Page 133 of Until The Lights Go Out

“Holy shit.”

“I know.”

“Holy shit, Serena.”

She burst out laughing at my complete inability to say anything else.

The idea alone felt impossible. Massive. History-making.

A women-led Formula One team.

Serena in Formula One.

It made my chest tighten instantly with excitement and something sharper underneath it. Something almost painful. Because 10 years ago, that dream had been mine too. And Serena knew it the second the feeling crossed my face.

Her smile softened. “Hey.”

“I’m okay,” I said quickly, though my voice came out thinner than I meant it to.

“Maise.”

“No, seriously.” I swallowed hard before forcing a smile. “I’m happy. God, I’m so happy for you. This isn’t about me, this is about all the amazing things you have accomplished and will accomplish.” I meant it, with every ounce of myself. Because I was so fiercely proud of Serena. But there was still a ghost living inside me sometimes. A 17-year-old girl with shaking hands and fire in her lungs and a future ripped away in one awful second. Serena squeezed my hand tightly as we started walking again.

“Okay,” I said after a moment, nudging her shoulder with mine. “So what happens now?”

Her grin returned instantly. “Now comes the terrifying part.”

“Oh no.”

“I have to drive the Kaz car during FP2 tomorrow.” I stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk.

“I’m sorry,” I said slowly. “What?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“At the actual Austrian Grand Prix track?”

“Yes.”

“Whose car? Theo or Austin?”

“I think Theo’s. Since he’s the more seasoned driver, he can give up a practice and still be confident about the race this weekend.”

I stared at her in complete disbelief while she started laughing at my expression. “That is insane!”

“I know.”

“No, like genuinely insane.”

She looped her arm through mine again, practically vibrating with nervous energy now that the secret was finally out. “I’m trying not to throw up about it.”

“You’re going to be incredible.”

“That feels biased.”

“It is biased. I don’t care.”

She smiled at that before her expression shifted into something more careful. “There’s…one more thing.”