Page 57 of Apex

I chuckle. “I basically said Oh God, how far have we come.”

Now he looks a little more confused so I elaborate. “The three men up there are all not straight. In a major world sport. It may be a first.”

Axel looks awed. “That’s freaking cool.”

“I agree,” I know I’ve promised myself I would take a step back in Gabriel’s life, now that his name has been cleared, but I can’t stop myself from asking Axel about their next steps. “Are you two coming back to Paris for winter break?”

“We haven’t discussed it actually,” Axel admits and gives me a small smile. “But I’d definitely be up for it. I think I’m going to try and grab some freelance jobs here and there so I may not be there the whole time.”

Gabriel is grabbing the champagne now and I know what happens next. All three drivers shake the bottles and begin to spray each other. Then my wild son turns to the crowd and sprays us. Because he wouldn't be my beautiful brash son if he didn't take everything just one step farther than most. And as sticky booze rains down over us, Axel tips his head back, opening his mouth to catch it.

As the celebration simmers down, Axel and I start to make our way around the corner of the stage to meet up with Gabriel. Someone touches my shoulder and I turn and am suddenly shaking the hand of Michael Meeks. He's the owner of Apex, another team on the grid. "Your son has had a healthy season for a rookie. Congrats."

“Thanks. I’m thrilled with his performance too,” I say, wondering why he’s talking to me now when he’s never done more than a polite nod or passing hello.

Michael leans in and drops his voice. “Are you his manager? Gabriel’s?”

Oh. I see… I shake my head. “I know a lot of people think I am but he actually has a proper one.”

I pull a card out of my pocket and slip it to him, glancing around to make sure no one notices. Michael tucks it into his pocket and smiles gratefully. “I’m hoping we can offer Gabriel—.”

"As an investor in Mayflower, I'm going to stop you right there," I want to yell yes! Yes you can! This team has better cars and a very bright future compared to Mayflower, but it's not my place. "My son's involvement is separate from my investment though so… use the card."

Michael nods. He gets it. He thanks me and keeps moving in the opposite direction through the crowd. Axel has moved on ahead, and I find him by the side of the stage, wrapped in an embrace and a not-safe-for-work kiss with my son. “You two want to dial it back to PG-13s’il te plait.”

Gabriel pulls back from Axel, keeping his arm draped around his shoulder. I notice he's taken off that tin band he has been wearing since his fake commitment ceremony which everyone is still calling a marriage. I still think pieces of my heart are in my loafers, where they plummeted when I woke up to the headlines. I will give Gabriel his space but not when it comes to his wedding. Whenever that may be, and I'm fairly certain it's visible on the horizon, it's going to be lavish, and public, and big and I will most definitely be there. Crying into a designer handkerchief.

“I need a shower. Champagne is sticky,” Gabriel announces as we walk back to the paddock.

“Get used to it, babe,” Axel says, grinning. “There’s more wins coming your way next season, I know it.”

“I hope so,” my son replies.

I look up at him and swell with pride as I tell him. “Apex will be contacting your manager. They’re interested.”

“Apex? Are you sure?” Gabriel stage whispers back at me, his blue eyes, a feature he inherited from his mother, according to the egg donors fact sheet, are wide. “That’s two teams.”

“Probably more before the break ends. Your contract is up next year and no one wants to wait until the last minute,” I remind him. “You’re hot.”

“Yes he is,” Axel mutters and I glance up at him and he turns red. “Sorry. You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

I laugh and Axel gets redder, which I wouldn’t have thought possible. “Oh, and you should expect a call from the director of F1.”

“Me? Why?” Axel looks petrified.

"Holly, their Communication Head, is going on maternity leave next year," I explain. "It's a one-year replacement contract. I took the liberty of submitting the resume you gave Allard Couture. Oh, and a reference letter as a Mayflower sponsor."

Gabriel laughs. "I think the only work you actually did for the team was yell at me in a sauna to play nice with the media."

“So you aren’t mad I interfered? Again?” I ask Gabriel who isn’t shooting me death stare like I feared he might. Axel doesn’t look mad either, just kind of confused.

Gabriel shakes his head and his eyes soften. "I really appreciate you trying to help Axe out, dad. Thank you."

“Yes, thank you,” Axel parrots with a grateful smile.

“Well, I have two sons to meddle with now. It’s a lot of work, but I happily accept the challenge,” I joke and look down paddock row trying and concentrate on the containers painted in the various team colors. If I focus on my boys I’m likely to tear up and I’ll be mortified.

I’m just so grateful I was right. Axel Walsh was the light at the end of the tunnel.

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