Keep Me In | DR3 | BOOK 1

28 - Action in 3...2...1...

"But that doesn't mean I don't want to keep trying," he said suddenly, his tone lighter than it had been previously. "Look, next weekend is free for me. Why don't I fly ou-"

"Yes! Yes; a million times, yes! Whatever I can do to make this happen, I'll do it."

--

"Oh god, Shark, there are so many cameras here. And crew, everywhere! I don't know what to do with myself."

"Dad, you sat on a stage last night and presented yourself to tons of people in person, on top of millions of people online. And you killed it! People love you! Remember, today the focus is on the car and the drivers. You're in the clear."

"I'm going to shit myself."

I sighed into the phone, "Are you even listening to me? Just follow Zak's lead, Dad. You'll be fine." I held the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I dug through my purse, trying to find my key to the Hangar. Where is that thing hiding? I swear I need a new keychain just for the Hangar key. I had my hands full - both literally and figuratively. It was only 8 AM, they hadn't even began filming over at Silverstone and Dad was already falling apart. I was thankful we had the kind of relationship where he could call me venting like he was, but currently I needed a second to arrange myself. I had him on the phone, a hot coffee from a drive-thru on the way up in my hand, and a half-eaten breakfast wrap taking up a large amount of real estate in my Prada bag. Probably the reason you can't find your key, dumbass.

"There are hoards of people waiting at the gate. I can't even bring myself to lo-"

"Ah, fuck!"

"Why? What happened?"

I froze, taking a moment to civilize the violent thoughts coursing through my brain, as the heat from the coffee I had spilt onto my right foot (and a better part of my shins) sank in. I took a deep breath, realizing I had been hunched over ridiculously. Of course I would spill my coffee. I stood straight, letting the cool air do its job on my temper, and my dampened areas.

"No big deal, just spilt my coffee. All over myself," I looked down now, taking in the scene, frowning. "Dad, I've got to go. You're going to be fine, alright? Keep me updated."

"Aw, Shark. Are you alright? Why don't you just take today, come down to Silverstone. I'll have a pass ready fo-"

"Dad, I would love to be there, truly. But I have such a busy day today. I've got 4 showings, and," I stammered, gasping for breath. "I just have to go, okay? I love you."

"Love you the most, Alexa. I'll text you, let you know how it all goes," Dad took a breath, I could hear he was smiling, albeit at my expense.

Dad hung up, and I let out a final sigh of exasperation. Get yourself together. I closed my eyes, shook my head a couple of times, and decided to let this pass. What's a little spilt coffee? I had too busy a day to be worried about soiled pants. I dumped my phone into my pocket, the tips of my fingers detecting a familiar metal feel. I chuckled to myself, pulling out the object in question.

"There's the fucker," I clicked my tongue, finding the key in the very pocket I just shoved my phone into. I pulled it out, disabling the silent alarm as I entered the Hangar, and went on with my day.

I realized I had a change of pants that I had left here months ago (unintentionally - I needed to change out of them to go straight to an event) that I swapped myself into, and managed to dry off a majority of the coffee from my leather boot; at least to the point where it didn't smell like espresso anymore. I would deal with cleaning it properly later. I sat at my desk, now comfortable, settled, and ready to tackle the day. I had my computer started up, and went through my list of things to do today.