Rush: Part One & Two (The Pitstop Series Book 3)
Rush: Part One & Two: Part 1 – Chapter 16

Adrian and Dad stand in front of me, the picture of a Formula One car in Dad’s hands. They have been quizzing me on the names of the parts for the past week. It is surprisingly easy for me, even though I’m only nine years old and some of the words are difficult to pronounce. Dad starts to point at the different parts, and I name them with ease.

“Front wing, rear wing, engine intake,” I say as he continues to move his finger over the page. “Suspension, disc brake, also engine intake, brake cooling intake,” I go on, and a proud smile appears on his face.

“That’s correct,” Adrian tells me, but I need Dad to reassure me. He knows more than my brother.

“You’re absolutely right. The mechanics who work on the car would be very pleased with you. Maybe if you can’t become a driver, you can be a mechanic,” he assures me, and I frown.

“Why wouldn’t I be able to become a driver?” I ask, confused. Dad always tells me he believes in me.

“Because it is difficult to become a Formula One driver. If it were easy, everyone would do it, but they can’t. There are many factors involved, and, sadly, talent is not the main one. However, I strongly believe you have what it takes to live your dream. Just like I believe in your brother.” He stops and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.” This is one of the rare moments he ever shows affection. When he does, he makes sure I will never forget it. I hug him as fiercely as I can.

“I love you, Daddy,” I say, and he hugs me back.

“I love you, too, little champion.”

Adrian takes me with him to work this Thursday morning. Today is an autograph session and press conference. I haven’t spoken to Gabriel or seen him in two days, but I’m sure I can no longer avoid him unless I don’t want to see Adrian at all. I remind myself I might also see James and Eduardo and immediately feel better.

James briefly greets me before I get into the car with him, Adrian, and Daniel. We arrive at the track and walk toward the paddock. I smile brightly as I take in my surroundings. Here is where I’m meant to be, where I want to spend years of my life. Looking at the track and feeling it underneath my fingertips as I bend down has always been my highlight from the race weekend. This is all my grandfather and I have wanted, but only Adrian gets to live his dream.

“Valentina.” My heart stops. What in the hell could he possibly want from me? “Can we talk?” he asks, and I look at him with an annoyed expression.

“I told you not to speak to me,” I snap at him, and he flinches. “I’m busy forgetting about you.”

“I think I can help with that.” I spin around in surprise to see Eduardo standing behind me, wearing his Red Bull shirt and a pair of plain, black jeans. His bronze skin looks lovely in the blue color of his shirt. I smile at him, relieved he is interrupting. His sunglasses are on his face, and the smirk on his lips is inviting. Eduardo greets me with a kiss on the cheek, and the displeasure is evident on Gabriel’s face. “I look forward to our date tonight,” Eduardo informs me, and I bite my bottom lip before grinning victoriously.

“Me, too,” I reply, and he squeezes my hand before walking away, turning around one more time to smile at me.

“You’re going out with him? He’s like ten years older than you.” I can’t tell if he’s sad or angry.

“Seven, and why do you care? You’ve made it pretty clear you’re not right for me.” I try to walk away, but he wraps his hand around my elbow and pulls me back. “What? What do you want?” We’re making a scene in front of everyone, which is probably why he leads me out of sight to a private room. “Stop it, just stop.” He lets go of my hand immediately. “Three years of friendship, all ruined because you are not mature enough to deal with feelings. So, Gabriel Matteo Biancheri, go fuck yourself because I am done.” I am out of breath, and it feels like a weight lifts off my chest. My bottled-up emotions are spilling everywhere, but I don’t care anymore.

“I can’t give you what you need, what you deserve. I need you to see that for yourself.” He’s way too calm about something so heavy.

“Oh my god, you are ridiculous. Telling someone who has feelings for you something like that doesn’t make the feelings suddenly disappear.” It hurts them, breaks their heart, it can even destroy them. Lucky for me, I did not give him such power over me. I’m smarter than that. I feel the need to tell him all this, but he doesn’t deserve to hear it. Gabriel is studying my face closely, and his expression is soft.

“Please don’t go out with Eduardo.” I blink a couple of times because if I start counting down out loud, as I do with Adrian, he might think I’m crazy.

“What?” I bark, and he takes a step back when I move closer to him, my hands balled into fists. “You are out of your goddamn mind.” I push him out of the way and open the door.

“I am out of my mind,” he pleads, and I shut the door once more. “I want what’s best for you,” he explains.

“Okay, then why can’t you be what’s best for me?” I challenge, and his fingers appear on my arm before he slowly spins me around.

“All I do is upset you,” he replies, shame laced in his words. His face falls, and I lift my hands to his cheeks to force his eyes to meet mine. Gabriel never shies from being vulnerable with me, which is one of the things I admire most about him.

“Because you push me away, and you don’t need to,” I whisper, and his hands wrap around my wrists. I lean forward, but he backs away, sending a brief and sharp pain through my chest.

“Val, I can’t,” he mutters, and I let out a sigh.

“That’s fine, Gabriel. You tell me you want to be with me but can’t, and it’s fine. There are people who do want me, and even if there weren’t, I don’t have to stand here and fight with your indecisiveness,” I snap and leave him before he can say anything in response.

I’ve wanted Gabriel to have feelings for me for three years, but I never thought they’d be so complicated. This whole situation is a mess, and he needs to figure out what he wants. I won’t stand in the way of it, but I also won’t wait. My feelings are strong, but they most certainly do not control me.

I go back outside and find Adrian standing with his strategists and engineers. He looks concerned, but he is busy and doesn’t talk to me. I don’t mind since I am just searching for a distraction. I talk to a few people on Adrian’s team and make conversation about the new front wing of the car. The people I speak to are mechanics and listening to them explain its workings is fun. I’ve been studying Formula One cars since I can remember, and Grandpa always took me to work. He was a consultant for McLaren after he retired, and he used to explain everything to me. I was little and barely understood anything, but now, I am fluent in the language they speak. It’s a beautiful connection I still have to him and my father. Even though Dad was barely ever home, we still had good moments. He worked in different areas for Formula One. First as a driver and then as a reporter, until the day he died. It’s been seven years since his death, and I miss him every day, though not even close to how much I miss Grandpa.

The day is long and exhausting, and I am excited when I finally get back to the hotel room and start to get ready for my date. After the disaster with Gabriel, I’m looking forward to a carefree dinner.

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