6. Reed
Throwing my last few toiletries into my suitcase, I stare at it in disbelief.
I still can’t believe I am about to leave the country and not come home for the next four months.
I had heard the PRI schedule was grueling, but I don’t think I truly appreciated that until Mr. Miles sent me the full four month layout.
Our weeks will include flights, hotel stays, and going back and forth to the race locations every weekend.
We’re starting in London, and then flip flopping all over Europe, before hitting up Mexico and Canada, and then heading back to the States for the final.
Cooper Miles did say there would be some downtime here and there, and that I’ll be free to do whatever I want, as long as I get what I need from his son.
I’m not sure what will be harder, not sleeping in my own bed, or trying to make nice with Wilder damn Miles.
I posted my first social media article about him, writing all about his prep for the season, most of the information gathered from his father, with an array of pictures I took last week.
It got a lot of attention online and was even credited in a few racing articles, but I can’t help but wonder what the man in question made of it.
As a rookie he doesn’t have a lot of sponsors yet, even in his father's shadow, but with looks and talent like his, it won’t be long before he’s noticed and his name becomes known in its own right.
I’m not sure how much my help will make a difference, especially if he continues to be rude to all manners of press, but I’ve been hired to do a job, and I’ll be damned if I don’t do it well.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me,” Eloise sighs dramatically from her spot where she is draped across my bed. She came in here under the guise of helping me pack, but all she has done is veto some of the clothes I picked out.
“Stop acting like you aren’t excited to have this place all to yourself you little witch,” I reply, adding a jacket to the top of my suitcase before moving to zip it up.
“You can have all the loud, sexy sleepovers you want without me here,” I add with a wink, and she rolls her eyes, pushing up to a seated position.
“I actually think it’s pretty rude you’re going to be galavanting around Europe without your best friend, and with your hot little racer no less,” she teases with a smile.
“Wilder Miles is not my little racer,” I scoff, only making her smile wider.
“I see you aren’t denying the hot part, and who said I was talking about Wilder?
” She raises her eyebrows in question, and I snap my mouth closed, knowing she won that one.
“Just think of all those nights you two will be alone in your hotel rooms. I mean, what’s going to happen when you arrive late one night and there is only one bed? ”
I frown in confusion. “Only one bed? Why would a hotel only have one bed? What the hell are you talking about?”
At my questions, Eloise only sighs. “Pick up a book, Reed, trust me,” she replies with a wink, but I still haven’t a clue what she is talking about.
Choosing to ignore her crazy, I zip up my other bag and then look around my room. “I think that’s everything.” I’m a little anxious that I may have forgotten something, and I swear my best friend can read my mind.
“You realize you can just buy anything you forget, right?” she starts, following my stare around my room. “You’ve already packed way too much, and I’m sure as soon as all the European brands realize where you are and what you are doing, they will be fighting to send you stuff.”
I nod because I know she is right, but still it feels weird to be readying myself to leave for so long, when it isn’t with any of my family or friends.
I mean, sure I know Knox and Beckett, but we aren’t exactly close.
I had dinner at my parent’s house last night, which was mostly painful, apart from getting to see my little brother.
I’m going to miss Freddie the most while I’m gone, but I promised I would FaceTime him every couple of days.
My mother said she might see me in a few weeks when I head to Milan, and my father acted like the whole conversation about what I’m going to be doing is beneath him.
The only reason he allows my career is because my name is well known and I managed to quickly get people to take notice of my accounts.
The only rule is to never embarrass the family name, something I pride myself on never doing, not that it’s ever good enough.
It doesn’t matter the front I put on, my father sees through it every time, and I know the truth is something he despises about me.
“My car should be here any minute,” I finally say with a sigh, not ready to say goodbye to my best friend, and her eyes instantly turn glossy.
“You know I’m totally not going to last the full four months right? I’ll probably be chartering my dad’s jet by the end of the month and coming to stalk you,” she claims, swiping at her undereye before any tears can fall, and I laugh.
“I mean, what’s an international trip without an impromptu visit from my fake girlfriend?” I ask and she snorts, pushing off the bed and throwing her arms around me.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Lamont,” she chokes out, no longer trying to keep her composure, and I can’t say I blame her, this will be the longest we have ever gone without seeing one another.
“I’ll miss you too, Hartwell.” I pat her back before we pull apart, and I swipe away her tears. “Now help me with all these bags before you ruin that pretty face of yours,” I tease, and she rolls her eyes, shoving me playfully, but grabs my smallest bags and gestures for me to lead the way.
We manage to get the bags downstairs in only one trip, and by the time we do, the car is idling by the curb already waiting for me.
Eloise and I say another emotional goodbye, and she only releases me when I promise to text her every day, as if I don’t already do that.
Then the driver helps me get my bags in the car, and I climb in before I let the nerves get to me too much.
It isn’t much of a drive to the private airstrip, one I have flown out of countless times with my family, and when I arrive, I take a deep breath in preparation to have to deal with Wilder Miles.
I could probably do with a whole lot of alcohol, or maybe something to sedate him with instead, considering we are going to be side by side for the next four months, but hey, it’s too late to back out now.
Stepping from the car, I help the driver give my bags to a member of the crew, before making my way onto the plane, only to realize I am the last one to arrive.
Cooper Miles is standing at the back of the plane, making himself a coffee while on the phone, he nods hello when he sees me, but quickly goes back to his task.
It’s only then I note that Wilder, Beckett, and Knox are already seated on one side of the plane, and their managers are seated on the other, with a seat left for Mr. Miles.
Which leaves only one spare seat sitting with the guys, which I reluctantly head to take.
“There’s our little famous reporter,” Knox teases, as I slide into the seat beside him, and I shake my head at him.
“I’m not a reporter you dick,” I toss back, tipping my head at Beckett in greeting, before finally looking at Wilder, who doesn’t even bother giving me his attention.
“Ah that’s right, you’re only here to make the man of the hour look good, fuck the rest of us huh?” Beckett muses, taking a sip of his drink, and I smirk at how Wilder rolls his eyes at his friend's assessment.
I’m guessing they are more than used to ribbing each other this way, after spending the last three years at The Academy with one another. I imagine growing up in not just his father’s shadow, but his uncle’s too, that Wilder is more than used to the petty jokes, just like I am.
“Nah, the best reporter in the world couldn’t make him look good, I’m just here to document his season, no matter how terrible it may be,” I toss back, finally causing Wilder’s glare to snap my way, and I ensure my smirk is still in place.
I don’t care what happened between us at that party, I won’t let him hold it over me.
“I’ll be sure to tell my father how great you are at your new job,” he claps back, snatching his headphones off the table and putting them on, effectively ending our conversation.
“Ignore this asshole, Lamont,” Knox tells me before changing the subject. “Are you looking forward to a little fast fun?” he asks, waggling his brows, and I nod.
“Yes, I’ve never been around racing before, so it’s going to be cool to see you guys in action properly.” I don’t have to tell them my only experience was that day last week, I’m sure they’re aware.
“Well I know you’re here for the superstar,” Knox nods toward Wilder, who has now shut his eyes and is ignoring us all. “But feel free to take pictures of my good side anytime you want,” he adds with a wink.
I snort a laugh, more than used to his charming manner.
The guy is as straight as they come as far as I’m aware, but no one is immune to charm like that.
Especially not with looks like his, and a secret weapon in the form of Beckett Ford at his side.
I’ve heard plenty of tales of what the two of them get up to with girls, some of them at the same time and seeing them side by side now, I can’t say I blame them.