I choke on my sudden intake of breath. “Two weeks?”
“I pulled some strings so they could meet with us sooner. I didn’t want to wait until January, and they were willing to compromise for you.”
“Did you threaten them?”
“Only in a nice way.”
I laugh, but the sound is off. Holy shit. I’m going to finally defend my case after years of hiding.
“You still there?”
“Yeah. I’m just shocked. You really want this to happen, don’t you?”
“Don’t you?”
I look over at Chloe and imagine her cheering me on at a race. Her in a Bandini shirt with my name written across it, smiling and enjoying herself with my family. There’s nothing I want more than to race again and have her be a part of the journey. Well, maybe to have her love me, but I don’t doubt she does. She only needs to realize it too.
James coughs, gaining my attention again.
“Yes. I want it.”
“Great. Then you better get ready for all the preparations we need to do. It’s going to be a crash course of questions and answers. Noah and I will guide you through the process so that way the Corp has nothing to challenge.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Honestly, I’m very proud of you, Santiago. No matter what they decide, you’re one of the strongest men I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
I clear my throat, trying to ease the tightness. “Oh, shucks. You’re going to make me cry.”
He laughs. “I’m just saying. You shocked me this summer. I didn’t think you’d actually want to pursue this after everything you’ve been through, but you did. You have a way of surprising me lately.”
I lean back in my chair and smile. “I like to keep you on your toes.”
“Then how about I keep you on yours and offer you the best news. Bandini is willing to extend a racing contract to you. It’s only for a year as a trial run because the investors are picky bastards, but if I have it my way, they’ll see how successful you are next season and offer you a permanent deal. You could be in a Bandini race suit as early as two weeks if the Corp says yes.”
The phone slips out of my hand and drops onto the floor.
Chloe looks up at me. “Are you okay?”
James continues speaking, but his voice comes out garbled because of the rug blocking the speaker. I remain seated, staring down at the floor.
Chloe stands and picks up my phone. She places it back in my trembling hand, wraps my fingers around it, and brings it to my ear.
“Did you get all that?” James continues.
“No. You’re going to have to repeat everything after ‘Bandini is willing to extend a racing contract.’ I think I just had a heart attack.”
James chuckles.
Bandini wants me back. Chloe takes a seat on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. Her presence calms me, forcing my heart back into its normal pace.
James explains everything all over again, and Chloe remains by my side, running her hands through the hair at the nape of my neck.
James confirms all the information for the next two weeks. I’m on autopilot, speaking only when absolutely necessary. It’s not until he hangs up the phone and Chloe tugs it out of my grasp that I finally move.
Chloe shifts on my lap, wrapping her arms back around my neck. “What happened?”
I bolt up from my chair, lifting Chloe up into the air and spinning us in a circle. Her scream turns into a laugh as I move round and round. The added weight bothers my stump, but I ignore it because who the hell cares right now.
“Bandini offered me a contract. They want me to race for them again!”
“WHAT?!”
I spin her around again, loving the way she laughs up to the ceiling. “James said it’s only for a year, but they want me to be the driver who replaces Noah if the Formula Corp approve me joining again.”
“Of course they’re going to say yes! You should see yourself out on the track. You’re absolutely incredible!” She peppers my face with a bunch of kisses.
“I couldn’t have done it without you. I never thought I would get in a car again, but you pushed me to try.”
“You pushed yourself. I only nagged you about it all.”
I set her back on her feet. “No. That only added to my motivation. But it wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for you forcing me in the best way to accept myself. So thank you.” I place a lingering kiss against her lips.
She secures her arms around the back of my neck, holding me close. A sheen covers her eyes, but she blinks it away. “Do you know how stupidly proud of you I am?”