Page 66 of Red Queen
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear the official Spanish anthem for the winner of the 15th Singaporean Grand Prix, Mateo Acosta!”
I haven’t been able to wipe the grin off my face since I crossed the finish line. I wouldn’t have dared to dream about winning the first race after missing five, and being absent for two and a half months. Training did help a lot.
I qualified fifth, and while Singapore isn’t the easiest track, we were positive about the race. And now, would you look at that? I’m standing at the top of the podium, looking down at the crowd, and seeing the big red spot on the left, the team celebrating with me.
It’s all thanks to luck, honestly. In the second half of the race, my tires started to grain awfully, doubting the whole strategy we were doing. I was in 3rd place, and there was no way those tires would’ve lasted until the end.
As if God read my mind, there was a contact between two drivers at the back of the grid, and one of them spun into the wall. Thankfully, neither of them got hurt, but since the two Velocity drivers ahead of me changed their tires only a few lapsbefore the incident, I managed to cut down my disadvantage and close the time gap I had, thanks to the safety car being deployed.
The newer tires worked better on our car, and even though I had to give my everything to overtake them, I managed to do it two laps before the end, and Hayes couldn’t fight back, thankfully.
And if that wasn’t enough, Asher changed tires even earlier than the Velocity drivers, so from the moment the safety car was deployed, he had no chance to overtake, and he finished in 4th place. I’m actually impressed he managed to keep his place, since almost everyone around him was on newer and better tires. I guess he didn’t win three championship titles so far for nothing.
The anthem ends, but then they start playing the Italian one for the constructor winner of this race, which is Moscardi, my team. I straighten my back, singing the anthem along with my team and the fans.
By whatever miracle, I spot Rosa at the front of the crowd and immediately smile brighter, knowing that she’s there.
I couldn’t get close to her before the podium ceremony because my team was too excited and they took up all the space, and now I’m giddy to see her. After this, I’ll meet the team in front of the garage, and after a rightful celebration and soaking each other in champagne, I can go find her.
I slip out of the hands of the engineers, my heart aching to see my fake girlfriend. Maybe it’s the champagne—which allegedly doesn’t have any alcohol in it—or the adrenaline that’s still pumping in me, but I really want to see her now.
Since this morning, when she woke me up with a cake and put me into the friendliest friend-zone ever, I took a step back. It seems more and more that she just wants to be friends, maybe friends with benefits, but nothing more, and I could not support her more. It does hurt. A lot. But she deserves much better than this.
But friends can be happy for each other, right? So when I spot her standing in one of the corners in the paddock, not too far from our garage, I immediately make my way to her.
“Rosa!” She turns towards me with a big smile, and when I’m close enough, I scoop her up into my arms, spinning around until I feel dizzy, and put her back down when I realize what I’m doing. “I… I’m sorry.”
My cheeks heat up from embarrassment, but she just chuckles at me. “Don’t be sorry. I’m really happy for you, Teo. Congratulations. And happy birthday, again.”
She cradles my face in her soft hands, her gaze healing me in all the ways it can. I’m still not giving up on my theory that she’s a witch. She can do some freaky things, and this gaze just proves it more.
“Thank you.” I pull her closer by her waist, so I can whisper into her ear. “You know, I made a wish this morning when I blew out the candles.”
“Really? And what was it?” Now I don’t even care about the superstition that if I say it out loud, it won’t come true, because this will be all up to her. One more time of blurring the lines, if she wants it too.
“I wished for your pretty pussy to suffocate me while champagne’s dripping down on it.” She pulls back, and her cheeks turn red from my words.
However much I’m trying to stay friends, sex is mind-blowing with her, and I’ll gladly take every minute she gives me.And of course, I’ll respect her decision if she doesn’t want to go on.
“Shouldn’t I be taking care of you? It’s your birthday,” she says shyly, looking up at me, and god, I can’t wait to devour her.
“You shouldn’t do anything you don’t want. And this is my birthday wish. Another present, if you want it too.” I drop my arms from her waist, taking a step back, giving her space. The last thing I need is for her to agree just because she feels like she owes me something.
“You have a damn dirty mind, Mateo.” She chuckles and reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. “I do want it.”
A smirk spreads on my face, and with a nod, we start walking back to the garage.
“Mateo! You’re back! Where were you? We’re not done celebrating!” The engineers try to pull me in once again, but now I keep my distance.
“We’ll continue this at the bar, alright? I should go now. I want to celebrate with her too.” I wink at an engineer, but to my misfortune, she notices and smacks my arm. “Like it’s not true.” I mouth to her, and laugh when she rolls her eyes.
“Alright, I see you, my boy. Have fun then. We’ll see you later.” We say goodbye, then everyone goes on their way.
Rosa and I head to the parking lot, still holding hands. “You know, not everyone has to know that we’re about to have sex.” She speaks up, bringing another laugh out of me.
“You think they don’t know? You’re glowing all day after we do it. And I look like I took a month-long vacation, so trust me, they know.” She looks at her feet, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Hey. I’m really happy they know. I’m fucking proud that I have the privilege to have sex with you, so I’m not sorry that I’m bragging about it.”
Now she laughs, and butterflies invade my stomach at the sweet sound. Not now, feelings.
