Chapter Three #2
Jax grimaced, taking a pull from his beer. “Feels like participation trophy stuff.”
Mia nudged Lucas with her elbow. “He’s worried about his seat again. Tell him he’s being dramatic.”
Lucas looked at Jax — serious now, no teasing. “You’re not losing your seat. You’re too good for that. But Marcus is right — optics matter in this game. You’ve got to show them you’re all in, not just when the helmet’s on.”
Jax shrugged, trying for casual. “I am all in. Just… not very good at looking like it. Never have been.”
Lucas nodded once, understanding in his eyes. “Then find a way. You’ve got the talent — raw speed, instinct. Don’t let the bullshit take it away from you.”
Mia squeezed Lucas’s arm, then turned to Jax with a small smile. “He’ll figure it out. He always does. Right?”
Jax gave a half-smile. “Appreciate the pep talk. But I’m starting to feel like a third wheel here.”
Lucas smirked. “You are.”
Mia laughed, light and genuine. “Go find someone to flirt with. You’re wasting your talents standing here brooding.”
Jax rolled his eyes, but he glanced across the rooftop anyway, scanning the crowd out of habit.
And there she was.
Aria Moon.
Emerald green dress, low-cut, clinging to every curve like it had been poured on. Hair loose in soft waves, catching the rooftop lights, eyes distant as she stood near the railing with a drink in hand, looking out at the city like she was still half on stage, half somewhere else entirely.
She wasn’t alone. The assistant he’d seen with her earlier at the track was standing close, leaning in to murmur something, hand resting lightly on Aria’s arm in that protective way. Jax’s gaze settled fully on Aria again—the way the silk caught the light, the distant look in her eyes.
He remembered her concert earlier — the way she’d moved in that sequined bodysuit, hips rolling slow and deliberate, grinding with a confidence that owned every inch of the stage, voice cutting through the night like a blade.
He’d watched longer than he’d meant to from the team hospitality area, the sight of her body moving like that…
distracting. Sexy as hell. But there’d been something else too — a raw edge to her performance, like she was pouring everything into it to drown out whatever storm was inside.
Mia followed his gaze, brows lifting. “You know her?”
Jax shrugged, playing it casual. “Introduced on the grid before the race. Just a quick chat.”
Mia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Her set tonight was unreal!” She tugged Lucas’s sleeve. “Come on. Introduce me. I need to tell her how much I love ‘Here’.”
Lucas raised a brow at Jax. “You heard her.”
Jax laughed under his breath. “Fine. Let’s go.”
He led them across the rooftop, weaving through clusters of sponsors, drivers, and VIPs.
As they approached, the assistant spotted them first. She gave Aria a quick squeeze on the arm, then stepped slightly aside but stayed close—watchful.
Aria turned, small polite smile already in place—practiced, guarded.
Mia took the lead, voice warm and bright. “Aria, I’m Mia. I’m a huge fan. ‘Here’ has been on repeat in our London flat for weeks. You were incredible tonight—that energy? Unreal.”
Aria’s smile softened — genuine this time, reaching her eyes for the first time Jax had seen. “Thank you. That’s really kind. I’m glad it’s connecting with people.”
Mia laughed. “Connecting? It’s basically the soundtrack to our evenings. Lucas pretends he doesn’t sing along, but he does. Badly.”
Lucas gave a small, sheepish grin. “Guilty.”
Aria laughed softly — the first real one Jax had heard from her all night, light and surprised. “I won’t tell. Your secret’s safe.”
The two women fell into easy conversation — Mia asking about the setlist choices, Aria sharing a quick, self-deprecating story about writing “Here” in a hotel room at 3 a.m. after an argument, voice cracking just a little on the memory.
Jax hung back with Lucas, watching the way Aria’s shoulders relaxed just a fraction, the tension in her posture easing as Mia drew her out.
Jax noticed as Aria's assistant glanced at her phone, expression shifting. She leaned in to Aria. “I’ve got to step out and make a couple calls—Robert’s on a rampage about tomorrow’s schedule. I’ll be right back, okay?”
Aria nodded. “Go. I’m fine.”
Her assistant gave her one last quick, reassuring look, then slipped away toward a quieter corner near the bar, phone already to her ear.
Lucas glanced over to the entrance. “Marcus just walked in. We should probably go say hi before he hunts us down.”
Mia sighed dramatically. “Duty calls.” She glanced across the rooftop toward the Ascari corner, where Eddie Hale and Etienne Laurent stood laughing with a small knot of sponsors.
“I should swing by Eddie and Etienne first—Eddie’s probably charming someone he shouldn’t, and Etienne had a solid race today in the points.
My young driver needs a quick pat on the back before the night ends. ”
She turned to Aria with a warm smile. “It was so nice meeting you. Let’s catch up again soon? Maybe coffee next time we’re in the same city?”
Aria nodded, warmth in her expression. “I’d like that. Really.”
Lucas gave a small wave. “Good to see you again, Aria. Great show.”
They walked off—Mia heading first toward the Ascari group—leaving Jax and Aria alone in the glow of the rooftop lights.
Jax stepped closer, voice low enough to cut through the party noise. “Sorry about the ambush. Mia’s been obsessed with your music since last season.”
Aria’s lips curved faintly. “It’s fine. She’s sweet. Genuine.”
“She is.” He studied her for a second — emerald dress catching every light, eyes still carrying something heavy behind the smile. “You okay? Looked like you were carrying the weight of the world out there on stage.”
She hesitated, fingers tightening around her glass. Then she exhaled, shoulders dropping as if the words had been waiting too long to come out.
“My boyfriend just dumped me,” she said quietly. “Over text. This morning. While I was on the jet here.”
Jax’s brows lifted, genuine surprise flickering across his face. “Shit. He’s a fucking idiot.”
She gave a small, surprised laugh — genuine, a little broken at the edges. “Yeah. He is.”
“No one in their right mind would let you go,” he said simply, no flirt in it, just honest. “You’re super talented. And hot as fuck. But more than that — you’ve got this… fire. I saw it tonight on stage. Don’t let some arsehole dim that.”
She laughed again — real this time, soft and a little bashful, hand coming up to tuck hair behind her ear. “Thanks. I think.”
Then her expression shifted, something vulnerable flashing through. She looked down at her drink, voice quieter.
“I’m not sure why I just told you that. I haven’t told anyone yet. I’m still processing, I guess. It feels… stupid to say it out loud. Like if I keep it inside it might not be real.” She gave a small, self-conscious shrug. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to unload on you like that. You barely know me.”
Jax shook his head, leaning a hip against the railing beside her. “Don’t apologise. Seriously. I get it — holding onto shit until it feels safe to let go. And honestly? I’m not exactly winning at keeping my own stuff locked down tonight either.”
She glanced up at him, curious now.
He exhaled through his nose, gaze drifting out to the city lights for a beat before meeting her eyes again.
“Been a rough season. Owners are breathing down my neck — want cleaner optics, more ‘commitment,’ less of whatever they think I am. Party boy. Headline chaser. Feels like I’m auditioning for my own bloody seat sometimes.
One wrong photo, one off weekend, and suddenly I’m replaceable.
Marcus, our Team Principal, called me in earlier this week — and basically said ‘prove you’re all in or we start looking elsewhere. ’”
He gave a short, dry laugh. “So yeah. I’m walking around with that sitting on my chest too.
Eighth tonight was decent, but it’s not enough to shut them up.
Not when Lucas is out there winning like it’s breathing.
I’m not telling the team how much it’s getting to me either. Don’t want them thinking I’m cracking.”
Aria studied him, empathy softening her features. “That sounds exhausting. Like performing with a gun to your head every time you step out.”
“It is.” He gave a half-smile, lighter now. “But I’m not giving it up without a fight. I’ve got too much left to prove. And honestly… talking about it out loud just now? Didn’t feel as heavy as I thought it would.”
She nodded slowly, a small breath escaping her. “Same. Weird how saying it to a stranger can feel easier than saying it to the people who know you best.”
“Not a stranger anymore,” he said, the corner of his mouth tilting up. “We’ve both just admitted we’re carrying something ugly. That’s gotta count for something.”
A photographer appeared — discreet, quick, professional smile. “Mind if I get a shot? Great energy between you two.”
They both nodded. Jax stepped closer — not touching, just shoulder-to-shoulder — and they posed naturally, smiles easy, city lights framing them. Flash went off once, twice.
The photographer moved on with a quick “Thanks.”
They turned back to each other, the moment settling again.
So,” Jax said, voice softening. “Different careers, same pressure cooker. You’re killing it on stage… while I’m just trying not to lose my car.” He paused, eyes gentle. “And I’m sorry about the breakup. It must still be pretty raw.”
She raised a brow. “We’re both auditioning for our own lives right now.”
“Pretty much.” He shrugged. “But we’re still here. Still showing up. That’s something.”
She nodded, the weight in her eyes a little lighter. “Yeah. It is.”
A beat of quiet stretched between them, comfortable now, less like strangers.
She glanced at her phone, screen lighting her face. “I should get back to my room. Early flight tomorrow—Lena just messaged to say she’ll meet me in the car.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Early start for me too. Next race waits for no one.”
They both turned toward the exit, walking side by side through the thinning crowd.
At the glass doors leading to the elevators, Aria paused, turning to him. “Night, Jax. Thanks for… listening. And for sharing your troubles. Made me feel less alone with it.”
“Night, Aria.” He gave her that easy grin again, warm and steady. “Safe flight. And good luck with whatever comes next. You’ve got this — and if you need to unload again, you know where to find me. ”
She offered a small smile — still guarded, but warmer. “You too.”
She stepped into the elevator first. The doors slid closed behind her.
Jax stayed back a beat, finishing the last of his beer. He watched the numbers tick down, then turned and headed for the other bank of elevators.
He leaned against the wall of his own elevator as the doors closed, the rooftop lights fading behind him.
Eighth tonight. Solid points — better than he’d managed in a while.
But still not enough to quiet the noise from Marcus’s makeshift office.
Tomorrow was a travel day ahead of the next race, then debriefs and sim sessions.
He’d go over the data, listen to the engineers, show them he was serious.
That he wasn’t just charisma and headlines.
That he could still deliver when it counted.
But tonight, for the first time in weeks, the weight in his chest felt… shared. Not gone. Just lighter.
He pocketed the image of Aria: her soft genuine laugh, the emerald dress hugging her shape, and the quiet vulnerability that had appeared the moment she let the truth slip. She’d trusted him with something raw. He’d given her a piece of his own in return.
Tomorrow was all work.
The rest?
He’d figure it out later.