Page 37 of Formula Freedom
“Please,” Margo says as she goes to her tiptoes to brush a good-morning kiss on my cheek. I shake Colin’s hand.
By the time I’ve got three cups of coffee made on the fancy machine this suite affords, Lara emerges in leggings and a hoodie, barefoot but composed.
“Mum… Dad,” she says brightly, eyebrows high in faux surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Hope we didn’t wake you,” Colin says, wrapping his daughter in a hug before she moves to Margot for the same.
She grins. “Not at all. We were up early.”
My eyes cut to her.We?
Her voice is calm. Her expression open.
She’s not hiding this.
But she’s not announcing it either.
Margot hands Lara a little velvet pouch. “I brought you something… just a silly charm I found yesterday in a little shop on the beach. For courage. Figured you could use a bit extra today.”
Lara clutches it like it’s the most precious thing she’s ever been given. “Thank you.”
“Are you going to open it?” Colin asks.
Lara beams a smile and loosens the drawstring, pulling out a silver bird with wings stretched in flight. Lara holds it up and Margot explains, “To remind you that you flew once before, and you’ll fly again.”
“I love it,” she murmurs, eyes cutting to me ever so subtly. “I’ll add it to my birthday charm bracelet Dad got me a few years ago.”
Colin’s chest puffs out in pride, but I can see deep down that small flicker of worry in his gaze. I imagine this has been tough on him… his best friend’s son, hitting his daughter. There’s no doubt where his loyalty lies, and if Lance doesn’t make this right with Colin, there’s going to be a dent in the entire friendship dynamic. But that’s a problem for another day.
“I think I’m going to hit the shower and head over to the track,” I say, gaze turning to Lara. “Why don’t you order breakfast and eat out on the balcony, do some catching up.”
Lara nods at me, her arm slipping around her mum’s waist. “That’s a great idea.”
As I head for the bedroom, Colin claps my shoulder. “Good luck today, Reid. You’ve got a hell of a lot of people cheering you on.”
I nod, meeting his gaze. “I’ll give them something to cheer for.”
I let out a long exhale when I’m behind the closed bathroom door. That was a bit of a close call with her parents showing up out of the blue. I know we agreed to keep this secret for now, but I don’t like hiding what is happening between us. And yet, I am also well aware that tensions and emotions are high all around.
Regardless, this seems like the start of something good. Something worth protecting. Even if the next time that door opens, it could necessitate a whole lot of explaining about what Lara and I are to each other now.
♦
By the timeI get to the paddock, my nerves crackle with energy. Pit crews scurrying. Cameras flashing. Media crews hovering. There’s a rhythm to race day that starts slow and swells like the biggest waves I’ve ever surfed.
I’ve got a few hours until the drivers’ parade and strategy briefings. Enough time to walk the garages, shake off the nerves.
Enough time to find Carlos.
I head down the row of team trailers and find him right where I expected—leaning against the Union Jack hospitality rig with a bottle of water and a stupidly relaxed smile. He sees me coming and tips his head like I’m five minutes late for something we never scheduled.
“There he is,” he says. “The man of the hour.”
“Lex is P1,” I remind him.
Carlos shrugs. “And you’re P-dangerous. I’d say that counts for something.”
I chuckle and take the spot beside him, mirroring his lean. We stare out at the bustling paddock for a moment—engineers hustling past, VIPs being led through for their curated glimpses of our world.
