Chapter Five
Luca
I had zero intention of accepting Henri’s invitation tonight, but after seeing several photos circling around social media showcasing the tense standoff I’d had with Georgia earlier today, I figured showing up would help quell the rumor mill—and my father’s anger.
Inside the Barcelona club, we slipped past the velvet rope and into the exclusive VIP section. I scanned the room and quickly spotted my best friend, Edward, ordering at the bar. Sandy hair tousled to perfection, white shirt unbuttoned far too low, this was classic Edward to a tee.
He waved me over with the subtlety of a man who’d already had two drinks. “Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Edward teased. “Surprised Daddy Rossi let you out to celebrate tonight with that sixth-place finish.” I rolled my eyes, before pulling my old teammate into a hug.
“Apparently, it would look bad if I didn’t celebrate the first woman winning in decades.” And I hadn’t exactly told him where we were going.
“Well, then here’s to Georgia’s win.” Edward’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he handed me a cold beer, but before I could clink my glass with his, another pint met mine, spilling some of its beer onto my shoes.
I glanced up, instantly recoiling as I looked straight into the eyes of Anthony Walker, the human embodiment of mediocre white privilege with a trust fund, and my other looming problem in Formula 1.
Why Hermes had signed the inconsequential, untalented American to be our reserve driver in case Henri or I was sick was beyond me. Georgia had wiped the floor with him in Indy Car and F2. But somehow Anthony had managed to bag our reserve driver slot.
Actually, I knew why. His dad had more money than God. Formula 1 might be the pinnacle of motorsport, but it wasn’t immune to the scent of money. Unfortunately for me, Anthony had made it painfully clear to just about everyone he’d ever met that he was gunning for my seat.
“Anthony,” I groaned. “I’d say it’s good to see you, but my mother didn’t raise a liar.”
“And apparently your father didn’t raise a race winner,” he snickered back.
I had that one coming.
“That’s rich coming from someone who’s doing their third stint in F2,” I retorted. Like most drivers in Formula 1, I’d won my first F2 season. Twenty-six racers competed in the junior league, but typically, only one seat was available each year in Formula 1 and the competition was fierce.
“Well, they do say third time’s the charm.” Edward gleefully collided his glass with mine, causing liquid to spill all over his shoes.
Anthony inched towards me, the scent of smoky Scotch wafting from his breath. “Laugh all you want, Rossi. By the end of this season, I’m taking your F1 seat. No doubt you have another screw-up in your future.”
My fingers tightened around my glass. I’d have loved nothing more than to rearrange his smirk.
But Edward, ever the peacemaker, clapped a hand on my shoulder and steered me toward a booth in the back before I could do something I’d regret.
Swallowing my pride, I opted to ignore Anthony.
After this afternoon’s lecture from my father, the last thing I needed was a bar brawl with my teammate.
I slinked into the booth, chugging half my beer in frustration. Edward’s gaze was fixed on me with curiosity. From his wide eyes, I could tell he wanted to discuss something important.
“Yes?” I finally asked.
“Your mum texted me today…”
“My mum?” I scoffed. “What are we, ten?”
“Luca, she told me about the fight with your dad. She’s worried about you. You didn’t answer any of her calls.”
“Maybe because I didn’t have anything worth saying.”
“Come on, Luca. The party? That photo?” Edward shot me a frustrated look, one that told me to cut the crap.
Join the line of people disappointed in me.
“I know I shouldn’t have been there, Ed,” I muttered. “But it took the edge off all of this stress. Everyone wants me to be the second coming of Michael Rossi, and I—” I stopped, staring into my beer. “I’m not him. Just because he was a World Champion doesn’t mean I will be.”
“You know,” Edward’s voice was low, “you don’t have to race if you don’t want to.” Edward looked around the bar, as if he was afraid my father would appear from the shadows and scold us for his blasphemy.
Sighing, I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know what I want anymore.
” My eyes drifted across the bar, locking on to Anthony who was currently charming a group of girls with stories probably stolen from my interviews.
My blood boiled inside at the thought. “Scratch that. I know I don’t want to give my seat to fucking Texas-Oil-Money Anthony over there. ”
Edward raised his glass in agreement. “I hate that guy. How Georgia ever dated him is beyond me.”
“Georgia dated Anthony?” I asked, aiming for casual but landing somewhere much closer to too interested.
His eyebrow lifted, but he appeased me. “They kept it quiet. His dad sponsored her team in Indy. She didn’t want anyone thinking she got her seat because of him. Henri told me it was serious—for a while. They broke up last year. I don’t know why. Must be hell for her seeing him around.”
“Well, well, well,” I smirked, “turns out Racing-Is-My-Entire-Personality Dubois and I have something in common: we both can’t stand to be around Anthony.” I leaned back in my seat as I feigned shock, my hands waving in the air. Edward rolled his eyes, shaking his shaggy head.
“You’re such a prick to Georgia,” he grumbled.
“She starts it—” I argued.
“More like she finishes it.” Edward smirked, clearly pleased with himself.
I rolled my eyes, choosing not to take the bait. “You know, I was sort of surprised at Georgia today.”
“Surprised that she’s bad at media? I mean, I guess considering Henri’s so good—”
“No,” I cut him off. “I’m surprised that after dating Anthony, she’s moved on to another driver. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d date a rival.”
“Excuse me, who is Georgia dating?” Now it was Edward’s turn to be overly invested in the gossip.
“Earlier today, I saw éliott and Georgia come out of her room together; she was practically wrapped around him.”
Edward let out a loud snort. “Really?” He considered me for a moment.
“Nah, no chance they’re dating. Henri would have éliott’s head on a spike if he made the slightest move after his sister…
I think.” Edward wagged his finger, adding, “And I suggest you take that advice to heart. Georgia is off limits.”
“It’ll be a cold day in hell before I date Georgia Dubois,” I scoffed, although the words didn’t taste as satisfying as I’d imagined them to be. Several years ago, I’d received that same warning from Henri, but that hadn’t stopped me then.
Something else had.
As I placed my empty glass on the counter, I caught sight of a group of women who had managed to sneak into our reserved VIP section. A perfect distraction.
“Well, since I’ve already been scolded by my parents once today, I might as well make the most of a free pass.” Nodding towards the women at the bar, I gave Edward a wink followed by a thumbs up.
“Glad to see you took our talk to heart!” he yelled after me as I made my way over.
I caught the attention of the bartender and ordered another beer, leaning against the counter as I sized up the group of women nearby. Just as I was about to strike up a conversation with a pretty brunette in red, a familiar voice caught my attention.
“I’ll have a gin and tonic, please.” Turning to my left, I noticed Georgia rummaging through her purse. “Ugh, of course, I left it,” she grumbled, waving at Henri and her teammate, Lily, as she frantically tried to get their attention.
“Put it on my tab,” I called out to the bartender as he handed her the drink. Georgia glanced at me with a hint of suspicion, gnawing on her lower lip with uncertainty as she continued searching for her lost wallet.
“I can buy my own drinks,” she mumbled.
“Can you?” I glanced pointedly at the contents of her purse, now spread across half the bar. With her slightly red cheeks, I had to admit, Georgia looked adorable as she fumbled through her embarrassment.
“Thanks,” she said sheepishly. “I’ll buy your next one. Well, if my wallet ever turns up.”
“Nah,” I said with a wink. “This one’s on me. A pretty girl like you shouldn’t buy her own drinks.” Georgia scoffed as she took a sip of her gin and tonic, scrunching her nose in disgust.
“Please tell me that line doesn’t actually work.”
“What do you think?” I asked, leaning in to watch her reaction.
Her sapphire eyes widened, just slightly, but she didn’t move away.
Instead, she crossed her arms, gaze steady and unimpressed.
From this close, I could see the small creases around her eyes as she frowned at me, could smell her lavender perfume.
A stray strand of hair was caught in her soft eyelashes, and I had a sudden urge to gently tuck it back behind her ears.
But before I could so much as blink, a familiar, unwelcome voice oozed into the space between us.
“Well, what do we have here?”
Fucking Anthony. I inwardly groaned as he approached us, a tauntingly amused look on his face.
Stepping back, Georgia straightened her skirt as she nervously took another sip of her drink, chewing on her straw before setting it down.
She looked uncomfortable as she searched for a way out of this conversation, cornered by her ex-boyfriend and rival.
Wonder who she hates more? I mused.
Just as I thought she was going to slink away and pretend that she hadn’t heard Anthony, Georgia stepped closer. Her body pressed against mine like it belonged there, her hand slipping into mine. When she looked up, her smile was sunshine-level sweet. Like I hung the damn moon.
“Just hanging out with Flash.” Georgia grinned, not caring to look at Anthony.
Caught off guard at hearing my racing nickname, I returned her large smile, casually putting my hand on her waist, pulling her closer.
Georgia’s lips curled into a satisfied smile as her eyes pleaded with me to play along.
Fuck it, I thought. Who am I to turn down an opportunity to get on Anthony’s nerves? I pulled Georgia closer to me.
Her brow twitched for half a second, like she couldn’t believe we were doing this, before plastering a sickly-sweet I’m in love smile back on.
Noticing the lack of space between us, Anthony’s eyes watched Georgia’s hands softly caress mine.
Her breath smelled of pink champagne, and I was almost enjoying this laid-back, tipsy version of Georgia.
Five minutes had gone by, and she hadn’t mentioned my yacht incident once.
“And here I was thinking we broke up because you wanted to focus on your career,” Anthony sneered.
Georgia let out a pretend gasp. “Really? I thought it was because you slept with every woman that batted an eyelash your way.” Without missing a beat, she turned to me and whispered loud enough for the nearby girls to hear, “I thought being exclusive meant I was the only one doomed to see his dick.”
The group next to us erupted in quiet snickering.
Anthony watched my arm tug Georgia closer. A frustrated look danced in his eyes while he assessed the two of us. My fingers softly rubbed up and down her waist in soothing, circular motions, and to my surprise, Georgia rested her chin against my chest.
“With how boring you are in bed, you’re delusional to think that Luca isn’t getting some on the side,” Anthony scoffed as he crossed his arms, still assessing the two of us with narrowed eyes.
Georgia flinched, just for a second. And for reasons I didn’t want to examine too closely, that tiny reaction made something sharp twist in my chest.
Pushing Georgia aside, I stepped forward, blocking her from Anthony’s view. “Funny thing, Anthony, women aren’t lousy in bed if you know how to make them scream.” I leaned in, eyed locked on to his. “And, wow, is Georgia a screamer.”
He opened his mouth to fire something back at me, but before he could, I felt Georgia’s surprisingly soft hands on my cheeks, turning me towards her. Her eyes flickered down to my lips and she licked her own, her teeth grazing her bottom lip.
And then Georgia Dubois did the unexpected.
Gentle lips met mine in a soft, tender kiss that I knew was full of uncertainty.
My eyes flickered to Anthony, whose face was full of satisfying rage.
With our two drinks forgotten on the counter, I wrapped my arms around her waist, deepening the kiss.
She arched into me, her hands sliding from my face to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair.
It was slow and maddening and somehow felt awfully real.
Anthony was probably still standing there fuming, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. All I could think about was the taste of Georgia Dubois—gin, pink champagne, and something I knew I’d crave long after this moment was over.
My hand skimmed her back. Her nails grazed my skin. I swore the room disappeared.
Fuck, why is this the best kiss I’ve had in years?
Finally, she pulled away, breathless, cheeks flushed, eyes wide with the realization of what we’d just done.
“Wow, um, sorry… I don’t know what came over me,” she gasped, still trying to catch her breath.
Georgia looked mortified—and gorgeous with her embarrassed pink cheeks.
I had the sudden urge to kiss her again.
“Glad to be of service,” I said, still catching my breath. “Always happy to get under Anthony’s skin.”
She snorted, grabbing her drink. “Can’t believe I ever dated that guy.”
“Well, you can’t be perfect on and off the track.”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes at me before quickly marching back to her teammate Lily who was already fanning herself and mouthing something absurdly dramatic.
“Hey, Georgia!” Both she and Lily looked up at me. “You’re welcome to come scream in my bed anytime!”
She flipped me off without missing a beat. But she was smiling. And not the fake PR smile Valkyrie had clearly taught her.
A real one.
And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do something to me.