AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey!” I winced as my raised voice echoed around the cafeteria, drawing more than a few covert glances and several open ones. I clapped my hands at them as if they were four year olds and not premier drivers. “This is what I’m talking about. This right here?” I gestured between the two men. “Thiscannotcontinue. You’re both in danger of losing your seats and I’ll be out of a job if you don’t get it together. Got it?”
“Fine” muttered Jason.
“Fine” growled Alejandro.
“Fine” I said, praying the matter was closed for the moment.
Chapter Three
It was not fine.
The next day we had a full marketing team meeting with the drivers and Mr. Hansen. I sat on one side between Melissa, the head of marketing for Smith Racing, and George, head of video development. George was also my best friend both at and outside of work. We’d worked together for years and as much as I worried about my own job, I knew keeping these drivers in line also had implications for his as well. Nothing like a good bit of pressure to keep your foot on the gas.
When it was my turn to speak, I addressed Mr. Hansen directly. He told us to call him Thomas but in these situations where his word was law? Yeah, Mr. Hansen for sure. I was explaining to him all of the footage we had taken and our plan to sell the two men as friends when he interrupted me with a harsh laugh.
“These two? As friends?” he glanced at them both and the look was telling—the rumors of their head-butting had reached the top. “You know I still don’t think this will work.” He motioned to Melissa. “But...” He let out a heavy, exasperated sigh. “I do think it’s our only chance to show the public that Smith Racing is worth supporting even if we don’t always have the winning car.” It always came down to the money. “Which is why, my dear Kat, I am putting you in charge ofeverythingto do with the drivers. You are to stick to them like glue and make sure that they do not do anything to embarrass us.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.I’m sorry, what?Just trying to promote them was already a challenge. Now he wanted to add babysitting into the mix?
“And you two,” he turned to look at the two men sitting at the other end of the table, “will follow her every directive and make sure that we have the best public image possible. Otherwise I will pull you out of your cars myself. Understood?”
“Understood.” said Jason and Alejandro, though neither looked particularly pleased.
I leaned over to Melissa “Did you know about this?” I whispered.
“Not now,” she mouthed back. I raised an eyebrow at George who just shrugged in my direction, though there was a glint in his gaze that suggested he found my predicament amusing.This has got to be a mistake. Mr. Hansen wanted me to try and boss around two grown men, millionaires and athletes in one of the most dangerous sports in the world. What did he want me to do, lock them in their rooms until they learned to behave? Actually, that sounded exactly like what he wanted me to do.
If I thought it had a chance of working, I’d consider it.
The meeting continued around me but my mind kept spinning until I realized all eyes were on me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“I said, Kat,” said Mr. Hansen, “that for the duration of this season you three will be rooming together for every race.”
