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“It doesn’t matter that what they’re saying is true. This relationship started as a fake one, but that doesn’t give them the right to attackmyracing or whoIam as a person.
I’m going to win this championship, Isabelle. I’m going to win Sunday’s race, and then Singapore, and then I’m going to keep winning until there’s no more races to win. You hired me to win, to fight – and that’s what I’m doing. I’m not going to back down, and if I lose my race seat for being me, then so be it.
I’ll have done it being myself,Georgia Dubois, the first female F1 champion – and that’s good enough for me.”
I got up from my seat and made my way to Isabelle’s office door. As I went to open it, I heard a laugh from behind me. I turned to see something that I had never seen before – Isabelle was sitting there, a look full of pride and adoration on her face, with a smile stretched from ear to ear.
“Well, then, Georgie, sounds like we have some work to do.”
* * *
Race day had finally arrived in Austria. The remaining press conferences and Sponsorship meetings had gone smoothly. I kept my promise of not backing down, but unlike before, the journalists could see that I was ready for them, ready to take them on. I guess the challenge was proving to be too much for them. Isabelle wasn’t too pleased with how Thursday’s press conference had gone, but fuck it – I didn’t care anymore.
Éliott was right. Those journalists hid behind their laptop screens, writing puff pieces about nonsense while we went out every race Sunday, driving dangerous cars for their enjoyment.
If they had something to say about me, they could say it to my face.
My morning race prep had been fairly easy. I wasn’t asked to do any more press conferences, so the only thing we had to do was the drivers’ parade before the race. As requested, Luca met me at the Valkyrie garage entrance, and we made our way to the holding room, our hands intertwined. When we walked in, I heard a wolf whistle, which, of course, came from Edward and Oliver, who were cheering us on as we walked over to the group of drivers.
“Nice of you two love birds to finally join us.” I scoffed at that, taking my water bottle from Lizzie, who had followed us in. She had been strictly instructed to watch me up until the drivers’ parade, not wanting another press conference or hotel incident to happen.
“You gonna crucify the sports journalist on the parade truck?” Oliver had a twinkle of hope in his eye. I knew all the drivers got a kick out of Georgia “Sassy” Dubois.
“No, she most certainly is not.” Lizzie gave Oliver a death glare, warning the driver off from any more shenanigans. Oliver just gave her a sheepish look, clearly getting the message.
“I did notcrucifythem.” Before I could continue defending myself, the rest of the drivers were laughing a littletooloudly, as if I had just told the biggest joke.
“They ended the press conference early!” Edward laughed.
We boarded the vehicle that had been converted to a parade truck, all of us wearing our brightly colored team polos. Luca kept my hand in his as we went to the back of the area, both of us leaning against the rails. Edward, Oliver, and Oscar followed us, and by the look on Edward’s face, he had something he wanted to discuss.
“Edward, you look like a deer in headlights. What’s up?”
“So, umm, I just wanted to let you know Anthony is here again.” Edward’s face looked worried. I knew Luca had filled him in on where the article’s information hadactuallycome from.
“Does he not actually race in Indy Car? He always seems to behere.” Luca took off his hat and pushed his hair back, something I noticed he often did when he was frustrated or nervous.
“Apparently, they have a break, and he’s up for Wilmington F1 testing again.”
“Well, thanks for letting me know, Edward, but honestly, there isn’t a lot Anthony can do to us at this point.” I gave him a reassuring smile and then looked at Luca, whose face looked a little less convincing. I gave his hand a squeeze before the presenter walked over to us; she looked a little wary of my presence, but I gave the camera a nice smile and did the interview as requested without confrontation.
Apparently, Valkyrie could only handle one press blowout a weekend, or so I was told by the team.
The drivers’ parade ended without any fuss, and we departed the bus, making our way back to our respective garages. As Luca dropped me outside the garage entrance, he pulled me into his chest and gave me a peck on the lips, offering me a warm smile as he looked down into my eyes.
I looked around to see if there was any press, but surprisingly, the entrance was empty. Luca and I had kissed in private before, but almost exclusively during sex. Luca had never before kissed me in the paddock when no one else was present, and that realization made those pesky butterflies return. The moment felt so tender and warm, and I realized deep down that I didn’t want him to let go.
Did he feel the same as me?
“Good luck, Cara. See you on the podium, eh?”
“I’ll be the one on the top step as usual,” I retorted back playfully, earning me another kiss on the lips before Luca padded off to the Hermes garage. I stood there for a moment, watching him go before a clearing of a throat caused me to turn around.
“Anthony, why the fuck are you here?” Anthony ignored my statement, instead stepping closer to me as he grabbed my arm forcefully.
“I see you and Luca even keep up the charade when no one is around. Good for you guys. I guess you don’t know when an unsuspecting bystander could walk by.”
“Judging by how much I’ve seen of you recently, I’d say you’re more of a stalker than a bystander.”
