In the Spotlight (Max Verstappen - Book Two)

Chapter Thirty-Two

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"You did what?" Max exclaims as he's sat on the sofa in his living room and I smile sheepishly as I stood in front of him. It's the Wednesday before we go to Imola and I got back later last night than I had expected and so had only made my way around to his around midday where I had promptly sat him down and told him my news.

"I have co-founded a new IndyCar team," I repeat slowly as though I'm talking to an idiot causing him to glare at my stupid humour before his eyes widen.

"You're not joking?" I shake my head. "That's the project?" He asks and I nod.

"Part of it, Toto bought my management company idea from me a few years ago and it's finally coming to the realisation and so I am announcing that too. 88 Management Inc." I tell him awkwardly as I take in the way he is sat forward on the sofa, knees spread somewhat and arms resting on them, mouth kind of open. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner...it's just it's a risk and I know that and I was worried someone would try and talk me out of it but I really think it will pay off in the long term, I might even be able to get a team in W Series the year after next, especially if I get more investors and exposure for the project." I ramble on for a while as I explain the ethos to him, all the while he doesn't move.

"Who knows?" He asks curiously, considerably less dumbstruck than before, now just interested as I had explained more and more to him.

"Mm, well, other than the investors, Liv and Nick. That's it."

"Not Lewis?" I roll my eyes at the question and shake my head.

"No, not Lewis. Not my family, not anyone." I reassure him and he looks at me with scrutinising eyes, ones that I'm rather used to but hadn't seen for a while and I'm worried for a moment until a huge grin spreads across his face.

"Ellie this is awesome! Genuinely what the hell! It's such a cool project, I'm just annoyed I didn't think of it!" He says incredulously and I just smile and nod. "Everyone talks about having an F1 team but no one even has a racing team...why would you start at the top...why not work your way up! You're a genius! A genuine genius!" He exclaims his wide grin never faltering as he pushes himself up from the sofa and strides over to me, taking my now grinning face in his hands as he looks down at me affectionately. "You're amazing!" He whispers before swooping in to place a kiss on my lips which I melt into before he pulls away and wraps me in his arms, pulling me to his chest.  "We need to celebrate! Go out for dinner with me, I need to take you out to celebrate this!" He says insistently as he pulls away to peer down at me and I nod shrugging as he whoops once more. "When are you telling other people?"

"Er, I don't know. You were the first person I wanted to tell..." I mumble softly as we both fall onto the sofa and get comfortable. "I didn't really think after that, perhaps Daniel and Lewis...I don't know really. I do need to tell my parents still though..." I trail off in thought at the list of people to tell as I was told that everything was now sorted and licensed

"Why not call your parents now and then we can go out to dinner with the usual crowd, or at least those who are around? Oh, you should tell Sebastian too! He'll be buzzing!" Max says after a few moments and I smile nodding.

"Yes to all except the Sebastian bit, I don't need to tell him, he's one of the investors," I tell Max simply.

"Any other names linked to this project?" He asks me amusedly and I nod before listing on my fingers.

"Me, obviously, Toto, Sebastian, Kimi, Jensen and Helmut are all the non-corporate investors," I tell him and he looks at me surprised.

"Helmut...as in Helmut Marko? My Helmut?" I giggle at the phrase, 'my Helmut' as I nod pushing myself off the sofa and grabbing my phone where I had left it sitting on the coffee table a few minutes before.