Page 143 of Downforce

“No, Mom. It’s true. I’ve been giving Max every pointer I can think of,” I say. “I mean, it’s not like you two aren’t on the same damn team or anything and your team principal shares your strategy with the both of you,” I scream at him.

“No, it’s all me, telling him every little thing about your approach to racing so he can win. You’re the only topic of conversation between us.

“I lay in bed at night thinking about the next tip I can give him to beat you because my entire life revolves around you.”

I’m heaving by the time I finish.

Travis remains quiet, eyes narrowed at me for almost a full minute.

“I guess you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

“Travis.” Dad’s voice is grim, heavy with the tension between my brother and I right now.

“Because you’re fired,” Travis finishes before turning his back on me and walking away.

CHAPTER 38

Annalise

“So, now that you’re unemployed you can come and work with me,” Jen says as we sit across from one another underneath a sun umbrella, among the twinkling candle centerpieces and overlooking the Monte-Carlo Bay.

We’re at one of Jen’s favorite French restaurants to visit whenever she’s in town.

“I’m not unemployed.”

She deadpans, “Your brother fired you. Two weeks ago. And the last time I checked, you hadn’t gotten another job, so that means you’re unemployed.”

“When you put it like that,” I mumble before dipping the piece of Lebanese bread I just tore from the loaf between us into the garlic hummus and popping it into my mouth.

Travis and I have barely spoken since Lucky’s birthday, despite everyone from our parents, to Alyssia, Chloe, and Tristan trying to mediate between the two of us.

But the last thing I’m going to do is beg my brother for my job back. Or to speak to me.

“What if,” Jen starts, “this is an opportunity for you?”

“What kind of opportunity?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.”

I snicker despite the gloomy mood that’s hung over me the past two weeks.

“You didn’t want to remain your brother’s assistant for the rest of your life,” she says. “You want more, and I’m still trying to figure out why you won’t admit that to yourself.”

“There’s nothing to admit,” I counter. “Travis was in a bad spot a couple of years ago. He had a shitty assistant, and I had just left the firm. It was a no-brainer.”

“That was more than three years ago, and I know for a fact in that time, you could’ve found someone capable of handling your brother’s schedule.”

“You say that like I’m above an assistant. As if an assistant role isn’t an important job or viable career opportunity,” I say more firmly than intended.

She holds up her hands, pushing away from the table.

“You know that’s not what I mean. I’d be lost without my assistant, the same way I know your brother is lost without you right now. But you don’t have to be the one to fill that gap for him anymore. Not when you want different.”

“What? Like to be a sports agent?” I snort, half laughing.

“Yes, exactly. Like a sports agent. You and I both know you have what it takes,” she says, vehemently. “You’re in the perfect position to pivot into an agent for motorsport athletes.”

This isn’t anything she hasn’t already said to me, but for some reason it now seems more imminent. More like the most reasonable path, which makes nervousness and tension crawl through me like ants underneath my skin.