Page 32 of Falling Fast
‘Possibly.’
‘Where do you get the energy?’ Emika waves her fork in the air. ‘Look, hopefully it won’t take long.’
‘It’s also a really good sign,’ I argue. ‘It shows that people want to support Rask. The time to worry is when nobody wants to see you.’
‘Ava’s right,’ Leif interjects. ‘One more event isn’t so bad.’
Corey turns to him incredulously. ‘Who are you, and what have you done with my teammate?’
‘I’m making an effort.’ Leif glances over his plate at me. ‘It’s all good for Rask, right?’
FIVE HOURS LATER, EMIKA ushers Leif and Corey into one of the air-conditioned driver lounges at the back of the motorhome and then plants herself in the doorway, hands fixed on either side of the doorframe. ‘OK, you two. I’m going to see Vienna while Ava stands here and barricades the door. You’re not allowed out of this room, understand?’
‘Fine, but tell Vienna no more last-minute events.’ Corey throws himself down on to the sofa with a groan. ‘I need a shower.’
‘You’ll be finished after this, I promise.’
‘I mean it. I don’t care who the sponsor is – nothing else, or I’m refusing to drive this weekend.’
‘Yeah, yeah …’ She gestures for me to follow her. ‘You got this?’
‘Don’t worry.’ I raise my voice as we head back out to the corridor. ‘I’ll sit on them, if necessary.’
‘I think Corey might enjoy that a little too much.’ She shuts the door as he gives a thumbs-up from his recumbent position. ‘I don’t blame them for being grumpy, though. This temperature makes everything so tiring. I’m practically asleep on my feet.’
I pluck my shirt away from my skin and stifle a yawn in response. As much as I love Formula 1, she’s right; this afternoon has felt like an eternity. I’m exhausted. Maybe it’s time I started endurance training with Maisie because I don’t know how the drivers manage this, sometimes three long weekends in a row. The press conference wasn’t so bad since I got a seat, but the Fan Zone was even busier than the press arena, filled to capacity with hordes of excited supporters. I have a headache from all the noise and heat and all I’ve done is stand behind a table while Leif and Corey signed hats and pictures and posed for selfies.
They were both incredible. Corey was in his element, but Leif seemed to be enjoying himself too, chatting and smiling and going out of his way to make everyone feel special. He didn’t frown once. Obviously he prefers fans to press. I actually got the feeling he would have kept going all night, until they’d seen everyone, but the relentless schedule made that impossible.
‘That’s Vienna.’ Emika glances at her phone as it vibrates in her hand. ‘Apparently they’ve moved the event up. She wants Corey first so I’ll take him over now, if you can wait here with Leif?’ She opens the door again before I can answer. ‘Corey? You’re up.’
‘Are you kidding? We just started a strike!’ Corey is still on the sofa, though now he’s sitting upright beside Leif, staring at a screen on the wall, both of them holding PlayStation controllers.
‘Complain to Vienna.’
‘Like he’d dare,’ Leif mutters, swaying sideways as his character on the screen jumps.
‘Destiny?’ I ask, stepping into the room.
‘Yes. How do you know that?’ Corey sounds surprised.
‘Because I play. Here –’ I hold my hand out – ‘I’ll take over. By the look of it, you need some help anyway. Now, hurry up before Vienna comes to fetch you herself.’
‘You don’t have to play if you don’t want to.’ Leif shoots me a quick sidelong glance as I slip into Corey’s empty space on the sofa.
‘I do want to. It’ll keep me awake,’ I say, taking a moment to get my bearings. According to the top of the screen, we’re on Nessus, battling the Vex. Fortunately, I don’t need a map or schedule for this.
‘So I guess it’s you and me tomorrow?’ Leif says, as his guardian comes to run alongside mine. ‘With you as my minder, I mean.’
‘I guess so,’ I agree, collecting an orb as I dart ahead of him.
‘Fridays are better. Less talking, more driving.’
We don’t talk for a while either because we’re both too preoccupied, caught up in the adrenaline of the game, twisting and bouncing on the sofa as we fight our way to the end of the strike. He’s pretty good, but I’m better. I don’t even break a sweat.
‘Ha!’ I throw the controller down triumphantly.
‘That was impressive.’ Leif is staring, open-mouthed, at the screen.
