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Edward: We should respect their boundaries and not interfere with their relationship?
As I read his last text, I couldn’t help but laugh. If there was anyone in the paddock less capable of respecting boundaries, it was Edward. Plus, he had bet some money with a few of the other drivers that Luca and Georgia would end up together by the end of the season, and I knew that was a bet he intended to win.
Lily: Who is this, and what have you done with Edward?
Edward: Should I be offended that you immediately came to me to help you with scheming?
Lily: Yes, you should be … now, will you help me or not?
Edward: You know me too well.
Edward: What’s the plan?
Edward and I texted for another ten minutes, running through the plan that we intended to set in motion at tonight’s podcast event. Both Georgia and Luca would be attending –together– and I figured this was our best chance to get them to discuss how they felt before the BBC interview. It didn’t matter how Isabelle tried to spin that BBC interview. Neither of them were particularly good actors, and if the two of them looked distant and downtrodden, the BBC would twist their words and burn them alive. Tonight was our best chance.
* * *
Georgia
When I arrived back at the hotel, there was no sign of Luca. I took a deep breath, letting the relief flow through me. After the events of today, I wasn’t in the mood to spend more time with Luca than I had to. I knew the inevitable break-up conversation was coming, and I felt like if I avoided him, I could push this off a little longer, still pretend that everything was normal.
As soon as I turned the water off, I heard shuffling in the living room, and I knew Luca was back. I looked down at the clothes I had intended to change into and had an idea. If Luca wanted out of this relationship, I was going to remind him of what he was missing. It was a bad idea, but I was feeling annoyed enough that I didn’t care. I tucked my outfit back into my travel bag, and I walked out into the living room in just my towel. Immediately, Luca looked up at me, his eyes going a bit wide as our eyes met.
“Oh, sorry, Luca… didn’t know you were back,” I said nonchalantly, trying to keep my cool. The truth was I was fuming inside. I was frustrated at his text, but I said nothing, my face as still as a statue. Luca let a small smirk form on his lips as he nodded at me, his eyes following me across the room.
“No problem, Principessa, nothing I haven’t seen before,” he quipped, a cheeky smile forming on his lips. I glared at his cool demeanor, even though my insides were burning.
The nerve on that man to flirt with me after telling me he wants to break up.
I wanted to come up with something clever as a response, but the words escaped me as I stood there in my towel, so instead I just huffed it back to my room. As I approached the door, I tripped over the edge of the coffee table. I managed to stop myself from plummeting to the ground, but the towel I had wrapped around my body fell to my feet as I stood up. I went to grab it quickly, but Luca beat me to it. He picked up the towel and handed it to me, that classic Cheshire cat grin on his face.
“Think you dropped this,” he said slyly. I knew I had just been caught teasing him, and I could feel my cheeks blush as I quickly grabbed the towel from his grip. Luca made no effort to move out of my way as I pushed past him and into my bedroom, a little mortified at how wrong my stunt had gone.
I stayed in my room until 6 p.m., which was the time we were meant to leave for the Silverstone home race podcast event. I had texted Luca that I would meet him downstairs, and he had readily agreed; I figured he also wanted to avoid the elephant in the room. When I arrived outside of the hotel, Luca had a car already waiting for us. He still had a small grin on his face, which I chose to ignore as we hopped into the taxi.
As soon as we arrived at the podcast event, a coordinator was waiting for the two of us. Luca and I were shuffled into the front row with the other VIPs – Éliott, Henri, and Oliver, who had all opted to come and support the British drivers.
“Welcome everyone to our Home Race F1 Podcast, Silverstone edition. I am joined on stage today by our four beloved British drivers, Lily Wilson, Edward Davis, Oscar Parker, and Eric Spencer.” The crowd applauded the drivers as the four waved at the audience from the stage. I gave Lily a thumbs-up, and she blew me a kiss, causing a huge smile to form across my lips.Ever the saleswoman was Lily.
“Now, we’ll start with Lily. Lily, what would winning Silverstone mean to you.”
“Winning Silverstone would feel almost as good as winning the championship. I haven’t won a Grand Prix yet, but to take my first Grand Prix at home, that would be something incredibly special.” Lily was absolutely beaming up on that stage, a huge smile across her face. She truly was beautiful, and I had no doubt in my mind that when her incredible F1 career was over, she would make a great TV presenter.
“Well, we certainly hope the best for you, and we’re glad to hear that Valkyrie announced both you and Georgia will be driving with the team next year!” As Josh, the podcast presenter, said the words, I gave Lily a big thumbs up. I had been so wrapped up in my concern over Luca, I hadn’t really been able to congratulate myself on getting my contract renewed. Isabelle had offered me three years, which was typically unheard of for new drivers. The fact that she believed in me that much made me feel warm inside. Isabelle had believed us when no one else had.
“Me too, Josh, me too. It’s an honor to be selected to drive for Valkyrie.”
“Well, we’re excited to see more battles between you and Georgia. You make a great duo. Do you think you are a contender for the Championship next year?” Lily took a pause before she answered, and I could see her debating her answer. This was an awkward question, and the journalists loved asking it. It was no secret that I was the team’s primary driver this season, but Lily had managed to hold her own. She was five years younger than me and had considerably less experience, but she had managed to find herself on the podium during her rookie season, a huge success. Most rookie drivers focused on not crashing the car, calling that a win in itself. I knew a race win was in her future. She had incredible talent, but there was a moment when every driver questioned:Is the team holding me back by prioritizing the other driver?
“If the car continues to perform like it is today, then absolutely.”
“Even with Georgia as your teammate?” Josh asked, annoyed that Lily was avoiding his real question – the question everyone wanted answers to. Journalists, they were all alike.
Everyone wanted the two female drivers to be at each other’s throats, but that wasn’t our dynamic.Lily and I were a team, and our mission was unified one – show the world that women deserved to be in the car, sitting on the pit wall, and in the leadership offices.
Lily let a subtle smile wash over her face; she knew exactly what Josh was playing at. “Especiallywith Georgia as my teammate,” Lily finally said. “I’m learning how to be a champion from someone who has dominated F1 in her first season. I can think of no better teacher, can you, Josh?”
Oscar Parker let out a laugh as he playfully shoved Lily. “I don’t know, Josh. My teacher has a knighthood, so I think I might have the best,” he interjected, winking at Lily. The two of them chuckled as Eric gave an awkward sigh, swatting Oscar on the shoulder. After Eric’s fourth win, he had been honored with a well-deserved knighthood by The Crown for his service to motorsport.
