Page 104 of Downforce

“That’s right, Bob. I’ll tell you, I don’t know what’s gotten into Ferreira this season, but he is on a roll. If he keeps this up, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a second generation Ferreira with the word ‘champion’ next to his name.”

The garage thunders as both cars come rumbling in to even louder applause and cheers of congratulations. As soon as Max gets out of his car, he’s swarmed with Amato staff, Drake, and the friends I’ve seen Max with over the years.

I’m moving to him without even thinking. Before I can get halfway though, I’m pushed aside so brusquely that I have to grab onto the person next to me to keep from falling.

Luckily, Alyssia is the person next to me.

She laughs. “Guess she couldn’t wait to greet her son, huh?” She juts her head in Max’s direction.

When I peer over, Max’s mother is pushing everyone aside to reach for Max, hugging him. She’s laughing and telling him quite loudly how proud she is of him.

I wonder if anyone else notices the way he hesitates to return the hug.

His gaze connects with mine over his mother’s shoulder, as if he was intentionally seeking me out. Some emotion I can’t put into words passes over his face as he holds my attention.

“Hell of a race, son.” My father’s words pull me out of whatever that was.

It feels as if something in my chest tears a little bit as I follow the rest of my family to welcome my brother back to the paddock and congratulate him on his second place finish.

CHAPTER 29

Annalise

“We can’t go go-karting,” I say, staring up at the sign on the building we’re standing in front of.

It’s been a week since Max’s Monaco win, and it’s his free weekend before the next race in Barcelona. Despite both of us being in the same building, we haven’t had much alone time together. Mainly because of work and my entire family is still in town.

Most nights I’ve spent with Chloe at my place after dinners with my family after working on the many photoshoots or follow up tasks for Travis during the day.

Tonight is different, however. My parents and Chloe have gone into France for the night to meet up with some of our other family members. Which allowed me to respond to Max’s invitation out tonight. He’d mentioned dinner at his place followed by a secret destination.

“Why not?” he asks, taking my hand into his and pulling me toward the entrance.

I stop him. “Your contract.” I shake my head. “I haven’t read yours but I know Trav and most drivers have an iron-clad clause that prohibits extreme sports outside of their profession. Which includes go-karts.”

I look at Max expectedly.

His eyelids lower slowly. “I recall something about that.”

“We can’t go-kart then.”

“We can,” he counters. “It’s not a big deal. I’ve rented the place out. No one will know.”

“No one but—” I’m cut off.

“Max,” a young employee dressed in the company’s light blue polo-style shirt greets. “Welcome to All-Night Go-Kart.”

My first instinct is to duck my head to keep anyone from seeing us, but as I glance around, I notice something very peculiar.

“We’re the only ones here.” Max says squeezing my hand, pulling me toward the entrance. “I promise, I won’t get injured.” He winks at me.

“You can’t make a promise like that,” I grumble.

Aside from the worker, he’s right. It’s just us which alleviates the concern about his contract, though I’m pretty certain we shouldn’t be doing this. Also, I still haven’t told anyone—not my mother or sister, and especially not my brothers—about seeing Max.

He and I haven’t even talked about what this actually is between us. Every time I imagine telling my family, especially Travis, I picture the disappointment on their faces.

I blink and shake my head as the racing thoughts threaten to take over. On a deep inhale, I remind myself that my family isn’t here and what’s happening between me and Max probably isn’t going anywhere. My brain attempts to persuade me again that he’s only here to set me up as a means to cause strife between my brother and I.