Reaching inside the refrigerator, I pulled out another bottle and cracked it open. “Don’t hold your breath.”
The hurt look Ava had on her face earlier vanished.
Replacing it, a look of indifference. But at this point, I didn’t care. The only thing I wanted was to be left alone. Without saying a word, Ava walked out of the motor coach, slamming the door behind her.
For the next few minutes, I walked back and forth, covering the length of it.
Taking large gulps of my beer, I tried to figure out what the problem was. I didn’t really feel dizzy out there. Maybe a little lightheaded, but nothing that should’ve caused me the kinds of problems I had. I stopped for a moment and looked out the window at the reporters still hanging around.
Fucking vultures.
Sooner or later I’d have to deal with all their ridiculous questions. I’d seen it before when guys get on a bad run. They always want to say you’ve lost your edge, your nerve. I took another gulp of my beer. People like that, out there, they had no idea what pressure was all about. The first one of them that accused me of losing it was going to be the last one.
This wasn’t anything I couldn’t shake off. I took one final swig of my beer and placed a bottle down on the counter. Releasing it, I glanced down at my hand and noticed something I’d never seen before.
It shook.
AVA
It was just past seven o’clock in the morning, the day after the race in Los Angeles and my fight with Dyson.
I woke up from a sound sleep to the annoying sound of my cell phone ringing and vibrating on the nightstand next to me. Eyes closed, I groped for it, at last picking it up and looking at it.
Dieter.
I sat up in bed, switching on the table lamp in my hotel room before swiping the screen and answering the call.
“Good morning, Ava,” Dieter began with his thick accent. “I do hope that I didn’t wake you.”
I shook my head, lying, “No, it’s fine. What do you need, Dieter?”
“Ava, I should mention that I have Darren here in the room with me.”
This can’t be good.
I blinked my eyes several times in a row, wiping them in an effort to focus my attention. “Okay, is there something that the both of you need from me?”
“Yes, Ava,” Dieter began, pausing for a moment. “I’m going to put you on speakerphone. Is that all right with you?”
“Yes, of course, it’s fine.”
“Darren,” Dieter began, changing the tone of the conversation. “I think it’s best if you start this discussion, since you were trackside with Ava yesterday.”
Over the next few minutes, Darren, encouraged by Dieter while he spoke, expressed serious doubts about whether or not Dyson was ready to race again. I didn’t disagree with any of their conclusions. They wanted Dyson to get treatment before allowing him to continue to race for the team. Once again, I had no problem with their idea.
“Terrific, then we can count on seeing you later.” Dieter said.
“Later?”
“Yes now that we’ve had a chance to talk about this amongst ourselves, we will need to have a meeting with Dyson, as well. Of course, as the head medical professional for the team, we’re expecting you to attend and offer your expertise.”
I swallowed hard, remaining silent for a few moments.
“I see,” I said, at last.
Things were already tense between Dyson and me. I felt as if I’d made my opinion more than clear with him. The last thing I wanted was another confrontation. Dieter took notice of my silence and spoke up once more.
“Ava, you and I have a good working relationship. I think you know me well enough to know my only concern is the safety of my drivers.”
I nodded, running my hand through my hair while I listened. “Yes, I know that.”
“Very good. The most important thing you can do in this situation, Ava, is just to be honest. There are many livelihoods at stake in this scenario, not just Dyson’s. Do you understand what I am saying to you?”
“Yes, I do.”
He told me he would contact Dyson immediately after and would like to meet with both of us later that same morning, eleven o’clock at the team garage. I told him that wouldn’t be a problem and hung up moments later. Still sitting upright in the bed, I leaned back, pressing my head into the headboard. Even though I knew it had to be done, I had little doubt an angry Dyson Vix would make an appearance.
And so it was a few minutes before eleven I stood outside the entrance to the team garage. I’d only been there for a few minutes when the door cracked open, and Darren poked his head out.
“Ava, Dieter asked if you’d like to come inside and wait.”
I shook my head. “No, thank you, I actually have a few personal phone calls I can make while I’m waiting for Dyson to show up.”
Darren smiled at me. “Suit yourself.”
He closed the door immediately after.
Just when I was about to reach in my purse and grab my phone, I glanced up and noticed Dyson walking in my direction.
And by walking, I mean weaving.
“Oh shit,” I muttered.
Letting go of my phone, I dropped it inside of my purse and pulled the strap up over my shoulder. Seconds later, Dyson drew close to me.
He smelled like a distillery.
“Really?”
Dyson swayed a bit. “What?”
I shook my head. “How much have you had to drink this morning?”
“All of it.”
I reached up and ran my fingers through my hair. “You are in real trouble with them, Dyson. Don’t you understand that?”
Dyson licked his lips and motioned for me to step aside. “Let’s get this over with.”
A few minutes later, the meeting got off to a predictably rocky start.
Dyson, drunk, was about as rude and obnoxious as I’d ever seen him. For their part, Dieter and Darren did their best to discuss things in a calm way, but Dyson’s behavior wore thin.
“Here’s the thing, Dyson,” Dieter said, leaning forward in his chair and glaring at his star driver. “It’s pretty obvious you’re not in any condition to race. Everyone, from the doctors at the hospital to Ava, have been adamant about that.”
Dyson shook his head. “Doctors don’t know anything. What the hell do they know about driving, about winning? Nothing, that’s what.”
Dieter leaned away, shrugging off Dyson’s comment. “I understand you are frustrated, Dyson. I know you’re a competitor and a winner. That’s why this is all the more difficult for me to have to do.”
“What the hell you talking about, Dieter?” Dyson growled. “Are you kicking me off the team?”
Dieter shook his head. “No, Dyson, I’m not kicking you off the team. Not yet, anyway. But I’m not going to let you drive——not until you’re better.”
Dyson reached up and swiped his hand down the length of his face before pointing at Darren. “Fuck you!”
With that, Dyson stood from his chair and yanked it with his hand. It rattled across the room, banging against the wall. The three of us sat there in silence, and before I realized it, Dyson stormed out.
In the aftermath of Dyson’s exit, we looked at each other for a moment until at last, Dieter spoke.
“Ava, I’m going to make this very simple for you,” he said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “You… You seem to have a connection with Dyson, a way with him. If there’s anyone that can get him straight, it’s you.”
I shook my head. “Dieter, I don’t think anyone has a way with Dyson Vix.”
“That may very well be the case, but it’s obvious that neither Darren nor I can get through to him. I want to give him one last chance. But if you are not able to talk some sense into him, he’s gone.”
AVA