Page 134 of Sparks Fly
Sitting on the pit wall,I watch the screens, focusing on Royce. Sixty-two laps of the Marina Bay and each one is nailbiting. We have twenty laps left and the team are just trying to strategise whether to pit Royce now or keep him out for a while longer.
“Royce, stay out for one more lap,” Maurice speaks into the radio and I hear Royce curse.
“My tyres are fucked. I have no grip.” He raises his voice and the team are looking at his car.
“We will get them fixed next lap mate,” Maurice tries to pacify him. He has managed to get into P3 and I know he is anxious but we need the gap slightly bigger behind him so we don’t lose our position.
“Okay Royce, box box.”
“Finally.” Sarcasm drips from his tone and I shake my head.
I watch the garage disperse and the pit crew set up waiting for him. Turning my head, I watch him drive past and hold my thumb up. He wouldn’t see me. He’ll focus on getting out of here as quick as he can.
We do a record time pit stop and he crawls out of the lane and makes it back into P3, just ahead of Kai. We could have double stacked them but it would have been too risky.
“I’ll be right back,” I mutter as I place my headphones down and move towards the garage.
Walking in, I see Anaïs, Rue, and Nora watching. Thankfully, she looks a little happier than she did a couple of hours ago. Pausing in front of her, she gives me a smile.
“He is doing really well.” She swallows and her voice still sounds strained.
“Yeah, he is.” I glance up and look at the big television screen and proudness blooms in my chest.
I see Glenn call me over and I place a kiss on her cheek as I jog back towards my seat, hooking my earphones back on.
“How far is Kai behind me?” Royce asks
“He is out of DRS range, just over a second behind.”
“Are we swapping?”
“We have no intention to swap, Royce. Keep your position,” Maurice tells him and gives me a soft smile.
“You’ve got this, Royce, ten laps to go.”
Silence crackles down the line.
“Dad…” He trails off for a moment. “Can you put Anaïs on the radio?”
“Of course.” I walk and grab her, leading her to the pit wall. She looks at me confused and I usher her to my seat, placing the headphones over her ears.
“Go ahead, Royce,” Maurice says before removing his own headphones. He gives them to me, turning his focus on the screen.
“Kid.” Royce’s voice cracks through the headset. Her eyes flit to the screen watching him drive.
“Yeah.” Her voice is so quiet over the radio.
“I’m not mad at you, not even one bit.” My heart drums in my chest. “Dad, I’m not mad at you either.” I swallowg down the lump that has lodged in my throat. “I want you to be happy, Anaïs, you deserve it. I reacted in the wrong way. I was shocked and confused… blindsided even. But please, don’t think for even one second that I am mad at you. I wasn’t even mad when I stormed out the garage.”
“Really?” she whispers, a smile on her face as tears roll down her cheeks.
“Really. But Anaïs,” he rasps, and I watch as she hangs off his words. “I draw the line at calling you mum.” She laughs, covering her face with her hands. “Now, let me go and chase that podium.”
“You deserve the world, Royce, never settle for anything less,” she says before pulling the headphones off and placing her hand on my chest, her blue eyes blinking up at me. “Thank you.” She pushes onto her tip toes and kisses me.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Anaïs
