Matt says, “Don’t!” at the same time Robert says, “No!”
Sylvain pauses, studying both drivers. “Here’s what we’ll do—if you want to race, you’ll learn how to get along.”
“But—”
“You can’t really?—”
“You either buddy up or you’re fired. That’s it. No more discussion. This has gone on for far too long—and has escalated far too much—for us to ignore any longer.”
“So what?” Robert scoffs. “You want us to hold hands and shit? After he just called me a neanderthal?”
Matt had called his urges neanderthal-like, but the look Sylvain gives Robert probably means his correction wouldn’t be appreciated.
“Every other team on the grid has figured it out, so I don’t see why you can’t. You think those drivers enjoy being strapped to their biggest competitor? You think their friendships are real? That they’re justbest friendsall the fucking time?”
It sounds an awful lot like Sylvain is calling Robert stupid, and Matt can’t contain the smile tugging at his lips.
“We’ve tried to keep you two separated as much as possible, but since that has obviously failed, we’ll need to change our strategy. Until the end of the season, you will spend more time together.Muchmore.”
“Wha—”
“But—”
“Every social media video is now both of you. Every team product shoot is now both of you. We’ll reschedule your breaks so you can eat together. Reschedule your rides between hotels and paddocks and airports so you can share. Fuck, we’ll sit the two of you next to each other on the damn plane.”
This is not going how Matt wanted. “Wait.”
“Everything you do is a team sport from here on out. It’s up to both of you to repair Andes’s reputation after you have dragged it through the mud.”
“But, sir,” Matt hesitates. “I don’t think?—”
“Youdon’tthink! That’s the problem! If I get asked one more time about this rivalry, you arebothgone. You’re going to play nice for the cameras or—so help me, God—I will end your racing careers. Understood?”
Both drivers nod in silence.
“Good. I’ve got to call our lawyers now, thanks to Matthew. You are both dismissed.”
As soon as the door closes behind them, Robert grunts out, “This is all your fault.”
“My—? You think I asked for this?” Matt points to his swollen eye.
Roberts studies him for a moment before smirking. “Yes, actually.”
“You’resolucky I didn’t go looking for a reporter after it happened. You’re always ‘Howdy, partner’ and ‘Oh, shucks’ to them, but I know who you really are.”
“You know nothing about me. Not anymore.”
They round the corner only to stumble on a couple of photographers. The men do a double-take before raising their cameras.
“You wanted to tell them, so go tell them.” Robert’s voice drops deeper when he says, “But I know the second half of that story. Lemme tell you—me punching you in the face will play out a lot better for me than you getting hard about it.”
Matt grinds his teeth and nods his understanding. “I was just in a car accident. Injuries happen.”
“Yeah. They sure do.”
Robert hooks his arm around Matt’s shoulders in a friendly way and waves to the cameras, prompting Matt to do the same. Robert waves with his bandaged hand, so it’s obvious what happened, but at least he isn’t telling the world about Matt’s dick.
He’ll survive.
