Page 46 of Jump Start

She reached out for me and snuggled into my chest. “I couldn’t sleep for much longer, it’s all good. I wanted to wish you luck!”

Harper, you are my entire life.That’s what I wanted to tell her. As I held her in my arms, I had the overwhelming urge to never let her go.

“Thanks, Harps. Love you,” I murmured into her ear.

“Love you too,” she responded softly.

***

Harper

“Alright you two! Jacko, let’s get moving,” Chris interrupted us and steered Thomas towards his car. I felt my lips pout. I could have done with a few more seconds of hugging, but he had a job to do.

“Chris!” One of the technicians ran over to the group. “Rain coming in the next fifteen minutes.” The team had planned for all outcomes of the race, including any inclement weather. They huddled together briefly to decide which tyres would start the race.

Thomas blew me a kiss and placed his helmet over his head, now a race day ritual, with help from Andy, who attached his HANs.

I tried not to think about anything going wrong with Thomas’s races. There were so many precautions to keep the drivers safe and the teams were all incredibly experienced.

Despite knowing all this, I couldn’t help but feel a tiny twinge of nerves in my stomach. But maybe that was because I had a job offer and a move-in offer all in one day. I was sure that would be enough to give anyone a bit of anxiety. Both of those thoughts were swirling around in my head, making sleep almost impossible. I was certainly feeling it today.

“Renew?” Holly asked as she shoved an energy drink into my face. Due to the homegrown company being the main sponsor for Echidna, there were fridges and eskies stuffed with Renew energy drinks. I didn’t mind them; however, there were only so many you could drink in a day.

“Nothanks. Is there coffee?” I asked. Holly raised her hand to stop me talking and disappeared. I watched the anticipation grow as the drivers lined up on the starting grid. Loud music pumped over the event speakers, crowds of people cheered, mixed with the commentators making general chit-chat echoing over the grounds. Even if you didn’t like racing, it was still an exhilarating atmosphere.

“Here, drink.” Holly returned a few moments later with an Echidna racing keep cup. “Oat latte,” she answered my question before I even asked it.

“Thank you, you’re the best,” I returned with a smile and hugged her. She truly had become such a good friend to me, and I felt a slight twinge of disappointment in the fact that if I accepted Chris’s job role, Holly’s and my relationship may change. I had never been a manager to someone before and I certainly never would have expected this outcome. I would need to deal with that in my own time. Once I accepted the offer.

I took a seat behind Thomas’s engineering team as they handed me a headset so I could hear what was going on. The engines roared in unison as they prepared for a formation lap. This was so the drivers and teams could make sure the tyres were warmed up and the cars were working properly before the official standby start of the race.

“All feels good here, guys. Thanks.” Thomas’s calm voice over the radio made me smile. Even before we became friends, the sound of his voice on the radio always made me feel something, even if I wasn’t ready to admit it. This was the second last race of the year, and Thomas was contending for second in the championship, which was a tremendous effort for someone with his experience, and especially for the Echidnagarage as they were so new.

The last few months had been a whirlwind. It was almost like our relationship had a jump start, it tried to get going but stalled. I knew there was more to Thomas, that his somewhat tough exterior was only a decoy. He wanted to be loved, but he didn’t know how to reach out and make it happen. I loved him regardless of anything he could do or would do in the future.

“And we’re off! The Tasmanian Endurance Cup is a go!” the commentators spoke over the radios nearby.

Twenty-three

Thomas

Since our return from Tasmania, Harper had stayed over at my house every night, spending her last few days of leave considering her next move. I hadn’t asked what choice she’d made. I wanted to give her space. It didn’t bother me either way, but I had a feeling she would be happier at Echidna, and I had to admit seeing her every day in the office would be pretty bloody good.

It was late on a Monday evening and I was putting in some extra hours on my racing sim when Harper walked into my room and tapped me on the shoulder, scaring the shit out of me. I paused the sim and turned to face her.

“Sorry, I really did try not to startle you!” she said, her eyebrows drawing together, her lip quivering, her telltale sign of being worried. I just wanted to place my hands on her face and relieve her anxiety however I could.

“What’s up, Harps?” I asked as I wrapped my arm around her hip. She looked a little flat, her golden hair was tied up in a ponytail and her face lacked expression.

“You alright?” I asked, waiting for her response. She leant into the side of my seat and put her arm around the top of the headrest.

“Guess I’m just nervous about tomorrow’s interview. Canwe talk?” I nodded and jumped out of the sim set up, quite ungracefully as well.

“Sure, what’s on your mind?” I led her out to the lounge, and we sat at opposite ends. I was starting to feel uneasy for some reason.

“I just wanted to let you know what I’d decided so you weren’t surprised or whatever tomorrow. I have a few conditions for Chris, but I would like to accept his offer and resign from theDaily.” I couldn’t help but smile, though I tried to keep my feelings as neutral as possible.

“I think it is a positive step forward for me, but I am worried about something. Us. Seeing each other every day…we will get on each other’s nerves. I promise you that.”

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