CHAPTER 10
Isaac
Isaac had a spring in his step everywhere he went these days.
Argentina and the lead-up to the race in Texas were much the same as the two previous rounds, with his happy life on and off the track.
Isaac credited much of this to Anna, finding time in their schedules to be together.
Angel’s people still booked a room for Anna at the hotels, but she stayed with him.
He smiled, satisfied that she’d become an oasis of peace and contentment.
Anna and Catarina met up for most meals on the road, and Isaac joined them when he was free.
He’d always had a brotherly relationship with Catarina and enjoyed her company too, but Anna made his skin tingle and his heart race.
He also appreciated that it must be nice for Anna to have another friend.
She’d seamlessly fit into his racing world and, by extension, his life.
It seemed to work for her too—she was upbeat and pleasant to be around.
The only discomfort came from the idea that Vince may have continued concerns about their relationship.
Isaac had caught his brother’s frown when he and Anna had shown up once at the house on a day off, and another time on their way to their hotel room.
But nothing was said. Isaac let his performance on the track speak for him.
If Anna was a distraction, it was the kind that worked.
He’d finished on the podium again in Argentina, behind Luka Catala and Vince, for third.
Here at the Circuit of The Americas, or COTA, he’d qualified fourth.
He couldn’t believe his string of luck. This was the best qualifying position of his career.
He was used to starting mid-pack or, more often, toward the back.
Thinking of qualifying brought Vince to mind again.
His brother had turned away after a quick handshake following Q2.
They’d always been best friends and celebrated each other’s successes, so Isaac had felt the snub.
Maybe for the first time, Vince felt threatened by Isaac’s racing consistency.
After three races, he was second in the championship only to his brother, but he wouldn’t let it go to his head.
With eighteen more races, it was too early to be thinking of the championship.
Still, it was nice to be higher than usual in the standings, even if it meant additional press appearances and responsibilities.
The tension between them was building with each race, and the networks didn’t help.
They were billing it as Vasquez vs. Vasquez.
On race day in Texas, Anna surprised him.
He assumed they would spend the morning together, but she looked nervous and claimed a mystery errand.
She ordered a car and left, promising to be back before holding grid signs for the Moto2 race and her grid duties.
Because she was excused from Moto3, Angel must have approved her errand.
Isaac felt odd not knowing what was going on.
It shouldn’t be a big deal, but why hadn’t she shared?
He’d been looking forward to surprising her with the fact that today was his birthday and that he’d made dinner reservations in downtown Austin.
He hadn’t told her about any of it in order for it to be a surprise.
In retrospect, he should have mentioned his birthday, and she probably would have made plans on a different day. It was his own fault he was on his own.
With unexpected time on his hands, he went looking for his brother and found him studying race footage from last year’s COTA race.
“You won by twelve seconds, and I was eighth.” Isaac peeked at the screen.
“Yep.” Vince didn’t look up.
“What are you looking for on the recording?” said Isaac as he sat down.
“Why aren’t you with that girl?” said Vince without looking up. “You’re always together.”
That girl? What the hell?
“We’re in her home country. She had a few errands,” said Isaac. What was with Vince? He hadn’t even wished Isaac a Happy Birthday. They were adults and didn’t make a big deal about their birthdays, but they’d always been acknowledged.
Vince raised his eyebrows. “If you can’t find her, ask Spencer. He might know where she is.”
“Why Spencer?” said Isaac. Anna barely knew him, and she didn’t like the loud-mouthed Australian.
“I don’t really have time to chat.” Vince’s eyes remained intent on the screen.
What pressing knowledge his brother thought to learn from that race now was a mystery. Maybe he was watching this one because his race had been flawless. Isaac stood up. “I’ll see you later then.”
Isaac returned to the track and watched the Moto3 race on his own, although he didn’t pay attention to much of it as his mind was distracted. He hoped everything was okay with Anna.
Texas was the first time Anna was back on American soil since she’d gone to Europe.
He’d interrupted a phone call yesterday that sounded like she was meeting up with someone.
Perhaps she had unfinished business or family to visit.
He hoped she would tell him what was going on when she returned.
He respected her independence, but if there was a problem, he wanted to be there for her.
If she was meeting family or someone important, wasn’t he worth including?
His questions gnawed at him. He and Anna weren’t casual, and he continued to be slightly hurt for being left in the dark.
There was nothing wrong with Anna leaving on her own or even keeping something private.
She was entitled to her own life, for as much as they’d shared lately, they were still new.
He considered her as his girlfriend, but they hadn’t discussed their status beyond being together.
There was a lot they still didn’t know about each other. Including birthdays, obviously.
Maybe Vince had a point about distraction.
This ridiculous worry was a distraction, but not Anna herself.
Isaac couldn’t get settled and fought the urge to check in with her and make sure everything was okay.
As promised, she returned in time to hold the Row 2 sign for the Moto2 race, but they didn’t have a chance to talk, and Isaac couldn’t settle into race mode.
He felt like a fool, but he texted Anna. “I’m in my trailer. Can you spare a few minutes to chat before the race?” He sighed in relief when the dots appeared to show her typing.
“Be right there.”
Two minutes later, she knocked and entered. Once more, she wore her sleeveless shirt and race day skirt and looked delicious.
“You’re wondering where I went this morning.” She cut right to the chase. “Since I didn’t tell you anything, and just left.”
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want, but I wanted to make sure you’re okay.” He searched her face for signs of distress.
“I hired a lawyer.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I called her office last week and set up the appointment for this morning. Today I met with her in person.”
“Do you have a divorce to arrange?” Isaac hadn’t considered that possibility.
She shook her head. “I’ve never been married.
I have a property to sell, and I was worried that my ex-boyfriend would try to take a share.
As far as I know, he’s still living in my townhouse.
According to my new lawyer, common-law marriage is not recognized in Washington state.
The townhouse is in my name, and I’m the one who paid the deposit, and makes the mortgage payments.
The lawyer is arranging written notice that the property is being sold and will make all the arrangements.
That way, I don’t have to talk to Adam.”
“Adam.” The name felt as wrong on his tongue as when she’d said it. “Did he hurt you? Is he the one that belittled you and made you uncomfortable all the time?” His angry words tumbled out.
“He didn’t hit me. He just treated me as less than him, and I see now that he took advantage of me financially. The lawyer will tie up the loose ends, so I don’t have to.”
“Have you heard from him since you left?” Isaac hadn’t seen her messaging anyone except Catarina. He hadn’t expected her past to spring up. Nor had he expected the brief zing of jealousy.
“Not since the day I quit my job, when I found him in bed with one of his grad students,” said Anna. “I drove to the airport and left for Barcelona that night. I blocked his calls when I arrived.”
“So, you only just broke up with him?” Isaac swallowed. Was he just her rebound guy? He wanted to be more than temporary.
“It’s become clear that Adam and I were never close.
It should have been over a long time ago.
” Anna tracked Isaac’s movements as he paced the narrow corridor in his trailer.
He could feel her gaze. “Come here,” she said, stretching out a hand.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was going on.
I’m just trying to close that chapter of my life. It has nothing to do with us.”
He stopped in front of her. She didn’t owe him anything, not even the apology. He opened his mouth to apologize for being upset about her errand.
“Isaac, I know it’s way too soon to say certain things.
” She fumbled for words and took his hand, lacing her fingers between his.
“I want to be clear. What Adam and I had is over. I didn’t talk about it because it wasn’t important.
I have no lingering feelings, and I’m not even angry about him cheating.
We weren’t close, and I don’t miss him.” She sucked in her breath and looked him right in the eye.
“I’m falling in love with you. I hope that’s okay and doesn’t scare you. ”
Her bare honesty left him shaken. She’d taken his thoughts and distilled them into something more potent. “You amaze me,” Isaac said, wrapping his arms around her with a squeeze. “I’m falling for you too.” He lifted her chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”