Page 26 of Too Fast To Fall
Of course, Gus, who would accept all positive attention, wagged his tail like he was a helicopter.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” She thrust her hand at Piper. “I’m Luna. This is Marco. We’re huge Emilio fans. Thisis so amazing. Meeting Gus.”
Luna’s sincerity and enthusiasm really got to Piper. Two weeks ago, Piper was in the same boat, just another fan. “Do youwant a photo with Gus?”
“Really? We would love it.”
“Of course. Give me your phone.”
Luna handed it over, then she and Marco posed with Gus, who looked so adorable—it was like he wassmilingfor the picture. When Piper saw the photo, something occurred to her. Gus had been missing from social media ever since Emilioand Victoria had parted ways. And he’d always gone over big with the fans. “Do you mind if I take a photo with my phone? Forsocial media?” Piper asked.
Luna’s eyes grew impossibly large. “Please. That would be amazing.”
Emilio finished the second practice session with a wide smile on his face. It had been quite some time since he’d felt likethat climbing out of the car. Like he unequivocally knew what he was doing. Doubt? That old thinking hadn’t crept in evenonce during the session. He wanted to hold on to this feeling forever.
“How’d that go?” his teammate Xander asked, his helmet tucked under his arm.
“Much better. I think we hit the right setup on the car. I already told the team not to change a single thing before qualifyingtomorrow.”
Xander smiled and clapped Emilio on the shoulder. “Brilliant. Glad to hear it.”
Emilio started for the back of the garage, walking side by side with Xander, wondering if the congeniality between them wasreal. They’d had a friendship before they were teammates, but it was different when you were driving the same car. Most driverscouldn’t let go of that rivalry. “Thank you for asking. I feel like half the people in this sport are rooting for me to fail.No one would blame you if you felt the same way.”
“I don’t really buy into all of that. Teammate rivalry. I mean, when we’re both in the car, I want to be better than you.I want to beat you. That’s just the driver in me. I know you feel the same way. But once we’re off track and I catch a breath,I remember we’re both on the same side.” Xander came to a stop out in the paddock. “No matter what, you’ve already accomplishedthe big thing I’m striving for. You’ve won a driver’s championship. I haven’t. I can learn from you.”
Emilio took a beat to absorb that. He’d become so accustomed to feeling like a loser he’d lost sight of the fact he was thereigning world champion. He had the number one on his car and helmet because he’d beaten everyone last year. Maybe he neededto spend a little less time dwelling on the bad things and spend more time focusing on the positives. He was healthy. He hadthe coolest job in the world and was paid handsomely for it. And despite the unhappiness in his personal life, especiallywith his parents’ split, he still had Gus, the best dog in the world. And then there was Piper, who was keeping Gus happy.She gave Emilio so much peace of mind. “If there’s anything I can do for you, please ask.”
“Funny you should say that. There is something.”
“Please. Tell me.”
“Mia keeps talking about the interview she did with you last year when you told her all about cooking and the Spanish dishesyour grandmother taught you to make. I’m not trying to invite ourselves over for dinner, but now that we’re both in England,let me know if you’re ever willing to make a meal for Mia and me. She’s so curious about cuisines from all over the world.”
“I do love to cook.” And it had been so long since he’d done it. He hadn’t even fully unpacked his kitchen. That’s how unsettledhe’d been since making the big move. His focus on driving was key, but he could make a little room for one thing. “Let’s doit. Next week? How about Tuesday? We don’t leave for Spain until Wednesday night. You and Mia can come over. I can show offmy place.” Of course, there wasn’t much to show off. Even Piper had pointed that out on their run. But he could get it inshape. Maybe Piper could help.
“That would be great. I’ll let Mia know. I’ll see you tomorrow for qualifying,” Xander said.
“See you then.” Emilio headed into Mega Racing hospitality, just as he got a text from his dad.
I can’t make it this weekend. I’m sorry. Business stuff. I hope you have an amazing race. I’ll see you in Monaco.
Emilio’s first feeling was annoyance. He’d looked forward to sharing today’s good practice with his father. He was one ofhis biggest supporters. Then again, he could be critical, too. A good practice didn’t mean the rest of his weekend would gowell. Emilio wasn’t overly superstitious, but every athlete had a predilection for keeping things as they were after a solidperformance. He’d done greatwithouthis dad around. Maybe it was good he couldn’t come.
I’m sorry I won’t see you, but it’s okay. Thanks for letting me know. Love you.
In the dining area, he said hello to a few team engineers, then wound his way back to his driver’s room. When he got there,Piper and Gus were waiting inside. Piper was tapping away at her phone and smiling while Gus sprawled out on the couch. “Takinga break?” He closed the door and grabbed a bottle of water.
“More like managing Gus’s burgeoning new life as a social media influencer.” Piper’s voice was bursting with enthusiasm.
Normally, that might be a welcome sound, but given the subject matter, it made him pause. He reached down to give Gus somelove. “I think I missed something.”
She set her phone aside. “I took Gus for a walk through the general admission areas during the practice sessions. To watchfrom the grandstands. A woman sitting near me recognized Gus from Victoria’s old social feeds. It was right after I pointedout your car to Gus.”
“You do know he doesn’t understand English.”
“That’s not true. He knows lots of words and I’m pretty sure he understands Daddy.”
Emilio shook his head. “Tell me you don’t refer to me that way.”
