Page 29 of Falling Fast
‘Good.’ I try to think of something else to say. ‘You must be feeling positive after Belgium?’
‘I’m working on it.’ He pauses. ‘It’s hard not to worry.’
‘That’s understandable,’ I say, because it is. ‘I’m sure the past few months have been really tough, driving a car you couldn’t rely on, always waiting for something to break.’
‘Yes.’ His gaze latches on to mine. ‘It was.’
‘But all of that’s behind you now. The upgrades are working and you’re one of the best drivers on the grid. You can’t let the past undermine your confidence in the present.’ I smile because, as pep talks go, I think I’m doing pretty well. ‘Whatever happens, I know you’ll drive a great race.’
‘Thank you.’ He shifts his weight from one foot to the other like he’s both pleased and embarrassed by the words. ‘I appreciate that.’
‘Anyway …’ It occurs to me suddenly that we’re still in his bedroom, standing a little too close for comfort. ‘Shall we go to breakfast? Or I can fetch you something to eat here, if you prefer?’
‘No. The team motorhome is fine.’
‘OK, then.’ I swing round and head for the door, so baffled by the 180-degree change in his behaviour I almost bump my head on the frame as I go. As if the past five minutes haven’t been weird enough, for a moment I almost forgot the schedule.
COREY AND EMIKA ARE already at a table in the middle of the room when we arrive.
‘Hey, guys.’ Corey grins as we sit down, me with a plate of toast and scrambled eggs, Leif with a bowl of porridge, piled high with berries and nuts.
‘You’re in a good mood.’ I smile.
‘Because I have a good feeling about today.’ He leans back, lacing his fingers behind his head. ‘The sun is shining, the car is ten times better than it was and a little bird told me some pretty juicy gossip last night.’ He glances around and lowers his voice confidentially. ‘Noa Shimizu’s retiring at the end of the season.’
‘Shimizu’s leaving Quezada?’ I give a startled jolt. I keep an eye on all the gossip forums and this is the first I’ve heard of it.
‘Yep. They’re not going to announce anything until the summer break, but it means there’s going to be an empty seat at Quezada.’
‘Traitor!’ Emika hisses at him. ‘What about Rask?’
‘I didn’t sayIwas going anywhere.’ Corey holds his hands up. ‘I’m just keeping you all informed.’
‘How do you know about it?’ Leif looks perplexed.
‘I have a friend.’
‘You mean, afemalefriend?’ Emika rolls her eyes. ‘You could get her fired by repeating this stuff.’
‘Only if you guys tell, which I know you won’t. Anyway, the rumours will be flying about soon enough. The driver market will be total chaos. Everyone’s going to be delaying their contract negotiations until we know who’s going to replace him.’
‘Only if they want to move to Quezada.’ Leif lifts a shoulder.
‘Who wouldn’t?’ I say, then bite my own tongue as they all turn to look at me. ‘I mean, they’re a great team.’
‘Not as great as Fraser right now.’ Corey glances around again. ‘The rumour is that Hayden Quaid isn’t performing as well as they’d like either. There might be seats atbothteams.’
‘Seriously?’ Emika gapes at him. ‘Don’t tell me you have another “friend” at Fraser?’
‘What? I’m a friendly person.’
‘Maybe a littletoomuch.’ She cocks her head to one side. ‘How are you feeling, Ava? Ready for the insanity?’
‘I think so.’ I force down a mouthful of scrambled eggs, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach. ‘It’s the track walk first, right?’
‘Yes. Then we move on to the press stuff.’ She throws a wary glance at Leif. ‘Is that OK?’
‘Nope.’ He takes a mouthful of porridge. ‘But it’s in the contract.’
