Page 34 of Sparks Fly
“But Royce is your son.”
I nod heavily.
“What if he gets different treatment?”
Now it’s my time to scoff. “I promise it doesn’t work like that. Speak to him, he will tell you. If anything, I am harder on him because heismy son.”
Cowan steadies his gaze on mine, finger tapping against the glass.
“What about Kai?”
“He will go to reserve, unless he gets a seat elsewhere.”
He rolls his lips.
“Look, we both know you’re not happy where you are, the car is a pile of shit… We all know it, fuck, we’ve even said it, but they don’t listen. So, you either stick with it and hope for the best, or you break free and sign for us and you can start as soon as the summer break. I am sure we can buy you out your contract…”
He looks a little uneasy, side eyeing his manager who is sitting in the background. They may not be saying a word, but I know a conversation is happening between them.
“Not sure if it is going to be as easy as that.” He sips his champagne.
“Get the contract sent over and I will get my team to look at it, there will be a clause in there… we all have them,” I say with an assertive tone.
“Worst case, it’ll be the start of the new season.”
“I would rather get you in sooner.”
“I know, but we need to be sensible here.” He gives me a look.
“Of course. Get the contract over to me as soon as so we can get these plans into motion. I need to speak to Kai, but I don’twant to jump the gun and give him notice if this isn’t going to work the way I need it too.”
“I’ll get the contract over to you in the morning,” he says, pushing to his feet as he stands. His manager, Matt, stands with him and steps behind him, whispering something in his ear.
“Let’s shake on it then.” I stand and hold my hand out for him to take and he does gladly, his grip firm as he shakes on it.
“Welcome to Saint Onyx.” I give him a wink and I see the smile dust across his lips.
He looks excited, I think. The team needs this. We need the shake up. This sport is cutthroat, and as much as I like Kai and he is a good driver, I need more than good. I need next level. And I am going to get that with Cowan.
This is my team. My blood and sweat have gone into them and I am not about to watch it fall apart because I like the kid that is driving for me.
Cowan is fresh blood. He has the same hunger as Royce. They both want World Champion, and they’ll battle it out.
Kai is safe, but also reckless. He has smashed the car up more times than I can count. I am bleeding out money, and I can’t do it anymore.
I walk Cowan to the exit of the boat, and he gives me one last handshake before walking off. Ignoring the onslaught of questions that fire towards him, he ducks his head and climbs into the back of the truck that is waiting for him.
I inhale heavily, my chest vibrating as I exhale as I watch him pull away. Once he is out of sight, I turn and head back to the boat, reaching for my phone and hovering my thumb over the front desk of the apartments. All it took was a swig of champagne to push me to do it. Georgio answers.
“Mr Lexington’s Penthouse, please.”
“Certainly.”
It connects and she answers after three rings.
“Hello.” Her timid little voice slips through the phone.
“Hello you.” My tone is silky, and I know the bubbles are helping.
