Page 38 of Lights Out (Love in the Paddock #1)

“But seriously, Hadleigh, why don’t you visit me at some point this summer?

I would love for you to experience a race weekend.

There are some fantastic places you can go.

Like Silverstone in July. Or Austria! If you want to go later, you could meet me in The Netherlands.

Or Italy. It wouldn’t solve everything, but it would certainly let you have some new experiences and see a bit of Europe. ”

She nods but doesn’t say anything.

“I think you have a lot to think about,” I say gently. “But you are so smart, Hadleigh. And you can do many different things with your life. Nothing is set in stone. But you might have to take some risks to find it.”

Hadleigh winces at my words. She’s not a risk taker. She has a mortal fear of failing, and that’s one thing that is different about her from the way I approach things.

Hmm. Maybe Xavier Williams would be good for her, if only for a weekend.

“You can do hard things. And you can take risks,” I remind her. “It’s a choice.”

“If you say, ‘no risk, no reward,’ I’ll puke,” she says.

I grin. “I don’t have to. You’re already thinking it.”

A small smile passes over her face. “You’re not mad at me for being envious?”

I snort. “No. I actually admire you for admitting it. Most people would just not acknowledge the feeling and stuff it down. But you’ve always been honest with me. Which is why I love you so much. I know the envy isn’t about me. It’s about wanting something more for yourself.”

I see the light bulb go off in her head. “Maybe you’re right. I wish the universe would take over and tell me what do to. Or point me in the right direction.”

“I think now that you’ve acknowledged it, you’ll be more clued in to different opportunities and experiences.”

“When did you become so worldly?” Hadleigh asks. Then she smiles. “Oh wait. Since you started traveling the world. Ha!”

I snicker. “Don’t take too much advice from me. I know I’m a huge risk taker.”

Hadleigh nods, and by her expression I can tell she feels relieved. “Thank you for understanding. I feel so much better that I’m not keeping that from you.”

“You never have to keep anything from me.”

“I’m so proud of you. For how good you are at your job. For seizing opportunities with both hands. And for going for love.”

I grow teary. “Thank you for that. You will never know how much it means to me.”

Hadleigh throws her arms around me. “I think this is a good spot to say goodbye.”

Now I really have to blink back tears. It truly hits me that I’m going to London, where I don’t know anyone, to start a new life in a strange country.

But I’m also going to pursue a career I’ve dreamed about, and words can’t describe how excited I am to begin doing all the things The Downforce Network wants to do. The partnership with E. Hay is just the beginning of sponsorships. And the content I’ll have for my socials will be stupid good.

“Not goodbye. See you later,” I tell her.

She smiles. “See you later.”

I continue my walk to security alone, joining the winding line with passengers waiting to be screened. I push back the feelings of fear and sadness, determined to focus on all the opportunities that lie ahead.

Buzz!

I reach into my bag and fish out my phone. To my surprise, I see it’s a text from Caleb. It’s one-thirty in the morning in London! I tap open his message:

I see you’re at the airport.

I grin and text him back:

Stalk much?

Caleb Collings is typing …

Aren’t you spicy tonight?

I smile at his words. Another text comes through:

I just like to know where you are. It doesn’t make you feel as far away.

I’m so going to fall hard for this man.

I decide to tease him further:

I don’t believe you. I think you’re tracking me so you can avoid seeing me and hearing my thoughts on how Xavier got the inside on you to capture third?

Another message drops in:

Smart arse.

I giggle. I’m about to reply, but he beats me to it:

I’m still bloody pissed off about that.

I know he is. Caleb didn’t make the podium, but he still scored a lot of points.

His car didn’t have pace in qualifying in Spain, so he started in fifth.

Caleb fought his way up to third and was challenging Mason for second before he dropped back and then lost third place to Xavier—who pushed him and pushed him until Caleb backed off and Xavier got past him.

And when I say Xavier moved past him, I mean he barely moved past him without colliding.

But if you look at Caleb’s growth trajectory from this season to last season? Fourth is a brilliant finish. Almost on the podium.

But I’ll never forget what Caleb told me when I said that. “Almost is not enough in Formula 1.”

That comment hit me. That’s how cutthroat this business is.

Yet Caleb loves it.

I still think he did an incredible job. But for how Caleb has performed so far this season?

He’s disappointed in this result. Which is insane.

I text him back:

You had a great race. The car didn’t have pace all weekend, you know that.

You aren’t going to win every battle on the track.

Xavier got this one. You’ll get the better of him next time you go wheel-to-wheel.

I’m relieved you didn’t let that end up with the car in a wall.

Like so relieved. Can I say relieved again?

Yes, I told you this yesterday. But I’m telling you again.

You judged it correctly. And I’m so proud of you for your drive, for getting the most out of that car, and for finishing in the points.

I continue to move up in the line for screening, and Caleb texts me back:

I’m so glad you’re my girl.

I suck in a breath. Caleb called me HIS GIRL.

Another reply drops in:

I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep until I know you’ve landed in London. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. And welcome you home.

Just like that, my gut screams at me that I’m doing the right thing. Despite the fallout that will eventually happen, finding a man like Caleb is just like getting an opportunity at a dream job.

You have to take the chance.

I stare straight ahead to the area where people are walking to their gates. On the other side of this security checkpoint, my new life is about to begin with a flight to London.

Because there’s a new job waiting for me across the pond.

And so is a man I very well might fall in love with.