Page 41 of Red Queen
“So that Mateo can learn them. We have one of these filled out by him, too. That’ll be your copy.” Sounds fair. We basically know nothing of each other, and if any interviewer were to ask what Mateo’s favorite color is, I’d run out of there.
“Okay. I filled everything in. Anything else?” I ask, and they hand me over Mateo’s version, which I’ll have to memorize. Can’t wait.
“It’s media day, we’ll leave some hints that Mateo’s taken now, and we’d like you to spend most of the weekend with him, but try to be subtle. We’re trying to get you two used to each other before dropping you into the deep water, so the official announcement will happen on Monday, after the highs and lows of the race have passed,” Vickie answers, and honestly, it seems like a good plan. We have a little time before we’ll be interrogated personally by fans and interviewers, and I’m grateful for that.
“Do you have any questions?” Clover asks with a warm smile.
“What if it doesn’t work out as expected?” I ask, concern creeping into my voice. I’ll do everything in my power to succeed at the job, but there’s a chance numbers won’t do well.
“We’re positive it will. Those pictures from Canada went viral, and after they realized it’s the same woman from the video when you slapped him, they’re highly intrigued by this woman in his life. And you are perfect for the job.” I awkwardlychuckle when Clover mentions how I slapped Mateo. I might’ve overreacted, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let a man walk over me.
“Okay then. I don't think I have any more questions.” I sigh, smiling at them.
“Perfect. Thank you so much for doing this. And I do hope it works out well for you, too.” Oh, it better, or I’ll do worse than slap this asshole.
26
ROSA
Sunday rolls by quickly and slowly at the same time. Now that I have to be in the public eye and can’t sit in the corner of the garage, my days are getting longer and longer. I managed to memorize most of the info about Mateo, and either he lied about all the questions or he is a little funny.
Not many people caught on that I am his girlfriend, but now more people are stopping to stare at me, probably recognizing me from the infamous video. Or they just saw me awkwardly hanging around him all weekend.
There were a couple of incidents on Friday and Saturday as well, and if the weather forecast isn’t lying, there will be quite a heavy rain happening during the race.
Thankfully, the halos save lives now, but a crash in heavy rain on a slippery track will be madness. I already muttered a prayer, a 52-lap race will feel much longer in these conditions.
Garages are buzzing as they are getting ready to start the race. Engineers are outside with the drivers, waiting for the clock to hit 3:58 PM, and rush off track. They’re about to start the formation lap, then we hear the rumbling sounds from outside. God, please don’t let anyone get hurt today…
Drivers start the formation lap, and as we hear on the radio, the rain slowly starts to pour. It’s only light rain now, which doesn’t give us a reason to worry, but if it gets too heavy, I hope the FIA won’t be an idiot and stop the race when it’s too late.
There were several times a race got stopped with a red flag because the rain got too heavy. There were even times when they delayed qualifying to early Sunday because of that. I know the FIA and people want to see racing, but not at the cost of drivers’ lives.
I hear Mateo’s voice in my headphones, but it’s not the calm and collected Mateo I know. He’s nervous. I know they’re the 20 best drivers in the whole world, but going 180 miles per hour on a slippery track is not an easy job. Especially when people are chasing you, and you’re chasing them.
The lights go out. Everyone makes it through the first corner, then the first lap, which eases the tension in the garage. Mateo doesn’t talk as much with his engineer as Aiden, but sometimes I can barely tell them apart, as the helmets muffle their voices so much.
The race goes on, the first pit stops are done, but the rain got heavier. It looks bad even on the cameras. I can’t imagine driving in that. It has almost turned into a thunderstorm now, and as I look around, I see that everyone’s nervous.
A couple of drivers have already made complaints that soon enough they won’t be able to race in these conditions, but they’re unheard of so far. Mateo’s radioing more frequently now, updating Wiley on the track conditions, just as Aiden does.
We’re at the 34th lap, more than halfway through, but now almost every driver is complaining about poor visibility, and there is still nothing from the FIA. Shit. The tension can be cut in the garage.
Suddenly, a yellow flag pops up on the screen, radios flaring up. It soon turns into a red flag, and the camera cuts to the carthat has gone off track, but it’s impossible to see who it is from afar.
Then, Huck’s name pops up, and my heart twists. I’m about to ask if he’s okay because he still hasn’t left the car, but I hear an engineer confirm he is. His car is heavily damaged, but at least he’s okay.
I hang my head down, hoping he recovers soon and maybe even for the FIA to stop the race altogether, when I hear a crash on the radio.Oh my god. My head whips up, waiting for both drivers to confirm they didn’t just crash into the concrete wall.
“Aiden? You okay?” I hear through the radio, then, Aiden’s voice confirming he is, soothing some of my nerves.
“Mateo? You okay?” Wiley asks, but no answer comes. Fuck, no no no. Teo, answer for god’s sake. “Mateo?”
The screen cuts to a different car that is more damaged than Huck’s. It’s almost sideways, and it crashed into the barriers. I can’t make out the fucking number… But if it’s not Aiden, and it’s a red car…
“Mateo! Confirm you’re okay!” Wiley keeps trying, but still no answer.
“Someone send the fucking medical car there already!” I never heard Barney angry before. He’s always calm, but this situation is beyond terrifying.Please answer.
