Chapter 57
FIFTY-SEVEN
Mackie is still shy, even a week later. We’ve talked about what happened a lot, but the truth is, I don’t regret it, and it only brought us all closer.
There are no barriers between us now. Conan and I know we are sharing Mackie, but it’s different actually doing it, and considering how much our boy liked it?
We’ll be doing it again.
I also have to focus on work. I want to get through these races before I have my operation, something I’m trying really hard not to think about. I’m just focusing on eating healthy, spending time with my team, and working. Those are the distractions I need.
“You look worried,” Clarke comments, and I blink as I look at her. Sometimes, I forget she’s here. She blends in with our garage so well that we even forget to be on our best behavior. Like now, I forgot she was in the paddock with me as I watch Mackie and Skylar give their pre-race interviews.
The season is moving fast now, leading up to the championships.
I know they are ready, but it isn’t Mackie and Skylar who worry me.
It’s Amanda. She’s standing outside our paddock, clearly on purpose, talking to cameras and journalists, her racers at her side.
One of them is making me grind my teeth.
Orson is an overseas driver, and he’s really good.
He’s won a lot of titles, but he’s also known to be brutal, mean, and not a team player at all.
He only cares about winning, not the sport or racing fairly.
Amanda must have paid a lot of money to get him here.
Orson is the best driver in the world right now, and my boys have to go up against him sooner than I would have liked.
I don’t know if they are mentally ready.
Physically, they could beat them, but the mental game is half the battle.
I know that all too well, and men like Orson are good at it.
“Orson, right? He’s good. I looked at his rankings,” Clarke mutters.
“He’s one of the best. He has a way of getting into other drivers’ heads and messing with them,” I grumble.
“That worries you?” she asks, and I check to make sure the cameras aren’t rolling.
“I’ve raced against men like Orson before.
” Shaking my head, I glance at Mackie and Skylar, who look happy and not worried at all.
“They find a way, every time, to undermine you, test you, and push you until you forget all your training and instincts. It’s how they win.
I’m worried they aren’t prepared for that. ”
“You’ve trained them well,” she assures me, patting my arm. “You have to trust them.”
“I’m trying. I’m just—”
“Just what?” she prompts when I don’t finish.
“I’m worried they won’t be able to handle a loss. They’ve never had one. I’m worried that when it finally happens, their confidence will shatter.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to make sure it doesn’t. Everyone loses eventually, Noah. It’s how they handle it that matters. Do they give up and blame themselves or try again? Trust them, guide them. They might surprise you.”
“I think you have too much faith in me,” I mutter as I cross my arms, my eyes finding Mackie. He catches my gaze for a moment and winks, letting me know he’s okay, and I can’t stop my smile.
“I did my research on you. I know you professionally, Noah, and I think you underestimate yourself,” Clarke responds, drawing my attention again. A throat clears at my side.
“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Marina eyes Clarke next to me.
“Not at all. It’s nice to see you again.” I respect her a lot. She came into this profession knowing she would face criticism and blowback, but she handles it with silent grace and a strong work ethic. “Marina, this is Clarke. She’s shooting a documentary on us. Clarke, this is—”
“Blizzard’s new manager, Marina Baron. Nice to formally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from the other teams,” Clarke says, running her eyes over Marina.
“All terrible things, I bet,” she replies tightly.
“Why do you say that?” Clarke asks curiously.
“I’m a woman in a male-dominated sport. Moreover, I took over one of the top teams. They hate me. It’s fine. I don’t need to be liked. I just need to win. Speaking of, Noah, what’s your take on them?” She nods at Amanda and her drivers.
“They are going to be trouble,” I admit.
“That’s what I thought.” She sighs. “I’ve heard things from friends abroad. I think our guys should watch each other’s backs.”
That only increases my worry, my body tenses, trying to stop myself from going over there and making the first move. “You think they’ll try something dirty?” I snap.
“I’m not sure, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Nobody wants an accident, not even for the cost of a title,” she murmurs, her voice low.
I nod, completely agreeing. “I’ll let them know. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“You’ve got it. It was nice to meet you.” She nods at me and then Clarke and turns and walks away.
“Jesus, she’s even hotter in person.” My eyebrows rise, and Clarke chuckles. “What, you can check out Mackie, but I can’t check her out? That woman is sexy as hell. She’s wearing a suit, Noah. Do you know how hot that is? And that attitude? I want her to chastise me while she does me.”
“Fuck, I think you’ve been spending too much time with Sky,” I complain as I push away. “Leave me out of your fantasies.”
“Will do. I’ll leave yours to Mackie,” she teases as I walk away.
I wait for the interview to finish, then I pull Skylar and Mackie aside. “I want you to be careful today. No risks. I mean it.”
“Don’t worry, old man, we’ve got this,” Skylar replies flippantly.
“I mean it. At the smallest sign of something going wrong, pull back, even if it costs you the lead. I’d rather you be alive and down in rankings.”
“What’s going on?” Mackie asks.
“Amanda’s drivers, I’ve heard things about them. Blizzard is doing the same, just trust me, okay, and play it safe. One race won’t matter until I figure out what’s going on,” I implore.
Skylar and Mackie share a look but reluctantly agree, and when it’s time to head to the track, I have this horrible gut feeling.
It doesn’t go away as my guys get in their cars and prepare.
I watch Orson particularly, who seems to be eyeing Mackie and Skylar with vicious intensity, and I know Marina was right.
He’s planning something. Before I know it, though, the race is starting, and all I can do is watch.
The first lap is normal. Skylar and Mackie move quickly through the ranks. Blizzard trails them, and Nos is right behind them. They are following every move Blizzard makes like they are stalking them. I know Mackie and Sky hate it. I can hear their grumbling.
“Stay focused. Ignore them and run your own race,” I advise into the mic, my arms crossed tightly as I watch the screens.
By the second lap, Nos has passed Blizzard and are right behind my guys. “Be careful, they are on your tail. No risks, boys. I mean it.”
“Got it,” Mackie replies, but he seems tense, and it’s affecting his driving. He moves right toward Skylar when Orson gets close, and it gives Nos the opening they need. They slip past Skylar and Mackie, but rather than overtaking them, they level out, one on each side.
Orson and Nos’s other driver box in Sky and Mackie, pushing them close together, and I know it isn’t going to end well.
Most drivers would move on now, pulling forward, but they don’t, forcing them tighter.
A rough bend is coming up, and I know they will crash at it.
I can almost see it, and the idea of either of them crashing and being hurt . . .
No.
“Pull back now!” I roar into the mic, and even they must see the threat because both of them drop back, allowing Nos to pull into the lead as they cross the line.
It means Skylar comes in third and Mackie fourth. It’s the lowest they have ranked in a very long time, but they are safe, and that’s all that matters.
They hate losing. They are gracious in their post-race interviews, but they troop to the showers together, their heads hung low, and I watch them go, knowing I need to fix this.
I don’t want them to lose confidence and hope, which means Clarke was right.
I need to guide them and show them it’s okay to lose as long as they pick themselves up and try again.
I’m turning away to follow them and do just that when I feel someone behind me. Our paddock is supposed to be empty, and our team is packing the cars, so I turn, my eyes widening when I find Amanda.
“What the fuck do you want?” I snap, my hands fisting at my sides. I want to throttle her. I’ve never hit a woman before, but I’m so fucking tempted.
She put my team in danger, and I will never forgive her for everything she has done, but risking the people I care about most? It’s unforgivable. Her parents might have bought her way out of jail for assaulting me, but they can’t save her now.
“I just came to talk.” My eyes narrow, and she rolls hers.
“Fine, I’ll get to the point. You saw today’s race, so you know what my racers are capable of, especially Orson.
He’s very . . . determined to win and do as I wish—everything I wish, no matter who gets in his way.
You know better than most, Noah, how dangerous this sport can be.
You want your boys to be safe? You want them to win?
I can make that happen. All you have to do is marry me. ”