Page 133 of Downforce

It’s a battle not to ask my brother how much he would like it if his closest rival were the one constantly being named whenever our father’s name was mentioned. If the tables were revered and it was Max’s name brought up whenever our father’s legacy is mentioned instead of his.

The other night while watching old videos of Max’s races, I came across an interview of a sportscaster asking him what advice he thinks his father would give to Travis after he first signed with Amato. For a split second, I saw something cross Max’s eyes that broke my heart.

For a beat, the light in his gaze went out.

He’d covered it up and offered some words of encouragement for Travis, but I couldn’t get that look out of my head.

“What if things are different now?” I say instead of what’s really on my mind. “No, things are different now,” I correct. “He’s your teammate. Like it or not. And team morale is more important than your ego. You’ve invited photographers there to take pictures specifically for that reason. How will it look to the public if Max isn’t there?”

“You think I’m going to make my son’s first birthday party into a public spectacle just to play nice with that motherfu⁠—”

“No, Travis, and you know that’s not what I’m saying!”

Both of our voices rise.

“Whoa, let’s calm down, kids.”

“Fuck you, Tristan.”

“Screw you, Trist.”

Travis and I say in unison to our brother’s condescending ass. He rolls his eyes in response as if he’s bored. Tristan’s the most unflappable out of the three of us.

“Foul language aside, Annalise has a point,” he tells Travis.

“Thank you.”

“So does Travis,” he readily adds.

I glare at him, but he’s not affected by it at all.

“The real point is that this is an opportunity to bury the hatchet with your teammate. You don’t perform well when you’re in your feelings, Trav,” he continues. “With about half of the season left, it would do you some good to let that bitterness go.”

He points into the screen. “If you do invite him, make sure to keep your temper in check.”

He leans forward.

“Because if you fuck up my nephew’s first birthday party, I’ll kick your ass.”

I snicker because I know his threat is true. I’m pretty certain Tristan loves that little boy more than either one of us. And we’re his ride or dies.

Even Travis laughs.

“Whatever. I’ll think about it.”

I know that’s as good as it’s going to get for now, so I drop it.

CHAPTER 36

Annalise

“Do you think he’s going to be afraid of the clown?” Alyssia asks while bouncing Lucky, who is dressed in a polo style shirt with matching red, textured shorts. He’s obviously dressed in Amato red and is the most handsome man in all of the south of France, which is where Travis and Alyssia decided to host this outdoor birthday party.

There are at least a hundred and fifty people here today. All of our families, including Alyssia’s uncles, her pregnant best friend and her husband, along with our side of the family which is more than three quarters of the family members here since our family is so huge. Then there’re so many Amato team members and friends from around Europe.

There would be more people, but Travis and Alyssia decided to cap it.

“Lucky’s not afraid of anything,” I croon, taking Lucky’s hand.