Chapter 7 Sebastian #2
“Those are bold words. Do you really think you’ve got what it takes to go all the way?
” Albert was probing for clickbait, as was his job.
I just hated knowing my words were going to be snipped into tiny pieces and used for whatever agenda the racing press wanted to sell.
So I considered my words very carefully.
“I think every driver in this championship is here because they think they have a chance at winning. Today was just the start of me proving I still have what it takes.”
“Of course, we’ve got the rest of the season to play out, the first half of the tour in Europe and the second half in America. Do you think you’ll be racing next season for Remini? There have been rumours that Max Robertson is in negotiation to join the team.”
“I can only hope my performance today staves off those rumours. I am very keen to continue racing with Remini for next season and seasons beyond.” At that, Remini’s publicist tapped my arm to let me know the interview was over, so I said my goodbyes and headed up to the balcony over the garages for the trophy ceremony.
The trophy ceremony was messy fun. The Prince of Monaco handed out the trophies; Erland Inglesson of Alfa Romeo in third, then Graham Evans in second, and finally to me.
Then we were each handed bottles of Magnum Champagne to shake and open, spraying them all over each other and Magnus as team principal.
The Royal Family of Monaco stood back at a respectful distance, and I had been warned on pain of death not to get any champagne on them.
So naturally, I ended up sticky and covered in sweet champagne in the Monaco heat.
I made my way back down the stairs and into the more private drivers’ rest area.
At the back were inflatable ice baths set up for all drivers to use, more like plunge pools.
I took a quick look around to make sure there were no camera crews following me, and stripped off into my briefs, leaving my race suit on the concrete floor.
I stepped into the ice bath and lowered myself quickly before I could reconsider my life choices.
It was fucking cold. But I knew my body needed it after hours spent under the Monaco sun in a hot race-suit, encased in a heat-generating machine.
I was submerged up to my neck and let myself get used to the water for a minute before steeling myself to completely soak.
I took a deep breath and submerged myself completely under the water.
I ran my hands through my hair to get rid of any lingering champagne stickiness.
Under the water, I let myself enjoy the steel-cold feeling as my body finally relaxed, the adrenaline leeching away.
I was a winner. I had won my first Moto 1 race in a year, and I knew I could win more with this mindset.
When I emerged, I swept my hair back and wiped the hair out of my eyes. Only to realise there was someone stood watching me.
“How long have you been there?” I asked Theo, who had tied his bulky race suit around his waist.
“Only long enough to worry you were drowning,” Theo grinned.
He looked like he’d been sweating, and I averted my eyes as he dropped his race suit and base layers and submerged himself in the nearest ice bath to me.
He kept his head out of the water but cupped water to his face. “Fuck, that feels good.”
His words were a groan uttered with such genuine pleasure that I thought I’d have popped a boner if the water wasn’t’t so cold.
“Congratulations, by the way,” said Theo. “You won, and you won good.”
“I was worried that you were part of the pile-up,” I admitted. “I didn’t want Monaco to be a curse for either of us.”
Theo’s eyes drifted down to the tattoo on my chest, a reminder of that disastrous last time. But it also stood as a reminder of my bond with Theo, so I didn’t mind. And of the bets we shared to help one another be better drivers.
“Christ, this water’s cold. Little Theo’s not looking like such a perky six any more,” said Theo.
I laughed, trying to cover up the flash of lust that had probably crossed my face at the thought of Little Theo. “I hope you have not forgotten our bet. The marina. Naked.”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll be doing it at midnight,” said Theo. “I hope you’re not expecting video evidence.”
“Oh, I’ll be there, Teodoro. Midnight is fine by me.
” I grinned at him as I stood up and stepped out of the ice bath.
I grabbed a white fluffy dress-robe from the wall for the walk back to the team hospitality, where I got dressed properly for the evening ahead.
I didn’t have many drinks with the team, mindful that Magnus wanted to have that career chat the following day, but I joined in with the revelry for a few hours so that we all felt like we were celebrating.
Frankie, who’d been caught at the back behind the Aston Martin pile-up, looked sour the whole evening.
I walked back to my hotel with a spring in my step, knowing I’d have a very special meeting at midnight, and another in the morning. I didn’t know which I was looking forward to more.
Every minute in the hotel seemed to pass slowly, even as I tried to wish the minutes away. My heart was thudding in my chest at the thought of meeting Theo down at the marina, of the bet I’d proposed and that he had accepted. At the thought of those smooth limbs in the moonlight.
My joy was not to last. At 11pm, my phone started buzzing, and my whole world came crashing down.