Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The WolfBett conference room already crackles with tension when Nico arrives and takes a seat at oh seven hundred. Graham paces while Marcus sits at the head of the table, radiating German disapproval at having his race day routine disrupted.
“An emergency meeting,” Marcus says flatly, his glare following Graham. “For this.”
“This?” Graham gestures at the photo displayed on the large screen at the end of the room.
Christ. Graham’s way too hard up if he’s been studying that picture all morning.
Pritchard continues roaming and bitching. “This compromises everything we’ve built. Team dynamics, sponsor relations—”
“Would you fucking listen to yourself?” Wyn’s laugh startles Nico. “Like, why are we even having this meeting? When did Nico’s love life become a bloody emergency?”
Graham scowls. “When it involved the driver and the team who’re poised to take the championships from WolfBett.”
“Bullshit.” Wyn sits back. “You’re going mental over nothing.
” He jerks a thumb toward the team principal.
“Marcus knows it. So do the rest of us. This is Petra Hayter we’re talking about.
Tenacious P for fuck’s sake! You’re acting like she’s got a magic pussy that’ll make Nico forget how to drive.
He can bang her in the evening and whoop her ass on the circuit in the morning. The two are not mutually exclusive.”
Silence descends. Even Junior’s staring at him, mouth hanging open.
“Magic pussy?” Heinrich chokes out.
Wyn shrugs. “I dunno. We’ve all wanted to tap that.” He turns to Nico. “I’m jealous as fuck that you got her attention.”
Nico snorts. “Maybe if you hadn’t been pulling her hair and snapping her bra straps, she would’ve looked at you first.”
Graham plants his fists on the conference table. “Your unprofessional attitude is unwelcome, Wyn.”
“Oh, get off it.” Wyn’s found his voice, apparently. “You wanna talk about unprofessional? How about calling an emergency meeting about two consenting adults snogging? How about treating our champion like he’s suddenly forgotten how to drive because he wants to shag someone?”
Marcus’s lips twitch. Heinrich doesn’t bother hiding his grin.
Junior shuts his mouth, then irritatingly opens it again. “WolfBett’s reputation is on the line here.”
“It’s fine.” Wyn’s expression says he’s sick of Junior’s shit. “Have you seen social media? The fans are eating this up. Hashtag Speed Dating is trending higher than our actual race stats thanks to the Honey Bunnies.”
“The Honey what?” Graham demands.
Wyn sits back and crosses his arms. “The Honey. Bunnies. Nico’s fan club joined forces with Petra’s Hayter Honeys.
” He’s clearly enjoying winding up his father.
“They’re out there right now, teaching each other Spanish racing terms and selling Hot Bunny Luvin’ shirts.
” As an aside to Nico, he adds, “I need one of those.”
Nico smirks. “I’ll sign it.”
Graham sputters. “This is exactly—”
“What the sport needs?” Marcus interrupts. “Young drivers showing they can be professional and human? Good racing and genuine positive emotions?”
Graham pounds the table with his fist. “I won’t have this kind of disloyalty!”
“Disloyalty to what?” Marcus stands. “You have a minor share in this team, Graham. And our drivers’ personal lives aren’t your business.”
Nico wishes he had a soda and some popcorn for this movie.
“Now wait just a minute.” Junior sits straight and puffs up like a pigeon.
“No.” Marcus’s German efficiency cuts through the chaos. “WolfBett has a race to prepare for. This meeting is over.”
“The other owners won’t appreciate you ignoring this.” Graham seems to have forgotten that Marcus is a Wolfberg.
“Karl, Damien, and Jürgen know our driver’s personal life is his own business. I discussed it with them this morning.” Marcus gathers his phone and computer. “As long as he keeps winning. Which he will.” He eyes Nico. “Won’t you?”
“That is the plan.” Nico nods. “Assuming we are done discussing my love life and can focus on race strategy?”
“Love life?” Junior sneers. “It was one kiss.”
Nico considers slamming the idiot’s face into the table, but there’s enough attention swirling around him already.
“So far.” Wyn’s smile turns wicked. “But hey, maybe if you’re lucky, they’ll make out in parc fermé after he beats her to the podium.”
“After she beats both our asses, you mean,” Nico corrects.
“Nah, man. I saw their suspension issues on the boards. You’ve got this.”
“Enough!” Graham’s face has turned an interesting shade of purple. “This is completely unprofessional.”
Heinrich stands. “What is? Our drivers getting along? Or demonstrating how to have a healthy work/life balance?” He doesn’t wait for Graham to start up again. “All of you, go get breakfast, then be back here at eight hundred to discuss tire management.”
As the room clears, Wyn hangs back. “Nico. A moment?”
They wait until the room empties, Heinrich and Marcus deliberately ushering Graham and Junior out.
Nico decides to extend an olive branch. “Thank you.”
“Mate, that was fucking hilarious.” Wyn grins, then his expression hardens. “Look, I’ve been a complete wanker, and we both know it.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But you’ve always been straight with me.”
“You’ve deserved my honesty, especially when you were being a wanker.”
He shrugs. “Yeah, well, watching Reece and now you stand up to my old man made me realize I’ve been buying into the bastard’s bullshit about winning at all costs when you’ve raced clean and still taken four world championships.”
Nico studies his teammate.
Wyn’s grin returns, sharper now. “Plus watching him lose his shit over you kissing TenP was literally the highlight of my year.”
Nico snorts. “About that magic pussy comment...”
“Hey, I say what I see.” Wyn heads for the door. “Come on. We’ve got a race, and your girlfriend has car issues. Advantage WolfBett.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Yet.” Wyn smirks. “But I’ve got a hundred euros riding on you two snogging in parc fermé and I know my teammate won’t let me down.”
“So.” Carlos is waiting in the hallway as they exit, looking far too amused. “The emergency meeting went well.” He falls into step with the two drivers.
Nico’s not surprised that his father was eavesdropping. “You heard all of it?”
“I particularly enjoyed Wyn’s colorful assessment of the situation.”
Wyn laughs. “You liked that, Carlos?”
“Your honesty was refreshing.” Nico’s father drops his chin and considers Wyn from beneath his brows. “And long overdue.”
Wyn shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away. “Yeah, well…”
Nico’s phone buzzes and he glances at it.
Nicolina:
Tell me Wyn really said “magic p*ssy” in a team meeting. Also Seb says u better win today or he’s voting u off Bunny Island.
“See?” Carlos grins. “Your sister agrees with me.”
“Dios mío. You texted that to her? I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Wyn laughs when Nico shows him the message. “Bruv, your family’s more heartless than mine.”