Chasing the Slipstream (Full Throttle #2)
Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
LONDON, ENGLAND
“ I am so , so sorry.”
Acting and sounding apologetic, when it was evident the expression of regret was anything but sincere, truly felt disheartening. Especially when the woman’s lips were twisted in a pout, eyebrows knitted together, with a sigh nearly sounding dramatic escaping her nose.
Ava blinked, trying not to let her expression shift into suspicion as she kept her chin high. A lump had built inside her throat though, and even when she swallowed the dismay, she could still feel some sparks of anger starting to rush through her veins.Could feel her fingers tremble with rage. Could feel the sadness slowly spreading throughout her body.
“I’m not sure I’m fully understanding the situation.” Ava let her hands fall on her lap. She had been busy rubbing the hem of her sleeve between her thumb and forefinger to keep herself grounded, but all she wanted right now was to go home and let all that pent-up anxiety out.
Sophie sighed. “It’s not you.”
She wasn’t sure if she was being dumped or fired. Either way, this was starting to sound and feel like a breakup she hadn’t anticipated.
Ava frowned. “Is it Thiago?”
“No, darling, no.” The head of the marketing department pressed her lips into a thin line before allowing a smile to spread across them. “Thiago adores you, and I do think you were a great duo, but you know how everything works around here when we enter the new season.”
Changes. But she hadn’t foreseen this. At all.
Ava was downright confused. Through the thick cloud of turmoil fogging her mind, she managed to ask, “So why am I not his PR officer anymore?”
Absentmindedly, Ava started gnawing on her lower lip—an act of nervousness—and Sophie took notice of her demeanour. “Do you want some tea?” Ava shook her head in denial. “Alright. Well, even though you did an astounding job at keeping Thiago’s reputation clean as much as you could despite his slip-throughs last season, I do think you would work better with Rowan. And as you may or may not already know, Ellie is pregnant. She has some complications and cannot work for the rest of the season. So, that’s why you’re replacing her.”
In the span of ten minutes, Ava had been informed of two things that had caused her bewilderment to grow into poisonous vines:
1. She was being moved to another team and would stop representing Thiago Valencia, whom she had been working with for the past two years, and would now work with his teammate, Rowan Emerson.
2. Her colleague was pregnant, had complications, and hadn’t told her anything.
“Okay.” Ava scratched the side of her nose. “Who’s replacing me?”
“Her name is Donna. She used to work for Imperium Racing, but now works for us. You’ll still see Thiago around at the factory and the paddock, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Oh, no, Ava wasn’t worried about losing touch with Thiago.
She simply didn’t want to work with Rowan Emerson, period.
She despised the man with a burning passion, and whilst he was an expert at hiding his true colours, she was convinced he wasn’t fond of her either.
He was a skilled and talented Formula 1 driver—one of the public’s favourites—but he was also the epitome of arrogance and masculine beauty. With a smug smirk constantly etched on his lips and unyielding mischief shimmering in his eyes, he thrived to be the best and do anything to win. He wasn’t one to care about his entourage, walked the paddock like he owned it, constantly lived for the thrill of danger, and loved being the centre of attention.
In simple words, he was her polar opposite.
Ava didn’t let her resentment show on her face and simply said, “That’s fine with me.”
She couldn’t lose her job just because she wouldn’t settle her differences with Rowan. She’d have to bite her tongue and accept everything he’d put her through—not that she wasn’t already used to doing so on a daily basis, anyway.
Sophie smiled, threading her fingers together. “I knew you’d understand. You’re never one to argue. You can move all your belongings into the office across the hall today.”
“I’m even moving working spaces?” she asked, bemused.
“Into a bigger and isolated one.” Until now, she’d been used to sharing an open space with her coworkers.
An office to herself? Say less. She felt like this was a win in itself despite the reluctance clouding her senses.
Begrudgingly, Ava responded with a tight-lipped smile and stood up. “On it.” Uncertain if she was supposed to be grateful for this sudden change, she thought better of it and expressed her appreciation with misplaced bitterness. “Thank you for everything. For trusting me with the drivers.”
“You’re a hard-working, dedicated girl. One of my most trustworthy employees, so of course.” Sophie didn’t stand, instantly diverting her attention towards the screen of her computer. “You’re coming to the launch party tonight, right? Might be a good opportunity to meet Rowan.”
Ava blinked. Meet Rowan? As if she had never spoken to him. Had never glared his way, or snapped back at him, or scoffed at his pomposity. “I already know him.”
Only the sound of nails hitting the keyboard resonated through the room. “I meant it as an official introduction of you as his new press officer.”
Ava had turned on her heel, hand already grasping the doorknob as she halted in her tracks. She sucked in a breath, feeling her heart thunder. “He still doesn’t know about the change?”
“No,” was Sophie’s nonchalant response. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate you announcing the wonderful news.”
Wonderful. Yeah, right.
At that moment, she couldn’t help but wonder who, between herself and Rowan, would break first. It was no secret that behind his troublesome smirk and flirtatious regard was a hidden amount of equal disdain he shared towards her.
“Great,” Ava chided, a lump in her throat. “I can’t wait.”
A mini plant was the last item she deposited on her new bureau.
The sentiment of working in a new office with a new team was odd. She wasn’t sure whether she was excited or terrified about this new journey. Perhaps both.
When she started working with the marketing team for Primavera Racing two years ago, Thiago welcomed her with open arms, always treating her like a sister. She had followed him all around the world, working day and night to help him maintain a good reputation despite his behaviour that had compromised his contract renewal last season.
In the end, he managed to sign again with Primavera, thanks to his tremendous efforts and great results on the track.
Obviously, Ava had spoken and worked with Rowan more than once. Whilst they had always managed to keep a professional relationship in front of cameras and prying eyes, the hatred was nothing but lethal and blazing behind closed doors.
She sunk into the chaise, propped her elbows atop the desk, and buried her face into her hands.
She inhaled serenity. Exhaled anxiety.
Ava wasn’t sure why she was feeling so overwhelmed. Perhaps because she hadn’t expected that news on her first day back at the office after a two-and-a-half-month break. Perhaps because of the February weather, where grey skies and concrete glinting with fresh drops of rain, weren’t helping to uplift her spirits.
It was a knock on her door that startled her, bringing her back to this sudden and unexpected reality. Straightening herself, she peered at the silhouette casting a shadow in the doorway and instantly put her prettiest smile on.
“Ava,” Nikki said coldly. As per usual, her expression was hard, her gaze full of haughtiness and derision. “Settling into your new office?”
Ava cleared her throat, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Yes.”
Nikki hummed and stepped into the room. Perched on her high heels, she scanned the nearly empty office, her lips pursed in disdain. Ava loathed this woman, but she couldn’t show it because she was her boss. Whilst Sophie McKinnon directed the whole department, Nikki Bellinger was in charge of the PR and marketing team—the social media managers, analysts, content creators,and press officers.
Nikki was a rather beautiful person. Thriving in her thirties, her shiny, blonde hair always looked pristine, her lips were often coated with gloss, and she bore the physique of a mannequin. Only issue? She was an infuriating woman who thought she belonged on a pedestal that gave her the right to act like a queen.
Respectfully, Ava liked to call her a bitch.
You must have been thinking, “Does Ava hate everyone she works with?” Well, no. She merely had a wide sense of self-preservation that she loved to wear akin to a second skin, and selected her friends carefully.
She blinked up at her boss, unsure if she ought to be standing. Deciding to stay seated just so Nikki could feel superior, she chewed the interior of her cheek and waited for Nikki’s anger to blow into her face.
“Just because Sophie has moved you into an office that you won’t need to share with the rest of the team, doesn’t mean you can spend your free time wallowing and staring at your nails all day.”
Ava nodded. “I know.”
“And don’t think that because it’s your first day back, now working for another driver, you can just sit here and do nothing. You can come back here this weekend to decorate your cute little office.”
See? What a fucking bitch.
Nikki was a pro at acting like an angel in front of everyone else and being the devil in private.
“Got it,” Ava answered quietly.
“Rowan is a handful,” continued Nikki as she placed her hands on the edge of the desk, leaning forward. Her pale blue eyes were swamped with insolence, making Ava’s skin prickle with irritation. “He isn’t Thiago. He’s exigent. Demanding. Likes everything to be perfect. He won’t allow a single negative thing about him to be said in the media. You’re young, naive, and quiet. You’re used to working with Thiago, but Rowan isn’t the sweet crown prince of the paddock. He’s relentless and won’t necessarily make your job easy. You’re not here for a good laugh. Understood?”
Was she seriously trying to intimidate Ava? Unbelievable.
Ava tipped her chin higher. She wasn’t afraid. She wouldn’t falter. “I can handle him.”
Rowan Emerson might have been shrouded in shadows, marred in tattoos, and imposing with lean muscles, but Ava was certain deep secrets were hidden behind his tough fa?ade.
With a once-over, Nikki scoffed as though she didn’t believe in Ava. She only lifted her eyebrows with that air of pomposity of hers and straightened herself. “If you say so.”
She pivoted and marched towards the exit, her heels tapping loudly on the floor. Ava desperately needed to roll her eyes, and cry, and scream her frustration into a pillow.
Nikki didn’t so much as turn around as she said, “Check your inbox. Sent you a few things to work on before tonight’s car launch.”
It wasn’t until Nikki was out of sight that Ava stood up and mocked a reverence. “Yes, ma’am.”
Shutting the door with a delicacy she didn’t know she possessed whilst shaking with rage, she exhaled and leaned against a wall. Finally, she felt the tears burn her eyes, but she didn’t allow herself to break down. Not here.Not now.
Ava wasn’t ready to start this new episode. If only she had known what kind of storm was about to rattle her universe, maybe she would have considered not jumping blindfolded into the adventure. Still, she pressed play and dared not look back.