Chapter 4 #3
Ingrid shut the door behind him and sighed.
It was becoming more difficult to resist him, especially when he showed this unexpected affection by kissing her on the head the way he did.
As she kept telling him and herself, it was situational.
After the weekend was over, she would be back in London for a few days, and all of this would be forgotten.
???
Erik walked into the paddock. By this point, news had spread that he and Bianca were no longer together.
Every model, influencer, and TV personality was creeping out of the hospitality suites to speak to him.
He thought the walk with Ingrid would start up a new rumour – entirely true in his mind – it hadn’t done the job.
He stopped to take photos with real fans on his way to the garage.
Mark caught up with him, and they did a few together.
“How’s the coach situation going?”
“No situation happening.”
He decided not to give Mark any more information after he almost said something to Antoine the day before.
“Really?” Mark asked, surprised. “Ended it so quickly?”
“She was right about Antoine. She’s a professional and has a job to do. So do we.”
“True. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Mark was thinking that Antoine hadn’t said anything to him, so Ingrid was fair game now.
They went off to their team briefing. It was mostly about not taking each other out at Turn 1.
Erik had different ideas. He would never intentionally take Mark off track after his crash last year, but he knew the guy’s weaknesses.
He was always lost in the data and his temper tantrums.
Erik only saw Ingrid in passing before the race. She was with Antoine. They nodded at each other, and she mouthed “Don’t crash” to him. Of course, she was focused on Antoine; she had to be, and he couldn’t do anything about it. It wasn’t going to distract him from what he had to do.
Visor down. Lights out. Mark had a poor start, and Erik overtook him before they even got to Turn 1. He could see in his mirrors that Mark tagged Nico, and they both went spinning off track. Those fucking idiots, he thought. He would have to play peacemaker later.
“Mark and Nico, ok?”
“Yes, both out of the car. Ok. Antoine up to P3 now.”
He smiled inside his helmet. Now, to get through the rest of the race. Another safety car 15 laps later. He said over the radio:
“Has everyone forgotten how to drive today?”
Pit stop and out he went again. The rest of the race was fine; he was far ahead of everyone and could watch it unfold on the screens around the circuit.
He loved Shanghai. It was a beautiful track to race at with the sweeping grandstands.
He saw them showing Ingrid on the screen and thought about how she must be hating that.
Antoine was still in P3 – on track for a podium.
Erik crossed the line. Another win under his belt.
When he got out of his car, he ran to his team.
He could see Ingrid standing within touching distance, waiting for Antoine.
He was tempted. It wouldn’t look obvious if he went to shake the other teams’ hands.
He did it. Being able to do that small celebration with her was all he wanted.
Antoine was next. He gave his best friend a big hug.
“Well done, mate!” He kissed his helmet.
“Thanks, brother!”
As they went to the post-race interview with Nakamura, they chatted about the race and how they would have to deal with Mark and Nico.
Jamie:
“Amazing race, Erik! You took the lead and just kept going. That’s two wins at the start of the season. Is this your year?
Erik:
“Come on, Jamie, you know I never answer that question. It was just a good, clean race from my side. I want to thank the team, crowd, and everyone behind the scenes who make this work.
Jamie:
“It must also be good to have your best friend up here with you?
Erik:
“Yes, huge congrats to Antoine. He’s always had it in him, and today wasn’t just luck. He’s worked hard for this. Also, congrats to his team. Obviously, the same to Nakamura and his team.”
Erik ignored Jamie’s questions to Nakamura as he chatted away with Antoine.
Jamie:
“Huge congratulations to you, Antoine! Third in the sprint and now third in the race. How do you feel?”
Antoine:
“First, a huge thanks to the team, this amazing crowd, and everyone back home who makes this possible. I’m feeling so overwhelmed and happy right now. I didn’t think it was possible so early in the season. I knew the car was good, but not this good.”
Jamie:
“You obviously took advantage of that spin-off on the first lap, but how did you manage to keep P3?”
Antoine:
“I just kept telling myself I could do it, and I did.” He laughed
Erik put his arm around Antoine as they walked off, chatting.
He was realising how important this friendship was to him and understood Ingrid’s point of view, too.
It wasn’t worth risking his friendship over something that might just be an infatuation.
As they stood on the podium together, though, and he saw Ingrid beaming up at them, or was it just Antoine, he felt differently.
He wanted it to be him that she was looking at on the podium.
Ingrid had watched the race, literally chewing her nails.
She couldn’t have dreamed of a better result.
Antoine, standing up there on the podium, had exceeded what she expected from today.
When she’d seen Mark and Nico spin off track, she thought Antoine might get caught up in it.
He’d navigated his way through and made it to his first podium in nine months.
What Ingrid was trying to hide was how proud she was of Erik, too.
She was staring up at the podium at her two guys – one her client, the other her, she didn’t know what.
He was staring back at her. When he had come over to the team and touched her hand, she knew what it meant.
For her, it also meant goodbye. She was flying back home in a few hours, and that was it for a couple of days.
No more quiet moments. No more hotel rooms.
Ingrid waited in the hospitality area with Gaetan to say farewell to Antoine. She caught a glimpse of Erik as he came out of his team HQ. Surrounded by fans, she didn’t think he could see her. He caught her eye and came over. She got up so they could speak privately.
“Are you flying back with us?”
“No, I have a ridiculous flight at 3 am back to London.”
“Is this goodbye?”
“Yes, I’ll see you in Japan, though.”
“Any chance we could say goodbye privately?”
“Erik, there’s nowhere private right now for you. Look, there’s Ted lurking around for his Notebook.” She pointed.
“Ok, then, friendly hug goodbye?”
“We can do that. I’ll then give Mark and Nico the same.”
“Oh, you won’t find them. They are both still sulking, so Antoine and I will have to go play peacemakers.” He laughed.
“Oh, you silly boys!” She laughed.
He grabbed her at that and hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, “Yes, I’m afraid I’m a very silly boy that just wants you.”
She quickly pulled away.
“I thought I told you to keep your hands off my coach!” Antoine said sternly, then laughed.
“Just saying goodbye to her and what a good job she’s done.” Erik smiled. “See you in Japan!”
Erik walked off, and Ingrid’s heart was pounding from how close they were to being caught.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me!” Antoine said, hugging her like a little brother.
“It’s only for a week.” She patted his back. “You’ll probably be grateful to be rid of me for a few days.”
“I know the garage won’t! They all love you. Your interest in what they do. Always bringing them snacks. Even your old music selection. They feel so loved and appreciated.”
“Hey! My music selection is not old! Like I said, just a few days.” She smiled.
“Ok, let me let you go. Bon voyage, and let me know you’ve arrived safely.” Antoine waved her off.
Ingrid found herself wishing she had that private goodbye with Erik as she went off to the airport. Mentally, she told herself it would be ending there in Shanghai. Physically, she knew she would be thinking of him back in London, alone in her bed.