Page 131 of Downforce

I continue to watch Annalise stand in the middle of the field, arms raised and cheering. I’m too far away to hear which child she’s rooting for, but knowing her, I’d put money on the fact that she’s cheering all of them on.

God, I love her.

“What did you say?” Harry laughs and looks toward Annalise. “Have you told her yet?”

I frown.

“That you’re in love with her.”

“Yes,” I say proudly.

“Well done, mate.” He chuckles

I do as well but a shadow soon falls over my smile. “Loyalty is important to her.”

“Loyalty?” he repeats.

“To her family.”

He nods. “And to you?”

I snort. “I don’t know if anyone has ever been loyal to me,” I say bluntly.

This is a fact of my life I’ve hesitated in recognizing. But being this deeply in love with Annalise has made avoiding it more and more impossible. Very few people in my personal or professional life have ever shown me loyalty. Motorsport is a highly competitive business. Everyone from my team principal to the team owners want one thing: results.

My father was the first one to tell me that as a child. He’d spent the better part of his career at Amato, and received much praise and accolades for his loyalty. However, he knew, better than anyone, that the team’s commitment only went so far as long as he was performing for them. There was always a new, younger racer eager to prove themself, waiting in the wings.

In my personal life, women were interested in me because of my name or my station. It was cool being on the arm of Severino Ferreira’s son or the hot driver at Krämer or whatever other team I raced for.

The lifestyle of fast cars, late nights in the flashiest cities and sites around the world, and access to some of the wealthiest people in the world, was the appeal, not me.

“You’re selling yourself short,” Harry says.

I hadn’t meant to speak all of my thoughts out loud.

He turns back to Annalise, who looks up at us and waves before she goes over to clap for and cheer for the children who’ve just finished their first race.

“You’re more than your father’s legacy. And your mother’s bullshit.” He looks me square in the eye. Apart from Annalise, Harry is the only other person who’s been a witness to my mother’s darker side when it comes to me.

“I know that,” I say honestly. I don’t see myself through the lens of either of my parents or my past relationships.

Still, it’s difficult to discern if and when someone is here for me and me alone.

“I doubt you have to worry about that with her.” He gestures toward Annalise, who’s headed our way.

“Hey, did you see that?” she asks, breathless but grinning from ear to ear.

The sight of her smile lights my entire chest up.

“They’re amazing. Randall in the green and white kart is going to give you a run for your money in about seven to eight years.” Annalise slaps my knee as she plops down beside me.

I pull her into my side with my arm slung over her shoulders.

“You think so, huh?” I narrow my eyes at the little bugger.

“He’s one of our stars.” Harry nods in approval. “You still have some time to leave your name in the history books,” he adds.

“His name is already in the history books.”