Downforce (Hitting the Apex #2)

Chapter 1

Annalise

What if I forget his name?

What if I didn’t read that last email from Norm incorrectly?

Did I give the driver the correct address?

“Let me see the purse you’ve chosen.”

“What? Oh.” Allowing my sister’s interruption to break the potential thought spiral before it gets too far, I turn my tablet to an angle that allows her to see the dress hanging up behind me.

Then I move to retrieve the bronze clutch and matching bracelets I plan to wear tonight.

“You’re wearing a plum lip with it?” Chloe asks, her observant eyes moving between the jewelry I’m holding up and over my shoulder to the dress.

“It goes with the dress color without it being too matchy-matchy.”

“Agreed,” she says.

“The entire outfit reminds me of my favorite Shakespeare play,” I comment.

“Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

I smile at the memory of forcing my twelve-year-old sister to watch the old nineties film version of the play with me over and over. I repeatedly had to explain to her who was who in the huge cast of forbidden lovers, magical fairies, royal Athenian court, and more.

“Is that the theme of tonight’s gala?” she asks.

“I wish. No, it’s a masquerade.” I show her the golden mask I’ve chosen for tonight.

“Stunning,” she says. “The lipstick goes really well with that color, and it looks so great on you. Why don’t you wear it more often?”

“Not much opportunity.” Glancing at the clock, I note I still have some time before I need to get ready for tonight.

“You know what you’re missing?”

I inwardly groan at the way Chloe perks up as she asks this question. “Don’t say it.”

“A date.”

“There it is,” I grumble. “Why is my little sister trying to get me to date?”

“Because now that I have one nephew, I’ve decided I want more. Maybe even a niece.”

I chuckle, shaking my head while picking up the tablet before taking a seat on my bed. “You could just ask Travis to have another one.”

Chloe frowns. “We should give Alyssia at least a year in between pregnancies.”

“There’s always Tristan,” I suggest. He’s our other brother, who along with Travis and I make up our trio since we’re triplets. Chloe is younger than the three of us by three years.

Chloe tuts. “Our brother who’s as friendly as an upturned thumbtack on the floor.”

I wince. “He’s not that bad.”

She snorts this time. “You’re only saying that because he’s your triplet.”

“I am,” I admit. “Anyway, don’t get any ideas about me having that niece or nephew for you anytime soon.” I blow out a breath. “Men are … underwhelming.”

“Tell me about it,” Chloe gripes.

“You know this, and yet you’re ready to sacrifice me to the wolves?”

Chloe laughs, making my smile grow.

“I’m hoping since you live on a different continent that the men over in Europe are better than the ones over here.”

“Don’t bet on it. The guys I meet lack creativity. Or interest. Or … I don’t know. They want arm candy, not an actual relationship. There’s no real interest in me as a person,” I admit.

I hold off on telling her the number of men who’ve feigned interest in me as a means to get closer to Travis. Especially since he won the championship last year. Everyone wants to be in his orbit, and if it takes sidling up to his assistant/sister, so be it.

Luckily, most of those dudes are easy to weed out.

“Men aren’t important right now.”

I rise from the bed, and before she has time to follow up with more questions on my dating life, or lack thereof, I turn her so that she’s facing the dress again.

That’s a conversation I’d like to avoid for as long as possible. I’m not opposed to love and all that comes with it, but right now isn’t the right time for me. Not until I can figure myself out, which might be a while.

“What do you think of the outfit?” I ask. “Not too much?”

When I bring the tablet around to face me again, my sister has that worried look in her eye.

A pit in my stomach opens as I quickly think back to how many times I’ve asked this same question during the course of this conversation. Three times, I think. Not too many. Certainly not enough to worry her.

Is it?

“Are you—”

“I’m not,” I cut her off. “I’m simply checking in because I trust your fashion advice.”

I can hold my own in terms of fashion, but I’ll admit, Chloe’s style is a little more refined than mine. She has a more discerning eye. Which is why I don’t like how she’s using those eyes to watch me. It makes me think of the ways I’ve worried my family in the past.

Not something I want to think about right now.

“I’m not doing the thing,” I say, finally.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m fine. Just tell me if you like the outfit. Should I add or take anything away? I’ll drop it.”

Chloe pushes out a heavy breath. “It’s perfect.”

I sigh. “Good.” The moment the word exits my lips, a notification pops up that I’m getting another video call.

“That’s Trav.”

“Say ‘hi’ for me. I need to return Vic’s call and then get back to studying,” she says of our cousin. “Love you.”

“Love you. Give Victoria my love as well.”

I switch over to take Travis’ call. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m fine. A little tired,” he answers as he walks down the hallway in his luxury apartment. From the angle I can tell he’s headed toward the nursery where my favorite person in the whole world is either sleeping or just woken up.

“I wasn’t talking about you,” I reply when he enters the nursery. “How’s my little guy feeling?”

Before Travis can answer, I hear Lucky crying. My heartstrings tug and I poke out my bottom lip.

“I guess I’ve become chopped liver, huh?”

Trav plucks Lucky out of his crib. He points the camera at his red-faced, snot nosed, six month old.

“Is your daddy mistreating you?” I coo. “Do you want Auntie to come over and make it better?”

Travis tuts. “Auntie Annalise has work to do tonight.”

As Travis’ assistant, the whole reason I’m going to tonight’s gala is for Travis. The FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, is hosting the masquerade as a fundraiser. One of Travis’ top prospective sponsors will be in attendance.

“How’s Alyssia feeling?” I ask. Both Lucky and Alyssia caught the flu, and for the past five days have been sick as dogs.

Somehow, Trav escaped the worst of it, but he’s chosen to remain home tonight with his family despite a potentially lucrative opportunity to solidify a deal with a legacy watch brand that will be attending tonight.

That’s where I come in.

“Her fever finally broke,” Trav answers, sounding relieved. “But she was up half the night with this one.” He gestures to a still fussy Lucky in his arms. “She’s sleeping now. Hang on.”

There’s some wrestling as he places the phone down with one hand.

“What’s that?” I watch him retrieve something from the side of the forest green changing table.

Travis holds up his hand. “This one’s favorite toy.” Sarcasm fills his tone.

I watch as he picks Lucky up, but as soon as my nephew sees what’s in his father’s hand, he starts squirming and screeching. It breaks my heart.

“I’m trying to help you breathe,” Travis tells him, a pleading note entering his voice now.

He uses the aspirator carefully on first one nostril and then the other, Lucky fighting him the entire way. The sight turns from a little heartbreaking to comical as I watch my world champion brother fight with his six-month-old son to remove the snot from his nose.

“Is your daddy being mean to you?” I ask Lucky when Travis picks up his phone again.

Lucky has calmed down.

“He always fights me tooth and nail when I try to use this thing.” He holds up the light blue aspirator before tossing it aside.

“I wouldn’t like someone sticking some random thing in my nose either,” I comment. “Don’t worry, Lucky. Tonight I’m going to seal this deal for your daddy so he’ll have enough money to pay for your college tuition,” I assure my nephew, whose head now rests on his father’s chest.

He has no understanding of what I’ve just said, but my heart swells staring at his chubby cheeks and half-closed eyelids.

Lucky’s light brown complexion, hazel eyes, and generally cheerful demeanor is the perfect combination of both of his parents. A part of me still can’t believe Travis is a father.

But as I watch him run a loving palm over Lucky’s cheek, soothing him into sleep, I know he was born to be this little one’s daddy. And Alyssia’s husband.

“Are you all set for tonight?”

His question brings me back to the importance of tonight. My brain hones in on the constant checklist in my head, making little tick marks beside each item that I’ve gone over again and again.

But not obsessively. Not anymore. Because obsessing would make me useless to my brother tonight, I remind myself, even though it’s been a long time since my obsessions have gotten the better of me.

“We’re all good. Chloe just gave me the approval on my dress and mask.”

I’ve read and re-read the proposal Norm sent over.

I’m looking for Luca Taylor, CEO of MaxWaters Suits, one of the most prestigious men’s apparel companies in Europe.

He now runs the company started by his great-grandfather and is interested in the one and only Travis Townsend to be the face of his brand.

“There’s no way Taylor will want to turn you down.”

My words are enthusiastic but the minute morsel of doubt creeps in at the back of my mind. Taylor is known to be a hard ass and very strict about who he chooses to represent his company.

Travis leans in to kiss the top of Lucky’s head, who’s now all but fallen asleep.

“You think so?” he asks.

I look from Lucky to my brother. “You’ve got a lot more eyes on you this season.”

“These are the only eyes that matter,” he says, gazing down at Lucky. “And the other pair now sleeping in our bedroom.”

I smile at the way he refers to his wife.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis. I know you don’t like going to these things,” guilt laces his tone, “but with the season starting in just a few weeks and both Alyssia and Lucky being sick, the thought of leaving them, even for a few hours …” He trails off.

I don’t need him to finish. With his season starting in just a few weeks, as a new father and husband, he wants to soak up whatever precious time he can with his family.

Which is why I can put aside the minor discomfort I have and show up for him. Especially since his agent, Norm, can’t make it tonight either. It’s up to me to help Travis see this deal through.

“Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got your back tonight,” I assure him. “The deal is as good as done.”