Page 111 of Riding the Curve

He takes off his ball cap, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Alright, then let’s get you in the car. It’s time for you to get us a win.”

Beau winks and a grin spreads wide on my lips.

I can do this.

Sweat beads down my forehead as I take a sip of water from my helmet. We’re already two hours in, only forty minutes left. For the most part, I’ve been able to keep my lap speeds consistent, except for one when the LMP2 Audi in front of me spun out after a flat tire.

Luckily, I was able to maneuver my Porsche around them without becoming a part of the wreck, but it was incredibly close.

“Em, how you holding up?” Eddy’s muffled voice streams through my helmet.

“A little warm.” Even though I’ve only been out two months, I guess my body hasn’t fully acclimated yet to the intense heat of the car’s cabin. “But otherwise, I’m doing alright.”

His laughter rumbles through. “Well, make sure you stay hydrated, because right now you and Axel are matched for laps and time again.”

Of course we are.

“I’ll make sure I stay focused.”

“Good. Now keep up the good work and bring us all a win, Em.”

Just after I stopped talking, I noticed that Axel was hot on my heels again. Winding around the different cars. In seconds we were side by side.

Looks like this is going to be a fight all the way to the end.

HENLEY

“Excuse me. Pardon me,” I huff politely as I maneuver around fans trying to make my way to the stadium.

When the plane landed, we got stuck another hour on the tarmac waiting for a spot in the terminal. Once we were finally able to depart, I practically sprinted all the way out to the taxi line.

I may have also told the taxi driver I’d tip him an extra fifty dollars if he got me to the raceway as fast as he could.

Sweat beads down my back, my heart feels like it’s about to thump right out of my chest, and I’m pretty sure that the back of my heels already have blisters.

But I don’t care.

The only thing that matters to me right now is making it to the box so I can watch my boyfriend race.

Preston had sent me a text with details where the family box would be, and I was only a few feet away. When I turn the corner, I’m met with his warm smile as he waits next to the door.

I almost pass out in relief. I made it.

Falling into his open arms, I finally let myself breathe.

“Hen, did you run all the way here?” he asks. His tone is half joking, half serious.

A rush of air flees my lips. “Practically. I may have also bribed the taxi driver to drive as fast as he could. He put a lot of New York drivers to shame.”

Preston laughs, lifting my backpack from my shoulder and grabbing the handle of my carry-on. “Should have told him IMSA is hiring.”

Laughter spills out of me, and it feels like I’m able to finally take a full breath. The pressure that’s been clamped against my chest the past couple of days finally unlocks.

“Let’s go watch the end of the race.”

We make our way to a clear spot in front of the window.

“So, what did I miss?”