GREENE | CS55

36 - Close the Door

"What the fuck is she doing!" Pierce's hand trembled as she spoke, scrutinizing the photo. Her fingers pinched and slid across the screen, zooming in and out until her eyes burned.

She knew she shouldn't have felt as shocked as she did. As hurt as she did. The trembling, then, that she felt as it attacked in waves from her core. There was no feeling like it. The familiar quickening of her breath, the gaps between each shallow one growing shorter the more Pierce let herself envision the day they must have had. Sydney, swindling her way on the court with her father, no doubt, who Pierce knew was a friend of Sainz Sr's.

Pierce locked her phone, the sheer, raw, cruel envy catapulting the device from her grip, sending the phone skidding across the surface of the table between Pierce and Tatianna, who jumped in her place in response.

Whether Carlos enjoyed Sydney's company enough to let her post that photo - Pierce didn't want to know.

Plain and simple. It wasn't her business, anymore. She wouldn't let Sydney rile her up like this, which was typical of her to try and do. Especially in a time like this, where Pierce couldn't afford to be so emotionally invested in the affairs of anything other than racing.

She couldn't spin out of control again. On-track, and off-track.

"I don't know, Pierce. I had no clue when she said she was hanging out with her dad that it meant Carlos as well." Tatianna drawled, tensing at the presumptive mention of Carlos' name, still apprehensive as to if he was the reason Pierce was reacting the way she was. Pierce lifted her head, buried in the crook of her elbow against the table, just enough to look up at Tatianna. At the turning of her wheels, evident in the contorting of her face. The locked clench that her teeth had her bottom lip locked in. Like she was taking a leap from a high diving board, Tatianna continued. "Pierce?"

Pierce sat back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest, preparing herself for the question Tatianna had written all over her face.

"Forgive me for asking, but... what's the big deal if Sydney hangs out with Carlos, anyway?"

"The big deal is she's a maniacal, conniving..." Pierce swept her head from side to side, feeling the anger boil through her veins. She let out a scoff in conclusion, immediately regretting it once she saw the look of guilt on her friend's face. Pierce softened, leaning forward slightly and letting her hands fall to her lap. Tatianna was all she had, right now. And realistically, all she wanted, at this moment.

Tatianna, who had asked her if she wanted to have brunch before heading to the airport together. Going so far as to offer to meet her at the Fairmont, and not complaining in the slightest when Pierce expressed that she didn't want to fuss around with Monaco more than she had to— landing them in the restaurant at the Fairmont after shoving Tatianna's bags in Pierce's room.

Pierce sighed, "No, you know what? You're so right. It's no big deal at all." She lowered her voice enough that the passing waiters couldn't pick up on the distinct statement.

"Well, I didn't exactly say—"

"If it's what he wants, let him! Why would I care?"

Tatianna raised her brow, again, knocking a wind of regret through Pierce. They'd been here before. Pierce holding back information, especially regarding her love life. If she could have done anything differently these past few months, it'd be telling Tatianna about her and Carlos sooner.