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I inhale a fortifying breath and keep my gaze on the sliding hospital doors. This way I don’t have to look any of the journalists in the eye. “I brought Lily Onassis to hospital today because she had a terrible reaction to poison ivy on her legs while hiking. She was given a mild sedative due to the discomfort. She will be present at the race in Montreal later this week. Thank you.”
That’s all I’m going to say, but it doesn’t stop the reporters from yelling more questions as I slide into the seat next to Lily. The final question before the bodyguard slams the door echoes in my brain.
“Why were you the one to bring Ms. Onassis to the hospital, Max?”
The SUV pulls away, almost clipping one photographer who is pressing his lens against the window. Unfortunately, it’s right when Lily topples over, practically collapsing in my lap.
“Max, baby, thank you for bringing me there. I feel so much better now. But sleepy.”
She lifts her head and smiles, and even though she’s drowsy and sedated, I can’t help but grin back.
“Come here,” I say, pulling her upright so my arm is around her shoulders.
That’s when I realize that I don’t care if anyone sees us together. I don’t care about the public scrutiny, or Lily’s father, or the media. I’m one of the biggest racing athletes in the world. I’m unstoppable, especially with Lily at my side.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” I murmur as I kiss Lily’s hair, which smells like hospital.
“Blergh,” she responds.
She drifts off to sleep in my arms on the long ride back to the cabin. Once we’re there—and determine that we haven’t been followed by paparazzi—I carry her inside and to the bedroom.
Her eyes flutter open as I lay her on the bed. “I’m feeling better.”
“I’m glad. You should rest, okay?”
“I’m sorry to ruin our time together.”
I peel the sheet back and she crawls underneath, making adorable little grunting noises.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I wanted this time to be perfect. For us. You said we had a lot of time to make up for.”
Her words put a little crack in my heart and I stretch out next to her. “We’ve got all the time in the world, babe. But right now, you should sleep.”
“Do we have all the time, though? We have to get to the race tomorrow.”
With a sigh, I pull her close. Maybe someday there will be a time where we have no place to be, and no races to win. Until then, I need to get my head on straight and focus on Montreal.
◊
Lily
“Everything would be great if it wasn’t for the oozing on my right calf. At least it doesn’t feel like I’m on fire anymore, so that’s a big plus.”
I’m on the second-floor balcony of the cabin, video chatting with Mum. It’s early Wednesday morning and I’m telling her about my brush with poison ivy and getting an update on my father.
He’s doing great, according to her and an email I’d gotten from his doctor.
My legs still itch a little, but the steroid shot is working wonders on my skin. I hope it holds through the week and the race.
If it doesn’t, I suppose I can visit the team doctor. “That sedative knocked me out, though. I slept for a solid twelve hours.”
“You’ve always been sensitive to pharmaceuticals. Can I see the blisters?” Mum peers into the phone, looking entirely too eager. She’s one of those people who has a grim fascination with pimple popping videos, so this doesn’t surprise me.
She’s sitting on my sofa and I’m trying to figure out if the plant next to her is dying or merely in a bad light.
“No. Max bandaged it an hour ago. Did you overwater theMonsteraplant?”
