Page 90 of Well Played

Only my agent, the factory, my sponsor, and my potential future team knew what was in the works. I didn’t tell my crew yet because I didn’t want them to worry over next season.

What I can do is keep my head down and focus on winning them a championship this season.

And that means not talking to Robbie.

Even if that makes my heart break even more.

The déjà vucontinues the next weekend at Lawrenceburg. It’s as if our racing schedule is conspiring to remind me of how good Robbie and I were together. How much happier I was when I was with him. Even if it was just texting back and forth.

Night one goes well, but not as well as Eddie. He wins and edges back ahead of me by a few points.

It’s night two where I run into trouble.

After I change into my race suit, I walk down the hauler ramp and glance over. Robbie’d parked next to us again, and I’m curious to see how they’re doing.

Except the first thing I notice is Robbie staring.

At me.

My heart stutters and then beats against my chest. Time slows down and all the noises fade away.

Now. Go talk to him now. Get it over with. You’ll both be happier.

Giving into the pull I still feel toward him every day, I veer off toward his trailer, but someone comes over to talk to him before I make it. My feet glue to the ground and I stop short. Adrenaline making my hands shake.

I need to talk to him. Patting my pockets, looking for my phone, I remember I left it in the hauler when I changed. I dart back up the steps, waving to my guys when they give me a questioning look.

Charly: Can we talk later?

Robbie: (Read)

There’s no reply the next five times I check my phone. I throw it on the bench and grab my helmet. For now, I need to focus on qualifying.

My first lap is unfocused, but I pull it together in the second to get a decent time.

I rush back to the hauler after I’m done and lunge for my phone.

Robbie: Is it about the guys hanging out together again? I can ask them to stop. Or at least be less public.

Charly: No, that’s fine. What hotel are you staying at?

Robbie: (Read)

No reply again. Growling in frustration, I pull up some telemetry and review my qualifying laps, trying to focus on areas where I know I’ll be able to get an advantage during the race.

My phone buzzes and I snatch it up.

Robbie: We’re heading out for Oklahoma right away. Eddie has a couple of local races during the week.

Dammit. I’d have to catch him while we were both still at the track.

Charly: No worries. Talk to you before you leave?

Robbie: (Unread.)

Ten minutes later, it’s still unread.

It’s still the same five minutes after that.

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