Rush: Part One & Two (The Pitstop Series Book 3)

“You can do it, little champion, push!” Grandpa yells, and I hold my head in the same straining position, working all of the muscles in my neck. “And, relax,” he says, and I let out the groan I’ve been holding back. “Well done!” He pats me on the shoulder while I try to catch my breath. “The new karting league champion is only improving. The other racers better watch out because you’re going to triumph over all of them soon enough.” I take the bottle of water he hands me and beam up at him.

“Adrian better watch out then,” I tease, and my brother winks at me from the other side of the room where he is lifting weights.

He hardly speaks when we train. Grandfather mostly focuses on me, trusting Adrian to know what he’s doing now that he drives in F3. It’s my dream to get to where my big brother is.

Grandfather looks between us before settling down on the bench, a serious expression on his tired face.

“I need to speak to you both about something,” he starts, and, by his tone, I can tell this won’t be good. Adrian and I sit down on the floor in front of him. “It’s been a few weeks now since your father passed away, and it’s time I told you what he put into his will,” he goes on, and I swallow hard when tears fill his eyes. My grandfather has never cried in front of us, ever. “He wants you to move in with your mother’s sister, Carolina.” My heart splits into a million pieces.

“No. I want to stay with you. I don’t want to leave you,” I beg, tears rolling down my cheeks. Adrian takes my hand, but his attention is on Grandpa.

“Monaco is our home. Why are you making us leave? What about my career? What about Val’s?” my brother asks, and I nod as if to say ‘See, you can’t send us away’.

“There is nothing I can do. I tried to fight it, get custody to keep you here, but Carolina accepted. I’ve tried everything, my loves. I’m so sorry, but you can come to visit. Adrian, you will travel back and forth as much as you need for races. It will work, don’t worry.” This doesn’t make either of us feel better. “We’ll see each other, I promise.” I cry harder then, wrapping my arms around his neck to hold onto him, this life, for as long as I can.

“I don’t want to be apart from you,” I sob as he wraps his arms around me.

We’re all he has left in the world and vice versa. Aunt Carolina means nothing to us. We don’t know her, and I don’t want to either, not if it means leaving Grandpa all alone in this big house. This isn’t fair.

Haven’t we lost enough?

No one is at the academy when I arrive the next morning. My fear of showing up late anywhere combined with my inability to sleep when I’m nervous woke me up very early. I tug on my yoga pants a few times and then fix the Ferrari shirt they gave us in the welcome bag yesterday. It’s for working out, but I’m a bit scared I’ll be the only one wearing it.

“Valentina, you’re early,” Andrea says, their Italian accent even thicker in the mornings.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I have a habit of showing up too early in order not to be late,” I explain or ramble, I’m not sure which fits my fast words better. They smile at my tomato-red cheeks before signaling for me to go with them.

“Personally, I appreciate punctuality. Rather show up before than too late, like Mr. Crovetto,” they reply and stop in front of me.

For some reason, and I can’t explain it, I feel comfortable around Andrea. There is a warmth about them that reassures me everything will be fine.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Don’t tell him I said that. I have a feeling he’ll tell his father about it, and I’d still like to visit Monaco in the summer.” I let out a small laugh before assuring them I will keep my lips sealed. “Come with me. I would like to show you something.”

I follow with hesitation because we’re walking downstairs to the cars again. Andrea leads me to my father’s, pointing at something written on a faded sticker inside. For Adrian and my little champion. My heart sinks into my stomach.

“I saw it after you left yesterday. I thought you’d like to see it too.”

“I did, thank you,” I manage to croak out, but I’m trying my best to hide how deeply this both hurt and healed me.

Dad wasn’t the best father, but he loved us. If only he could have shown it before he passed away.

“May I?” I ask, gesturing toward the car.

“Sure, but it stays between us.” I give them a small nod and smile, my hand gliding over the cool metal.

The feeling brings me right back to the first time Dad took me to his garage as a child. There is nothing I’d love more than to forgive him for what he’s put Adrian and me through. Yet, knowing he took us from Grandpa to make us live with an abusive aunt will prevent me from ever reaching forgiveness.

“What, so because her daddy was the driver, she gets to touch the car?”

It’s too early for me to deal with Christian’s horrible personality, especially because I’m vulnerable right now. I raise all of my walls and drop my hand, straightening out my back as I get up.

“Careful, Andrea,” I say and point at the floor where he’s standing. Christian’s eyes follow where I’m gesturing toward as I say, “Don’t slip on the slime he’s leaving behind.”

Andrea sucks in a sharp breath as they try not to laugh. I’m definitely enjoying that they seem to be on my side. When I walk past Christian, I pretend to lose balance a little, as if I’m the one who ‘slipped’.

“Might have to put up a sign.” The words are meant for our instructor, but my eyes are on his.

“We both know, in reality, you’re actually into me, and it scares you,” he replies, smirking. My body cringes from disgust.

“Not even if you were the last living, breathing thing in the universe.”

“Okay, enough you two. Let’s take this energy and put it into our morning run, yes?” Andrea asks, but I don’t break eye contact yet.

I’ve never wished to be taller as much as I do at this moment. Christian is at least a head bigger than me, which is irritating when I’m trying to be intimidating. His smile makes me want to tackle him to the ground. It says ‘I’ve gotten everything I’ve ever wanted, never experienced any real pain, and have no human decency’.

“After you, Tina.” Don’t kick him in the balls. Don’t do it. He’s a royal. You’ll get arrested. I fake a smile instead.

“I hope you trip on your horrible personality and land on your face, asshole,” I reply in Spanish because it’s the only other language I’m fluent in that he doesn’t understand.

As planned, his smile fades. There is nothing better than to wipe the arrogance off his face.

Training starts soon after everyone arrives. Haru and Lucie each give me a hug when they see me. We stay in a group of three for the run since it is untimed for today, simply to test our endurance. Andrea wants to make it a game. Whoever can go the longest gets to train in the simulator first. The rest will have to do analysis work.

Haru and Lucie keep talking as we do the same lap over and over, which is probably why they are the first two to give up and sit at the side. Christian goes at a much slower tempo, almost walking while the rest of us keep a good pace.

According to my watch, it’s been almost an hour by the time only Christian and I are left. Naturally, he has to start matching my speed to stay next to me then.

“Give up, Tina. You won’t win today, and you won’t get the seat either. You’re just a little girl, nothing more,” he says, but his voice is strained and reveals how exhausted he is.

“Ah, yes, the sexism, very original, Christopher,” I reply, and he gives me a confused look when I use a wrong name to address him. If he can’t say my real one, I won’t use his either.

“Alright, you two! Sprint to me, whoever is first, wins!” Andrea says, but Christian’s reaction time is slower than mine.

I get enough of a head start to make it to our instructor long before he does. Andrea lifts their hand for me, and I high-five them.

“Nice job, Romana,” they say, and I feel happiness take over.

Like the little baby he is, Christian goes to complain about it not being fair because those weren’t the original instructions and rules.

“It’s all about training your mind to react, Christian. You have a lot to learn from Valentina.” This makes him ball his hands into fists.

“It wasn’t fair!” I roll my eyes at him.

“Someone get him a bottle, for Christ’s sake,” Lucie chimes in, and Haru falls over from laughter.

“How sweet. You got yourself an admirer. Girls supporting girls, woohoo.” His voice is condescending, disgusted. Christian truly is the definition of ‘sexist’.

“Do us a favor and crack a book, Christiano, preferably one on feminism,” I spit, but he walks away without saying another word.

“Well then, the rest of you, follow me. Your day has just begun,” Andrea announces, making everyone but me groan.

They might be tired, but I’ve never felt more awake.