Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(70)
“You act like I’m not from here. We could go to Oktoberfest whenever.” Liam mentions the future casually like we will still be friends. Why does the thought make my heart beat against my chest like a speaker at a techno club?
“But I wanted to go this year. I want to buy an outfit, chug a beer, and drunkenly sing German songs I don’t understand.”
Liam roars with laughter, causing Maya and Jax’s heads to snap in our direction.
His eyes sparkle. “You can always save the outfit for me. Let’s buy one today and do a little role play.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Cut it out. You’re distracting the talent.”
“Hey, I’m half the talent around here.” His waggled brows and boyish grin add to his allure, hitting me with a sense of dizziness.
“Do you typically lay the charm on this thick? I’m wondering if I’m becoming immune to your advances.”
“I don’t know, want to test it out?” He brushes his knuckles across my cheeks. “My room tonight. I have another item for us to complete.”
Blush moves from my chest to my cheeks, my body blending into my Bandini T-shirt.
“All right, you two. Quiet on the set.” Maya’s words kill our conversation.
Maya and Jax film the interview. Jax gives an exclusive peek at his McCoy car, minus the secretive steering wheel. Maya asks lots of professional questions while Liam and I watch from the sidelines. Liam tries to distract me multiple times with a few soft kisses, but I push him away once Jax laughs at us. After twenty minutes, Maya wraps up.
“Don’t forget about my party tomorrow. Be at my parents’ house around 7 p.m.” Liam rubs the back of his neck.
“How can we forget. It’s the big boy’s twenty-ninth birthday celebration.” Maya claps her hands together.
Liam tilts his head at Maya. “Yeah. Noah and Santi told me they can’t make it because of some exclusive Bandini boy’s social event. So, no excuse for you.”
“How come I don’t get threatened?” I look straight into Liam’s eyes.
“It’s already a given that you’re going. My family won’t stop talking about meeting my new friend.”
That F word is becoming my least favorite. The way my chest pinches at the sound of it reminds me how I really need to get myself in check.
Maya drags me to the pre-race press conference since Santi is on the panel. Liam sits straighter now that I stand in a corner, prompting me to send him a GIF of Leslie Knope fake laughing during a press meeting. I dangle my phone in front and tap the screen to get his attention.
He peeks at his phone while a reporter asks a question to Santi, hiding his laugh behind a cough. I don’t know how they spend an hour up there, having question after question hammered at them.
“Noah, you’ve been fighting to remain at the top of the Championship ranking. Any reason behind some of the slipups? It looks like Liam is catching up to your points.”
Maya gives me a heavy dose of side-eye.
Noah rolls his eyes. “Liam’s been my competition since we drank juice boxes instead of champagne bottles. So, I’m not surprised he’s been closing in on me.”
Another reporter jumps in. “Liam, any concerns with this Grand Prix being your home race?”
“Concerns? Not really, no. At least nothing more than the usual pre-race nerves, but I’m confident I can win. I have to watch out for these two, though.” He makes a fist before spreading out his fingers and making a soft explosion sound.
I cover my mouth with my hand to muffle my laugh.
“Liam, another one for you. It’s been brought to the public’s attention that you’re dating a woman inside of the F1 organization. How does McCoy feel about you dating someone in the industry after everything that happened with Claudia?”
With everything in me, I resist escaping the room. At least they keep my name out of the question because my dad would murder me before sending my body bag on a flight back to Milan.
“It’s not polite to bring up people’s exes, so no comment. I would’ve hoped your mom had taught you better than that.”
“How do reporters get these inside stories?” I whisper to Maya.
She lifts her shoulders. “No idea. I mean there’s nothing wrong with dating someone here, but I’m guessing for him it’s not a good look.”
I swallow back my nerves. The reporter smooths over his comb-over before fidgeting with his mic. A few reporters around him shake their heads, trying to discourage him.
“I’m wondering if McCoy’s worried you have an opposing team insider warming your bed.”
Earth, I wouldn’t mind falling into a sinkhole. I fidget with a loose thread on my shorts, tugging on the strings to hide my shaking fingers.
“I don’t need to sleep with someone to do my job well or negotiate a contract. I’m done commenting on these types of questions so leave my personal life out of this.” Liam’s eyes find mine once I glance up. I don’t think he likes what he sees based on how his frown deepens.
I stick it out for the rest of the conference because I don’t need to show my embarrassment or guilt. Liam and I aren’t serious, so it’ll all disappear after the season’s over and he finds someone else.
The idea eats away at me as I head to my favorite spot. Liam finds me soon after the conference, knowing my preference for the F1 Corp’s deck spot.