Page 79 of Over the Limit

“It is. But please make sure to take care of you. I know you thrive on the stress, but you also forget to stop and take a breath. And on the knees of the breakup . . . I don’t know. I just worry about you.”

I mouth the last five words of her comment and smile. Like clockwork. She’s said the same or something similar the numerous times we’ve talked since the breakup. She’s held back many of her opinions on the matter and simply cared about me and how I’m doing. She’s let me talk. She’s let me vent. She’s even stayed on the line when I’ve fallen silent as I processed everything.

And her quiet understanding and support has given me more confidence than she’ll ever know. In myself. And in knowing that what I’m doing with Lachlan is the right thing.

“I love you, Mom. And I’m fine. I promise. I’m . . . more than good,” I say cryptically about the same time they pan over the Apex garage.

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt for you to escape for a few days to come home and reset. I know you’re super busy with the event and the planning, but we miss you and would love to help you have a few days to yourself before the massive stress of the event. You even said your boss suggested you take a few days off before the gala to center yourself. If you don’t listen to me, then maybe you’ll at least listen to him.” The dog barks in the background. “I can make you your favorite meals and we can . . . just hang out.”

Why does the offer—one that always stands—cause emotion to lodge in my throat?

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Please do.” She sniffles and my heart squeezes in my chest over how much I miss her sometimes. “I know you’re busy so I’ll let you go. Just know we’re here for you. Always. We love you. Always. Okay?”

“I know. I love you too.” I pause. “Thanks, Mom.”

“No need to thank me. Bye, Bee.”

I end the call and smile. Her calls make me happy. And today’s in particular has distracted me from how lost I feel right now.

I’m used to having a purpose at races. A crew of families to see to. An agenda to take care of. A quick sneak into the Apex paddock to wish Rossi good luck.

But I don’t have any of that to do today.

And the last place I need to be seen is in the Apex garage but it’s killing me to not be able to see Lachlan before he gets in the car.

The past week has been chaotic with eyes on us the whole time. Rossi’s suite was situated next to Lachlan’s at the Apex team hotel and my room just happened to be next to Paolo’s boss—my boss’s boss.

So sneaking out hasn’t been an option for either of us.

Maybe tonight. Maybe with the race over, we’ll get a chance to see each other before I head back home.

That helplessness has me wandering through the paddock from suite to suite, needing the mental break from my job, but also needing somewhere to channel my energy.

But I also know I’ll get the best view from my office in the paddock. From the ten screens we have up in the command center that monitor every aspect of the race and not just what the national broadcast will show.

And to be honest, you see so much more on the monitors than you can at any seat on the track.

So I head back to our command center of sorts, where I’ve been able to watch every race since the start of my tenure here.

“Are you watching in here?” Fanny asks as I walk past her.

“Yep. Just like always.”

“You want to go over RSVP numbers while we watch?” she asks.

“Sure. Yeah. Let me stop by my office and grab my laptop.”

“See you in there.”

I head to my office, to grab my things so I can settle in for the race with Fanny and the rest of us, and when I enter my doorway, my feet falter.

On top of my closed laptop, on my desk, is a single peppermint candy.