Chapter 7
Seven
The stress was still there, but Emilio did much better in qualifying than anyone expected, and that let off the pressure.
If only a little bit.
position this season. How does that feel after your struggles with the Mega car?”
It’d been so long since he’d done well, he wondered if he was dreaming. “I’m getting more comfortable with it. I’m hopeful
for tomorrow.”
“Can you work your way through the field and make it back to the podium?” a different reporter asked.
A top-three finish? That was a lot to ask from seventh place, especially when he was merely driving the car better. Although he wasn’t about to discourage himself, he also wasn’t about to put a number on it. “I’ll do my best. Like any other
weekend.”
The questions continued and Emilio braced for the familiar—the ones about whether he felt like an idiot for pissing off his
old team, or whether he was disappointed to realize that last year’s driver’s championship might be the only one he’d ever
win, or whether it upset him that his ex-girlfriend was dating another driver. But those questions never came, and he was
thankful for a break from the negative.
A young woman with a handheld recorder stepped forward. “Your dog Gus made a triumphant return to social media yesterday.
Is there a reason you chose Imola to launch his own account?”
Now that was a question for which he was not prepared. Was he about to be in hot water with Isabel? She was standing right next to
him and had just cleared her throat. “That happened by accident. It was all Piper Murphy. She works for me. Takes care of
Gus full-time. She went into the stands and met some fans. They wanted pictures with Gus, and she obliged.”
Another reporter took sudden interest in Emilio’s answer. “Is Piper Murphy the woman you were with when you arrived on track
yesterday? There were photos circulating of you with your arm around her.”
Emilio’s mind flashed to the moment when he’d wanted to get Piper away from the screaming fans. He should’ve known better.
Someone was always watching. “She’s Gus’s dog nanny. That’s all.”
“Dog nanny . . .” the reporter muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
Emilio bit his tongue. That’s exactly how important my dog is, asshole.
A few beats with no further questions, and Isabel said, “I think that’s a wrap.” They exited the media pen and started back
through the paddock for Mega hospitality. “Great job with the press today.”
“The questions were a lot easier.”
“We should talk about the Gus question.”
Emilio came to a stop outside the Mega building. “It happened by accident. Exactly the way I said. It won’t happen again.”
Isabel placed her hand on Emilio’s shoulder. “I’m wanting to know if Piper can keep doing it. The fans love it. And happy
fans make happy sponsors, which means a happy team.”
“It’s a bit silly, isn’t it?”
“Gus is part of your life, and the fans want any glimpse they can get. They can’t get enough.”
Emilio couldn’t help it. His natural reaction to anyone wanting to look in on his life was to close the blinds. “You know
how private I am.”
“Which is why having Piper do this for you is perfect. Gus can do the posing and everybody wins.” She leaned in. “And I shouldn’t
tell you this, but we’re close to a big money sponsorship deal with Nom Nom Nutrition.”
“What’s that?”
“The all-natural pet food company? Their ads are everywhere.”
“I guess I’m out of the loop.”
“Well, they have deep pockets, and their founder is big into F1. She’s coming to Monaco. If you have the most high-profile
dog on the grid, it could seal the deal.”
This was the side of his sport he so disliked—the parts that had nothing to do with actual racing. “You don’t think I’ll get
a hard time for this? Everything gets twisted. Like when I arrived with Piper yesterday. I was trying to protect her, and
someone’s got to turn it into a reason to make insinuations.”
“I know. It’s ridiculous. Personally, I think this helps to take off some pressure. You did great in qualifying today, but
what if the race doesn’t go well? Or you struggle at the next race? Things like this are a great distraction for the media.
It puts you in a positive light. Even the thing with Piper isn’t bad. Who would think badly of you if you got involved with
your dog nanny? Your ex-girlfriend is floating all over the track making a big deal about dating one of the other drivers.”
Emilio took a deep breath in through his nose. He didn’t even want to think about Victoria. Meanwhile, the question of involvement
with his dog nanny was going to stick with him for a while. The temptation was there, but that was a line he wouldn’t cross.
He needed to keep his focus. “Piper’s only here through Monaco, then she goes back to the US.”
“Let’s take the good while we have it. This makes people happy. It’s making the fans fall in love with you all over again.
I don’t see a downside.”
The world has lost its mind. “Okay. I’ll let her know.”
“Get some sleep tonight. Big day tomorrow.”
Emilio parted ways with Isabel, fetched Gus and Piper from his driver’s room, then the three of them hopped into the car to
ride back to the motorhome pen. “Today was so exciting.” Piper’s infectious smile bloomed on her face. “You must be so proud.
So happy.”
“I’ll be proud if I can match that tomorrow. Or surpass it. You know how it is in this sport. Unless you win, there’s always
more a driver can do.”
“Well, I’m still super proud of you.” Piper stroked Gus’s head. “It was inspiring to watch you clock those lap times. Gus
and I were screaming in the paddock club. Well, I was screaming. He was barking and begging for treats.”
He cracked a smile. “I’m sorry I missed that.” Seriously. He would’ve paid money to witness the celebration. “Speaking of
you and Gus, I spoke to Isabel.”
“And?”
“She said the social media account is a great idea. She said it makes the fans happy and anything that makes them happy also
makes the sponsors happy, which makes the team happy.”
A little squeal came out of Piper.
“What was that?” he asked, half laughing.
“That is my gloating sound. I don’t want to be a jerk, but I was right.”
“You were. I can admit it when I was wrong. I was just trying to keep things from getting out of control. Things are going
well. I’d like to stay on this trajectory.” This wasn’t exactly how he’d envisioned getting back on course with racing, but
perhaps he needed to give up his preconceived ideas of how things should go. For a moment, he thought about telling her he’d
been asked about her by a member of the media, but he decided against it. He wasn’t sure how she’d react. What if she was
excited by that? Or even worse, embarrassed?
“I understand. Completely.” She patted Gus’s head. “Do you hear that, Gus? You brought Daddy good things.”
“Please don’t call me that.”
She shrugged and slid him a coy look. “I think it’s cute.”
He froze, looking at her, the temperature rising in his body. Isabel’s comment about getting involved with her echoed in his
head. As if he needed more swimming around in there.
They arrived back at the motorhome and Piper grabbed a book and curled up on the couch in the small seating area across from
the kitchen while Emilio sat at the dining table and made notes about qualifying and went over reports from the team in preparation
for the race tomorrow. Piper was soon distracted by her phone, however, smiling and laughing, then tapping away at the screen.
Finally, he had to ask what was so amusing.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s Gus’s account. The stuff people say is so cute. They love him so much. It’s the only time I’ve never seen any troll
comments.” She got up from her chair and came around to where he was sitting, leaning in closer to show him her phone. She
flicked at the screen as she scrolled through the comments. Yes, people did indeed love Gus, but that wasn’t what was so bewitching.
It was Piper’s upbeat presence. It soothed his ragged edges. She dragged him back to center, simply by being herself. The
temptation was more than physical. He had this sense she could be good for him. But he couldn’t afford to get involved, despite
what Isabel had said. Piper wasn’t here for long, and what if something happened between them and then it went south? He’d
be looking for another dog sitter. Back at square one.
“I should go for a walk. Clear my head before bed.” He got up and started for the door.
“We’ll come with you. Gus needs a pee break anyway.” She grabbed his leash and clipped it on his collar.
His reflex was to tell her no, but he couldn’t come up with a good reason. “Sure. Come on.”
Down the metal stairs they went and out into the soft grass and the warm night air. Gus started to gallop and Piper followed
him, then turned back to Emilio with her hair blowing gently in the breeze. “Is it okay if we just let Gus roam? I don’t know
that I’m in the mood for a run.”
“I don’t see why not. The area is completely fenced in.”
Piper let him loose and Gus zoomed down the grassy hill, then back up and down again. “He’s such a happy dog,” Piper said
as they walked along slowly, keeping Gus in their sights.
“Have you ever met an unhappy dog?”
“Sadly, yes. Dogs that don’t have a good life. Or that have been mistreated. You’ve given him a very happy life. You should
be proud.”
“All I do is love him.” Emilio heard his voice crack, and he had to swallow back the emotion. Sometimes his love for Gus was
so overwhelming. Like it had no limits, but also like it was the only thing keeping him whole.
“I’m so glad you two have each other. I’m sure he’s made your struggles easier. Everything with Victoria. Your parents. Changing
teams. There’s nothing like the love of a dog. It’s pure and unconditional.”
Piper had perfectly captured everything he was thinking. He was not only fortunate to have Gus, he was also lucky to have
found Piper. His only concern was how effortlessly she was becoming part of his life. Sometimes it felt like they’d known