Page 2 of Red Queen
“Pretty good. It’s going to be tight, but it can be done.” He shrugs and starts to eat. He looks calm, but I know he’s not.
They finished a very strong season with a high end but this is a new one with new upgrades for every team. This whole season is going to be interesting.
“Look who it is! Good to see you back, Rosie.” Asher hugs me too and goes to talk with Chris, and I leave the two of them alone. Gia then takes me to the back, where I can watch the race later.
Asher has been a part of this team since his debut in F1. They took a chance of signing him; rookies don’t usually get this lucky, but he did, and now he took the team to the top. They won multiple championships together and individually too, alongside Huck. They make a really good team.
Watching the team work, running from left to right, I remind myself how lucky I am. I don’t go to as many races now as I did before, but they still love me the same as when I was a kid. It sounds cliche, but they’re like a big family that I’m lucky to be a part of. I chit chat with the guests until the race starts.
The drivers drive out of the garages and soon, the clock turns to 3 o’clock, signaling the drivers to begin their formation lap.Everyone is anxious. Sure, it’s a long race, but one small mistake could cost them.
And… It’s lights out and away we go! Asher managed to keep his first place in the first corner, but soon, he started falling back. I hear on the radio that someone had damaged his car. Mierda! Why was I talking about small mistakes? He drives back to the pit lane, but it’s no good news—he has to retire the car.
I can see Chris who looks calm, but I know he’s not. He just doesn’t want the media to see it. He shouts his apologies on the radio to Asher and cheers on Huck, Atlas’ other driver. I see Asher trying to hold in his anger, and he runs up to his personal room. For a moment, I want to go after him, but he probably needs some alone time to calm down.
The race is almost over, and the first four drivers are fighting for the podium places. Huck has been good so far, but I think he got distracted on the first few laps when his teammate retired and couldn’t get himself back together well.
2
ROSA
When the race comes to an end, three different team’s drivers are on the podium. Moscardi takes first place, Blaze takes second, and Velocity finishes third and fourth while Huck kept his fifth place with Atlas until the end. The team congratulates him, and I do too.
“My god, Rosa!” the blond sweetheart immediately hugs me. “Finally got enough time to see the old man?” he asks, and I chuckle. He’s older than me, but gosh… He’s still fine as hell.
“Chris convinced me to come. And hey, you were great out there! Glad I came.” I smile at him and he ruffles my hair. He smiles back and leaves right after, probably to do interviews. Why is everyone leaving me after two seconds of talking today?
I congratulate most of the team members and wait until everyone leaves. Chris said to wait for him so I’m sitting in the paddock. I see Nathan leave with Mateo and I wave to them, but only Nathan sees me. Not long after do I spot Chris walking up to me with a couple of team members.
“Hey, kiddo. Sorry, it took so long. Ready to go?” I nod and we all start walking toward the exit. “So tell me, what happened at that meeting of yours?”
“That’s the problem, nothing happened. I was late and they called me saying that they have to leave.”
He chuckles. No, it’s not funny at all, man.
“In case you didn’t know, in your work area, it’s crucial to be punctual. Sure, this missed meeting isn’t the end of the world, but look out for these kinds of things, alright?” He lectures me like I don’t know. I just messed uponetime.
“I know, alright? I’m not stupid, it’s just my old habits backfiring on me. I won’t mess up again.”
“You’re still using that old clock? Gosh… Okay, hey. No worries. I know you can do it. And if you need any help, I’m here.” He smiles at me warmly.
“Thanks, Chris.”
We walk to the car with his arms around my shoulder, trying to cheer me up. The hotel is not so far from the track, and we get there soon. Just as I step through the door of my room, my phone rings. It’s Nathan.
“Hi there, stranger. Didn’t think you’d pick it up.”
“Hm. Who is it again?” I hear him chuckle on the other side of the line.
“It was good to see you today on track. Chris finally got you to come?”
“Yeah. I gave in. I needed a change of scenery. And well, I missed you guys.”
“Oh my, Rosa became a softie, eh?” I roll my eyes, and he continues. “Really, Rosa, it was good to see you. What do you say we meet up? There’s an after party tonight.”
“I don’t know, Nathan. I’m not sure I’ll go. I messed up a big client today.”
“Then there’s the reason to come. You could loosen up and have fun, forget about it for now. Come on, Rosa,” he pleads.
