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

“Ma chérie?”

I step into my shoes when I see Gabriel leaning against my doorframe, admiring my appearance with his arms crossed in front of his chest and a smirk on his face.

“Haven’t you ever heard of knocking? What if I was indecent?” He chuckles as he walks closer to me.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before,” he explains in such an arrogant and cocky way, I can’t help the next words leaving my lips.

“What if I was touching myself?” I ask, and he bites his bottom lip.

“You would call me first because you know I’d take care of that for you.” He’s got an answer for everything, which pisses me off as much as it makes me smile. “Now, I would love to continue this, but your guests are waiting for you downstairs.”

I nod, but nervosity is settling in my stomach now. A lot of people are going to be there, and it is beginning to unsettle me.

When I reach the bottom of the steps, I’m greeted by everyone. Each and every one of them comes up to say ‘Happy Birthday’. Evangelin hugs me and tells me how happy she is for the opportunity she heard I’ve received. Cameron introduces me to Elijah, a gorgeous dark-skinned man with brown eyes. Elijah is a lot taller than me, which is why I have to look up at him when he speaks.

Lorenzo and his wife Maria come up to me next, and I have a captivating conversation with both of them. The Ferrari team principal informs me personally of his decision and offer before handing me a contract he demands I read as thoroughly as possible. I assure him I will, placing the papers on the stairs.

Domi and Nicolette grab my attention then.

The whole time I talk to them, or anyone, I can’t help the bubble of sadness rising in my throat. I had a feeling James wasn’t going to come, but I would have never expected him not to call.

“Valentina,” Andrea says, walking up to me and wrapping their arms around me. “Lorenzo has informed me of his decision. I’m so proud of you!” I hug them back, happiness consuming me like it always does now at the mention of my success.

“Thank you for coming. I’m so glad to see you,” I say, earning me a smile from them.

Lucie and Haru appear next to Andrea, grinning at each other like the two people in love they are. They shift their gazes to me eventually to make conversation.

“I hope you’ll invite us to one of your races next year,” Lucie says, her accent thick.

“Of course.”

An arm wraps around my waist, pulling me against the owner’s chest.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help myself. You, in that dress, have me at your mercy,” he whispers into my ear.

I smile while I attempt to listen to Haru tell me how things have been at the academy. I keep getting distracted by Gabriel’s warmth and mahogany scent, but I manage to nod every so often to show my attention is on Haru.

“You’re kidding! Holy shit, Val!” I hear Cameron scream from beside me where he’s speaking to my brother and Leonard.

He skips over to where I’m standing, picking me up and raising me into the air.

“I’m so fucking excited!” he yells, and I let out a joy-filled laugh that vibrates through the whole room.

He drops me back onto my feet, making sure to be gentle, and presses a big, wet kiss on my cheek.

“Adrian told you?” I ask, giving my brother a teasing angry look. He shrugs, his smile bright and contagious.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me, but I want to tell everyone,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck in response.

I give him another scolding expression, and he chuckles.

“Hey, you’re going to be the first woman racing in F1 for an entire season, Val. It’s a big deal, and you should be very proud!” Adrian says, and everyone in the room starts applauding for me.

My cheeks heat up in an instant, and I feel the urge to bury my face in my boyfriend’s neck to hide from the attention.

“Let’s pop some champagne, yeah?” Gabriel interrupts, bringing everyone’s focus to him.

“Thank you,” I whisper, and he leans down to kiss the bridge of my nose.

“I know my woman,” he says, and I blush.

“I love you.”

Before he can reply, my eyes drift from his face and land on James as he walks through the front door. I step out of my boyfriend’s arms and rush over to my best friend so I can have his wrapped around me.

When he sees me, he lets out a long breath, and I see relief wash over his face. He gives me a firm hug, his head resting on my shoulder.

“Happy Birthday,” James mumbles against my skin.

“Thank you for coming.” I pull back and put my hands on his shoulders.

“I’m sorry, things have been hectic, and I needed some time to figure everything out by myself. I shouldn’t have gone MIA, forgive me,” he says while I study his tired features.

“Don’t apologize, I’m not upset.” A sad smile spreads over his lips as he takes my hand to kiss the palm of it. “I have so many questions,” I admit.

“Tomorrow, darling. Tonight, let’s celebrate your birthday.” I squeeze his shoulders before he hands me a present. “Read the card later, please,” he says, and I nod.

I take his hand and lead him inside the house. Leonard gives me a brief squeeze on the shoulder as I walk by him, congratulating me on my seat, which I told him about through text yesterday. At least he’s one person besides Gabriel I got to tell myself.

My boyfriend walks up to us, handing the Brit a glass of champagne. I let go of James’ hand and take Gabriel’s, but he wraps his arm around my shoulders instead. He taps my collarbone, and I lift my hand, allowing him to take it and intertwine our fingers.

We make casual conversation until Gabriel makes us sit down to eat the catered meal. The decorations are wonderful. He placed sunflowers all over the rooms, there are banners with my name hung on almost every wall, and he picked out some brown and yellow tones for the table decorations to match the sunflowers.

“This is stunning,” I say to Gabriel, who pulls out the chair for me and then pushes it back in when I’ve sat down.

“Anything for you, chérie,” he replies before Lorenzo Mattia grabs my attention.

I love that my friends and family are all here to celebrate me, but whenever I turn my head, someone else is trying to make conversation. I’m convinced my social battery is going to run out long before the evening is over.

“I need you to read over the contract as soon as possible so we can get you ready to start working with the team in Austria for the next race,” Lorenzo says, and I nod with more enthusiasm than is necessary.

“I will look over the contract with her tomorrow,” James chimes in, and I realize Adrian must have told him too because I haven’t had the chance yet.

I look at my brother, who immediately turns his head away from me to hide the guilty expression on his face.

“Big mouth,” I call out in French, and Gabriel snickers next to me.

We both know my brother is the worst at keeping secrets out of everyone we know.

The food is delicious and for dessert, Gabriel carries a three-tier chocolate cake over to me, candles burning on top. Everyone sings to me first in English, then in French. Gabriel kisses me after I blow out the candles, and we all enjoy the cake.

After dinner, we scatter around the room, and I try to find Evangelin.

“Do you know where Evangelin is?” I ask Carlos, and the former F1 champion gives me an unreadable expression.

“She went outside to get some air,” he says, and I go there to check on her.

I would have never expected to find her like this…