Chapter 1 #3
While Ravensport wasn’t offering her seat back to her for the upcoming F2 season, they were still investing in her.
They had agreed to put her on the team for the academy, likely at the urging of Veronica Vance, who’d walked into the paddock that rainy day in England after she’d put the car into the wall.
There’d been a knock on the open door to the driver’s room. Reese had been aiming for a little privacy to lick her wounds. “Have a minute?”
Annoyed, Reese had turned at the sound of the voice.
Still in her race suit and livid from having to retire from the race, she wasn’t in the mood to speak to anyone.
But she went still when she saw Veronica Vance standing in the doorway.
She’d seen her many times at qualifying or on race days, usually with an assistant by her side or a TV camera trained on her face.
Everyone knew who she was, a formidable driver from years back, but now a personality that everyone respected.
She was a businessperson and a spokeswoman for the sport.
Reese straightened. “Hi.” At any other moment, she would have turned up the wattage on her smile and led with her God-given charm. Today wasn’t that day. Hi was all she had in her.
“Tough break out there.”
“You could say that.” Reese paused, unsure what Veronica could possibly want from her in this moment.
“In fact, you’ve had a string of those. Has Ravensport offered you a seat for next season?”
They hadn’t, and today would make the prospect even less likely. She had a feeling Veronica already knew all of that. She shook her head.
“Well, I have one.”
Reese arched a brow. “Are you starting your own F2 team?”
Veronica walked further into the room. “You’re familiar with Formula Next?”
She’d heard the rumors. Everyone had. “The driver academy?”
“Exactly. Ten teams. Two drivers each. I have it on good authority that I could convince Ravensport to keep you on. Just at the academy, which would provide you with a more direct pipeline anyway.”
She blinked, trying to process the offer and the logic. “Formula 1 is my next step.”
Veronica passed her a sympathetic smile.
“I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Without a redemption arc, that is. Your F2 team is about to drop you, not promote you.
I doubt that anyone else will pick you up.
If you want to be behind the wheel, I’m offering you an opportunity that, with all due respect, I’m not sure you deserve. ”
“Ouch.”
Veronica held up her hands. “I shoot straight. You’ll learn this about me.”
“I can handle it.”
“Good. The academy races exclusively on Formula 1 weekends. Qualifying on Friday. A sprint race on Saturday. And a feature race on Sunday morning. The first race is in the spring.”
While Reese hated that it felt like she was moving backward rather than forward, she also knew that the academy might be her last shot. If she wanted to race, she didn’t have the luxury of choice. At least, not anymore. She sighed. “And when I take the championship. What then?”
A small smile tugged at Veronica’s lips. “You’re very sweet, but have you seen my lineup? You’ll have an uphill battle in front of you.”
“And if I blow past all of them?”
“Then there might be people at the end of the season who want to have a conversation. I make no promises.” She still wasn’t at all convinced, and that was fine. Reese loved a challenge, and Veronica would see what she was capable of sooner or later.
“And you think Ravensport is in?”
“They will be,” Veronica said, like she owned the world. “I have a way of convincing others.”
Reese blinked. “I think I just saw it in action.”
“Thank you for allowing me to bend your ear, Reese. I envision a beneficial relationship ahead.” Veronica extended her hand, and Reese shook it. “My office will be in touch with your agent.”
She watched Veronica Vance glide out of the room, having changed the trajectory of Reese’s immediate future in the span of just three minutes.
That was four months ago, and here she sat ready to kick off the Formula Next season.
All women drivers would make up the grid, unlike what she was used to.
In reality, she enjoyed the idea of surrounding herself with top female drivers chasing their dreams. Women, in general, were her absolute favorites.
It was just a shame she was going to have to beat all of them on her way to the podium.
“I don’t mind taking the couch,” Julie said, gesturing to the pullout.
As a last-minute addition to her contract, Julie didn’t yet have her own accommodations.
Reese had agreed to let her crash until Ravensport and the academy officially added her to the team.
Reese had worked hard to ensure Julie remained part of her deal, even if it meant sacrificing other small perks.
She honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else in her ear when she was out on the track, heart hammering, tires hot, engine screaming, knowing Julie’s voice would keep her alive—and maybe sane.
“Good, because I prefer sleeping like a starfish.” Reese flopped onto the armchair opposite and offered a wink.
The Miami skyline glimmered through the sliding glass doors, a reminder of the upcoming weekend and its looming importance.
Julie settled onto the pullout, cane leaning against the edge, and already had her tablet open, scrolling through telemetry from practice, the predicted weather, and a tentative strategy.
Reese let herself watch for a beat, grateful that this was the one person who would push her, scold her, and—when necessary—save her from herself.
“What time are we due at the reception?”
“Not until six,” Julie said.
Reese pushed herself out of the chair and crossed to the window.
“You want to grab a fun drink before the official drinks?” she asked.
She felt slightly out of sorts. Tonight meant meeting a flood of new people—drivers, academy sponsors, team principals—and the thought of it all buzzing around her at once made her restless.
It didn’t help that her brother wouldn’t be there.
Ravensport had elected to keep Luke with the F2 team, which meant that for the first time, Reese was truly on her own.
“I’d love it, but I have our strategy to work through.”
“And we have so much time for that. Honestly, Jules. We’re in Miami. Shouldn’t we take advantage?”
Julie sighed and turned around. “I’m worried you’re assuming these women are going to be easily dominated. That you’re going to breeze in here and win.”
Reese nodded. “You’re right.” She lifted her shoulders as if to say, and? Because she had every intention of blowing these women away once the starting lights went out. She didn’t come here to play checkers.
Julie nudged her glasses up her nose. “This cannot be a replay of your stint in F2. You’ve got to get your head in the game. Less smiling. More work.”
The thought sobered her because a replay was certainly not what she intended either.
She strolled to Julie and slung an arm around her shoulder.
“I will get my shit together. That means doing my homework and preparing every time I pull onto the track, whether it’s practice, qualifying, or a race. New leaf time. New Reese.”
“I’m going to hold you to it because I honestly think this is our last chance.”
“You mean my last chance,” Reese said. Julie’s eyes softened with regret.
They both knew it was true. Julie’s star was on the rise in the racing world, and she’d be just fine if Reese was never offered another seat.
The idea slashed at her, imagining Julie partnering with another driver, one who delivered.
Which is why she couldn’t let that happen.
Reese sighed. “I know I’m capable of more than I’ve shown people.
” She scrunched one eye closed. “Just one fun drink? I’ll buy. ”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“But also, incredibly lovable. Wouldn’t you say?” Reese asked.
“Ask me again after you win something.”