Chapter 27 – Otis
“Why the fuck am I doing this?” Jasper asks, not for the first time today.
“Because what Athena did is amazing,” I reply.
It has been three days since Athena’s interview aired, and to say it had been an interesting few days would be an understatement.
Clive tried to come out and dispute Athena’s claims, but I don’t think anyone else was listening.
Marj, of course, said that Clive was nothing like the person Athena was describing, which really just backed up what Athena had been saying.
But I think that the most shocking thing to come out of the interview, other than Athena calling Jasper, were the men coming out and telling the press about their experiences with Clive.
“That doesn’t answer the question on why we are doing this?” Jasper adds.
“Athena wanted to meet you,” I start. “You have a shared experience with Clive. I’m personally looking forward to meeting her.”
“But did we have to do it in such a public place?” Jasper demands.
“That my darling, was Marcus’s idea, and you know I think that it’s a good one. I have already spotted one pap with a camera.”
“Where?”
“Outside to the right there is a big bush. There,” I tell him, and watch as Jasper shifts in his seat and looks.
“The bastards,” Jasper mutters, and pulls his baseball cap lower on his head.
I have no idea why Jasper decided to wear the cap, when we’d all agreed that the paparazzi spotting us was what we needed. I was going to have to warn Athena too, and hope that she didn’t mind.
“She’s here,” Jasper whispers when we hear the door open and Jasper looks up.
We had travelled to Athena’s part of the world and offered to meet her at a local coffee shop. She had thanked us, and said that it would be better during the day as the kids would be in school. I told Jasper that I was a little disappointed that we weren’t meeting the kids.
“Athena,” Jasper says, getting to his feet as she makes her way over to us.
Getting to my feet, I watch as Athena pauses for a second, not sure what to do. But I can understand that. How do you greet the person you know slept with your husband? In the end, Jasper seemed to take the lead and sat down, indicating the seat opposite him.
“Hi Jasper,” Athena replies.
“This is Otis,” Jasper responds.
“Otis Young,” Athena says. “You’re the fastest rookie in F1 history.”
“Oh my God, seriously?” Jasper mumbles.
“Hi Athena,” I say. “Ignore him. What would you like to drink?”
“Just a tea please. White, no sugar. Thank you,” Athena replies, and she takes the seat that Jasper pointed out. It might be a little strained, but under the circumstances that’s not surprising.
“Coming up,” I reply, and move away to place the drink order.
I had tried to make Jasper come on his own, thinking that this was a meeting that should just take place between him and Athena, but Jasper said that there was no way that he was going to do this unless I was with him. So I had agreed, but said that I would give them a few minutes at the start.
When I walk back over to the table, they’re both smiling, so I’m taking that as a good sign.
“They said they would bring the drinks over,” I say, taking my seat next to Jasper.
“Looks like we might have another F1 fan,” Jasper says.
“Not me. My little boy, Mason. He’s nine, going on nineteen I think,” Athena says. “Loves racing. I pay attention.”
“That’s cool. Is he a Montague Racing fan?” I ask.
Athena bites her lip for a second and I see her cheeks flush and I can’t help but burst out laughing.
“I’ll take that as a no,” I say.
“I’m sorry, he’s not a Montague racing fan,” Athena responds.
“Well, we’re going to have to change that,” I say over to her. “I have to admit I was hoping to meet them.”
“The kids?” Athena questions.
“Yeah, I know that sounds weird, considering we have never met,” I add.
“I’m wary about who I introduce the kids to,” Athena responds, and I feel like a complete idiot. Of course she would be wary, considering what she has gone through.
“I’m sorry Athena, I didn’t think. I understand. Maybe one day,” I reply.
“Tina. Everyone calls me Tina. Let’s see how today goes.”
“Apologies, Tina. Otis has a way of railroading you,” Jasper states.
“I don’t think you minded,” I retort back, which made Tina chuckle.
“True,” Jasper replies.
“Can I ask you something?” Tina asks, and just as Jasper is about to respond, our drinks are brought over to us, and so Jasper waits until we’re on our own again. It’s a small coffee shop, and being the middle of the day, it’s quiet.
“Of course,” Jasper replies.
“Have you heard from him?”
I had a feeling that this question would come up at some point today, though I didn’t think that it would be this soon into our meeting, but I’m glad that it’s out there already.
“No,” Jasper confirms, “Only on the social media platforms, but I have noticed that even those have stopped.”
“He called me,” Tina mumbles, and I can see how upset she has gotten.
“What? When?” And I’m out of my seat, shaking the table, and our drinks in the process and moving around to sit next to her, taking hold of her hand.
“Otis, leave her alone,” Jasper states. “Sorry Tina. This is Otis, being Otis.”
“Jasper shut up,” I state over to him. “What happened?”
“Well he called me a few very choice names. Then threatened to take the kids. Saying he would tell child protective services that I was unfit,” Tina replies.
“Well that is hell! That is not going to happen. I, no we, aren’t going to let that happen,” I tell her.
“Tina. Clive is broke. He won’t be able to get a solicitor,” Jasper adds.
“That won’t stop him,” Tina adds.
“Jasper,” I say over to him, he knows who he has to call.
“I’m on it,” Jasper replies, and pulls out his phone.
“Who is he calling?” Tina asks, turning to me.
“Someone who can help, just in case,” I tell her.
“Kimber, we’re with Athena. Yeah, she is lovely. We will introduce you, but can you call the solicitors? Clive threatened Tina, said he was going to take the kids. Check to see if he has a case.”
“Who’s Kimber?” Tina whispers over to me.
“We’ll explain in a second,” I reply.
“Call me back when you have a response. Thanks Kimber,” Jasper replies, and hangs up the call, looking over to Tina, “Kimber is my sister.”
“She’s a solicitor?” Tina questions.
“No. But has connections,” Jasper replies.
“Jasper, you need to tell Tina the truth. If we’re going to be friends, no secrets.”
“Friends?” Tina responds.
“It seems to be a charming habit of Otis’s. He likes to make friends with everyone and then likes to make sure they’re okay. It’s how he stole my best friend.”
“I haven’t stolen Marcus,” I refute.
“How many times has he texted you today?” he demands.
“Three,” I reply.
“And for me it’s one. I think that says it all,” Jasper replies, giving me a smile.
Tina chuckles beside me and I can’t help but smile at the sound. It’s almost infectious, and a sign that I hope she is getting comfortable with us.
“Tina, normally I would have to get you to sign an NDA for this,” Jasper starts, “this is information that I am trusting you with.”
“Okay,” Tina replies, and sounds a little nervous.
“The establishment that I met Clive in, well it’s owned and run by my sister. It’s how I entered the business. Clive can’t reveal who it is because he signed the NDA, and my sister has some very influential clientele.”
I wait for Tina’s reaction, wondering what it is going to be. The laughter that comes from her is not what I was expecting.
“Oh this has to be killing Clive,” Tina finally says. “Not only did you come out and confirm what he said, but he’s not able to say anything about the establishment. Oh this has seriously made my day.”
“Look, there is something else,” I start. “We wanted to meet you out in public because we want to be photographed with you.”
“Oh, I figured that out. I was going to suggest it, too,” Tina replies. “Maybe we should give the photographer by the bush something to really talk about.” And she pulls me into a hug.
“The press are going to eat that up,” I tell her as we break apart.
“Wish the pap would pay you for the pictures, that would help so much right now,” Tina mumbles, and when she realises what she said her head snaps up to look at us.
“Are things tight at the moment?” I ask.
“If you don’t want to be taken under Otis’s wing and potentially Montague Racing, I wouldn’t answer that question,” Jasper adds with a smile.
“Jasper, shut up. Tina talk,” I say, and Tina just smiles over to me.
“It’s nothing,” Tina responds.
“After what you did for us and Montague Racing, I am going to be forever in your debt, so yeah, to me it’s not nothing.”
“Tina, just to warn you again,” Jasper mutters, “I’m all for you joining our little fold, mainly coz I know it would piss off Clive. But you can tell him to sod off. I will back you up.”
“Are you two always like this?” Tina asks, looking from Jasper to me.
“Yep. When we’re with our friends we’re worse,” I reply, “But I’m not going to let this drop.”
“Being a single mum is tough. We manage, I just had to get four tyres for the car, not something I was planning, and it’s Mason’s birthday on Saturday.”
“So he’s turning ten on Saturday?”
“Yeah, and now my plans are out the window,” Tina responds.
“How much of an F1 fan is he?” I ask.
“He follows every race,” Tina replies. “Why?”
“How much does he like his team?” I question.
“He’s a ten year old boy. I think he changes his team weekly. I saw him fist bump the air on your last win, even though he denied it,” Tina adds.
“Excuse me one moment please?” I say.
“What’s he doing?” Tina asks.
“God knows. Doing Otis things. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. I do,” Jasper replies.
“I bet you do,” Tina answers, and I can’t help but smile. I think I’m going to like Athena.
Stepping out of earshot, I pull out my phone and call Vincent. It’s not ideal timing with us needing to get to Spa, but I’m hoping that we can fit it in.
“Otis, how’s it going?” Vincent asks without even saying hello.