Chapter 38
JESSICA
The qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix is underway, and I’m standing in the media zone, watching the screens like a hawk.
The session has been intense, with every driver pushing themselves and their cars to their limits.
There is a slight drizzle in the air, but since there isn’t full-on rain, the drivers are pushing it on the slick tires. There is a dry line in the ideal track, but whenever a driver deviates slightly from the dry spots, they start to slide.
With two minutes remaining, Luke begins his last push lap.
My nerves are high, but I’m confident in him.
He can do this.
He’s flying through the first sector, and a purple sector time shows up on screen.
“Come on, Luke, you can do this,” I mutter to myself as he continues through the next sector, this one also turning purple.
When he goes into the last sector, he has too much speed going into a corner, causing him to lose control of the car. Luke hits the brakes, but it’s too late, and his car is sent straight into the barricade to the side of the track.
The seconds tick on, feeling like long minutes as I watch the screen.
The car is shattered, and carbon fibres are flying around in the air.
I feel my heart hammering in my chest, and everything around me turns silent.
Hoping that the man I love is okay.
I’m hit with a wave of emotions.
I haven’t told Luke I love him.
Please let him be OK. He has to be okay.
I have to say to him how I feel.
I’m filled with regret for not telling him sooner, knowing how I feel about him.
I’m biting my nails and feel my eyes watering, waiting for what feels like an eternity before the broadcast cuts to the camera from his car.
When I see him move into the car’s cockpit, I feel the greatest sense of relief.
“He’s okay.” Steve gently pats my shoulder, and I feel my tears streaming down my cheeks.
The session is red-flagged because the damage to Luke’s car is so extensive that they have to remove it and repair the barricade.
Since there isn’t much time left, they announce that the qualifying is over.
Molly comes rushing over and hugs me.
“He’s okay, Jessica, just breathe. He’s okay.” The producers show dialogue between Luke and his race engineer, with Luke telling his team he is fine.
When he steps out of the car seemingly unharmed, my rush of emotions slowly begins to calm.
Luke is taken into the medical vehicle, which is the standard procedure when a driver crashes in this manner. He’s probably driven to the medical centre on track, and I decide that I’ll try to get there and wait for him.
“Go get your man,” Molly tells me and gives me a slight push as I race off to find Luke.
When I get to the medical centre, Luke is arriving in the medical car.
Even though I’m wearing a press badge, this area is restricted to most of the crew, and I’m denied access to the last barricade separating us.
What should I do?
Tell them that I’m his girlfriend?
I need a minute of his time.
Luckily, Luke spots me when he comes out of the car, and he rushes over to me.
“Jessica, are you okay?”
He has concern written all over his face, and I feel my tears prickling again, tears running out of the corners of my eyes. Luke gently wipes my cheeks.
Only Luke would be concerned about me when he’s the one who just crashed into a freaking wall.
“Yes, I’m fine, I’m not the one crashing into a barricade at 300 km per hour! Luke, are you fine?”
My hands roam all over his face and chest, and when I’m met with his charming smile and carefree persona, I feel some of the tension rolling off me.
He’s in one part, and he seems like he’s okay.
“It was actually 320 km per hour, baby, but details.” I roll my eyes at him, feeling grateful that not only is his body physically okay, but his wit and humour are all there as well.
He’s probably used to crashing out like this, but I, on the other hand, am still feeling the adrenaline of the situation.
I gaze up into his eyes, finding the courage to tell my man how I feel about him.
“I love you, Luke.” His eyes widen slightly at my words before he grabs my face, kissing me with a passion like no other.
I kiss him right back, pouring all my worry and love into it.
When he pulls back, he rests his forehead against mine, his hands on my cheeks.
“I love you too, Jessica.”
The contentment radiating off him matches my own. I’ve known I love him for quite some time, and saying the words out loud brings me a sense of calmness. Having him say it back sends my heart racing again.
He’s the source of every feeling in my body, and as I gaze up into his eyes, I’m filled with a sense of pure happiness.
I love my man, and he loves me right back.