Page 45 of Downforce

I haven’t talked to or spent any alone time with him since he stormed off after my harsh response to his unexpected kiss. And I can’t stop thinking about the spark that ignited in his eyes when I asked him what the hell he was doing.

It was almost … hurt?

No, that doesn’t make sense.

Max isn’t the type to get hurt by a little rejection. He has too many women on his roster to care about one tiny repudiation. Besides, I suspect the only reason he’s even trying to be in my space is to get to Travis somehow. Maybe he thinks if I fall for him or something it’ll mess with my brother’s head, rendering him unable to compete to his highest potential.

Either way, that’s not going to happen.

Shaking off the thoughts, I open my laptop, taking a seat at the table at the center of the room. There’s a message from Norm, who isn’t here this weekend. It’s the first email I open, hoping he’ll have some news on the Luca Taylor situation. Travis asked me about it just the other day and I had nothing to give him.

My stomach twists in knots as I skim over Norm’s email to see it’s in regards to a completely different sponsorship deal. Potential good news, but it still weighs on me that there’s no word from Taylor.

My fingers hover above the keyboard as I contemplate whether or not to go into the Taylor file and read over those emails again and perhaps send another follow-up email.

“Don’t build the wall.”

My OCD therapist’s words come back to me, reminding me not to feed a potential obsession or intrusive thought. At times, easier said than done.

I sigh and start typing out a response to Norm before adding to my to-do list to do some research on this latest company when the door opens.

“No, he doesn’t want to do it.”

My back goes straight at the volume of Edwin’s voice. He and I have crossed paths many times over the years, especially now that Max drives for Amato. It still grates on my nerves how loud he can be.

“Tell them to stop bloody asking,” he insists before hanging up the phone and tossing it on the table, startling me.

“Oh, Annalise.” His tone switches on a dime.

“Edwin, how’s it going?” I ask to be friendly. My attention returns to my laptop, trying to finish up before the race starts.

“Can’t believe the insistence of some people.” Edwin gestures toward his phone. “That was someone from the FIA. They’re calling to ask if Max wants to drive Severino’s old Amato car in Sao Paolo this year.”

I sit up straighter, taking my attention off of my laptop for the first time. “Really?”

“Right?” he huffs. “Can you believe it? He tells them ‘no’ every bloody year. They’re being insistent this year since he’s driving for Amato, I suppose.” Edwin sucks his teeth, shaking his head.

“That would be⁠—”

“Embarrassing,” Edwin talks over me. “Exactly what I thought. Which is what I told them. Max doesn’t belong in anyone’s shadow. Not even the late, great Severino Ferreira.”

I flinch at the rather callous way he spits out Max’s father’s name. As far as I’ve seen, Edwin and Max are close … more than agent—or manager or whatever Edwin’s role is—and client. They behave more like friends.

Max has always been reticent in speaking in public about his father, sticking to brief comments on his legendary status, even when certain journalists probe for more.

“He would hate that,” Edwin finishes.

I quiet my thoughts and nod. It’s not my business. Edwin knows Max better than I ever will, so he must be speaking Max’s true feelings.

“I should get downstairs.” I close my laptop and start for the first level to be in position for the start of the race. As I leave, I get the strangest suspicion that there’s a pair of eyes on my back the entire time I walk away.

“There you are,” Alyssia says, smiling as I come up beside her. “Did you get your emails done?” She bounces Lucky on her shoulder, swaying back and forth.

I smile at my nephew before responding, “Some. I’ll get back to them after the race.”

She chuckles. “I tell Travis all of the time that his life wouldn’t work without you. I honestly doubt he would’ve won the championship if he didn’t have you in his corner.”

My smile widens but a weight settles just a little bit deeper inside of my chest at my sister-in-law’s words.