Page 86 of Sparks Fly
I hear the sound of footsteps, and I know who’s they are before he even walks into the room. Royce enters the garage and his eyes lock on mine straight away. His lips pull into that smile that hooked me two years ago and he crosses the room and edges towards me.
“Make sure you get my best side, all right?” He winks and then scruffs my hair up.
I swat him away. “Always.” My smile is tight, and I press up onto the balls of my feet.
“Good to see ya,” he mutters, turning around and walking towards his coach, Luan.
“Likewise,” I whisper.
Kai follows after and makes a beeline straight for the car. It’s sleek, with a black front wing which fades into a light grey and blends out the back in fluorescent yellow.
He doesn’t look happy. Shaking off the feelings of doom, I snap a photo of Kai. It’s side profile, you can see the worry thatmasks his face. With all the rumours flying around, how could he not be worried? I snap another one then bring my camera away as I look at the photos. Happy with them, I go about my workday.
Sitting in the team lounge, I am cross legged, laptop resting as I dump the photos so they’re ready to be edited when I go through them.
I am in charge of the main Saint Onyx account alongside Maura, who is my new colleague. I’ve been thrown in the deep end as she is on leave but it’s fine, I work best under pressure.
A soft knock on the door has me lifting my head and I see Nora.
“Am I interrupting?” Her voice is cool, and I call her in. “Just wanted to see how you’re getting on?” She sits down next to me, phone in hand.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Taking ten minutes before the next practice begins.”
“How was it with Royce? I saw him walk over.” She side eyes me.
“Yeah, it was fine.” I nod, smiling at her.
“Good, I was a little worried.” She laughs.
“Well, no need to be. We’re both adults, we’ve had some space, and this is work. I would be mad at him and myself if we let our breakup come between us and our job.”
“Makes sense.” She sighs.
“How about you? Having a good day?” I ask, unplugging the camera and closing the lid of my laptop down.
“My days are always good, unless something goes terribly wrong. The last big thing to shake Saint Onyx was yours and Royce’s break up.
“Great,” I mutter, putting my laptop in my bag and slipping it down the side of the sofa.
Pushing up, I pull my trainers back on and stand.
I’m dressed in the, grey and fluorescent yellow race polo, with the Saint Onyx logo sitting above my breast, sponsor brands mixed in too, a black cargo skirt, and trainers. The weather is warm in the Netherlands, so this felt appropriate.
“Anyway, better get going. I want to get some videos to post on the teams stories.” I begin to walk for the door, and Nora follows.
“Dinner later?” she asks as I step into the corridor.
“Yeah, sure. We’ll catch up once the day is over.” Giving her a toothy grin, I walk back to the garage, and she disappears down another corridor.
I watchon the screens as Royce sets the fastest middle sector, and the garage is getting excited. I know it’s only practice, but it’s still something to get worked up about. If they drive this car as well as they are now, qualifying could be just as great. Of course, practice and qualifying you are on your own, but once the race starts, that’s when things change. It’s not just you on the start line, it’s nineteen other cars.
Crouching, I get a video of the car pulling out of the garage and put it into slow mode. I view it back and smile.
Footsteps approach and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Looking over my shoulder, I see his shoes first before my eyes drag up his body. There he is, the man who left me in Monaco, standing, hands fisted into his pockets and a stupid smirk on his face.
“Great,” I mutter, rolling my eyes as I stand carefully, not wanting to flash anything.
I turn and place my camera on the side and dust my hands down. I can’t deny the pull I feel, nor can I deny the way the tension wraps around us like a fluffy blanket, but I have to ignore it.
