Matt pushes the car all the way into Q3 for the first time this season. He clocks a time that would’ve had him qualifying seventh, if not for the track limit deletion. As it is, he happily settles for tenth.
Especially since Robert qualifies twelfth.
Especially,especiallysince Robert had to sit in his garage while Matt got to go back out on track.
The data is there and it says, with no hesitancy, that Matt is the superior driver. It says there is absolutely no reason for Matt to have to give up his race for his teammate this time, and Matt is positively floating with excitement for Sunday.
On his way to the post-qualifying meeting, his eye catches the newest addition to the garage and Matt detours. Dipping into the visitor’s section, he offers a hand in greeting.
“Hello.” Matt smiles, shaking Robert’s girlfriend’s hand. “I’m Matt, Robert’s teammate.”
“Hello,” she replies. Her hand is thin, dainty—nothing like his.
Her skin is certainly sun-kissed, but still paler than his own. They have similar ringlets in their hair, but Matt’s locks are cropped close on the sides and hers flows in waves over her shoulders. Dark eyes? Sure. Athletically thin? Fine. But that’s where it ends.
“The guys asked me if you were my sister, so I thought I’d introduce myself.”
A look of surprise and recognition flashes across her face. “I’ve been asked that as well!”
So Laurent wasn’t the only one. Interesting.
“I’m starting to think—Well…” she trails off, but Matt can guess the end of that sentence.
“That people are a little racist?”
“Yes!” Her shoulders relax and her eyes light up. “I mean, you’re Mexican, right? Well, American, obviously, but your family’s from Mexico?”
That’s specific. He nods.
“Well, half my family is Guatemalan, and the other half is Dominican. Completely different.”
“Hey, babe.” Robert interrupts her, wrapping his arm around her waist. Though his words are directed to his girlfriend, he’s glaring at Matt. “He givin’ ya any trouble?”
“No, we were just talking.”
A smile tugs at Matt’s lip. “About howsimilarwe are.”
Robert pulls her closer, possessive. “Not much to say then, huh?”
“Guess not.”
Apparently a broadcast camera was in the vicinity during their quick conversation. That night, the footage is shared all over socials like it’s the most exciting part of a wet qualifying.
Are you sure they’re not related?
Imagine Robert Miller destroying you on the track and then going home and destroying your sister in bed.
No one else thinks it’s sus that Matt’s chatting up Robert’s girl?
