Chapter 66
Rosie
“Ican’t believe I’m in Austria for a grand prix weekend.” Sasha squeals as she and Tabi dance around the hotel bedroom.
“Your boyfriend didn’t need to bring us out to the grand prix,” Mum says.
“But we’re glad he did. It was incredibly kind of Niki to do this for us. He’s a good man,” Dad comments as a giggling Tabi jumps on the bed.
“He’s the best,” I reply before raising my voice. “Tabi, we don’t need any more damaged ankles.”
“Okay, Mummy.”
“Knock, knock.” Niki walks into the suite and kisses my cheek, while sweeping a giddy, open armed Tabi off the bed. They’re tactile with each other, but full-on cuddles are still rare. He kisses my cheek. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Denham. I’m sorry we’ve not met before now, but I enjoyed our chat.”
Tabi grabs sanitiser from my pocket while still hanging onto Niki and holds it out to my parents. “You need this,” she demands as Niki proffers his hand.
They apply it quickly as Tabi runs her fingers across Niki’s Belle bracelet.
“You’re a busy man,” Dad booms as he shakes Niki’s hand with the most energy he’s had in years. “And as I said on the phone, call me Dave.”
“You can call me Sue. It’s lovely to meet you in person,” Mum says, holding Niki’s hand. Sasha stares at me, her mouth agape. “I’m sorry I didn’t say much on the phone. I was in the middle of making jam.”
My dad stares at me in silent communication. He’s worked hard on talking Mum around, although Niki instigated it. I can’t blame her. She only wants the best for Tabi. Maybe she’s learning that there’s different ways to achieve that.
“I appreciated you taking the time to chat with us and explain the difference Rosie has made,” Mum says. “We miss her at our carpet company, but I’m glad she’s doing well.”
“Thanks, Mum,” I say, turning to Niki. “We watched qualifying from the stands. You were amazing. You’ll be starting the grid in sixth place?”
His blue eyes are bright as he talks about his challenges in qualifying.
He reminds me of the Niki I saw when we raced.
“I thought I was in trouble when my engineer told me Marco’s lap time.
He may be getting close to retirement, but he’s got the skill of a man who’s seen it all.
I took the last corner like it was the old days. ”
He twists his hand through the air as he chatters. The excitement flowing through him is infectious, and my parents hang on to every word.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow’s race? You’re behind Billy Nister. He has a rep as a danger seeker for good reason. He thinks he’s invincible,” Dad says.
“When did your dad get into F1?” Sasha whispers.
“About the same time you started begging me to find you a racing driver,” I mumble, and she laughs.
“You’re right, Dave, but I reckon he’ll be so busy chasing first place he won’t realise I’m sneaking up on him until it’s too late.” Niki grins.
I want to get him alone and check on him properly. His health anxiety has been tested over the last few days. He may be rethinking his future. But my parents continue to ask him questions about everything, from his favourite driver to his racing diet.
I still can’t believe he asked Dad for a video from my rugby days. Watching it and reminiscing has renewed my drive to complete my master’s, even though I’m not sure if it’s feasible, especially with Niki’s racing future uncertain.
Tabi yawns as she plays with Niki’s bracelet.
“We should get you to bed, nugget. You’re already wearing your special pyjamas,” he says. My heart blooms whenever he cares for her needs. He grabs the bag he left by the door. “But before you clean your teeth, I have a present for you.”
“Thank you, Niki.” Tabi pulls out tissue paper, which she swiftly drops on the floor.
My mum picks it up and folds it, saying, “I can use this.”
Tabi gasps and squeals as she takes out a pair of ear defenders in Coulter turquoise with a tiara on the top band. “I love them. What are they?”
My smile is so broad it hurts.
“They’re special Tabi ear defenders for you to wear at the track. They have Princess Tabi written on the sides.”
Tabi turns them around. “They do,” she shouts when she spies the glittery silver font on the ear defenders. She traces her name. “And they have a tiara.”
“No one has ear defenders like these. You’re the only princess at Coulter Racing.”
She throws her arms around his neck and squeezes him. The energy in the room is now soft at the edges as he closes his eyes and smiles.
“Let’s clean your teeth,” Sasha says, spying my teary-eyed mum. My dad looks like he’s going to weep like he did when England won the Rugby World Cup.
Sasha shoos Tabi towards the bathroom.
“You’re a good man, Niki,” Dad says as he grabs Niki’s hands and shakes them hard.
“Don’t let him get away, Rosie,” Mum adds, nodding.
Sasha sips her gin as Jacs shares stories of funny racing moments.
“They let his car go, but the pit crew hadn’t given him his steering wheel, so he kept shouting, ‘Steering wheel’ as he got closer to the track,” Jacs says as she recounts the famous Kimi R?ikkonen moment.
“It sounds more fun than my job of clearing up poo.” Sasha giggles.
“It has its moments.”
My parents are babysitting Tabi tonight so Sasha and I can have fun at the hotel bar. I check my phone, as Niki said he’d join us after discussing strategy with Senna and Tawny.
Still no message.
“Have you dated many racing drivers?” Sasha asks Jacs quietly. “From what I’ve seen of Rosie and Niki, they must be fun to date.”
I chuckle, remembering her face when I told her about private jet sex. Niki and I have shared a few nights since, but that one will remain my favourite for some time.
“One brief, awful date,” she says. “But I’m not doing that again.
They’re the worst. They travel constantly, and all they talk about is the next race.
They’re arrogant, too. They have to win, on and off the track, and if you’re with one, everyone knows your business unless you spend your time hidden away. I couldn’t. Drivers suck.”
“Oh,” Sasha replies with a strained laugh.
“Except my sister. Connor’s okay, too. Niki seems good now. When he raced, he could be a selfish arse. His dad missed Senna’s graduation because Niki needed him at a race.” My mouth drops, and Jacs sucks in a breath. “But he’s better now.”
I force a smile, but I can’t stop thinking about the driving version of Niki that’s repeatedly mentioned. Niki hasn’t raced since he met me, so maybe that’s why he’s not been a selfish arse.
“What are we talking about?” Senna asks as she joins us. Marco, Billy, and Tawny are with her. Sasha’s eyes bug out as she gulps her drink.
“How drivers are arseholes,” Jacs replies.
Sasha chokes, and I hold my breath, waiting for a confrontation.
But Tawny belly laughs as Marco whispers to Billy, “She’s talking about you.”
Billy winks at Sasha. “Don’t listen to her. We’re the best. We’re speed demons on the track and between the sheets.”
Tawny snaps at Billy, “That isn’t the flex you think it is. No one wants a one-minute wonder.”
Billy tilts his head towards Tawny. “You wish you could have one minute with me. Isn’t that right, Princess?”
Tawny rolls her eyes, but her cheeks flush. “One minute of you boring me because all you talk about is that time I beat you. You’ll insist I cheated because your ego can’t let you admit I’m better than you.”
“You did cheat. Besides, you may have won that race, but I’m winning the war.”
“Kids, please,” Marco says, holding his hands up. “At least drivers are better than mechanics.”
“What? We make you look good,” Jacs states. “Without us, you’d be crying in the pit lane.”
“You’re not the mechanic I’m referring to,” Marco says with a pointed stare. “You know who I mean.”
A look passes between them, and Jacs’s shoulders sag.
“Sasha, not all drivers are arseholes,” Senna explains, “but sometimes they can be cocky and in their heads, hence why my brother isn’t joining us tonight.”
“Is he okay?” I ask, and everyone stares at my imploring gaze.
“Yeah. He’s working through his strategy. He gets like this when he’s racing. It becomes his focus. Everything else slips away.” I nibble the pad of my thumb, and she adds, “It’s probably because it’s his first race back. Nothing to worry about.”
I fake a smile as the group chat about their favourite races and fight over who’s the best.