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I transfer my wine from my right hand to my left, and extend my palm to his so I can head off a hug. He is not in the circle of trust.
He grins and takes my hand, then kisses my knuckles. “I see you’ve started early with wine. I’ll need to catch up with you so we’re both on the same page. Nice and buzzed. I might go with beer, though.”
“Well, you’re a beer guy, so that makes sense.” I smile, tight lipped, feeling silly. Being alone in my spacious hotel suite upstairs seems like such a better option than this, and I’m regretting allowing Tanya to talk me into this “date.”
I take a deep, fortifying breath as we’re led to our table. This has all the hallmarks of being a long night.
◊
Max
Lucas and I pull up to the team hotel in Vegas, exhausted after a long day of mountain biking. Whenever I’m having any sort of mental block—whether it’s with my driving performance or a more personal matter—extreme physical exercise always sets me straight.
Every muscle in my body has a pleasurable ache. I didn’t push myself to the very edge today, but the difficult trails in Zion National Park were challenging enough to give me hope that I’ll get a good night’s sleep. At the very least, the intense bike ride relaxed me a little after my fight with Lily.
I’m even thinking of stopping by her room to apologize. This morning, I was worried that Lily wanted me for sex and nothing else, but now that I’ve had the perspective of a day away from racing and her, I’m looking at things with a clearer mind and a heavy heart.
I was a dick. The stress of racing and the uncertainty of where I stand with Lily had gotten to me, and I snapped. Not cool.
The hired SUV stops at the valet, and we give the driver a giant tip and thank him. Lucas and I climb out, and I spot a flock of paparazzi on the sidewalk near the hotel. This isn’t uncommon here in Vegas.
“Max. Max!” One photographer’s screaming my name.
To get them off our backs, I give a wave, knowing that might be enough to make them go away. Often they only want one decent shot for the gossip sites.
Flashes pop and strobe. There’s another shouted question, one that sends my pulse speeding.
“How do you feel about Lily Onassis going on a date tonight, Max?”
Lucas rolls his eyes. The doorman holds the big glass door open for us, and we walk in. People stare, but not because I’m a celebrity. It’s because we’re in our mountain bike clothes, covered in mud.
Our plan is to go to our respective rooms, shower, and meet up for dinner in the restaurant. As we walk to the elevator, I mutter, “What the hell was that question about?”
Lucas shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. They’re trying to get under your skin. Don’t let them.”
“But what if—”
Before I can get another word out, I see two people walking toward me. One is Lily. The other is a guy who looks vaguely familiar, someone who was at a party in either Miami or Austin. It’s difficult for me to keep track because I meet so many people.
Lily’s wearing in a simple red dress. It’s more revealing in the front than usual, and her hair is long and loose. She’s in the heels from the other night, and along with the big diamonds glinting in her ears, the entire ensemble screams date night.
The guy has his hand on her lower back, which makes me bristle. So the paparazzi were correct.
Lucas spots them, too, then tries to steer me away. But the guy has already spotted me. His face is lit up and thank god, he’s taken his hand off of Lily and is making a beeline toward me. A large family is standing between me and the elevator, so I’m trapped.
“Max. Hey, dude, imagine seeing you here,” the guy booms. “I’m joking. Of course you’re here, because you’re going to win this coming weekend.”
“Oh Christ,” Lucas whispers.
The guy sticks out his hand. “Rob. My company’s one of your sponsors.”
“Motor oil?” I say in an arrogant tone, shaking his hand a touch more firmly than I normally do. I know exactly what company he works for. I simply feel like being annoying because he’s with Lily.
“No, beer. We met at that party.” He chuckles, and I do, too, but there’s no humor in my tone.
“Ja, I remember now.”
Lily’s now joined us with an expression that tells me she wants to be anywhere but here.
