Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Athena
Following Nora through the paddock, my eyes roam around every inch, but I can’t seem to take any of it in. It’s busy and chaotic, and I can feel the buzz surrounding us. I’m into Formula One, but Edel is obsessed with it. I watch when I’m with her, but I didn’t understand it, not really.
Climbing the steps to the housing unit, we walk towards the sliding doors, and I spot the name Saint Onyx.
Nerves dance up and down my spine as I tighten my grip on my backpack.
Nora catches my gaze over her shoulder and gives me a reassuring smile.
She hovers outside a door before tapping softly against it.
“Come in.” I hear the deep British voice just as she steps into the office, waiting for me to follow. “Nora,” the older gentleman behind the desk greets her.
She sits down in front of him, turning her body and patting the empty seat next to her. Sheepishly, I lower myself down; his eyes lock with mine. I let my gaze trail over him. If I was to guess, I would say he was mid-forties, maybe late, with dirty blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and stubble.
“Creed, this is Athena. She is the romance author I mentioned who will be shadowing Royce for the upcoming season.” She squirms in her seat, her smile widening as the seconds pass. “Athena, this is Creed. CEO of Saint Onyx Racing, and Royce’s dad.”
“Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Athena.” He leans forward and holds his hand out for me to take, which I do. As our palms mould, he gives it a firm shake.
“Likewise,” I mutter, slipping my hand from his.
“What’s your game plan?” he asks me.
I blink a couple of times, my brain taking a second or two to catch up. “Game plan?” My voice slips up a pitch or two as I look between Nora and Creed.
“Yeah, what are your plans in regard to your time with Saint Onyx? What are you hoping to get out this experience? Will you write whilst being here, or will you purely be taking notes? I am happy with you taking photos and sharing but of course Nora, and our social media manager Ana?s, will brief you prior.”
His words float through me, and I try and replay it back, scrunching my nose as I will my brain to kick the hell in.
“I won’t be writing whilst shadowing, no.
” I lick my upper lip. “Unless inspiration strikes, of course, but I will be taking notes, watching how the mechanics of this, I am sure, very well-oiled machine runs.” I inhale sharply, my eyes not leaving his for a second.
“I haven’t written in a while and if I am being honest, I never thought I would write again.
Once my agent got in touch with someone within your team, she kind of pushed me to put words to paper again. ”
Admitting that has my heart stuttering in my chest. “I am looking forward to it, though.” I watch as his brows crease at my words. “And I can’t wait for this opportunity to start.” I smile, tapping my fingers against my bare thigh.
“We’re looking forward to it too, and of course, this is all purely fictional.”
“Yes.” I nod. “It’s more so I have the relevant research to write about something which, at the moment, I know nothing about.
For the next nine months, I would like to think I would pick up and retain the information.
This is not about me writing about Royce or anything like that, it’s just about me knowing how the dynamics of the Formula One world works, so I know I can confidently dot my i’s and cross my t’s.
” Okay, so that was a slight lie. I wanted to write my main lead based off him, certain quirks, and all that.
“Then, I can’t wait to read it once it is published.”
My cheeks flame red and I drop my eyes. “Let’s hope I can get it written.” Self-doubt settles in my mind.
“My wife is an avid romance reader so I am sure she will devour it also.” He smiles.
I nibble my bottom lip.
“Have you met Royce yet?” Creed asks and that has me lifting my eyes.
“Not yet,” Nora steps in. “I wanted to introduce her to you first.” She stands, stepping aside and looks down at me. I follow her lead.
“Good luck, Athena,” Creed says before he averts his attention to his computer.
I duck my head and follow Nora out of his office, a large sigh leaving me.
“Creed is great, don’t be nervous around him,” she reassures me and I give her a shrug.
“I’m not.” I’m defensive in my response, and I roll my eyes.
“Okay.” She presses her lips into a tight smile as she knocks on another door, waiting to be called in again.
Within seconds, she is pushing the door handle down. A pretty red head sits at a desk; crystal blue eyes settle on Nora and familiarity glistens in her gaze.
“Ana?s,” Nora says breezily as she steps into the room, me close behind her, “this is Athena.” She half turns her body towards me and holds her hand out, as if showing Ana?s where I was.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you.” She beams, pushing from her desk and dressed in the team polo and cargo skirt with crisp white trainers and frilly ankle socks.
“Ditto.”
Just when I think she is going to shake my hand, she pulls me in for a hug, encasing me in her arms. I freeze, my eyes widening as I look to Nora.
“Oh,” Ana?s says as she steps back, her gaze flitting between me and her colleague. “Not a hugger?”
“Not particularly.” My lips twist and a pang of guilt shoots through me when I see her smile drop.
“Sorry,” she mumbles.
“Don’t be, it’s a me thing.” I laugh it off as she steps back and takes her seat at her desk.
“I’m just doing the rounds, showing Athena the team,” Nora says softly, settling down on the sofa.
“Oooh, nice.” Ana?s starts tapping on her keyboard. “I must admit”—she twists to look at me, and I find myself standing awkwardly between the two—“I am really looking forward to this book.” She gives me a subtle wink, and I flush with red from head to toe.
“Glad you are.” My voice is tight, my throat feels like it’s closing up.
“Are you not?” She spins herself around in her chair and tilts her head to the side.
“I won’t really know until I sit down and write it,” I admit, playing with a loose curl that has fallen from my unkempt ponytail.
She furrows her brows and side-eyes Nora.
“It’s complicated,” I whisper, focusing on my shoes.
“Well, let’s uncomplicate it, dinner tonight? Welcome you to the team,” Ana?s says and Nora claps her hands.
“Yes, let’s do that!” Excitement wraps around her friendly tone. “Are you cool with that Athena?” Nora asks.
I nod. What I want to say is, ‘thank you,’ but I am exhausted and fear I will fall asleep at the table, so I don’t. “Sounds great.” I really do try my hardest to sound convincing, but Ana?s catches me out.
“Jetlag.” She sighs, but not in an agitated way, more of a ‘she gets it’ way.
“Oh, shit.” Nora looks at me, her gaze sympathetic as it lands on me. “Okay, new plan.” Nora claps her hands. “Room service. Early dinner and a couple of cocktails and then you can sleep.” She is nodding as she talks.
“That’s a much better plan,” Ana?s agrees and anxiety blooms in my stomach.
“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t want to ruin your plans.”
“No, no no,” Ana?s rushes out, her head moving side to side. “You’re not at all. This is the plan. Us to you, no late night, just a chilled evening.”
Nora is nodding again, agreeing with Ana?s.
“Okay.” I smile. “Only if you’re sure.”
“So sure,” they both say in unison.
After being introduced to most of Saint Onyx, I am led to Royce’s room. I have no idea what to expect. Edel told me not to Google him, which I didn’t; she wanted me to meet him and see what my first expectations were without seeing his history.
I think I have it sussed out, though.
Playboy.
Arrogant.
Out for himself.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
I don’t need Google to tell me all of that, I know that already.
He is the son of Creed Lexington, multi-millionaire, who owns an F1 team, which Royce drives for. The kid has never wanted for anything, and he was literally dropped into this team.
Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I notice Nora doesn’t knock this time. She pushes through the door and announces her entry. He isn’t in his room. Her eyes bounce around before twisting to look at me, giving me a shrug when we hear a slight commotion from the hallway.
“One moment.” She plasters a forced smile on her face as she storms towards where we just walked in from and I stand like a spare part.
“Royce!” she calls out and I hear a grumble in response.
Curiosity gets the better of me as I hover by the door and watch as she follows him.
“Don’t walk away from me!”
She catches up with him and shoves him between the shoulder blades which causes him to stop. My eyes widen and I am wondering how much of an issue that would be if HR knew about it. He spins around; ice blue eyes connect with Nora’s. His nostrils flare and fists ball by his side.
“You knew the deal, you promised.” She stands, unfazed by him, arms crossed and tapping her foot on the floor.
“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” He scowls at her before turning on his heel.
He doesn’t get a chance to bolt as she grabs him by the elbow and tugs him in my direction.
“So, you’re going to break your promise?” She stares, waiting for an answer that doesn’t come. “Come on, stop being stubborn, it’s really not that bad.”
I take that as my cue to duck back into the room and pretend I didn’t just witness that.
“Then you have the stuffy geek with you for the season.”
My back stiffens as he is pushed in the door before she slams it shut behind both of them. He catches my gaze, his shoulders lifted, chest rising and falling. He doesn’t want to be here, and actually, the feeling is mutual.
“Royce”—Nora stands a little taller—“this is Athena. She will be shadowing you for the season.”
He blinks, jaw clenched and his ice blue eyes haven’t lifted from me for even a second. “Cool.” The word seeps out of him like venom, and I feel a shiver dance up my spine.
I keep mute. I have nothing to say to him at this moment in time. He is a jerk. That’s my conclusion after my first impressions.
Shaking my head, I lug my backpack from the floor and throw it over my shoulder. “Nora, I’ll see you later.”
I squeeze past the burn in my throat, walking towards the door which he is barricading.
His eyes burn into mine, not an ounce of remorse in them.
I hear the sound of Nora trying to stop me, but I blank her out as I close the gap between myself and him, my stare hardening as I approach, my feet falling to a halt. We’re toe to toe.
“This stuffy geek is looking forward to our time together,” I say through gritted teeth before knocking into his shoulder and walking back down the hallway, my steps quickening as I look for the exit.
I needed out of here.
I was done.