Just hearing her say those words triggered me as well. I sensed a sudden rush of heat come to my eyes but before the tears could start to flow, I sat up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even brought this up.”
Jillian sniffled and after a hard swallow, she said, “Don’t. I know how important all of this is to you and Simon.”
I swiped at my eyes with the back of my palm. “Everything is going to be fine. I’ll be okay.”
“I should be the one telling you that! I don’t mean to be such a hot mess over here.”
Just then, I stood from the mattress and began to walk around my hotel room, eventually making my way towards its only window.
“Ava, are you still there?”
I couldn’t even see the ocean from the window.
“Mmm hmm,” I began, glancing up towards the puffy white clouds overhead. “I think I’m going to take a drive down to the beach. Believe it or not I still haven’t been there.”
“That sounds like a good idea to me.” Jillian said. “And you know you can call anytime, right? I promise I don’t mind.”
“Yeah, I know,” I began. “But I’ve got to get out of this funk I’m in. I’ve still got a couple of months ahead of me, and at the rate I’m going, I’m never going to make it.”
Jillian exhaled a sympathetic breath. “You’ll be fine, Ava. If anybody can handle this, it’s you.”
I thanked her, and then a few seconds later we said our goodbyes and hung up. Soon after, I grabbed my purse and headed out of the hotel to get in my car and drive to the beach.
It was midafternoon by the time I reached the lobby. Walking across it, I happened to glance in the direction of the bar. Dyson and Marco were in there with a few of their mechanics and the team manager, Darren.
From the looks of things, they were kicking back and having a good time together. I stood there for a few seconds looking at them and wishing I could join in on the fun. But it was clear that my role on the team meant I didn’t get included in such things.
Repositioning the strap of my purse across my shoulder, I turned to continue out of the hotel. But just as I did, Dyson looked straight at me. He nodded and smiled. It was the first time I’d seen him away from the track since we arrived in Miami.
I didn’t return his gesture, but instead continued to walk away.
DYSON
With qualifying fast approaching, I’d been putting all my effort into race prep. After finishing second in Austin, I liked my chances. Gunter was running well, but I loved the layout of the course and figured if we could get the setup right on the car, I had a great chance to win.
Things were mostly business as usual, the only difference now being Ava’s presence. We’d only spoken a couple of times since arriving in Miami, but I didn’t see it as unusual. The days leading up to qualifying were always pretty damn busy. As much as I tried to be friendly with her, she seemed distant. I wouldn’t say she was pissed at me, but something was different about her. In fact, when I’d seen her the day before in the hotel lobby, she seemed cold as ice.
Anyway, we were at the track the next afternoon when I’d just come out of the garage headed to one of the team trailers. Emerging into the bright sunlight, I hooded my eyes with my hand and spotted a familiar figure walking in the opposite direction.
“Ava!” I called out.
She stopped and looked at me. Taking that as my cue, I walked over towards her. She looked sexy as hell standing there. The sun’s rays reflected in her long, dark red hair, causing it to shine. She wore a tight T-shirt and a pair of jeans that hugged her feminine curves like the tires on my car did in a tight turn. Even though she still eluded me until now, I had no intention of letting that continue. I slid my tongue across my lips as I approached.
“What’s up?” I said.
She shook her head as I neared.
“Oh nothing,” she said, patting her hand against a manila folder tucked under her arm. “I just have to get some signatures from Darren.”
“Okay,” I replied, tilting my chin up at her. “I, um, haven’t seen you around. What have you been up to?”
She shrugged. “I’m just trying to do my job and stay out of the way as much as possible.”
Before I could say anything, she continued. “What about you? How’s everything going with the car? Are you going to be ready?”
I nodded and slid my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, we should be good to go. Gunter needs to watch his ass this time.”
Just then, a trace of a smile came to the edge of Ava’s mouth.
“Ahhh,” I began, winking at her. “So you do remember how to do that?”
“What are you talking about? Do what?”
I pointed at her. “Smile. Every time I see you around here now you look like you’re not having much fun, depressed even.”
Ava looked away from me. “It’s not intentional. I’ve just had a hard time adjusting. That’s all.”
“I understand.” I said. “It’s a lot to take in all at once. You only got to see the tail end of things in Austin. I suppose from your point of view it hasn’t been real exciting here in Miami yet, has it?”
She shook her head. “Not really, no.”
I leaned against a nearby retaining wall. “Have you had a chance to get out? See the sights? Go to the beach?”
“Yes,” she began. “I finally made it to the beach yesterday. I wish I’d gone sooner. It was just what I needed.”
While I listened to her, something still didn’t seem right.
“Hey,” I said, snapping my fingers. “Why don’t we go out and grab a bite to eat later? We haven’t hung out for a while. It will give us a chance to catch up.”
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Dyson. Thank you, though.”
I frowned at her. “Was it something I said? It usually takes you a little longer to shoot me down.”
She chuckled a little. “No, I think it’s just better if we keep things, you know, a bit less friendly. I don’t mean anything by it. I do enjoy your company, but now that we’re working together it’s probably for the best if we don’t mix business and pleasure.”
I pushed myself off the wall and nodded in the direction of Darren’s trailer. Not acknowledging her comment, I said, “Come on, I’ll walk with you.”
Ava repositioned the folder, crossing her arms and hugging it to her chest. Without speaking, she turned, and we started to walk side-by-side.
“You know,” she began, glancing at me for second. “You don’t have to worry about me, if that’s what this is about.”
I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders at the same time. “I’m not worried about you, Ava. I’m trying to get into your pants.”
Something that sounded like a cross between a laugh and a scoff came out of her mouth. I smiled. It was good to hear. She quieted down after another second.
“Isn’t that what Anastasia and Svetlana are for?”
“Sometimes.”
“Uh huh,” she muttered. “Well as much I respect your honesty, that’s about the worst idea possible.”
I chuckled as we continued to walk. Changing subjects, I asked, “How’s Simon doing? Is everything okay back home?”
I looked at her and watched as she ran her fingers through her hair, tucking it behind one of her ears. She turned and smiled.
“He’s doing fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Of course. He’s a good kid. I’m sure you miss him.”
Just then, Ava stopped and faced me. I looked at her as she did. She opened her arms and held the folder in one hand.
“Thanks for the talk. I should really get this stuff to Darren.”
“Okay,” I replied. “Last chance. You sure you don’t wanna go out and do something later?”
She nodded, but before she could say anything, I continued, “Well, now that you’re an official member of the team, you really should hang out in the pits on race day. There is nothing else like it. I promise you’ll love it.”
“You never quit, do you?” she said.