Page 49 of Homecoming

She was proud of what she did and she knew she was good at it. So she claimed it, no matter what others thought about it.

It was hers.

Also, when I had confronted her, the hurt and betrayal were stark on her features. I was just too gone to notice it.

But thinking back on it, it didn’t speak volumes, her reaction screamed in my face.

“I see the light is dawning,” Colton muttered and went back to stare mindlessly at the TV.

“But, if she’s not the one who leaked it, then who? I told no one besides her.” I was talking mostly to myself, but Colton still replied.

“Look closer to home.”

Max.

It came to me instantly.

He was feeling threatened, not knowing if his dad was going to stay the owner; he was grasping for straws to present himself as the more valuable driver on the team.

His problem was, he was not better than me, and he knew it.

So, he had to find another way. And what better way than to expose something so big, and shocking, that the press would crucify me over it and have the sponsors threatening to walk away if I wasn’t released from my contract?

“Fucking hell, that little shit.” I had to restrain myself from throwing the bottle and smashing it against the wall.

“Yup,” Colton said casually, popping the p.

“Have you confirmed it?” I turned to him.

I needed answers. If Max was behind all of this, I had to have proof.

“Unfortunately, no. But, it’s more than whispers. All the crews are fuming. He broke the golden rule.”

The same one I was referring to when I denied Colton information. You never talked shop with anyone on the circuit. No matter the bonds you share.

Personal life, sure. Family. But never to someone who had access to the grid.

Everyone wanted a peek into the garage next to yours. And any information was paid for heavily.

“But, why? The heads love him.” I didn’t get it. Why did he jump the gun?

It was still all in the air. We didn’t know if we would get a new owner.

“Simple, he wants you gone.” Colton turned on his stool, looked around, and shared. “You’re you. The fans adore you, you are two times world champion. You know as much about cars as mechanics, maybe in some cases even more. It’s widely known, you’re invited into the room in all the stages of design and production, and your opinion is not only valued, but it’s also golden. And followed to a T. He’s aware that he’s basically this month's flavor. And if push came to shove, he can’t compete, and he’s out.”

Colton turned back and continued. “We both know there are thousands of guys just like him who are waiting for their shot. He doesn’t stand a chance. But you, my friend, teams would go to war to have you.”

It was true. Most of it.

I wasn’t so sure about what he said of the other teams, but I did bust my ass when I was a kid trying to make it in this sport to learn everything I possibly could.

And that meant I knew even the smallest screw on the car and what was its use.

Still, it was good to hear it didn’t go unnoticed.

I mulled around what he said.

It made sense. And Max had the resources to investigate me.