“So, hire India to work for you. You’re clearly having another mental break, and you could do with a staged intervention from a professional.”
I give him the middle finger. “Look, even if I did make up some imaginary job and somehow got India to give her career up to come and work for me—which I would never do because I’m not that much of a selfish bastard—she has Jett. He has school. She needs to be in London, and I need to be there with her.”
Carrick slumps back in his chair and takes a sip of his beer. “You’re really serious then?”
“Yes, I’m really serious.” I start to pick at the label on my bottle.
“Just…don’t make any rash decisions. Talk to India first, see what she thinks.”
“I’ll discuss it with her when I get back home.”
“Good. God, it’ll be weird without you around. It was strange last year when you weren’t on the track, bugging the fuck out of me, getting in my way.”
“Love you, too, Ryan.” I smirk at him.
“Yeah, well, don’t expect me to give you a pity win for this championship, so you can go out on a high.”
“Ha! Like you need to. I’m kicking your ass, and you know it.”
“Fuck you, Silva. I’m gonna kick your arse on Sunday. My car’s performing like a dream. And I have the best mechanic on my side.”
“Yes, you do.” I have to agree with that. Andi is one of the best mechanics around. There was a time, just before my accident, when I was considering how to poach her from him.
“Don’t worry though. If you do retire, I’ll make sure you’re remembered for being a great driver. Second to me of course.”
Laughing at him, I take a sip of my beer.
“So, what will you do, if you do decide to go?” Carrick asks with genuine curiosity.
“I don’t know.” I rest my bottle on my thigh. “I’ll have to do something though, or I will go out of my mind with boredom while India is at work.”
“You could always take up drinking and whoring around like you did last year.”
“You’re a prick.”
“I know.” He smirks. “But, in all seriousness, you know my dad gave his job up when I was younger, so he could be there full-time for my career.”
“And what does that have to do with me retiring?”
“Well, Jett is showing a real interest in karting, and the kid’s really good. He’s got real natural talent. You could help him hone it, get him racing, entering competitions, building his reputation. That’d keep your retired arse busy. I know my racing kept my dad busy. Still does. And at least you’d still be a part of the racing circuit, so I’d get to see your ugly face around.”
“I suppose I could. But it would depend on that being what Jett wants.”
“A racing-obsessed kid getting the chance for Leandro Silva to coach him. Yeah, I’m sure he’d turn it down.” He chuckles.
I’m pondering Carrick’s suggestion when a throat clears beside me. I turn my head, and my eyes meet with a huge pair of tits. I mean, they’re literally in my face.
I tilt my head back to find the chick who’s been eye-fucking me from the bar now standing over me.
“You’re Leandro Silva, right?”
She sounds English. She must be here for the race. She clearly knows who I am. Surprised she hasn’t clocked Carrick though.
“I am.” I give her a congenial smile so not to come off as a bastard. I still have a public profile to keep up.
“Could I have my picture taken with you?”
“Sure.” I hold back the sigh I feel. The last thing I want is to have my picture taken with a chick who is probably aiming to get in my pants.
“Bev!” she calls to her friend at the bar. “Come take the pic for me.”
Her friend comes wobbling over on her high heels, clearly well on her way to being drunk. She gives me the eye as she takes the camera from Big Boobs next to me.
Big Boobs puts her arm around my waist, sliding in close to me. “My name’s Andrea,” she says, trying to sound sexy.
All it does is make me cringe. “Nice to meet you, Andrea.” I give her a friendly smile. “Are you a racing fan?”
“No, my boyfriend is. He’s a big fan. His company got him tickets for the race, so he and his best mate are watching. They brought me and Bev along with them for the weekend.”
“Sounds nice.” I look ahead, ready to have my picture taken so I can get back to my beer.
“Not really, but my weekend’s been made, meeting you.”
I flash her a smile, and then my eyes look forward again. Her friend is taking for-fucking-ever to take the picture.
“So, my boyfriend is out at dinner, schmoozing some clients for his company while he’s here.” She leans in, whispering in my ear, “Meaning my hotel room is empty for the next few hours. You wanna come up and fuck? I give amazing blow jobs, and I really want to suck your cock. I bet it’s massive.” Her hand grabs my cock through my jeans.
“What the fuck?” I grab her hand to remove it from my junk and spin my face to her.
I don’t get a chance to say anything else. The next thing I know, she’s landing a kiss on me.
I jerk my head back, pushing away from her. “Jesus! What the fuck is wrong with you? Seriously, not happening.” I lift my hands, backing away from her. “I have a girlfriend.”
“So?” She shrugs. “I won’t tell her if you don’t.”