Page 54 of Lights Out (Love in the Paddock #1)

“I understand,” I say, nodding. “But to me, the bigger heartache is not being with Caleb. If my career ends today, I’ll be devastated.

Gutted. Absolutely gutted. But you know what will happen?

I’ll continue to create my content. More importantly?

I’ll have a man who respects me, honors me, and makes me feel seen.

He’s worth risking my TV career for, and I don’t regret that. I could never regret that.”

More surprised looks go around the table. I don’t think anyone expected me to get that personal, but if that’s what needs to be said for them to see where my head—and heart— are, that’s fine with me.

I stop speaking.

Michael appears thoughtful. He looks over at me with a considering look in his eyes. “We don’t have anything in your contract saying you cannot date anyone in the world of motorsport,” he says slowly.

My heart stops. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of what is to come. It’s almost like, “Well, Isla, it’s not there, BUT …” I’m just waiting for that “but” to follow.

“No. We don’t have that clause,” Lydia confirms.

I swallow to keep coffee from rising up my throat. Puking all over the conference room table would kind of kill the vibe I so carefully built with my speech.

“This is something we’ve had to navigate very carefully in the past,” Michael says. “We’ve done it before. We remove talent from the sport they are covering and reassign them to something different.”

I nod in understanding, but I feel everything is beginning to slip away. “Right.”

“In this case, I could reassign you to Formula E. MotoGP to cover motorcycle racing. Rallying.”

It’s over. I’m not terminated, but I will no longer be covering Formula 1.

“I see,” I say, working to keep my voice calm and level instead of distraught and devastated like I feel inside.

“I don’t think you do,” Michael says. “I could do those things. I’m not saying I will. ”

“What?” I ask, hope filling me.

“As long as you are clear about the direction of your career in Formula 1—you’ll never move on to analysis or commentary or serious investigative reporting as long as you’re dating Caleb—I will keep you in place.

Your segments bring in big numbers. So did the initial episode of Outside the Cockpit , and I suspect Xavier’s episode will break what we recorded with Caleb.

As long as you maintain your professionalism, which you have so far, I don’t see a need to remove you. ”

Oh my God. Michael is letting me stay on F1.

“I assure you I will continue to be professional,” I promise him.

“We will alert the social media and public relations departments as there will be some blowback and nasty comments,” Lydia says.

“You might want to turn your comments off, if you haven’t already. Or have someone else read them,” Michael adds.

“Yes, I’ve already thought of that,” I say.

“You’re not the first relationship between a member of the media and a professional athlete.

You won’t be the last. Is it my preference?

No. But it happens. Each situation is different.

You had the courage to come forward, which I appreciate more than finding out on TikTok.

So for now, we don’t plan to comment on it from our end. ”

“I don’t plan to make a spectacle of it,” I reassure everyone at the table. “Caleb wants to bring me out slowly. Like us just hanging out at first.”

Mira chuckles. “That will be enough, trust me.”

“People will put you together in all kinds of scenarios using AI,” Raheem adds.

I cringe, knowing that will be true. I might have coffee with him one day, and the next, social media will have fake pictures of us on a yacht off the coast of Sardinia or something.

“Understood,” I say.

“I’ll have PR get in touch with you to schedule a meeting, but I don’t plan for there to be any announcement on our part. We won’t comment on your personal life. That’s up to you to do,” Michael says.

“I can’t thank you enough,” I say, trying hard not to get emotional. “Thank you for trusting me to tell stories for your network. It’s a privilege to do this, and I’m grateful for it every single day.”

“Does anyone have any concerns? Things to add?” Michael asks the group.

Nobody says anything.

“Okay, then I need to get ready for my next meeting, so we’ll adjourn,” he says. Then he looks directly at me. “You’re doing good work. I see you as part of our future. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Pride and relief. Those are the two things I feel right now.

“Thank you, Michael. I intend to do so,” I assure him.

He gets up and leaves, and Aaron exits the video call. Cassie begins to clean up the table, and I speak to Lydia, Raheem, and Mira for a few minutes.

When I exit the conference room, I’m beyond elated.

I have my job. I want to scream it down the hallway, I’m so relieved and joyful.

I’m still going to work for The Downforce Network. Doing things I love.

With the man I love by my side.

I stood up for what I thought was right, and I broke unwritten rules.

Love still won.

I can’t wait to get home so I can tell Caleb. He’s going to be just as relieved as I am.

I feel fearless. Brave. Ready to take on the world. Keyboard warriors. Gossip sites.

Caleb has changed me into a stronger woman. I know I’ve changed him, too. We both manage to see the world now in gray instead of black and white and absolutes.

We’re better people for it.

I also know once we’re together at work, the spotlight won’t lie. People will figure it out, and it will blow up. But I truly feel as ready as I’ll ever be for it. I just have to make sure Caleb is, too.

And that test is coming in the form of the Austrian Grand Prix in two weeks.