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He grins. “It was, wasn’t it? Anyway, perhaps you’re our good luck charm.”
“I’ll gladly take that role.”
Tanya sweeps in and folds Jack into a big hug. I’m certain there’s still sparks between them, but it’s none of my business—unless it affects team operations, and then I’ll step in. Certainly my father must know about their past. I’ll have to ask him.
Papa.
“I need to call him,” I blurt.
Tanya and Jack stare at me.
“My father. I’m sure he’s watching from the hospital.”
I find my phone and FaceTime my dad. He answers on the first ring, his eyes positively glittering.
“Kamari mou, I knew you could do it!” The top of Mum’s head pops into the frame.
“Hi, you two! Can you believe it? We won! First and second place! Look at all the celebrating.” I tilt the phone around the garage and call out, “Hey, it’s my father, he watched from the hospital.”
A roar of cheers goes up, and I peek at the phone. Papa’s holding his fist up in a victory gesture, and I even spot tears in his eyes.
“Papa, I’ll call you later. I wanted you to know we’re all thinking of you. Love you.”
“Love you too,” he says.
Mum grabs the phone. “Lily, I saw you on TV earlier. Get your hair out of that ponytail before you do any interviews. You look so much prettier with it down. Trust me on this.”
“Mum, I’m running a team here. Gotta go. Bye!”
I laugh out loud at Mum’s silliness. She knows I don’t give a flying fig about my hair right now.
Tanya approaches. “Okay, so Max and Esteban are doing their post-race weigh in, then they’re going to the podium. I kind of figured you’d want to stay off the podium? Or do you want to be there?” She tilts her head, waiting for my response.
“Correct, no podium for me.” As thrilled as I am with the race result, the last thing I want is to stand on a stage in front of tens of thousands of race fans and have Max, Esteban, or the third-place winner blast me with a magnum of champagne. It’s fun to watch but participating in something like that is a nightmare.
“After the podium there’s the press conference for the drivers. But ESPN would like a word with you in the meantime. I was thinking about setting that up in our lounge area so it’s quiet and you can focus. I’ll be in the room with you in case you need any help.”
“I appreciate that. It all sounds perfect.” I pause and squint. “Hey, do you think my hair should be up or down for the interview?”
“Oh, totally up. You look badass in a ponytail. Highlights your cheekbones.”
Huh. Maybe Mum doesn’t know everything. “Cool.”
The next hour is a whirlwind of details, post-race certification paperwork, more congratulations from other team owners, and multiple opportunities to dodge hugs. At no point do I see either man who made today’s celebration possible, because they’ve got their own routine down. I’m so busy getting ready for the ESPN interview that I don’t even catch any of the podium celebration.
It’s exactly the kind of scene Max loves, and I’m thrilled that he’s happy. Hell, I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time, which is a new and unfamiliar feeling. It’s like adrenaline is coursing through my veins at two hundred miles per hour and I can’t stop grinning.
Even my interview with ESPN goes well. Tanya freshens me up with blush, lipstick, and a spritz of perfume. The reporter is a tall, former WNBA player who loves racing, and she asks softball questions about my first race as interim team owner. Tanya stands by, watching in the corner, in case I fumble or become overwhelmed.
Obviously, I give all the credit to the team, especially the pit crew. “They’re the rock stars,” I say. “Two-point-four second stops are the best any team has had all season. I couldn’t be happier, and my father is so proud of everyone.”
“And what about Max Becker? How do you explain his dismal performance during qualifying, and then this stunning, career-record performance today on the track? What’s his secret sauce?”
Snuggling next to me all night? Sleeping a full eight hours? A scorching hot pre-race make-out session? Even I find it difficult to believe those are the reasons, but all signs are pointing toward those contributing to his mental state and win.
I still inspire him.
It’s nearly impossible not to gush openly about this, I’m so giddy.
