Page 3 of Downforce

“I guess I’ve become chopped liver, huh?”

Trav plucks Lucky out of his crib. He points the camera at his red-faced, snot nosed, six month old.

“Is your daddy mistreating you?” I coo. “Do you want Auntie to come over and make it better?”

Travis tuts. “Auntie Annalise has work to do tonight.”

As Travis’ assistant, the whole reason I’m going to tonight’s gala is for Travis. The FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, is hosting the masquerade as a fundraiser. One of Travis’ top prospective sponsors will be in attendance.

“How’s Alyssia feeling?” I ask. Both Lucky and Alyssia caught the flu, and for the past five days have been sick as dogs. Somehow, Trav escaped the worst of it, but he’s chosen to remain home tonight with his family despite a potentially lucrative opportunity to solidify a deal with a legacy watch brand that will be attending tonight.

That’s where I come in.

“Her fever finally broke,” Trav answers, sounding relieved. “But she was up half the night with this one.” He gestures to a still fussy Lucky in his arms. “She’s sleeping now. Hang on.”

There’s some wrestling as he places the phone down with one hand.

“What’s that?” I watch him retrieve something from the side of the forest green changing table.

Travis holds up his hand. “This one’s favorite toy.” Sarcasm fills his tone.

I watch as he picks Lucky up, but as soon as my nephew sees what’s in his father’s hand, he starts squirming and screeching. It breaks my heart.

“I’m trying to help you breathe,” Travis tells him, a pleading note entering his voice now.

He uses the aspirator carefully on first one nostril and then the other, Lucky fighting him the entire way. The sight turns from a little heartbreaking to comical as I watch my world champion brother fight with his six-month-old son to remove the snot from his nose.

“Is your daddy being mean to you?” I ask Lucky when Travis picks up his phone again.

Lucky has calmed down.

“He always fights me tooth and nail when I try to use this thing.” He holds up the light blue aspirator before tossing it aside.

“I wouldn’t like someone sticking some random thing in my nose either,” I comment. “Don’t worry, Lucky. Tonight I’m going to seal this deal for your daddy so he’ll have enough money to pay for your college tuition,” I assure my nephew, whose head now rests on his father’s chest.

He has no understanding of what I’ve just said, but my heart swells staring at his chubby cheeks and half-closed eyelids.

Lucky’s light brown complexion, hazel eyes, and generally cheerful demeanor is the perfect combination of both of his parents. A part of me still can’t believe Travis is a father.

But as I watch him run a loving palm over Lucky’s cheek, soothing him into sleep, I know he was born to be this little one’s daddy. And Alyssia’s husband.

“Are you all set for tonight?”

His question brings me back to the importance of tonight. My brain hones in on the constant checklist in my head, making little tick marks beside each item that I’ve gone over again and again.

But not obsessively. Not anymore. Because obsessing would make me useless to my brother tonight, I remind myself, even though it’s been a long time since my obsessions have gotten the better of me.

“We’re all good. Chloe just gave me the approval on my dress and mask.”

I’ve read and re-read the proposal Norm sent over. I’m looking for Luca Taylor, CEO of MaxWaters Suits, one of the most prestigious men’s apparel companies in Europe. He now runs the company started by his great-grandfather and is interested in the one and only Travis Townsend to be the face of his brand.

“There’s no way Taylor will want to turn you down.”

My words are enthusiastic but the minute morsel of doubt creeps in at the back of my mind. Taylor is known to be a hard ass and very strict about who he chooses to represent his company.

Travis leans in to kiss the top of Lucky’s head, who’s now all but fallen asleep.

“You think so?” he asks.