Page 35 of Prove Me Wrong (The Sunburnt Hearts #5)
Chapter Twenty-Seven
NOAH
“ C armichael is one point seven in front,” Julian says into my ear. My knuckles tighten on the wheel, fumes floating through the car. The noise of the track pounds in my ears as I swerve the car to the left.
The red and white car in front of me is keeping time, braking down the chicane, swiftly missing the barriers as I follow behind him in second place.
“Stevens one point nine behind. Losing speed.”
“Good,” I grit back, bracing myself for the sharp right turn before we come to a straight. “Slipstream?”
“Not close enough. One point three away.”
I mentally curse, shifting gears and slamming the clutch before the turns begin again.
“Stevens one point five, but he’s being chased down by Grimaldi.”
Sweat drips from my forehead inside the helmet, and perspiration rolls down my side from my armpits as I pull the car to the left.
“Laps?”
“Twenty-six to go. Pitting in two. ”
“Got it.”
I jam on the brakes, gliding through a chicane before climbing speed again on the straight.
“Grimaldi passed Stevens.”
“Time?”
Julian takes a moment as I turn the car to the left, nearing a barrier but missing it marginally.
“One point eight.”
“Carmichael?”
“One point two.”
“Good.” I gear shift out of the next corner.
The red and white car in front of me is getting closer, my car nearing his when I see the yellow flags raise on the sides, and I mutter out a curse.
“Hearst and Baker are out. Barrier collision on turn eight. Slow down and come in for a pit.”
“Yep,” I answer and follow behind Carmichael into the pitlane. The pit crew line up, and I stop the car, waiting for them to work their magic. “How bad was the crash?”
“Decent,” Julian answers. “It’ll take three to four laps to clear.”
“Great.”
Julian hums. “No more pits after this. Straight to the end.”
“Where’s Stevens?”
“Behind you. Hoping to pull out in fourth.”
Nodding, I take a sip of water and wait for the signal to pull out. Shifting into gear, I drive out of the pits before gaining speed and sticking to the restricted pace.
“Carmichael is behind you. First position.”
My lips pull into a brief smile before passing the crash scene. Both cars have been moved away, but debris covers the pavement .
I keep my rhythm, moving with the track. Julian keeps me updated on everyone else behind me. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven in first place, and the feeling is unmatched. The track is full of the bottom pack—the stragglers—that I'm having to dodge while keeping my pace.
I keep first position for twenty laps, with Carmichael and Grimaldi slowly gaining on me with slipstreams and less traffic on the track.
“Five laps to go. Carmichael is point nine. Grimaldi is one point five. Those two are battling for second. You’ve got time.”
“They’re close, J.”
“Yeah, but you’ve got this,” he pushes.
Sweat coats my skin, mouth dry and eyes burning, I keep shifting and braking into the corners, not wanting to lose any speed. Those two are gaining on me slowly, and to win this, I can’t afford to make one little mistake or else it’ll cost me everything.
“Grimaldi is close to Carmichael. They’re backing off a bit. One point four now.”
“Stevens?”
“In fourth. Gaining on Carmichael and Grimaldi.”
Jaw clenching, I serve through a chicane, dying for some fresh air and water, before speeding down the straight.
“Three laps. Keep it up, Sterling. We’re looking good.”
“Don’t jinx this J,” I grunt, bracing for another turn. My abdomen muscles ache with how many times they’ve squeezed, calves starting to spasm, but I push through the pain. I don’t want to lose this position.
“Time?”
“Grimaldi in second. One point seven. Carmichael is two point one. Stevens is two point five. He’s gaining on Carmichael.”
“Good. Maybe first and third, then. ”
“Double podium,” Julian says, and then cheers in my ear. “Stevens overtook.”
“Perfect.” I smile briefly before focusing on the track.
“Last lap. Keep the pace and we’ll be finishing first, Sterling, you absolute weapon.”
I sniff a laugh, focusing on my time and position. Gloves slipping on my hands from sweat, I cross the checkered flag first. The crowd erupts as I slow down, banging a hand on my wheel and grinning
“We did it!” I shout at Julian, who I can imagine is high fiving and hugging the team.
“Yeah, you did, Sterling. The best you have driven in a while.”
I shout again, droplets of sweat running down my skin . I just finished first .
Going around the track to celebrate, I pull the car into position and get out, jumping on the bonnet to wave at the growing crowd cheering for me.
I miss this feeling, of having a loud crowd surrounding me, clapping and shouting, waving and taking photos as I grin and wave back.
I do miss my glory days from when I started racing, but I would take my life now in a heartbeat, knowing that I have my baby girl waiting for me at home, along with her babysitter who I now can’t wait to see as well.
Sliding off the car, I remove my racing helmet. Stevens comes over to slap my back fiercely.
“First position, man. You tore up that track today.”
“And third. Julian told me about your late overtake. Dude, you killed it.” We fist bump, grinning.
Grimaldi grips my shoulder. His long brown hair is caked in sweat, framed by deep tanned skin and brown eyes. He’s taller, much older, and experienced, but a legend in the Supercars world. “Great driving out there, Sterling. Just like your dad used to.”
Those words cut through my chest like a blunt knife, but I shake them off, not wanting them to affect how thrilled I am right now. “Thanks, man,” is all I mutter back, hugging him and then following the team off the roaring track.
The podium process runs smoothly, and before I know it, I'm holding the trophy over my head. Everyone cheers, their voices echoing in my head. It's a feeling I’ve missed so much—being on top, standing on the highest level, knowing that I’ve gained the most points.
It’s one of the best feelings in my world, and I hadn't realised how much I missed it until now. Seeing the sea of people jumping, clapping, high fiving… it’s electrifying and addictive.
After our many interviews and photos, I finally get back to the Reign Racing trailer to change out of my sweat soaked suit and shower. I pull out my phone first. Thousands of messages flood my socials, and multiple texts display from my friends, but I click on Mia’s first.
GREY: You’re doing so well. Jade and I are so excited for you.
GREY: Wow, first!
GREY: FIRST! YOU ARE THE BEST!
GREY: So happy for you, #34!
The last one is a photo of her and Jade wearing their shirts with my number on it. My smile is so wide that it hurts. Seeing the two of them together makes the bursting in my chest start again .
Knowing that Mia is happy for my success and cheering me on from home adds another layer of finery to today.
After everything I’ve gone through, being this far from Jade, missing my home and living out of my duffle bag, seeing her messages and excitement for me makes it more worth it. Along with my daughter also wearing my number.
The smile on their faces makes my heart heat like it’s alight with flames. As much as I miss the feeling of winning, I am missing being at home with them more.
ME: I can’t believe it still.
ME: I have missed the feeling of winning.
ME: Happy to see you two enjoying yourselves
GREY: Of course we did.
GREY: I’ll have something special waiting for you when you get home.
ME: Do I get a hint of what the surprise might be?
GREY: No, but I think you’ll like it.
ME: Anything from you I’ll love, Grey.
I throw my phone on the chair and grab my things, ready to shower away the race.
Soaping up my body, rinsing away the sweat and grime, my mind wanders to what Mum said when she called me.
What if I can have my easy life with Mia?
Jade loves her, and I trust Mia more than my own parents, that’s for sure.
But how do I know if this is what Mia wants?
If she wants to spend her time watching my daughter when I’m away.
She said so herself that she wasn’t sure about this when she first agreed, so what if she finds something better, and I’m left juggling once again?
Wrapping a towel around my waist, I walk back out to see my phone screen lighting up. I thumb through the sea of notifications before seeing another message from Mia.
GREY: Everything from you I like as well, #34.
My chest blooms again. I can’t wait to see her tomorrow when I get home.