Santiago looks toward his mother for help, but she shrugs and focuses her attention back on Marko. Smart woman. I’m tempted to go over there and join them.
“Mami’s not going to save you from this conversation. Just be honest with me. Do you miss it?” Maya turns back toward the TV.
One by one, the five lights above the cars shine before shutting off. The cars squeal as they speed past the grid and through the first corner. A dashboard camera gives fans and us the perfect view of Noah’s front wing as he passes the first straight. He speaks to his engineers, relaying stats off his steering wheel.
Santiago’s eyes remain glued on the TV. His body grows more tense as Noah goes around the circuit again and again. “Of course I do.” He speaks low, his voice barely a whisper under his breath.
“Then will you please at least check out the car he worked on? Please? If not for him, do it for me.” Maya’s eyes soften.
Santiago doesn’t look at his sister.
I tense as his eyes drop to mine. He clasps onto my hand, hiding the trembling from his family. His jaw tightens as he scans my face before focusing on his leg.
I grow uncomfortable as the silence continues. Giving Santiago some space, I focus my attention back on the race. Noah continues down the track. Everyone’s excitement grows, especially Marko’s, as his dad fights off the other racers. No one dares pass Noah’s car. I clap my hands together as Maya squeals in delight as he passes through the next lap without a problem. I look up at Santiago, expecting him to be watching the race, but his eyes are trained on me.
“I’ll test out the car under one condition.” Santiago speaks to his sister, but his eyes don’t leave my face.
Maya looks up from Marko at her brother. “What is it?”
“I’ll try the car if Chloe comes to the track with me.”
My mouth gapes open, and I take a deep breath. The sudden motion makes my lungs burn, and I cough. “Come again?”
Santiago’s frown grows into a smile as he nods his head. “I’ll test out the car if you come to the garage with me.”
Oh, fuck.
I guess Santiago isn’t done with me after all. Quite the opposite. This smug male is actually going to try to beat back his fears. And based on the way he’s staring at me, I can tell it’s more than just because of sex.
Something else lurks behind his eyes. I can’t figure it out no matter how long I stare at him. It seems like I was all wrong earlier, mistaking his silence as indifference. Rather, it turns out it was something much more dangerous.
Scheming.
I leave the party room to use the restroom while Santiago’s family celebrates Noah’s win. During my bathroom break, I connect to Bandini’s free Wi-Fi. My phone pings over and over again as Brooke’s texts flood my phone. Each has a different time stamp spread throughout today. I lean against the sink counter and open up my missed messages.
Brooke: I was in the shower this morning when I dropped my phone after I saw your face plastered all over the internet! The screen cracked and I stubbed my toe but it was worth the shock factor. Call me ASAP!! I WANT DETAILS.
Brooke: Seriously I’m jealous of your legs. They look a mile long. And that dress is a stunner by the way, and the guy next to you doesn’t look half bad. New sexy couple alert!
Brooke: Why haven’t you answered :（ Long distance relationships suck.
Brooke: I need to digest this information with you. Please tell me you got some action after looking like THAT last night.
Brooke: Okay your mom just stopped by while I was icing my toe. I’m kind of scared of how excited she looked when she mentioned your new beau. Call me!!
My stomach sinks. I can’t believe my mom stopped by unannounced. I rush to answer Brooke.
Me: Oh no. Did she say what she wanted?
Brooke: Hello to you too, Ms. I’m Too Famous for My Best Friend Now.
Brooke: And no. She kept it very discreet but she said she would be in touch with you. I got straight up shivers after she said that. Mother Dearest looked like a scary, strung-out motherfucker if I do say so myself. Don’t answer her if she calls you. Remember, talking to them is a reinforcer for bad behavior!
Me: I can’t ignore her stopping by our place again. Your strategy isn’t working.
I chew on my bottom lip as I wait for Brooke’s reply. The last thing I need is for my mother to stir up some trouble between Santiago and me. She may have fooled me in the past, but I’m not going to chalk up her stopping by my apartment as anything but a coincidence.
Brooke: I don’t recommend it because she’s a bitch, but if you really feel like you need to, then you should call her and put her in her place. I don’t mind shooing her away but the choice is yours.