Great. I try to be nice to fans because without them I wouldn’t have a career, but being approached while mid-workout isn’t exactly ideal timing. Though I’ll admit it’s still significantly better than that time in an airport bathroom in Germany when some guy asked for an autograph while I was standing at the urinal. That was a new low.
“Thanks, I really appreciate that,” I say.
“I just can’t believe you’re here. I’d heard rumors you were originally from Dark River, but I thought you’d be in Europe right now. I’m Melissa, by the way.” Her hand reaches out and touches my arm briefly, the contact very deliberate.
“Nice to meet you, Melissa. Yeah, I’m just here for the summer break. Hopefully I’ll be back in Europe competing full-time soon.” I take a small but noticeable step backward, creating some physical distance between us.
Her smile falters momentarily at my retreat, but she quickly perks back up. “Well, I was gonna grab a coffee after this workout. Maybe you’d want to join me? I’d absolutely love to hear about what it’s like on the circuit, racing at those speeds.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m in the middle of a training session with my brother.” I nod toward Theo, who’s watchingthis entire exchange with barely concealed amusement dancing in his eyes. “And I’ve got plans later today with my girlfriend.”
The old Jack would’ve said yes. Easy.
“Oh.” Her face falls. “Girlfriend. That’s… nice for you. Well, if things ever change…” She trails off before walking away, throwing one last hopeful glance over her shoulder.
I turn back to find Theo staring at me, his expression somewhere between shocked and reluctantly impressed.
“Wow, you really are a changed man,” he says slowly, crossing his arms over his chest. “No flirting at all. Not even a little bit. The old Jack would have had her number in thirty seconds flat and probably already had plans for drinks.”
“You think that lowly of me that I’d cheat on Lark?” I say, a bit offended. Sure, I’ve had my considerable share of casual relationships over the years, but I’ve never cheated on anyone. Not once. “Come on, Theo. I’m not that big of an asshole.”
“Debatable,” Theo says, laughing as he easily dodges the towel I throw directly at his head.
Before I can form a proper comeback, my phone rings loudly. Robert’s name flashes on the screen, and my stomach immediately does an unpleasant flip. “I need to take this,” I tell Theo quickly.
“Of course you do.” He waves me off dismissively, already turning back to his workout routine.
I grab my water bottle and head for the exit, pushing through the door into the parking lot. The morning sun hits my face with warmth as I find a quiet corner away from the steady stream of gym-goers coming and going.
“Robert,” I answer. “Good morning.”
“Jack.” His voice has that particular tone that means serious business. “I saw the latest Instagram post. You and the girl at some coffee shop.”
“Lark,” I correct immediately, a flicker of annoyance rising sharply at his dismissive tone. “Her name is Lark.”
“Right, Lark. The musician.” He actually sounds pleased. “Good to see you out in public with someone stable instead of at some party. She looks like she has a clean image, real career goals. This is exactly the kind of thing we need. Keep it up.”
Robert Callahan was born into serious money and built it into an empire through shrewd investments, but his true passion has always been motorsports. He tried racing professionally in his twenties but didn’t have the reflexes or instincts for it. So he pours all that competitive drive into developing young talent instead. Thank god he found me karting when I was twelve. My family never could have afforded to support a racing career without him.
“We’re coming to the event,” I tell him, pacing along the edge of the parking lot. “Already confirmed with your assistant.”
“Excellent. Make sure she’s prepared. This isn’t some casual small-town gathering. I know she’s just a local girl, but there’ll be serious media, major sponsors. You’ll need to coach her on how to handle herself.”
I bristle immediately. My jaw tightens. “Sheknowshow to handle herself. Lark’s not some kid who needs coaching.”
“Jack, I’m sure she’s lovely, but this is a different world than what she’s used to. These aren’t Dark River people. Make sure she understands?—”
“She’ll be fine,” I cut him off, irritated now. The assumption that she needs training like some kind of show pony pisses me off more than it should.
“Good,” he says. “Because I’ve been working hard to smooth things over after Monaco. This relationship is exactly the narrative change we needed. Stable, mature, committed.”
The irony of calling our fake relationship “stable” almost makes me laugh. If only Robert knew this whole thing wascooked up over beers at The Black Lantern by two people who barely knew each other.
“Jack.” His tone shifts noticeably, becoming more paternal. It’s the voice he’s used since I was twelve years old and he first decided to sponsor my racing career, to invest in my future. “I’m proud of you. You’re finally taking things seriously. Making smart, mature choices for once.”
The guilt twists sharply in my gut like a knife. Robert’s been there through absolutely everything—my parents’ deaths, the Barcelona crash, every scandal and every success. Lying directly to him feels somehow worse than lying to my brothers. My brothers would eventually get it. They might be pissed, but they’d forgive me. But Robert’s forgiveness has always come with conditions, with expectations attached.
“Thanks,” I say, my throat suddenly tight and uncomfortable.
