parade, under the lights of the Vegas Strip, might actually destroy her, though.

She stood on the flatbed of a truck across from Luca and Ethan.

Since they’d opened up about their relationship with Cece in Vanity Fair , they’d received a lot of press attention.

But they’d also seemed lighter and more relaxed.

Better than almost anyone, she knew secrets could weigh you down.

And being happy and in love hadn’t made them any less hungry for wins.

Luca had already clinched the championship, and she was fighting it out with Ethan for third.

The results of tonight’s race would determine the top three drivers.

Brent came to stand next to her. He’d surprised her by not being an asshole since he came back.

His good mood likely had more to do with he and Paola being officially in a relationship, but she’d take what she could get.

Even if the number of happy relationships around her made her a little sick to her stomach.

“Usually, getting pole position would make you happy,” Brent said. “I’m guessing this has something to do with my dad.”

That made Micaela look around. There were cameras everywhere during the race weekend, and they were especially astute at catching everything at this particular track. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Chill out, the boom mics are pointed at Heka right now.”

Micaela glanced over at the Finnish driver.

He was leaning at the back of the truck, and she hoped he didn’t jump off to avoid answering questions about why he was divorcing his wife.

They’d been the golden couple of the sport for so long—until Heka had discovered his wife was feeding gossip to @WAGsandSLAGs in hopes that a seat would fall into their lap, and she could convince him not to retire.

No one—other than Paola, Cece, and Micaela—knew where Heka had gotten the tip to check his wife’s emails.

Apparently, along with her terrible parenting skills, this had been the last straw for Heka. Unfortunately, getting rid of Jocelyn was going to be expensive. So, Heka had to unretire for at least two more seasons.

Micaela looked at Brent. “You don’t really want to have a heart-to-heart about me and your dad, do you?”

He screwed up his face in mock disgust. “Not really, but my girlfriend tells me that I need to show you that I’m over the fact that you and my father did the nasty rather than tell you.”

Micaela rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sure how long he could last, pretending to be nice for the sake of his relationship, but she was happy for the reprieve from asshole Brent.

“C’mon. We were always better as friends, and no one knows my dad better than I do.

” The first part was true, and she bit her tongue to avoid stating there was one way she did know his father extremely well.

It was the least she could do, even though she was the walking wounded right now, and it would be nice to spread the pain a little bit.

“We’re working together. Sort of. That’s all this is, now.”

It was Brent’s turn to scoff. “You’re both miserable. The two of you are just moping around the garage like we aren’t having the most successful season in team history. Just tell him that you’re still crazy about him and get on with it.”

“You’re seriously suggesting that I fuck your dad?” She reached out and felt his forehead as though she was checking him for a fever. They both cracked a smile. “Did you hit your head? Or is Paola’s vajayjay just made of pure gold?”

They both laughed and then sobered.

After a beat, he said, “Listen, I’m sorry I was such a douche when we were together.

You didn’t deserve that. And I don’t think you only got with my dad to get back at me.

It took being with Paola to realize that I needed to grow up, though.

It took loving her to realize that I’d wasted your time and taken advantage of you. ”

“I’m sorry that I fell in love with your dad.” She looked down. “I didn’t mean to. It didn’t feel like a choice.”

Brent clapped a hand on her shoulder, which jolted her whole body forward enough that he had to pull her back. She bumped into him, which made them both giggle. “My dad’s an easy guy to love. He deserves to be happy. You both do.”

Micaela wished someone would convince Liam of that. Or at least let him know he wouldn’t turn to stone if he looked at her.

Liam would be glad when this season ended. Then, he would only have to spend twelve more months unable to look at one of his drivers in the face. At least Brent had forgiven him, so he was only on the outs with Micaela.

He’d fucked up in ending things with her. And now, he’d been living in his mistake for months. He was so fucked up over it all that he actually got jealous when the big screen showed her laughing about something with Brent during the drivers parade, even though that was the reason they’d broken up.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t do anything about it. He had to get through the crush of press and of VIPs crowding the grid to ensure both cars were ready.

He couldn’t stop everything and tell Micaela that he’d been a fool, and he was deeply and irrevocably in love with her.

Especially not with her father here, gloating about how he’d always known his daughter was destined to be a champion.

He wouldn’t kick the guy’s ass, and he wasn’t going to reveal he was in love with the man’s daughter.

All she’d ever wanted was for her father to be proud of her, and he wasn’t going to take even an iota of shine that it had finally happened.

“I’m here with Sir Jack Cartwright and Liam Sullivan,” the broadcaster said.

“And we’re talking about the amazing strides that Micaela and Panther have taken throughout the season.

Both of you must be very proud parents right now.

” The reporter put the microphone in front of Liam first, but Micaela’s father spoke instead.

“I’m so proud of our girl and thankful that Liam gave her a shot and a really fast car during her first season.

” He didn’t care about any of that. He was just glad to have a reason to be in front of the cameras again.

He’d probably attribute Micaela’s success to his super sperm and not her own hard work and talent if allowed to keep talking.

Liam leaned toward the microphone, happy to point out that Jack was so much shorter than him with his gesture.

“We’re so happy to have Micaela with the team.

Her talent and dedication to getting every detail right, every weekend, has elevated everyone in the garage and back at the factory.

She lit a fire under her teammate, and she has the kind of energy that creates dynasties in this sport.

She’s going to be very important, far into the future. We’re so proud of both of our drivers.”

“Thank you, Liam,” the broadcaster said. “Looking to the future, do you think you have a chance of keeping Micaela with you after her contract expires at the end of next year?”

The idea that Micaela might leave hit him in the chest. He’d put it out of his mind until now, comforting himself with the idea that while he might not be able to have her as his woman, he would be able to see her almost every day.

Jack took the microphone again. “My daughter is going to have every option in the world.”