Chapter 4
Peter
I drop down into the couch in my hotel room, my grin wide as I reminisce about the evening.
Molly May is something else.
I can’t remember the last time I had such a good time with a woman, without any sexual activities being involved.
Normally, I wouldn’t even have to wine and dine a girl to get her alone in a hotel room.
They also would never satisfy me by the mere presence of them as Molly did.
She’s fun and bold, a dangerous combination wrapped in a sexy package.
When I spotted her in that stunning dress, I nearly tripped over myself, luckily catching my stumble before anyone noticed. I had to talk to her, and I called her name before thinking twice.
Imagine my surprise to learn that she was out on a date with one of my mechanics. It’s not unusual for the paddock crew to get together since we’re all locked in this F1 world in a way.
What surprised me was a woman like her, being out with a man, or rather a boy, like him.
It became clear that she took pity on the poor fella. Probably not having the heart to turn him down but reaching a point where she couldn’t hold out any longer.
When I saw him sneak out on her, I saw my opening.
Just like I told her, the suits didn’t even try to find out where I went. They probably think I went to a party.
Sinking into that chair may be the best thing I’ve done for quite some time.
Ordering that crème br?lée, even better.
When our night came to an end, I was tempted to kiss her in the dark of my car.
My eyes had dropped to those lips more times than I can count during our time together.
But then, I remembered who this is.
Molly.
A woman who deserves so much more than what I can give her.
At least now.
My life feels like a freaking mess.
Besides Ryan, and partly the new relationship I’m building with Arthur, I feel like I’m on the sidelines of my own life.
Everyone else is making decisions for me.
I need to regain that control and get back to where I want to be. Arthur has given me a clean slate, and I plan to take advantage of it.
Therefore, there will be no kissing Molly May.
She’s a distraction I can’t afford, and a woman who would challenge me every step of the way. She also has a layer of understanding that terrifies me.
When she turns those pretty brown eyes to my own, I feel exposed. Like she can see right through me and the carefully built facade I have in place.
A woman like that would have the power to ruin me, and that’s just something I can’t have.
～
I meet up with Arthur the next morning, enjoying a game of cards whilst we talk about the upcoming race weekend.
Over the last few weeks since he took over ownership of Audi, I’ve come to look forward to our chats.
He seems determined in his mission to get this team back where it belongs, and he’s made it clear that he wants to involve me in that process.
“Would you change anything in regard to the mechanics we have?” he asks, laying down his card, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Besides a few knuckleheads, I think we’ve got a good crew on our hands, but some of them would benefit from some guidance by the more experienced mechanics,” I tell him.
As interest in Formula 1 has exploded, so has competition to join teams.
This has partly led people to resort to desperate measures, such as lying on their resumes about their knowledge of cars and mechanical processes.
The problem, though, is that once someone is hired, it’s not easy to get rid of them.
This has led us to a situation where we have lots of eager boys running around, but some would fit the term ‘fan’ rather than ‘mechanic’.
We have stellar mechanics as well, but to stay on top of things, the team needs to be in sync and have clear leadership, which has been wobbly under the last owner.
Arthur already seems to be a better candidate.
“Do you have any candidates in mind who would be suited to lead the rest?”
I tell Arthur my thoughts, and he scribbles down the names of the guys I suggest, Ryan being one of them.
He’s not just a good friend, but he’s an astonishing mechanic who knows more about cars than anyone else I know.
Talking with Arthur gives me a sense of purpose besides becoming the best driver I can be.
My so-called team doesn’t seem to consider the possibility that I might have any ideas or suggestions, but Arthur is different in this regard, and I’m grateful for that.
Arthur also lets me know that some media outlets are brewing stories about our last owner and his failure to maximize spending on car development.
Arthur is firm and steady as he explains that it may be a spectacle when the news breaks, but he’ll handle it, and it will settle down fast enough.
He’s been through situations like this countless times.
When we’re all done with our talk and game of cards, it’s time for me to get ready for the first practice of the weekend.
I’m standing by the wall, getting my helmet ready, when my ears perk up.
“Yeah, I thought she would be more fun, but it was a boring date.”
It’s none other than Jeremy himself, obviously trying to seem cool in front of the rest of the guys.
Boring?
The only boring thing about that date was him. It would be more interesting to watch paint dry than to be in his presence.
Playing around and being tough, I’ve got no problem with.
But talking badly about Molly?
I won’t stand for that.
I quickly step up in front of him, my anger rising as the fucker has the audacity to look scared.
“You can pack up your things,” I tell him, wondering if I even have the ability to fire him.
Oh well, I’ll talk to Arthur and explain that he spoke badly about a friend of mine, and that our team shouldn’t be filled with idiots like him.
As far as I know, he’s one of the fanboys who doesn’t really know shit about cars either, so it’s not like we’ll lose any real weight.
“What? Why?” he asks, and the other guys go back to their work, not wanting to be next in line.
I stare into his face, a look of disgust crossing over as I take him in. How someone like him could ever speak badly about someone like Molly is beyond me.
She’s so much more than he’ll ever be.
At my expression, he realises he’s in no position to question me and quickly hurries to get his stuff.
I make my way to the rooms in the back, needing a moment to calm down. Not surprisingly, Ryan follows me and closes the door behind him.
“You know just as well as I that I’m not a fan of him, but wasn’t that a little harsh?” Ryan asks, probably wondering why I even spoke up in the first place.
I’ve never interfered or taken part in the garage talk. And this was a lot more than taking part.
I fired his ass.
“He was lying. I don’t care for having liars on this team,” I tell him simply.
Ryan narrows his eyes, the questions evident on his face.
I don’t know how much of Jeremy’s story he heard, but I tell him about catching Jeremy and Molly on their date, and how he cowardly snuck out the moment she let him know that she was done.
The adult thing to do would be to just end the date, pay the bill, and go their separate ways.
I don’t tell Ryan about me taking his place, not really being ready to tell anyone about that yet as I’m working through my own complicated feelings.
“What a weakling. That changes it,” Ryan says, backing my decision. He values people with integrity and backbone, which Jeremy clearly doesn’t have.
I should probably find Arthur and tell him about this before the suits inform him and add their own twist.
“I need to talk to Arthur. I’ll catch you later.”
Just as he comes out of his office, I see someone who resembles the dark-haired beauty who’s occupied my brain for far too many minutes since yesterday.
She turns the corner before I have the chance to see her properly, and I decide I must be imagining things.
Why would Molly be in Audi’s offices?
It must be my wistful thinking getting the best of me.
My subconscious hoping to run into her.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts before I call out to Arthur, asking him if he has a minute.
We go inside his office, and I’m contemplating how I’ll go about this.
The truth seems to be the preferred route around this man.
“I just fired a mechanic. He spoke poorly and lied about a woman I know personally, and she’s nothing like what he described.
He simply wanted to impress the guys in the garage, but I don’t think the way to do that is to tear others down, lying through your teeth whilst doing it,” I say, adding that I know it isn’t my place to do so but reaffirming my desire to turn this team around, and taking the trash out seems to be a good place to start.
That makes Arthur snicker as he regards me.
“Seems like he deserved it. I’d appreciate it if you run it by me before firing anyone else the next time, but I’ll give you a pass, considering I share your respect for women who deserve to be treated well.”
I get the feeling that Arthur is a family man, even though I don’t know anything about his private life.
Checking my watch, I see I’m running low on time before practice, so I thank him for his time and make my way back to the garage.
The mechanics are looking at me verily, probably afraid they’ll be next.
They have nothing to worry about. As long as they don’t talk shit about Molly May, they should be fine.