Page 86 of Falling Fast
‘I guess so.’ His face is a mask.
‘Can we talk some more when we get home?’
He stares at me for a long moment before twisting away. ‘What else is there to say, Ava?’
Then he’s gone too, and I realize I never even told him my decision. That in the end I chose to stay at Rask with him, after all. And now it’s too late.
After Rask scored forty points this weekend, the big question in the paddock is whether there’s still time this season for the underdogs to take third place in the Constructors’ Championship. With over a hundred million dollars at stake, the pressure is greater than ever …
@MotorsportEchoNews, 20 October
TWENTY-EIGHT
‘HOME SWEET HOME.’ YUTO throws his arms up to stretch as we climb out of the minivan that’s brought us back to Rask HQ. A ten-hour flight, combined with an eight-hour time difference, means we took off from Las Vegas at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning and landed back in the UK around 3 a.m. on Monday. Thanks to Customs and the drive, it’s now almost 6 a.m.
‘You know this is only the place we work, right?’ Emika jumps out beside him.
‘Yes, but we spend so much time here, I’ve almost forgotten what my actual home looks like.’ He yawns widely. ‘At least we get today as holiday. Maybe everyone will start acting normally again tomorrow.’ He looks accusingly between us.
‘We’re being normal,’ I answer defensively.
‘Please.’ He snorts. ‘You two have been acting weird the whole way home. Whatever’s going on, deal with it.’
‘We’re just tired,’ Emika protests.
‘If you say so.’ He waves to the second minivan that’s pulled up beside us and then heads off across the car park. ‘See you.’
‘Yeah, so … Bye.’ Emika hurries after him, like she doesn’t want to be left alone with me.
I watch her go and then head towards my own car. We’ve both been pretending nothing happened ever since I caught up with her in the hotel lobby in Las Vegas. In some ways it’s a relief because I have no excuse for my behaviour, and explanations will only make me look bad, but I also hate this new atmosphere of tension between us. It’s bad enough knowing Leif thinks I betrayed him. I don’t want to see the same expression on her face too.
‘Hey, Ava!’ Kayleigh, one of the marketing assistants, calls after me. ‘Vienna wants a word.’
‘Now?’ I stop by my car.
‘She says it’s important.’
My heart sinks as I look across the parking lot to where Vienna is marching into the building, a phone pressed to her ear.
‘Did she say why?’ My throat feels very dry suddenly.
‘No, just that it won’t take long. Why, what have you been up to?’ Kayleigh starts to smile, then does a double-take when she sees my expression. ‘Whoa, whathaveyou been up to?’
‘Nothing.’ I shake my head quickly. ‘Enjoy the rest of the day.’
‘You too.’
I follow Vienna into the building, my footsteps heavy. I guess Emika must have told her what she saw at some point on the journey home. Maybe she emailed her from the airport lounge, where we were sitting in opposite chairs, avoiding each other’s eyes. It seems out of character for Emika, but I can’t exactly blame her. She probably thinks Vienna has a right to know. Which she does. I should have told HR aboutmy relationship with Leif a long time ago. Now I’m probably about to be told how disappointed everyone is in me, not that it matters any more. There’s no way I can stay at Rask now. My only hope is that I’ll be allowed to resign rather than be fired.
‘Hi.’ I catch up with Vienna just as she reaches her office. ‘You wanted to see me?’
‘Sit down.’ She waves me in, throwing her coat off at the same time. ‘I’m sure you’re keen to get home so I’ll make this quick. You can probably guess why I want to talk to you.’
‘Yes.’ I perch on the edge of a chair. I’ve already decided I won’t object or try to defend myself when she shouts at me. It’s only fair. Honestly, if she wants to throw the employee handbook at me, I’ll sit here and take it.
‘Because I’ve been hearing a lot of things about you.’
‘A lot?’ I give a startled jolt. Dootherpeople know?
