“I’m fine. You and our parents always worry, but I love my life.”
“That’s good. I sure hope you do with all the sacrifices you make. I don’t know how you handle all the traveling and snooty people. You couldn’t pay me enough to trade in my family and my home because life on the road sounds like my personal hell.”
I hate the way his words pick at my doubts. Seeing as I’ve done enough self-reflection this season to last me a lifetime, I brush aside his comments. “Why don’t you stop talking and hop in the cockpit? I’ll show you how great life is behind the wheel.”
“Let’s go, hotshot. You always did talk a big game.”
“At least I back it up with trophies.” I shoot him a goofy grin.
We both hop into our cars. I show Lukas how it feels to live my life, how the adrenaline high I chase beats nothing else.
I can’t help questioning my life choices while driving around the track. The kernel of something growing in my chest is tough to ignore. Lukas commenting on my life on the road adds to my rising distress about my contract next year.
It’s difficult to fight the urge I have to return to the pit, hug Sophie, and save her all for myself. I want to seal us off from the world and the screwed-up people in it trying to keep us apart. How the hell am I supposed to pretend I don’t want to keep her after the season and not let her go back to Milan?
And damn if that thought doesn’t scare me more than anything else.
26
Sophie
I never spent time hanging out with little kids. Being an only child limited my exposure to their endless ideas and unfiltered mouths. Babysitting Liam’s nieces taught me how I freaking love kids, which was a total mindfuck out of nowhere.
No, I don’t have baby fever. But I love talking to them while coloring on the cement floor of the McCoy garage. We spend an hour together while Liam and Lukas race around the track.
They draw me pictures of their house. Elyse colors a ten-thousand-square-foot addition in the backyard for me （pool and convertible included） while Kaia draws a picture of me and her dad with a heart （sorry little lady, I have the hots for your uncle）。 They share stories about their mom （I shed a tear or ten for them） and how their dad makes the best mac and cheese （who knew Kraft could be considered gourmet）。 In an hour, these two blonde babies captured my heart and attention. Time flies by and I love every second of it.
I draw each of them a portrait to take home. Coloring opened them up to me, allowing them to tell me stories, both good and bad. An idea hits me to research more about art and kids once I head back to my hotel room later.
Kaia and Elyse look sad when their dad shows up with Onkel Niam.
“I should feel insulted at their frowns. Turns out you’re pretty good with kids after all.” Lukas shakes his head in disbelief.
“I know my beer shirt doesn’t portray me in the best light, but Liam gave me no time to change. Honestly, I loved them so much that I’d offer you money to keep them for a week, but I’m broke.” I already checked my bank account. A few shopping trips with Maya and booking a trip to Bora Bora sucked up the last bit of money I made during my strip poker night.
“Will you work for beer because this can be arranged?” Lukas smiles at me.
Liam smacks him across the back of his head. “Quit flirting with my girl.”
Two words make my heart clench. My girl.
Lukas looks at me sheepishly, a blush creeping up his neck. “Well…you can join us for whatever else Liam has planned.” He offers an invite before Liam says anything.
Liam shoots me a toothy grin that reaches his eyes. “What a good idea. I think Sophie will love what I planned next.”
Liam leads us out of the garage, telling us about his race day for the kids. He traded F1 cars for karts, which look like they came straight from a Mario Kart game, costumes included. My heart can’t catch a break as his nieces hug each of his legs.
Liam grabs a Bowser onesie while Lukas picks a Mario costume minus the mustache. I choose the green Yoshi onesie because both girls eye the Princess Peach and Daisy costumes, not that they’d fit my body anyway.
“Baby Zanders. What are the rules?” Liam gets into character, looking ridiculous yet amazing all at once.
I really like him. Like really, really like him.
“Have fun!” Kaia claps her hands. Liam holds up a finger, waiting for the other two answers.
“No hitting each other.” Another finger in the air when Elyse answers.
“And Onkel Niam no win.” Kaia raises her chubby fist.