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I smiled in appreciation. “Thank you for understanding.”
He raised his finger once more. “Don’t say ‘no’ right away. Take until tomorrow evening to decide. If, after that, you still think you won’t be able to do it, no hard feelings. I completely understand.”
Part of me wanted to tell him I wouldn’t be changing my mind, but as I listened to him speak, I realized what this could mean for Simon’s education. This might be the only chance I had to keep him in private school.
After a couple of races, I’d have enough to pay for a full year outright.
However, I’d need Jillian’s help to make it happen. I didn’t think she’d refuse, but until I could talk to her face-to-face, it would be wrong of me to take the offer.
“Okay, Dieter,” I began, after taking one final sip of my cocktail. “I promise you’ll hear from me one way or the other. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
AVA
As it happened, Dyson finished in second place, just behind his main rival, Gunter Kass.
Not long after my conversation with Dieter and Dr. Wilcox ended, everyone in the luxury suite made their way down to the pits. In the immediate aftermath of the race, the entire area filled with people. Soon however, the celebration shifted towards the winner’s circle, and we met up with the team in the garage.
“Ava,” Dr. Wilcox began, leaning in towards me while we walked together. “I think this is a tremendous opportunity for you, and I believe you can do it.”
I turned and looked at him. “Thank you for recommending me and believing in me.”
Dr. Wilcox smiled and opened his arms. I leaned in towards him and we embraced.
“Ava,” he said, hugging me tight. “Why wouldn’t I believe in you?”
I smiled. How could I not enjoy receiving praise from someone I respected so much? We remained that way for another moment or so until a familiar voice interrupted my train of thought.
“Hey, can I get some of that?”
Separating my head from Dr. Wilcox’s chest, I glanced in the direction of the sound to see Dyson approaching.
Before I could say a word, Dr. Wilcox spoke, “Great race! You almost had him this time.”
Dyson nodded, waving him off. “Don’t get me started.”
Dr. Wilcox glanced at me, unsure of what to make of Dyson’s comment. Within seconds, Dyson stood near us. He winked at Dr. Wilcox. “Forget about that piece of shit, Kass, Doc. He’ll get what he’s got coming to him sooner or later.”
The parade of people coming and going from every direction left me feeling a bit disoriented. I’d never been in a situation like this before.
“Is it always like this?” I asked, looking at Dyson while gesturing to the sea of bodies around me.
Dyson smiled. “Only on race day.”
He slid his hands into the pockets of his fire suit and looked at Dr. Wilcox. “Can I steal her for a second, Doc?”
Dr. Wilcox nodded. “She’s all yours.”
With that, Dr. Wilcox headed in the direction of the team garage. Dyson turned towards me.
“Second place?” I said, crossing my arms at my chest. “I could’ve watched you finish second sitting at home. I didn’t have to come all the way down here.”
Dyson chuckled at my protest. “It’s always better in person. And don’t worry, second place is only temporary.”
“I should hope so.”
He nodded at me, flicking his chin in my direction. “Let’s take a walk.”
I won’t pretend it was easy. The throng of people literally crushed us as we tried to get out of the post-race melee.
However, early on, Dyson insisted I hold his hand.
The entire way, the mass of bodies spread apart with ease as he moved through them like an icebreaker. Well-wishers patted him on the back the entire way, encouraging him to keep driving, stay aggressive, and do what it takes.
As we walked, I kept my eyes down, clinging to him as we moved. After what seemed like forever, but was probably no more than five minutes, we emerged from the crowd into an area of relative peace and quiet.
“So, what did you think?” Dyson said, turning and stopping to face me. “Your very first Formula One race? Maybe your boyfriend will win next time.”
I shifted my jaw, glaring at his smart ass comment. “Who’s to say my boyfriend didn’t win this time?”
Dyson leaned back, roaring with laughter and clapping his hands together. “You had fun though, right?”
I smiled, amused at his amusement. “Yes.”
“And you’re going to take the position aren’t you?”
Suddenly, everything slowed. I stopped, looking at him. As soon as he asked me the question, his smile faded. In its place, a look of focus and concern.
“You are taking it, right?”
I wasn’t exactly sure what to say in that moment.
I studied him.
Between the time we’d come down from the owner’s suite to the pits and now, there hadn’t been enough time for Dieter to tell Dyson about the offer he’d made to me. A myriad of thoughts raced through my mind.
How did Dyson know about the offer? Was he behind it the entire time? Was Dieter’s entire line of questioning all for show?
All of the positive feelings I’d been building towards Dyson melted away as I stared at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, frowning as he looked at me. “Are you going to take the job or not?”
For a split second, I considered telling Dyson exactly what he could do with the position and where he could stick it. I had little doubt he was involved somehow. Repulsed though I was at the meaning of it, I couldn’t help but think of Simon.
No matter what kind of games went on with the team, my nephew was innocent. I had a responsibility to follow through on the commitment I’d made to him years ago, and one oversexed race car driver wasn’t about to stand in my way.
I swallowed hard, flexing my jaw in defiance.
“I haven’t decided whether or not I’m taking it.”
Dyson blinked several times. I resisted the urge to stick my finger in his chest and tell him to go to hell.
“Oh, okay,” he replied, nodding. Still holding his crash helmet in his hand, he continued, “Well, I know we’re all hoping you can.”
It took everything I had not to curse him out and put the whole thing at risk. Yet somehow, I managed to hold my tongue.
“I’m going to head back to the pits,” I began. “I’ve got to get home.”
Dyson stepped towards me, raising his hand towards my upper arm. “I’ll walk you back.”
I shook my head and backed away from him. “That won’t be necessary. I know the way.”
He stared at me without a word for a second or two before he nodded his head. “Okay, Ava. No problem. So I guess I’ll see you if I see you, right?”
Before I turned to walk away, I looked at him. “I guess. Good luck, Dyson.”
“Yeah, you too.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than I spun away from him and headed in the direction of the pits once again. Unlike before, I didn’t allow the throng of bodies to deter me from my path. I elbowed my way through, shoving and grunting as I moved among them. This was all about survival for me now. It was clear that being out on the Formula One tour meant I’d have to fend for myself. With backstabbing and double dealing at every turn, I couldn’t afford to lose focus for even a second.
Before long, I reached the pits and approached Dr. Wilcox. He stood there, chatting with Dieter as I walked up to them.
“Dr. Wilcox,” I began, looking up at him. “I need to get going. I’ve got to get home and talk to my nephew.”
Dr. Wilcox looked at me, concern framing his expression. “Something the matter, Ava? You seem upset.”
I shook my head. “No sir, just focused. I know what I’ve got to do now. Can you take me home? If you can’t, I’ll find another way.”
He reached towards me, placing his hand on my upper back. “Of course, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll take you home right away.”
AVA
After we arrived back at my apartment, I thanked Dr. Wilcox for everything he’d done for me. I held out the tiniest bit of hope that he was the only one behind the whole idea. If nothing else, I certainly didn’t think he had anything to do with Dyson’s involvement, if Dyson was involved.
Really, I had no idea, but my intuition nagged at me.
Not long after Dr. Wilcox dropped me off, I headed towards my apartment. While I did, I realized I’d have to lie to Simon about why I was leaving in the first place. If he had any inkling I’d taken the position so he wouldn’t have to go back to public school, I worried it would upset him and stress him out.
Clutching the hard brass of my house key, I slid it into the lock and clicked it open. I needed to come up with a believable story—the sooner the better.
As luck would have it, he and Jillian were sitting at the kitchen table eating an early dinner. I pushed the door closed and smiled at them as I walked inside. Crossing the room, I reached towards Simon’s head and began to stroke his hair.
“Are you feeling better?” I asked, hugging him close.
“Mmm hmm.”
I leaned over and placed a single kiss on the crown of his head. “Good.”
Turning in place, I headed in the direction of the kitchen. “It smells great. What are you guys eating?”
