Page 37 of Downforce

“They’re not even here this weekend.” Her voice is oddly insistent, like their absence is proving her point.

“Because my sister is in one of her final fencing competitions of her collegiate career. My brother is with them, but I can assure you they’re all slightly devastated not to be here this weekend, and as soon as this race is over, whether Travis wins or comes in dead last, they’ll be on my phone to congratulate him and tell him how much they love him.”

I hadn’t meant for all of that to come out. But my annoyance at her trying to imply that my parents would side with her over their own son got the best of me.

“Well …” She flips her hair over her shoulder, her voice coming out crisper than previously. “We’re all proud of our children. That’s a given. We should settle down since the race is about to begin.”

I refrain from telling her that I wasn’t the one who started this conversation. Thankfully, she walks away before I accidentally let those words slip.

“I didn’t think I’d make it,” Alyssia says, sounding in a rush as she comes up beside me. “The amount of people who wanted to stop or take pictures with me. Like I’m a celebrity or something.”

“You kind of are,” I tell her, grinning.

She rolls her eyes. “My husband is the star. I’m just …”

“The love of his life,” I finish.

Her sparkling gaze drops to Lucky. “And his baby mama.” She holds out her hands to my nephew. “He looks pretty comfortable where he is, but if you want, I can take him.”

I twist my body and Lucky away from her, making him giggle. He’s still preoccupied with my necklace, turning it over and running his little fingers over it. I marvel at his exploration of the things we adults take for granted.

“I’ve got him,” I say, making her laugh.

“Great, leaves my hands free to cheer for the start.”

As soon as she says this, a hush falls over the paddock. All of the cars are in position, with Travis having won pole to start from the front of the grid. Max is in fifth. If he wants to finish on the podium, he’ll have to push it hard.

My eyes go over to his mom, who’s having a quiet conversation with the brunette woman she came with. They’re barely paying attention to the screen.

I turn back just in time to see the lights go out, the engines roar anew, and everyone gets off the line. Travis’ car moves like lightning. It’s evident that he’s adjusted to this season’s car with ease. Max was a little slow at the start, but is able to maintain his fifth place position, and at the third corner of the race he manages to slip through a hole left open by one of the Edward’s Racing cars, pulling him into fourth place.

A round of applause sounds around the garage when he finesses that move. At points throughout the race, I hold my breath and cheer with everyone else when either Travis or Max make a great move or successfully defend off a car that challenges their position.

I love this sport.

I laugh along with Alyssia when Lucky cheers with the rest of the paddocks once Travis has a great pit stop. A weepiness overcomes my gaze upon seeing him throw his little fist in the air, making cooing sounds even though he likely has no idea what’s happening.

A groan descends over the crowd when one of the drivers from Edwards Racing crashes. Alyssia startles, making Lucky look over at her with alarm. A beat later he starts squirming and crying.

“It’s okay, baby,” Alyssia consoles, finally taking him from me. She kisses his forehead and soothes him, and I think at the same time, soothing herself. No, it wasn’t Travis that crashed, and while she’s come a long way, I’m sure it’s still not easy for Alyssia to see or be around a sport where car crashes are normal, given her history.

I watch the race and participate in cheering anytime Travis, and even Max’s car, passes our section of the track.

The time flies by, and soon, an hour and forty minutes have passed. Seconds later, the announcers start listing Travis’ stats.

“With a career total of thirty-one Grand Prix wins to his name, add this one to make thirty-two for Travis Townsend,” the announcer says as the paddock explodes into applause at the same time the checkered flag is waved and my brother crosses the finish lane.

Everyone in the paddock is on their feet, cheering.

Another exhilarating race in Australia is in the bag.

Even as I cheer for my brother, I glance up at the screen in time to see Max’s car cross the finish line in fourth place position. No podium placement for him this time.

CHAPTER 12

Annalise

Three weeks after Melbourne, I find myself walking along the streets of Tokyo. Unable to resist the beauty of cherry blossom season, I once again chose to arrive ahead of Travis and Alyssia.