Chapter 21
Just like my father
Violet
The Tokyo skyline glitters outside the window of our cab as we ride toward the karaoke place Blake insisted on.
My chest still buzzes with pride in my team after the Suzuka race.
I steal a glance at William beside me, his profile sharp in the neon-streaked darkness.
We haven't been this close in months, not outside work.
His hand rests between us on the seat, fingers just centimeters from mine. I fight the urge to bridge the gap.
"Here we are!" Blake announces as the cab pulls over. "Best karaoke in Tokyo, according to the hotel concierge."
The place looks unassuming from outside—a narrow building squeezed between a convenience store and a ramen shop. Inside, it's all dim lighting and private booths, the hallways vibrating with muffled music and laughter.
"Room for four, two hours," Blake tells the receptionist while I hang back with William and EJ.
William's shoulder brushes mine. "Celebrating properly," he says, voice low enough that only I can hear. "Been a while since we've done something like this."
His eyes meet mine, and the air between us shifts. Been a while since we've done a lot of things.
The receptionist leads us down a corridor to a private room with plush couches, a large TV screen, and a sound system. It's cozy—too cozy for maintaining the professional distance William and I have been keeping. But it’s a much needed respite in the middle of the chaos surrounding us.
"Drinks?" EJ asks, picking up the menu.
"Yuzu soda for me," I say, sitting down on one of the couches.
William slides in beside me. Not directly next to me, but close. Close enough that a trace of his cologne reaches me, that familiar scent that used to linger on my clothes and immediately takes me back to better times.
Blake orders snacks—edamame, karaage, and a selection of tempura.
Throughout the week, as we worked relentlessly to contain the issue, he focused on ensuring I was feeding myself instead of hyper-focusing on the problem and not caring about my health.
The food arrives quickly, along with our drinks.
I take a long sip of my soda, welcoming the cold bite of it against the sudden warmth in my cheeks.
EJ throws himself onto the couch with the boundless energy of a young man riding on a ton of adrenaline. "This is sick! I haven't done karaoke since..." He pauses, calculating. "Actually, I've never done proper karaoke."
Bless him, because he’s been quite calm even with all the weird questions the media asked about William and me.
"First time for everything, rookie," William says, dropping down next to him.
"Right!" Blake picks up a microphone, scrolling through the song list. "Who's brave enough to start?"
"Go on, Blake," William says, grinning. "Show us how it's done."
Blake selects a song—"A Woman Like You" by Russ Ballard. The opening notes fill the room, and he launches into it with surprising confidence.
"Wait, I know this one!" EJ's exclamation breaks through the moment. He jumps up, reaching for the second microphone. "My dad used to play this all the time when I went karting!" He jumps up to join Blake in front of the TV, both of them belting out the chorus with dramatic flair.
"Didn't expect the kid to know 80s rock," William murmurs, shifting slightly closer to me on the couch.
"Full of surprises," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
His pinky finger brushes against mine once again between us. Deliberate. My skin tingles at the contact.
"I've missed you," he says, his voice barely audible over Blake and EJ's enthusiastic performance.
I swallow hard. "William..."
"I know." His eyes never leave my face. "I know we agreed. But it doesn't make it easier."
He finds my hand again, this time covering it entirely. His palm is warm and slightly rough. I should pull away. I don't.
"How are you really doing?" he asks.
"I'm fine," I say automatically.
He gives me a look. "Violet."
I sigh. "I'm... managing." I glance at Blake and EJ, but they're completely absorbed in their performance. "The team's results help. Keeps me focused."
William traces circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. "And when you're alone?"
The question hits somewhere tender. I've built my life around managing, around being fine. "I work. I sleep. I plan for the next race. I overthink what is happening." I pause. "I think about you."
His eyes darken. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
He leans closer. "What do you think about?"
Heat floods my face. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
The corner of his mouth lifts in that way that always makes my stomach flip.
"Don't make me say it here."
Blake hits a particularly high note, and EJ whoops in appreciation. Neither of them are looking our way.
William's hand slides up to my wrist, finding my pulse point. "Your heart's racing."
"Shut up," I mutter, but there's no bite to it.
He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. "I think about you, too. All the time. In meetings, when you're being all Team Principal and intimidating everyone. In the garage, when you're checking with the engineers. At night..."
I turn my face slightly toward his, our noses almost touching. "William."
"I know we can't. Not with Dominic watching our every move. But god, Violet, I miss you."
William moves his hand to my knee, just resting it there. A simple touch that shouldn't seem so important.
"It won't be forever," I say, unsure if I'm reassuring him or myself.
"Feels like it, though." His gaze is gentle, filled with a longing that matches the ache in my chest.
I allow myself to really look at him—the curve of his lips, the stubble on his jaw, those hazel eyes that see too much. He's beautiful in this light, shadows playing across his features, making him look both older and somehow more serious.
I'm vaguely aware of the music changing, of Blake and EJ starting another song, but they might as well be in another room. William reaches up to brush a strand of hair from my face, and the simple gesture nearly undoes me.
"You're doing that thing," he says quietly.
"What thing?"
"Where you're thinking too hard. I can see it in your eyes."
I smile despite myself. "Someone has to think for both of us."
He laughs, the sound low and warm. "There she is."
For a moment—just a moment—I let myself forget about Dominic, about the board, about all the reasons we've been keeping apart.
I let myself just be here, with William's fingers threading through mine beneath the table, with his gaze holding mine in the dim light of this karaoke room halfway across the world from home.
Sometimes, I just want to say "fuck it" and not care about the pressure we have and just…
be together. But I need to protect us both—and Colton Racing.
The final notes of Blake's performance fade, and he takes an exaggerated bow as EJ applauds enthusiastically.
I shake the tambourine next to me, grateful for the distraction from William's hand that's still somehow touching mine.
Blake's face is flushed from the exertion, his smile wide as he catches his breath.
"My turn!" EJ reaches for the microphone, but Blake holds it away playfully.
"Give an old man a minute to recover, would you?" He collapses onto the couch opposite us, wiping his brow. "Last time I sang karaoke was with your father, Violet."
I straighten up, surprised. "Dad? At karaoke?"
Blake nods, chuckling. "After the '92 Suzuka win. He couldn't sing to save his life. Absolute tone-deaf disaster."
William breaks eye contact with me, his hand slipping away.
The loss settles over me immediately, but maybe it's for the best. I need to cool down, to remember all the reasons we've been keeping our distance.
I grab my Yuzu soda and take a long drink, hoping it will calm the heat that's spread through my body.
William glances at me, cocking his head with that playful smile that makes my heart skip a beat. It’s too much; I need to get away from this couch, from his proximity. Now.
"I'll go," I announce, setting down my drink with a little too much force. "EJ can go after me."
EJ looks surprised but nods. "Sure, boss."
I stand up, smoothing my blouse, and walk to the front where the TV displays the song selection. My fingers tremble slightly as I navigate through the options. I need something powerful, something that will let me channel all this pent-up energy.
Adele. "Rolling in the Deep." This was the go-to song when I came to visit my best friend, Anna. And it’s perfect for removing this sense of bliss, happiness and longing for him.
The opening beats fill the room, and I take a deep breath. This isn't about impressing anyone—it's about creating space between me and William before I do something stupid like kiss him in front of my team.
The first verse comes up on the screen. I close my eyes and just let go.
I sing, putting everything into it. All the frustration of keeping away from William, all the pressure of leading the team, all the fear of Dominic's threats—I pour it all into the lyrics.
A choked sound comes from behind me, but it fades quickly. Must be someone getting emotional from my heartfelt performance. I don't turn around; I don't want to see William right now. This song is perfect for a mental reset, a reminder that we can't just fall back into each other's arms.
The chorus approaches, and I give it my all. My voice rises, probably hitting notes the singer never intended.
Something flickers at the edge of my vision. EJ has gotten up and grabbed the pen lights from the table, waving them slowly to create a moody concert atmosphere. Sweet kid.
Encouraged, I spin around for the final chorus, expecting to see impressed faces.
Instead, I find chaos.