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* * *
“Do you understand how disappointed I feel not attending Oktoberfest this year? I’m only young once,” I whine.
The German Grand Prix occurs in July, which means my dreams of beers and Liam in a lederhosen outfit are squashed. Liam and Jax chuckle like I’m cheeky and adorable. Maya bounces around the McCoy garage as she prepares to film another vlog interview with Jax. Liam and I stand off to the side so they have space to work, not bothering them with our usual shenanigans.
“You act like I’m not from here. We could go to Oktoberfest whenever.” Liam mentions the future casually like we will still be friends. Why does the thought make my heart beat against my chest like a speaker at a techno club?
“But I wanted to go this year. I want to buy an outfit, chug a beer, and drunkenly sing German songs I don’t understand.”
Liam roars with laughter, causing Maya and Jax’s heads to snap in our direction.
His eyes sparkle. “You can always save the outfit for me. Let’s buy one today and do a little role play.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Cut it out. You’re distracting the talent.”
“Hey, I’m half the talent around here.” His waggled brows and boyish grin add to his allure, hitting me with a sense of dizziness.
“Do you typically lay the charm on this thick? I’m wondering if I’m becoming immune to your advances.”
“I don’t know, want to test it out?” He brushes his knuckles across my cheeks. “My room tonight. I have another item for us to complete.”
Blush moves from my chest to my cheeks, my body blending into my Bandini T-shirt.
“All right, you two. Quiet on the set.” Maya’s words kill our conversation.
Maya and Jax film the interview. Jax gives an exclusive peek at his McCoy car, minus the secretive steering wheel. Maya asks lots of professional questions while Liam and I watch from the sidelines. Liam tries to distract me multiple times with a few soft kisses, but I push him away once Jax laughs at us. After twenty minutes, Maya wraps up.
“Don’t forget about my party tomorrow. Be at my parents’ house around 7 p.m.” Liam rubs the back of his neck.
“How can we forget. It’s the big boy’s twenty-ninth birthday celebration.” Maya claps her hands together.
Liam tilts his head at Maya. “Yeah. Noah and Santi told me they can’t make it because of some exclusive Bandini boy’s social event. So, no excuse for you.”
“How come I don’t get threatened?” I look straight into Liam’s eyes.
“It’s already a given that you’re going. My family won’t stop talking about meeting my new friend.”
That F word is becoming my least favorite. The way my chest pinches at the sound of it reminds me how I really need to get myself in check.
* * *
Maya drags me to the pre-race press conference since Santi is on the panel. Liam sits straighter now that I stand in a corner, prompting me to send him a GIF of Leslie Knope fake laughing during a press meeting. I dangle my phone in front and tap the screen to get his attention.
He peeks at his phone while a reporter asks a question to Santi, hiding his laugh behind a cough. I don’t know how they spend an hour up there, having question after question hammered at them.
“Noah, you’ve been fighting to remain at the top of the Championship ranking. Any reason behind some of the slipups? It looks like Liam is catching up to your points.”
Maya gives me a heavy dose of side-eye.
Noah rolls his eyes. “Liam’s been my competition since we drank juice boxes instead of champagne bottles. So, I’m not surprised he’s been closing in on me.”
Another reporter jumps in. “Liam, any concerns with this Grand Prix being your home race?”
“Concerns? Not really, no. At least nothing more than the usual pre-race nerves, but I’m confident I can win. I have to watch out for these two, though.” He makes a fist before spreading out his fingers and making a soft explosion sound.
I cover my mouth with my hand to muffle my laugh.
“Liam, another one for you. It’s been brought to the public’s attention that you’re dating a woman inside of the F1 organization. How does McCoy feel about you dating someone in the industry after everything that happened with Claudia?”
