14. Javi
14
Javi
April - Adelaide International Raceway, South Australia
A couple of months have passed since Sophia and I had that intense and amazing kiss in the pit.
I could have killed Riley for interrupting us.
With each passing week, it feels like she is piecing herself back together again. Slowly returning to a new Sophia after her tragedy. She has continued to be professional with me, however there has been some low-key flirting and lingering stares. To say I’m a little bummed about not being able to do it again is an understatement. It was a great fucking kiss and had the promise of escalating into more.
This was not on my bingo card this season. I should be cutting myself off and refocusing on my season, instead, I’m watching to see when she’s going to get lunch, and timing things so I can go and see her. Even if I don’t sit with her. I just enjoy hearing her laugh or her vibrant voice. Hopefully, I don’t sound like a stalker.
Sophia is on her laptop, but today, instead of sitting away from the team, she is at the bench, closer to the team and interacting with them. My breath hitches and my mouth dries at the sight of her. I need to get out of here. Rayna catches my eye from near the back of the box, and as I walk by her, I say, “I’m heading to the tent for some food. Want something?”
“I’m good, thanks!” she calls back with a wave.
I haven’t been on the bike yet today, so I’m still in my grey sweats. I make my way to the hospitality tent, pick up some coffee, and sit with my phone, doomscrolling socials. Sophia’s profile pops up as a suggested new friend. I’m trying to distract myself from her and she still manages to pop up. Fuck it. I add her. She’s a private account, so she’ll have to approve me. Why am I nervous about this? It’s not like I am going to DM her anything weird. We’re work colleagues. Work colleagues can have each other on their socials, there are no rules against it. I can see our mutual contacts: Riley, Cole, Fleur, Rayna, and other team members. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about a friend request coming from me. I put my phone down, focusing on my coffee and stilling my mind.
The tent is suddenly filled to the brim with a joyful laugh, a laugh I would recognise anywhere. Sophia enters while on the phone. “Nik, I’m serious, it really said that…No, it must have been a typo, but it was hilarious …Ok, I’ll see you in a few days…That Thai place?…Ok, done, I’ll start shopping the menu now…Ha!…See you then!” She takes the phone away from her ear and scans the room. She sees me and waves, and I wave back in return. Man, I feel like a dweeb. She grabs a coffee and makes her way over to me.
“Fancy meeting you here! I thought Rayna would have had a coffee sent around for you, sunshine,” she teases.
“I’m not completely helpless.” I fake being upset, hand going to my chest.
“Not according to Riley.” A wicked smile spreads across her face.
“Ace, whatever he has said is an outrageous lie.” I smirk.
“Oh! Actually, great I caught you…” She launches into a problem the team is having without a workable solution in sight. We have had countless meetings about it to get everyone’s feedback. I threw my opinion out in the meeting to add to the list of possible things to try out, and now she is informing me of the outcome. Her excitement over the conversation is apparent in her tone and hand movements. She engages me and ensures that she recounts everything I had suggested, making me feel included and valued in my opinions. I can’t keep my eyes off of her. Her smile, such an easy accessory for her to wear. Luminescence is encapsulated in her eyes. Dammit, I’m going to be a goner. Maybe today is a day to test my luck.
“…it was a really great suggestion that we combined with a suggestion Dave had, so we’re hopefully on the right track to test it and get further. Thank you for sharing your expertise with the team.”
“Anytime, ace,” I reply without hesitation.
Yep, I will gladly be ruined by her.