Chapter Thirty Nine

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I'm out of bed before my alarm goes off and i'm showered, dressed and locking the door earlier than planned which is fortuitous given the extra traffic on my journey. I have two schedules running through my head - work and Joe.

My plan is to get to the paddock early - catch up with work until Joe arrives, and then it'll be a combination of both as I'm helping with filming Joe visiting the garages, but James is going to edit the content so that I can stay with Joe and watch the race with him. I'll check on stuff through the day before taking Joe back to the nursing home later. That is if everything goes to plan today...

First stop at The Motorhome is coffee - i'm going to need plenty to get through today. It's quiet, with not many people around just yet and I take the opportunity to get my laptop set up and go through my checklist for today. The ball of nerves in my stomach seems to grow as I think of my worlds colliding - I try to keep my life with Joe separate to work with only those close to me understanding the full extent of the support I have to give him, but today that won't be so easy and everyone will know this side of me by the end of today. I look up to see Jono enter The Motorhome - my brow creases as I check the time - he's here much earlier than expected for a driver. He must see the confusion on my face as he answers my unspoken question.

"I couldn't sleep, you know - home race day. Also, I know today is a big one for you, and wanted to try and catch you before it gets too crazy. How are you doing?" I can see the warmth and softness in his face as he sits down opposite me.

"I'm ok. Anxious, but ok." I manage - the wobble in my voice betraying me. I try desperately to hide how I really feel about Jono but it's hard when he's being so kind to me. I look up through my lashes at him, instinctively blushing as his eyes bore into my soul. His hand reaches out to brush my shoulder and I can feel the electricity between us. I have to remind myself about my resolve before my heart runs away with itself again.

"Annie. It's ok if you're anxious. I know Joe is going to have an amazing day. Just ignore work - get James and Matt to post some topless photos of Lorenzo and that'll keep people busy all day. You'll do great - I know you will. So, anyway - I'm going to get a drink - meeting my performance coach in 10. Do you want one?"

"I'm good - thank you." I say, pointing down to my very large coffee mug. "What about you? How are you doing?" I ask before he leaves the table. I watch as his hand tightens on the back of the chair before he mindlessly brushes at the stitching with his fingers.

"Yeah, pole position. Home race. Contract negotiations still going on...it's a lot." he laughs, but I can see a conflict in his eyes as he smiles at me.

"Contract negotiations? So you're staying at Bianchi?" I ask, unable to stop myself. "Sorry - you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." I add.

"It's ok - it's just not the best place to discuss it. We're getting there, but i'm still not happy with a couple of things. Stipulations. I should have things tied up soon, but it sort of depends on the next couple of races before the break."

"Then I'm sending extra good luck your way." I manage, thinking back to our conversation in Austria. I can't help but wonder what the stipulations are, or what he's unhappy with, but Jono's a big boy, and he'll make the right decision.

It might also help me make the choice on my own future. I smile up at him as he walks back to the hospitality area to get himself a drink, and I watch as his coach arrives along with Matt and James.

I wave across The Motorhome at my team and they join me at the table - James has brought me another coffee, knowing me well enough by now that he doesn't even check if I need one, and we begin with a run through of content for today and what i'll be able to do around my day with Uncle Joe.

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