Page 59 of Formula Fling

Across from the pit lane is the pit wall where each team has an operational command set up. Perched on stools with their headsets in place, the engineers, strategists and theteam principal make all the crucial decisions during the race, communicating back and forth with their drivers. Harley’s currently seated on the middle stool with Gareth Elrod to her left and Anya Weber to her right.

The Crown Velocity paddock club is filled with the type of people who like to rub elbows, but I’ve steered clear of it, claiming a spot on the balcony near the corner. Most of the people are inside where the air conditioning keeps things cool, watching the cars on several big screen TVs.

I grip the rail as the roar of engines fills the air, vibrating the metal under my hands. It’s impossible not to feel the electric energy that pulses through the Bahrain International Circuit, but I take no joy in it for my heart is lodged firmly in my throat.

I saw Lex this morning, early, before we parted ways at the track. He had that focused look in his eyes, the one that tells me he’s already in race mode, his mind occupied by the strategy, the car and the competition. He gave me a quick kiss, his hand lingering at my waist for a moment longer than usual, before he was swept into the day’s chaos to get ready for the qualifying rounds.

The last two days have been a blur. Lex has been completely consumed with prep, and I’ve hardly seen him during the day. He’s been pulled in a hundred different directions—photo ops, interviews, sponsor meetings, simulator practice sessions and long hours with the engineers, tweaking every possible aspect of the car. I don’t know how he does it. The mental and physical stressors alone are exhausting, and I’m just watching.

But every night, no matter how busy or tired he is, he’s been in my bed. And each night, we’ve grown closer. It’s more than just physical now—we’ve settled into something that feels like it has weight to it.

Last night, after he’d crawled into bed, his skin still damp from his shower, we talked about the future. Propped up againstthe headboard, side by side, both of us had our phones out, comparing schedules. It felt weirdly domestic but still a little terrifying as my life will be changing in a big way. I’ve committed to following this man around the world to be with him and I have no clue if I can handle this type of existence. But for Lex, I’m sure as hell willing to try because this is the beginning of my happily ever after.

“You know I’m not willing to let this go when you head back to the States,” Lex had said, his voice low as he scrolled through his calendar. “We’re going to figure out how to make this work.”

I turned to look at him, my heart flipping at the sincerity in his voice. “We will. First things first, we’ll talk to Harley after the race. Then we can figure out what races I can attend and when you’ll have breaks to come visit me.”

He nodded, his thumb flicking over his phone screen as he scrolled. “Here—after next week’s race in Jeddah, I have a week gap before the Australian race. I have to be back at Crown Velocity probably by Wednesday, but we could spend a few days together at the beginning of the week.”

I shake my head, fingers flying over my phone to search flights. “That’s like a thirteen-hour flight from Jeddah to North Carolina. And to just stay a few days, then fly to England. That’s too hard on you.”

“Then you come to Jeddah, then to England with me. Then the Australian race—”

“I don’t think I can be gone that long from my house. Maybe I should go to North Carolina after Jeddah and then meet you in Australia.”

“Nope,” he said with surety. “I’ll just come to North Carolina.”

It was hard, trying to figure this out because he has a home in London, I have a home in North Carolina, and in betweenhe’ll be flying to a different race two to three times per month, sometimes on opposite sides of the world.

When it was all said and done, we managed to plan out the next month.

“What about April?” Lex asked, but it was getting late and he needed sleep because of qualifying. I also knew that we weren’t going to sleep until he had his way with my body, so I tried to push off continued travel plans.

He wasn’t having any of it and insisted we nail down April. “I’ve got a book signing in New York City the first week of April.”

Lex looked at the race calendar. “That’s perfect. We have two weeks between Australia and Japan. I can meet you there and help you.”

I laughed, imagining Lex Hamilton, world-class Formula International driver, helping me sell books. “Okay, but you’ll have to handle taking payments and manning the table.”

He grinned, utterly unfazed. “Done. I’ll charm all your readers into buying extra copies.”

Of that, I had no doubt. I leaned into him, the warmth of his skin against mine grounding me. It was crazy, talking about the future like this, but it felt… right. Like we’re building something real. I kissed him and then our phones were tossed aside and we forgot all about schedules.

But that was last night.

Right now, the sound of the engines screaming down the straights jolts me back to the present, to Q3, where everything is on the line.

Lex made it into the final qualifying session, as did Ronan who set the fastest lap time in Q2. The tension in the air is palpable as the drivers prepare for their final runs. The first few laps have been solid, but nothing earth-shattering. As I watch the board displaying lap times just past the pit wall, I see that Carlos sets the fastest lap, but I have no clue if it’s enough tokeep him in contention for pole. Stefan’s car rockets by on the main straight and I watch on the big screen as he slices through the corners with the precision he’s known for. When he finishes the lap, he moves ahead of Carlos on the leaderboard.

For now.

Lex and Ronan are still in the garage, their teams making final adjustments. Lex told me that part of their strategy is to let other cars go out, warm the track and lay down some gripping rubber. Those little details are so fascinating to me, but I’m not sure they’re worth mentioning to my readers.

I’m jolted when Maeve appears at my side, handing me a bottle of water. “Thought you might need this. Nerves getting to you?”

“Why would you say that?” I ask casually, because she has no clue my insides are knotted with anxiety for Lex’s run.

Maeve tilts her head, lips pursed as her gaze lasers onto me. “Come on, love. I see how you and Lex talk to each other and I see how he looks at you.”

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