Chapter 14
Fourteen
Piper wasn’t great at predictions, but she had been right about one thing—Emilio kicked ass in qualifying. He’d be starting
although they were friends, Piper sensed it brought Emilio just the tiniest shred of peace to be on par with the other guy
driving a Mega car.
Emilio’s mother, Bianca, however, was providing zero peace. She’d shown up at the track yesterday after qualifying was complete, arm in arm with her new boyfriend. After only the most cursory discussion of Emilio’s performance,
the conversation went south and they left in a huff.
“Rico is very successful,” Bianca had said. The four of them and Gus were gathered in Emilio’s driver’s room. Emilio was in
a great mood, but he was also sweaty and exhausted.
“That’s great,” Emilio responded.
“He’s in crypto,” Bianca said. “Do you know about crypto, Emilio? I think you should buy some. Rico can tell you how to do
it. I don’t really understand how it works.”
“Does anyone really understand how it works?” Emilio got up from his seat and walked over to the fridge to grab a bottle of
water. Piper stood right next to it, so he took his chance to lean in and whisper, “How much longer do we have to put up with
this?”
“I could fake an illness,” Piper muttered back.
“You’re an angel for even suggesting it,” he replied.
“I’m happy to explain it, Emilio,” Rico said. “It’s stupid simple. You have what’s called the blockchain—”
Emilio cut him off. “Thank you, Rico. I appreciate it, but I’ll have to pass for now.”
Rico stood. The man was an impressive display of high cheekbones and diagonal shoulders. He wasn’t Piper’s speed, but she
supposed she could see why Bianca might be enamored. “You’d be missing out on a big opportunity,” Rico said. “People are making
a killing. This is your chance to get in while the getting’s still good.”
He shook his head. Piper admired his fortitude to be honest with the guy. He was Emilio’s mom’s new boyfriend, after all.
“Then I guess I’m just going to have to miss out.”
Bianca stood and gathered her purse. “Emilio. You’re being very rude to Rico.” It was hard for Piper to envision Bianca and
Emilio ever being close like he and his grandmother were, but perhaps this wasn’t the best version of his mom.
Emilio’s shoulders dropped in defeat. “I’m sorry, Rico. I really am. If you want to talk about something other than crypto,
I’d be happy to chat about that.”
In Piper’s opinion, Emilio was being a good sport. He’d done so well in qualifying, and he hadn’t complained at all that his
mother had not only missed it, she’d hardly mentioned it, either. “Ugh. Oh, God.” Piper clutched her stomach. “I do not feel well. I probably shouldn’t have had all those churros up in the paddock club.”
Emilio glanced at her, the corners of his mouth quirking up into a smile. “Oh, no. We should get you back to the motorhome.”
He turned to his mother. “I should make sure Piper gets some medical attention. Thank you for coming. I’ll see you tomorrow?
Make sure you get here on time. Three o’clock.”
She waved it off. “I know. It’s always at three.”
“Well, that’s not always true depending on the circuit . . .” His voice trailed off. “Just try to get here by one so you get
your VIP parking and all the other perks you love.”
“Yes, darling. We’ll be there. I promise.” She kissed him on the cheek, directed a faint smile at Piper, then she and Rico
left.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, isn’t it?” Emilio asked.
Piper wanted to remain upbeat. “It’s good to have family around. Even when they’re a pain.”
Now that it was the next day, again in the driver’s room, there would apparently be no family around. “She’s not coming,”
Emilio said. “Look at my phone.” He handed it to Piper then started pacing.
Rico and I will not be coming to the race today. I know you were rude to him because you think he’s trying to replace your
father, but he isn’t. He’s simply my new lover.
Piper snorted, then quickly choked it back when she saw the upset expression on Emilio’s face. “God, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“She doesn’t show up for qualifying and then she’s not impressed with how I did. Does she think I don’t know it’s not like
last year? This is improvement. If she’d been paying attention, she would appreciate how important this is to me. And now
she’s not coming at all. My dad could’ve been here.” He blew out a breath through his nose, obviously trying hard to keep
his emotions in check. “Then again, he probably would’ve canceled, too. I swear, ever since they split, they’ve both become
so selfish. It’s disappointing.”
Piper’s heart hurt for him. She got up from the couch to comfort him with a hug. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s like your grandmother
said. Your mother is adjusting to a new identity and maybe your dad is, too. I know that doesn’t help with the here-and-now,
but focus on your race. You put yourself in a great position for some amazing points today.”
The tension in his face faded. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I need to keep my eyes on the prize.”
“And you need to keep the word lover out of your mother’s mouth.”
There was a knock at the door. “Now what?” he muttered. “Oh, wait. Isabel said she was coming down to tell me something important.
Come in,” he called.
Isabel opened the door. “Hello to you both.”
“I can leave if you two need to talk. Come on, Gus.” Piper patted her leg to beckon him. “Let’s go find some fans and take
your picture.”
Isabel reached for Piper’s arm. “I was hoping to speak to both of you.”
“Really?” Piper asked.
“Yes.” Isabel stepped closer, clutching her trademark clipboard. “The Nom Nom sponsorship is happening. The announcement will
be made on Monday, but the founder is here today.”
“I thought she was coming to Monaco.”
“Nom Nom is very excited, so she came to this race, too. Her name is Harmony Daniels. She’ll be down in a few minutes to meet
Emilio. But she also wants to meet Gus.”
“Of course. Everyone wants to meet Gus.” Piper laughed quietly. “No problem.”
“She brought her dog with her. I hope that’s okay,” Isabel added.
“Gus will love it,” Piper said with an unsubtle note of glee in her voice.
“He’s not the only one,” Emilio quipped. “Piper will do anything to meet other dogs.”
“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.” Piper slid him a look of admonishment.
“Never. You’re an animal lover. We’ve established that.”
There was another knock at the door. “I’m sure that’s Harmony. Her dog is named Gumdrop.”
Emilio and Piper stood side by side with Gus between them as Isabel opened the door. Waiting on the other side was a tiny
woman with jet-black hair. And standing next to her was an enormous mastiff almost as tall as her. Piper was so excited to
meet Gumdrop.
“Harmony. Hi. Come in,” Isabel said. “I want you to meet Emilio Baquero, his dog, Gus and Gus’s nanny, Piper.”
Emilio winced at the introduction. He didn’t like Piper getting such low billing. She was a major part of keeping his life
on track right now. “Ms. Daniels, hello.” Emilio reached out to shake her hand. “I understand Nom Nom is going to be a Mega
sponsor. We’re excited to have you on board.” Emilio didn’t know much about her business, but sponsorship money was crucial
in his sport.
“So excited to meet you,” Harmony said with a thick Australian accent. “I’m such a big fan. And I’m a big fan of Gus. He’s
a real looker. I might need to talk to you about putting him in some ads. Our customers would love it.”
“Gus would love it, too. He loves having his picture taken,” Piper said to Harmony. “And who do we have here? This must be
Gumdrop.”
Gumdrop had the same reaction to Piper that Gus had the first time—panting and fierce tail wagging. Was it the pitch of her
voice or did she possess some magical quality that made dogs love her?
“I definitely spot the mastiff, but is Gumdrop another breed, too?” Piper asked, cradling the dog’s face like she was an infant.
“She’s a mastiff and Great Dane mix.”
“Wow. She’s stunning.”
Emilio loved seeing the affection Piper had for animals. It really warmed his heart. “She’s very cute,” he offered.
“Can I give her a treat?” Piper asked. “They’re all natural. I make them myself. No weird ingredients or anything.”
“Absolutely. Gumdrop tests all the Nom Nom foods, so I’m sure she’d love it.”
Isabel leaned closer to Emilio. “You need to head down to the garage, or the team will have my head.”
Emilio nodded. “It was so great to meet you, Harmony. I understand you’ll be at the race next weekend in Monaco, too?” He
reached out to shake her hand.
“It’s iconic. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Okay, great. I’ll see you then.” He looked over at Piper, desperately wanting to give her a kiss. But Isabel didn’t know
about any of this and neither did Harmony. He thought it best to play it safe, so he patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll see
you later, Piper.”
“Yes, you will.”
Spanish Grand Prix
Barcelona, Spain
Emilio’s thoughts were a bit of a jumble by the time he climbed into the car. New sponsor. His mom’s new boyfriend. His mom
not showing up. And, in the midst of all of that, he and Piper growing closer. Just in time for her to leave in little more
than a week. He really wished there was a way to convince her to stay, but he didn’t think there was, and every time he thought
he saw an opportunity to bring it up, she somehow managed to remind him she’d be going home to Florida soon.
“Emilio. Radio check?” His engineer’s voice sounded in his helmet.
“Check, Tom. I’m here. Sounds good.”
“Are we ready to kick some ass today?”
Emilio drew in a cleansing breath. Focus. “I’m certainly going to try.”
“How long have you been a dog nanny?” Harmony asked as she and Piper got settled in the paddock club with the dogs.
“Only a few weeks full-time. I’ve been a dog walker forever and a dog sitter, but this is my first time nannying.”
“How are you liking it?”