Page 72 of Jump Start

At Chris’s request, a small studio was set up to build on the media content that Echidna currently had of its drivers. In the day and age of social media, Holly had her hands full, especially trying to keep up with the content consistently being put out by the other major motorsport sectors like F1 and Supercars.

Sure, GT was lesser known in some parts, however, the skillset, processes, and work required to keep a GT team running were the same. Chris himself had been a GT Champion in the past, and his love of the sport was so much so, that he started his own team, sourced his favourite drivers from across the country, and was finally able to build a small precinct in the outer eastern suburbs of Sydney. I didn’t really care how much Thomas didn’t want to be part of media day. I cared about Chris and his vision, which was why Thomas would do exactly as I said.

I forced a smile as I realised the look on my face must have been savage, catching Thomas’s eye as he posed next to Landon. Working with him certainly had its benefits, whether it was a quick make-out session in my office or sometimes driving in together. I’ll admit, I was a fan.

Once the photoshoot was over, Thomas and I walked back to my office together, him holding his helmet against his hip as he walked, his other hand holding mine.

“So, I was good, when is my reward?” He stopped in his tracks and turned to ask me, his face hopeful and mischievous at the same time.

“When we get home. I’m busy!” I replied quickly and continued to walk. As we reached my office door, he planted a kiss on my cheek. I opened the door and shut it quickly behind me. I really did have a lot of work to do and now wasnot the time to be distracted by my tall, handsome, race car driver boyfriend.

Focus, Harper.

***

I sat down intending to reply to emails, when my desk phone rang. I picked it up, ready to speak, but Thomas was already talking. He must have hit the conference button somehow.

I knew I should have hung up, but I didn’t.

“Hey Mum, nice to hear from you.” His voice was softer than usual through the phone.

“Thought I would catch you before you finished for the day. How are you, dear?”

“I’m good, just had meetings and briefings all day. Standard start of the year stuff.”

“You must be excited. How is Harper going?”

He took long exhale before answering.

“Harper is…phenomenal. She’s knocking it out of the park here at work and living with her is a dream. I’m very lucky.” My face blushed at his words, though my conscience screamed at me.Hang up the fucking phone, Harper!

“She is lovely, son, we really liked her. I was actually calling to speak to you about Harper.” I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up for some reason.

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Thomas answered with the same concern I was feeling.

“Since you are in a relationship before your brother, your father and I wanted to ask if you would like Grandma’s engagement ring. In case you wanted to propose?” As soon as Iheard those words, I slammed the phone down and took a deep breath.

I didn’t need to know what he said next. I wasn’t sure how I felt about marriage, and I certainly didn’t need to know how he felt.

Ignorance was bliss. I would just pretend that never happened.

I shook my head and attempted to get back to work, with the thought of the potential outcome of that conversation playing over and over in my mind. Thomas and I had only been together, officially, for just under a year. I didn’t expect that from him yet and I hoped that he felt no pressure. Usually, he would take whatever his parents said to him with a grain of salt, so I would try to do the same.

***

The rest of the day went by in a blur and before I knew it, it was time to head home. Thomas had driven us in today, for which I was grateful. I was exhausted.

I hopped up into the passenger seat of his ute and let out a deep breath, which turned into a sigh.

“Oh, a bit tired there, Harps?” he asked while turning the key in the ignition.

I nodded and settled into the seat further while kicking off my boots. They looked amazing, but the heels killed me at the end of the day.

“How was your day?” I asked Thomas as he spun the steering wheel around, his hands moving softly from one end of thewheel to another.

“It was…interesting. I spoke with my Mum, and it went down a weird road.” His voice cracked a little.

I froze. How the fuck was I going to play this?

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