I shifted in my chair, gripping my to-go cup of tea tighter, trying to shake off the lingering sensation of her body melting into mine.
Across from me, Marco was talking, but I hadn't heard a single word.
“Mate,” he said, tilting his head, his dark eyes flashing with concern. “You good?”
I cleared my throat, forcing my shoulders to relax.Play it cool. I was fine. So fucking fine.
“Yeah,” I lied, lifting my cup like that proved my point. “Why?”
Marco studied me for a beat before smirking. “Don't know. You look like you've seen a ghost. Or, I don't know, got your world rocked this morning.”
I choked onmy drink. “What?”
Marco laughed, shaking his head. “Relax, Fraser. You're twitchy today. Maybe you should get laid.”
Too late for that advice.
I exhaled, running a hand over my jaw, trying to erase the memory ofAurélierolling her needy pussy against my cock.
Get your fucking head together.
“She's fast,” Marco said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
I blinked at him, trying to act normal. “Who?”
Marco gave me an unimpressed look. “Dubois.” He gestured vaguely toward theLuminisgarage. “You saw her times inFP1. She's giving the midfield hell.”
I nodded, forcing a small grin. “Yeah, she is.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You're not worried about her, are you?”
“Worried?” I scoffed. “No. Impressed? Definitely.”
“Right. You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you've got a bit of a soft spot for her.”
“It's not like that,” I said quickly, then took another sip of my drink.
Marco hummed. “Sure, mate. Whatever you say.” His smirk widened. “Just don't let her beat you on Sunday. Your ego won't survive it.”
I didn't respond, mostly because I was too busy trying to shove the damn woman out of my brain.
Marco pulled out his phone, scrolled, then snorted. “You see this yet?”
I glanced over. It was a compilation of fan edits from Shanghai, set to some dramatic pop song. Clips of Auri battling forP3, the champagne spray on the podium, and the now-infamous shot of her smirking at me during weigh-ins. The caption read:
FRABOIS RIVALRY OR SOMETHING MORE?
I scoffed,shaking my head as I leaned closer to get a better look. “Rivalry or something more? What's that even supposed to mean?”
He grinned. “It means the fans are eating this shit up. You andDuboisare trending more than the actual Constructor's standings.”He said it like this justified whatever he thought he saw between us.
“They're reading way too much into it,” I muttered.Are they, though?
“You're the one who posted about her podium, mate. Practically handed them fuel for the fire.”
“She deserved it,” I said automatically. “She worked her ass off for thatP3, and half the grid won't even acknowledge it. Someone had to say it.”
Marco's grin widened. “Ah, the nobleCallumFraser, defender of the underdog.”
