MATTHERNANDEZ
DRIVER, ANDES RACING
“Matthew!”
Matt steps up to the camera with a fair amount of trepidation. Reporters aren’t ever this excited to see him. He runs a hand through his dark curls and clears his throat. “Hello.”
“Everyone’s talking about your sudden announcement. You’re driving for Kaas next year?”
“People are talking about me?” Matt can’t imagine he’s the source of anyone’s curiosity. “Are you sure? Not the rumors about Lucas retiring?”
She grimaces, proving his point. “Well, that’s also…”
The Lucas rumors might be unfounded, but they’ve spread like wildfire. That’s how it goes for Matthew Hernandez. Any time he has good news, it’s buried. Whenever it's bad, it’s flaunted.
It’d be nice if his move received justonenews cycle in the spotlight. Something to make Andes feel even an ounce of regret for the way they dumped him.
The universe always picks favorites, and Matt is nobody’s favorite.
Still, it’s nice of the reporter to bring up his move. Good of her to say anything that didn’t involve?—
“What will you miss the most about Andes? Your teammate?”
—him.
It’s okay. Matt prepared for this. Deep breath and?—
“I’ve been with Andes for a long time—longer than Robert has, actually—so I have a good relationship with the entire team. I’ll miss a few of my mechanics—and my race engineer, of course—but I’m ready for a new challenge. I’m excited to grow with Kaas.”
“And Robert?”
Matt forces a smile through clenched teeth. “Robert’s a challenge I’ve already outgrown.”
After the press pit, Matt’s PR handler pulls him through the maze of hallways and into Robert's garage. Too many people are packed into the small space for what looks like a surprise meeting. Matt's stomach drops as he takes in the crowd.
It has to be about his departure—there’s no other reason for such a fuss. Matt had hoped he’d be able to tell everyone individually, instead of standing in front of a team he’s worked with for years and announcing his move.
No one cares what Matt wants, so he’s pushed to the front.
“As many of you know—” Sylvain bellows. A hush falls over the room as unsteady glances dart between the team principal and driver. “—Matthew has decided he will no longer be racing with us next year.”
Matt did not decide this.
Matt was told he wouldn’t be given a contract extension after four long,loyalyears to the company and had to scramble to find another team. In the end, he only barely managed to land on his feet at Kaas—something he will nevertake for granted.
It just pisses Andes Racing off that he signed with another team so quickly.
“BOOOO!” Reggie shouts.
“Traitor!” Peter chimes in.
“Don’t leave us!” Nate fake-cries.
His garage has known for weeks. Matt texted the group chat as soon as the horrible phone call ended.
“Settle down,” Sylvain massages the bridge of his nose, seething with displeasure. Hearing that people in the team actually like Matt must be the bane of his existence. “Now?—”
Matt braces himself to be put on the spot. Though he hates public speaking, he’s still prepared. He pats his pocket, making sure he has the speech he drew up this morning. It’s just the normal PR-appropriate comments about what he’s learned and everything he’s gained.
