Page 144 of Until The Lights Go Out

“Better go win, Bauer. And don’t you dare fuck up Turn 4 after the straight.” I smirked before sliding my heels back on and slipping out the door.

EPILOGUE: MAISEY

6 MONTHS LATER

“Welcome back to the PitSpark Paddock Report!” my voiceover played before the producer counted down on his fingers, pointing to me. Within the last six months, the channel had blown up in the best way. PitSpark hired more people to be a part of the project and approved it for another two years. Signing off on my contract had felt so very surreal because I had somehow made it back to a world I never thought I would be a part of again.

“Good morning! Maisey Andrews here to bring you the latest and greatest of Formula One news,” I greeted. “Today we are taking some live questions from the chat, and I am joined by both of the Kaz Energy Racing drivers, Austin Rhodes and Theo Bauer. We also have Serena Koloman here with us today, who has a seat with a new team hitting the grid next season: Valora Racing!”

“Hey guys!” Austin and Serena waved at the camera. Theo, however, just smiled down right at me, making my heart beat a bit faster. It didn’t matter how much time passed, Theo Bauer made me sick with butterflies.

“Good to be back, Red.” He smirked. I responded how I always responded in public when he laid on the flirting rather thick: an eye roll. Obviously. I looked up to the screen in front of us, messages flooding the feed.

“They are sickly cute.”

“Maisey and Theo forever!!”

“Maisey, can you fight?”

It had only been a few weeks since we went public. Theo, who once was very anti-social-media, now had a rather active account, reposting the channel and posting about our adventures between races and on breaks. The response was a mixed bag. His fan base was a bit intense, which was something I had tried to prepare for. But among the expected hate, weirdo comments, and intrusive questions, there was also a plethora of good: fans excited, supportive, and overall positive about us being an honest-to-God couple. Who would have thought? Theo Bauer tied down?

“Oh, oh, this one!” Austin was pointing with a giant grin on his face.

“Bauer4evs says, ‘what’s something that inspired you?’” I read off the screen. It was smashed between many, many feral comments, but this one was rather tame and genuinely kind of sweet, so I nodded over to the drivers.

“Easy. My family out in Northern California!” Austin grinned. “As some of you know, I grew up on a ranch, and I think that sort of hard work ethic is what helped me get here today.”

“Serena?”

“My mom. She’s the most kickass woman I know.” She nodded seriously.

“Theo?”

“You,” he replied easily without a second thought.

“Woooow.” Serena rolled her eyes as I blushed furiously.

“Theo!” I shook out a nervous laugh.

“What? I mean it.”

“You are such a mega sap,” Austin laughed then added, “Well, tell us why Bauer!”

Theo turned to me with soft eyes, an expression he seemed to reserve entirely for me. He was so sure of himself, so focused and cutthroat on the track, but with me, Theo would always be a softy. Especially with those blue eyes boring into me as he began to speak.

“I think you’re the bravest person I know. And I know you hate being called that, but hear me out. You have taken control of a life that didn’t deal you a fair hand. You have used what shaped you to inspire thousands, you openly talk about how important mental health care is for athletes. You’ve become a huge advocate for those here in Formula One alone. Most of all, you inspire me with your kindness. I think kindness can often be mistaken for weakness. Not only in this sport, but in general too. But you have always led with kindness and strength. That’s what inspired me the most.”

I blinked back tears, staring at him with a gaped mouth.

“Well shit, he really is a big softy.” Austin clapped him on his back. Theo threw him a halfhearted glare and leaned over, kissing the side of my head.

“Oh, that’ll make ‘em go crazy!” Serena piped up, looking at the screen. “F1girlsarehotter says ‘when’s the wedding?’”

“Oh my God.” I blushed even harder, wiping at my eyes, reaching out my free hand off camera and squeezing Theo’s hand three times before righting myself and getting the show back on track. “Alright back to business… We have some questions about Valora Racing! Serena, do you want to tell us about your new team?”

“Valora Racing is the first of its kind! A woman-led and -focused Formula One team that’s about to give these boys a run for their money.” She smirked. “Amber Hughes is our fearless leader. She has decades of experience on and off track and has worked her way up from pit crew to leading a team.”

“And Valora is working closely with Kaz Energy Racing?”