Page 69 of Jump Start

“So, we’re really going to the city?” she asked as I turned out onto the road.

“Is there somewhere else you’d like to go?”

“Let’s go to the pub! You can drink now.” She was referring to it now being my off-season when I could be a little loose with food and the odd drink.

“Your wish is my command!” I agreed, turning my baby in the direction of the local pub.

We pulled up outside and noticed it was pretty busy. I saw her check her face in the pull-down mirror briefly.

“You look beautiful. You always do.”

“You are just showering me with compliments today, aren’t you!” she said, a little laugh escaping her lips.

Because you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.

As we entered the pub, Harper scored a seat by the window, and I went to get us a couple of drinks. There were some locals at the bar who I would run into from time to time, who chatted to me for a while. I kept trying to catch Harper’s eye as they were talking to me, but she seemed to be buried in her phone. I knew she would be missing her parents right about now. We would be spending New Years with them up at the Bay, so hopefully, my family for Christmas would be alright.

Finally, I was able to escape the local chatter and maneuvered my way to Harper, trying not to spill the generously poured drinks.

“Here,” I said, attempting to gracefully place the glass of wine on her side of the table. She looked up from her phone and placed it down, halfway through a text message, and thanked me.

“Who were those old guys talking to you?” she asked, motioning towards the bar.

“They’re the guys that own the local produce shop. I buy duck food from there.” She scrunched her nose up at me.

“I think you need to let those ducks fend for themselves.”

“It’s just a few pellets here and there, they’re still wild,” I said, taking a sip of my beer.

“Sure, sure.” Her voice was laced with sarcasm.

It felt nice to be out doing something with Harper that was completely normal and removed from racing. Granted, I took my car out, but my baby was for me, and now Harper.

The next season would be here before I knew it, and it would be taken up with fitness preparation, practice, and test days, as well as the inevitable marketing and PR duties.

For now, I wanted this—Harper and I having fun and enjoying each other at the local pub, waiting for our cheap chicken schnitzels to arrive.

I had never been able to enjoy the smaller things in life with someone. My past girlfriends had always wanted to be invited to the big parties and meet all the celebrities and influencers that came with the fame side of being a race car driver. While that was fun to do at times, it held no substance for me. I wanted something quiet and down to earth.

The more time I spent with Harper, the more I realised she was exactly the right person for me.

I phased myself back into the conversation unconvincingly.

“Are you even listening to me?” she asked with a smile on the corner of her lips.

“Not really, no,” I replied, causing her to shove my shoulder jokingly.

“I knew it, you had that weird look in your eyes.”

I gazed off past her head with my mouth agape, proving her point.

“Yes! That’s the one, you do that when you’re not listening to me.”

“I must do it all the time then,” I replied, looking back directly into her hazel eyes.

She didn’t reply, just smiled and lowered her head. I decided she was too far away and slid her rickety chair closer to me. She nuzzled her head on my chest, and we looked out the window where my baby was parked.

This was everything to me.