3. Sophia
3
Sophia
“Sophia.” Koby, the team’s General Manager, breaks my trance on my laptop from reading data. “Can you and Dave meet me up in the office in five?”
“Sure thing,” I reply, and Koby takes off, running a hand through his dirty blond hair, ending at scuffing the back of his neck. Swinging my head, I see Dave way out in pit lane, talking to the Tyre Coordinator.
I jog over to him, the dry inland air hitting my face, and inform him we have been summoned.
We make our way up to Koby’s office on top of the pits, where he is sitting at a small desk. Rayna, the Team Owner of Infraction32, sits with him, her smile radiant and captivating. I wonder what she’s doing here? They often collaborate between teams as their friendship goes way back, but I’ve no idea what this could be about at this time of the season.
Koby launches straight into it. “Next season, Javi has asked for both of you to join the Infraction32 team with him. Sophia as Technical Director and Dave as Team Manager. Rayna and I have spent this afternoon discussing this, and Ghostly Flux is willing to release you, if it’s something you would be interested in. We know it’s not a straight trade, but let us worry about the ins and outs here. This meeting is about hearing from you both along with your thoughts.”
Shocked does not begin to explain what I am feeling right now. I can only muster up, “I guess my main worry is if I am ready for that level. I don’t want to let the team and Javi down. He has championship potential next year.”
“Sophia, you are ready.” Koby’s kind, blue eyes are filled with conviction. “It was already something I was going to talk with you about. Micah has already been approached and accepted Javi’s offer to be released as Technical Director with us and go over as Sporting Director. I was going to ask you to step up into her vacant role with us next season after this weekend, but this popped up instead. We can use the rest of this season to train you up so you are ready for next season. Plus, Micah will be with you next year in Javi’s crew, so your training can continue if you feel you need it. How do you feel about that?”
Wow, Micah too! Javi definitely has his sights set on the championship next year. And that is a huge safety net for me going into the role next year. Micah was successful as one of the first female mechanic to work her way through the pits over a decade ago. She will have so much knowledge to pass on, and she already supports me within the team.
“That makes me feel a lot better,” I reply, visibly relieved.
Rayna and Koby are also relieved at my answer.
“Any concerns for you, Dave?” Koby directs his attention to him. “Same opportunity for you. Learn everything you can now until the end of the season. You know so much already, you will be fine. Again, Micah will be there to help. She is knowledgeable with that side, as well.”
Dave takes a few moments to mull it over. “Yeah, I would just like some time to have a think about it. Can I let you know?”
“Take your time. This is a meeting to see where you both are at, and express any concerns for us to take into consideration,” Koby replies.
“Can we give you an answer tomorrow?” I ask.
“Absolutely,” Rayna replies, her face never wavering from warmth and light.
We excuse ourselves and head back to work, both speechless.
“Dinner tonight?” he asks.
“Yup,” I reply.
“I’ll bring Nikki,” he adds.
“Thank you. We might need her to help us make sense of this,” I reply, sitting back in front of my laptop with data that makes sense. Dinner is going to be a ride.
“I still can’t believe it,” Dave repeats, staring at his plate. Nikki, his wife, sits next to him, listening intently to our news.
“How could you not? You have worked your ass off. You’re always learning new things, building your skills and knowledge. This is perfect!” Nikki replies in support, her long, wavy, brunette hair shimmering around her as she vibrates with excitement.
“What are you thinking?” Dave directs his question to me.
“Not sure. I don’t know if I’m really ready—" I start to reply.
“Don’t even finish that thought, Sophia. You are ready.” He pauses, then sighs. “We both are. Fuck playing it safe. Let’s just go for it. I know Koby will be behind us and help train us up for the rest of the season. And Rayna is known to help and support her team, too. Look at Javi. He was keen to learn and step up this year, and Rayna entrusted him to make this decision. I’m doing it.”
Fuck it. “Okay, I’m in, too!” I agree.
Nikki embraces Dave and gives him a long kiss. “I’m so proud of you!”
She jumps up and drags me to my feet. Hugging me tightly, she adds, “And I’m so proud of you, too!” I am grateful my favourite colleague comes with an amazing wife who extends her support to me. Nikki and Dave are two of my closest friends. I don’t know what I would do without them.
Rayna slaps Dave’s back and sticks out her hand. “Dave and Sophia, this is going to be a very exciting season ahead!” We all shake hands after Dave and I accept the offer officially.
Over the drinks and lunch at the hotel restaurant the next day, we continue to discuss the next season and learning opportunities.
Dave and I head back to his hotel room to share the official acceptance news with Nikki, leaving Rayna and Koby to continue chatting away. Once we make it into the elevator, we looked at each other, grab each other by the arms, and barely able to contain our excitement, talking over the top of each other.
“Oh my goodness!”
“Can you fucking believe this?”
“What the fuck did we do, right?!”
“Next year is going to be insane!”
“AARRGGHH!!!”
We get out of the elevator on Dave’s floor to tell Nikki the good news in their hotel room.
She screams and hugs us. “This is even better than hearing it last night!” she exclaims. “Celebrations?”
“Sure! Just let me call my mum and I’ll meet you at the hotel bar,” I reply before I head to my hotel room.
I dial Mum’s number as I enter my hotel room. Upon hearing the news, she almost bursts my eardrum by screaming into the phone, “That’s amazing news, my love! I hope you and Dave are going to have a few drinks to celebrate!”
“Yes! Nikki flew in yesterday, so we are all going to the hotel bar in a minute,” I reply.
“Wonderful! What did Perry think of the news?” she asks.
I check the time and realise I never called him. We have been really out of sync with our timing lately. “I haven’t been able to catch him, but I will call him on my way to the bar.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go. Give my love to Nikki and Dave. Ask them to come by with you next free weekend they have. I found some old bodice ripper books for Nikki. She’ll get a kick out of them!” Mum chuckles at the thought.
“Will do. Love you, Mum,” I reply.
“Love you, too, sweetheart. See you soon,” she says before she hangs up.
I double check the time and try Perry again. It goes to voicemail.
“Hey, wouldn’t normally leave this on a voicemail but…I was offered Technical Director at Infraction32 next season. I’m still in shock, but pretty excited about the new opportunity. Anyway…Chat with you soon.” I end the call. I tap my phone in my hands a few times, thinking.