Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
JACE
“Jace, how are you feeling going into today’s race?”
“I’m feeling good. We’re in a prime position with a P2 start, the car feels great, our strategy is solid, and it’s a beautiful day to go racing.”
The reporter laughs. “That it is. You really left it all out there last weekend in Austria. Any chance we’ll see a repeat performance from you today?”
“That’s the goal.”
“Let’s hope that trend continues for the second half of this season then, yeah? Any word on a new contract for next year?”
I put my hand in my pocket to hide my fist and force a lighthearted chuckle. “Not yet.” I glance over at my press advisor, Nate, and nod.
He steps over, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Sorry to cut this short, but they need him back at the clubhouse.”
The reporter stops his recording and nods. “Of course, good luck out there today.”
With a nod, we turn for the paddock lane.
“You good?” Nate asks as we weave through the crowded walkways.
“I thought we told the press there wouldn’t be any more questions about contracts.”
“We both know that the press is going to do what the press wants to do. You can always hit them with the ‘no comment’ card.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing for the last three weeks.”
“Just hang in there, mate.”
My souring mood lifts as the clubhouse comes into view. Sydney’s the first to spot me and waves, gaining everyone’s attention.
My heart skips when a pair of golden brown eyes land on me. Kinsley’s face lights up and she waves before slowly twirling around, showcasing my racing number on the back of her shirt.
When she faces me again, I place a hand over my heart, mouthing ‘wow’ and watch her shoulders shake with a laugh. I glance at Nate and grin. “Did they actually need me or?—”
“Oh you’re good to go. Just make sure you’re ready for pre-race.”
With a salute, I pick up my strides only to jerk to a stop when the bane of my existence slides in front of me. My face drops when she places her hand on my chest.
“Nuh-uh. Not today.” I remove her hand and she pouts up at me.
“Jace—”
“Lucifer’s Mistress.”
She stomps her foot. “Come on. You have to talk to me at some point.”
“I did. Last week. And yet, you still aren’t listening to me, so why even bother now?” I go to step around her but she blocks me. I huff a strained laugh and nod as people pass by. “Angie, let’s not make a scene.”
“I will if that’s what it takes to get you to talk to me.”
My head snaps down to her and she quirks a brow, daring me to test her.
“Fine. Say what you want to say,” I grit out.
“When are you going to forgive me?”
“Oh, that’s easy. Never. Bye now.”
She calls out my name as I maneuver around her, but I don’t stop. Shaking out my hands as tension builds with every step I take towards my family, I block everything else out until there’s only them.
Until there’s only her.
Sydney scowls over my shoulder as I walk up the three small steps. Dad looks at her with furrowed brows while Mum watches me with concern.
And Kinsley…
Her head is downcast as she fiddles with the strap of her camera. Her lips pinched tight with no trace of the smile that belongs there instead.
I head straight for her and tuck my finger under her chin, guiding her head up until she looks at me. “Hey there, angel.”
Her shoulders relax. “Hi, Jace.”
With those two words, I feel completely at ease.
It’s the Kinsley effect.
I pull her into a hug and her arms band around my waist. Turning my head, I breathe in her toasted vanilla scent, and place a kiss on her temple. Her hold tightens, fingers twisting in my shirt at my back as she presses her forehead against my chest.
Reluctantly, I pull away and tap her camera. “Get any cool shots?”
She beams. “So many.” I lean over her shoulder as she flips through a couple. She quickly flips over one but I place my hand over hers.
“Wait.” I click the back arrow and the screen switches to a shot from this morning’s track walk we took with the family and Lawson.
Except none of them are in this one.
It’s a close up of me squatting right over the finish line, hand pressed to the ground, my head down and eyes closed. It’s something I do before every race, taking a quiet moment between me and the track.
“Sorry,” she whispers.
“What are you sorry for?”
“I shouldn’t have taken that. It was a private moment for you and?—”
“Amazing.” Her head shoots up and I lower my voice. “It’s absolutely amazing, Kinsley.”
“Well I’m absolutely ready to go see all the cute drivers, can we go now?” Sydney whines.
Kinsley giggles as I scowl and my parents shake their heads. For the next hour we walk around the paddocks before I get them situated in the garage.
When it’s time for me to gear up, my parents send me off with hugs and Sydney with a punch to my arm. I turn to Kinsley and freeze when she pops up on her toes, brushing her lips against the corner of my mouth. “You got this.”
“Not going to wish me good luck?”
She scrunches her nose, shaking her head. “You don’t need it, remember? They do.” She juts her chin out towards the opening of the garage bay.
I huff a laugh and lean down, stealing a quick kiss as I move around her and down the hallway before she or anyone can say anything more.
The phantom touch of her lips dances over my skin as I stand for the starting ceremonies.
It ignites an inferno as I slip on my helmet and buckle into my car.
It calms my racing mind during the formation lap.
And as I look up at the five illuminated red lights, her whispered words sing along with the steady beat of my heart.
Every race is important, but this one? This track? It’s special.
It’s me and the lad’s home race.
The Silverstone Circuit is just under six kilometers long with eighteen turns throughout, totaling fifty-two laps for a full two hours of racing. It’s one of the tracks with fewer laps, but that just means you have to make each one of them count.
Which is exactly what I do.
With fresh tyres, I fly back out on the track after my pit stop as my race engineer, Oscar, comes over the radio. “Great first half. You’re now only four seconds behind the race leader.”
“Who is it?”
“King. Morozov is five seconds behind you, Moore right behind him. But don’t worry about them. Just keep pushing, only twenty-four more laps to go.”
“Understood.”
Lap after lap, I push my body and car to its limits. But it all pays off when I catch a glimpse of Ryder’s back wing as we weave through turns ten, eleven, and twelve.
By the time we come out of the straight and into lap forty-eight, I’m breathing down his neck. He shifts to defend and I curse.
Ryder King is one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen. It takes nothing short of a miracle to get past him on a good day.
And I guess today is a great one.
For me.
Not him.
I ease back, avoiding a collision as we pull through turn four and take advantage of DRS, sliding up next to him. He gets me on the inside of turn seven and we battle it out until one of his wheels locks up.
I don’t hesitate.
I slam on the accelerator and fly down the straight.
“Morozov closing in on you and King.”
“Fuck.”
Where Ryder dominates at defending, Nik’s the last person you want on the attack. The man is fearless, taking turns tighter and at higher speeds than any driver would ever dare. I have yet to see any amount of space this man has failed to close between him and his next target.
Today, that target is me.
“Let him and King fight it out. Keep pushing and hold on for these last few laps.”
“Understood.”
When we pass under the waving white flag, signaling the start of the last lap, I’m holding on by a two second lead. One that’s quickly dwindling.
“One point two behind.”
“Respectfully, Oscar. Shut up and let me drive.”
The wheel creaks under my grip as I take turn eight for the last time. Ryder and Nik swing out behind me in their own battle. I chance a glance in the mirror coming out of turn nine and grit my teeth when I see Nik nipping at my rear wing.
Oscar calls out a warning as we enter the last DRS zone. Nik comes up on my left and I hold off long enough to cut him off on the inside of turn fifteen. My heart beat drills through my head as we come into the final three turns neck and neck.
There’s a moment of stillness as we pass over the finish line and I go through the motions of downshifting into a cool down lap. The quiet seconds tick by, the sound of my heavy breathing echoing in my helmet.
“You just won the British Grand Prix!”
A disbelieving laugh burst out of me. “Yes. Hell yes!” I stick my hand out and wave to the crowd as I drive by. “Thank you, I couldn’t do it without any of you.”
“Excellent driving, mate. Really good job,” Mitch’s voice breaks through the radio.
I pull into the first place spot and climb out of my car to the cheering crowd, lifting my fists in the air. I twist and hop down, jogging over to my garage team lining the fence and launching myself into their arms.
I pull back, yanking off my helmet and balaclava as I lean in to hug my mum. Tears stream down her face and she kisses my cheek before Dad pulls me in for a crushing hug.
“Not bad, big brother, not bad at all,” Sydney cries.
Kinsley stands slightly behind her and I reach out, pulling her forward.
I hold onto her tight, ignoring the tapping on my shoulder as a guide tries to get me over for my after race interview. Pulling back slightly, I cup her face.
Her shining eyes bounce between mine and she smiles. “You were amazing!”
“Buckle up, angel, because I think you might just be my good luck charm.”
She shakes her head, attention shifting to the side. “I think they need you over there.”
“I’m good right here.”
Laughing, she shoves my chest and I relent, walking over to set my things down and placing the first place hat on my head before stepping up for my interview.
“Jace, congratulations. What an incredible race. How are you feeling right now?”
“I’m on top of the world, mate.”
“Those last couple laps were a bit rough. What was going through your mind?”
“Get the heck away from me,” I laugh. “They definitely made me work for it.”
“I see your family over there. What does it mean to you to have them here for this moment?”
I glance at them and smile. “It means everything to me. I couldn’t imagine celebrating this win with anyone else.”
“Ah, big plans?”
My eyes slide to Kinsley as she winks over the edge of her camera. “Big hopes.”