Page 79 of The Player Penalty
Is it?
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“The day is very flexible. Since it’s a summer camp, we can do it mid-week, so it doesn’t interfere with Sunday races.”
Maddie frowns. “Or Friday ones.”
I forgot about those because they don’t matter to me. Julian suggested pitching my field trip idea to Maddie since she’s always polite and PR conscious. “Of course.”
“How many children?”
“Around thirty, give or take.”
“Thirty? That’s quite a lot. Let me think.” She taps her lips. “We can break them into groups and get each of the drivers involved. Jake will want to take part for sure. We could do it. Between the museum and everything else, we can turn it into a fun day.”
That was easy. Despite Julian’s assurance, I expected excuses. “Can we take them for a drive? It can be a slow one on the practice track. Is that possible?”
We’ve done it before; I know that because Dad told me so. It’s usually for VIPs, but my kids are important, too.
Maddie doesn’t respond, probably searching for a polite refusal. “This isn’t your usual group of children. They all attend Horizons Academy.” Her blank-faced stare says she’s never heard of it. Of course not; if you don’t need accommodations, why would you? “Most are neurodivergent, and some don’t verbally communicate. They’ll respond to the sensory feel of a race car. We have the chance to offer something unique. Could we do it?”
She smiles, and my stomach settles. “Let’s talk in the office tomorrow. I’ll arrange for someone to take the lead if you act as a liaison.”
I flubbed the museum renovation last year. They shouldn’t trust me with this, either. “Absolutely.”
“This will be exciting.”
“What’s exciting?” Sarah barges between the two of us. “Sorry, I’m nosy, and need to be in the middle of everything.”
“We’re hosting a day for Lily’s summer program,” Maddie says. “It looks like we’ll have children all over us, including the cars.”
“Jake will do it,” Sarah says, just as Maddie guesses. “I love this so much.”
“I’ll need to prepare everyone ahead of time,” I say, as the different tasks start jumping in my head. The list is already growing, and my planner isn’t nearby. “We’ll need to adjust lights in some of the garage, too. Also, can one of the cars be quiet? Oh, and can they use headsets?”
Confusion sits on both their faces. “We can do all that,” Maddie says, taken aback by my exuberance.
Habit almost makes me apologize. It’s a big ask, and I’m not technically an employee. I’m around because they want my dad to be happy, and Julian cared enough to wiggle me into a fake assistant job.
“Thanks so much. It will be so much fun,” I say instead of an apology. These are my kids, after all.
Julian is in the driver’s meeting right now, or I’d run and tell him the good news.
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“How are you feeling right now? After yesterday’s practice, you have one of the fastest cars out today.” Chris Williamson is a fixture at every race. He’s been around for years, checking in with every driver, and manages to be the first to report everytwist and turn. Dad says Chris knows more about the sport than anyone alive, including him.
Julian’s gaze meets mine before it turns to Chris with a dazzling smile. “That’s our team’s effort. They’ve been phenomenal this year, and I’m grateful for it. As for today, you know I don’t make guesses on performance. How about you? Tell me how I’ll do today?”
Chris blinks with surprise. “Well, considering you finished third last year and your lap times during practice, I’d guess the top five.”
“Yeah, I’ll take that.”
They go back and forth a little longer while I feel increasingly awkward. I’m on the track with everyone else to support Julian, not because I have an actual job. Supposedly, I’m his part-time assistant, but there’s nothing to do even then. I mostly use his office for homework, and he’s asked me to get him lunch a few times.
The interview ends, and Julian strides towards me. “You look gorgeous,” he says.
“In this old thing?” I say, despite being secretly flattered.
