Redeemed (Dirty Air #4)(114)

Every deep breath I take makes my lungs burn. Is he giving me this whole walk down memory lane to let me down softly?

He continues. “We worry that your circumstances are too severe for Formula 1’s racing circuit. The conditions are grueling, as you are well aware, and the crashes are menacing. It’s of great importance to note that we considered the consequences of you racing again and the potential injuries you might sustain that may worsen your condition.”

Fuck. The panel doesn’t want to take a risk on me. The rush of adrenaline from earlier escapes me, replaced by a wave of melancholy. I drop my eyes, focusing on the wooden stand the speaker talks behind.

“But…”

My eyes snap up. His grin grows as he assesses my face. “There’s no one we think is more deserving and more ready to take on the challenges thrown his way than you. It is with great pleasure that we are approving the bill that will allow you to race again with the modifications Noah Slade designed with the help of James Mitchell. We want to welcome all drivers—no matter their disability—to race if they are talented enough. As the leaders of the Formula Corp, we are looking forward to cheering you on during the next season. Welcome back to the grid, Santiago. It’s good to have you back.”

The room goes crazy with hooting and clapping hands.

Noah turns toward me. “You did it.”

I shake my head. “There’s no me without you.” I pull him into a hug. I tuck my head into his shoulder and let out the few tears I was holding back.

I can’t believe I’m going back. I never imagined this day would happen in my lifetime. Not when I recovered after rehab. Not after I spent year after year away from the track. Not until someone barged into my life and turned it around.

Noah smacks my back. “The racing world isn’t the same without you. I’m so proud of you for giving this and me a chance because everything he said was true. There’s no one who should be racing more than you.”

I pull away and look him in the eyes. “Thank you. For creating the wheel. For pushing me to realize the mistakes I was making. And thank you for never giving up on me, even when I gave up on myself.”

“That’s what brothers are for.” He smiles.

Chloe barrels through the swinging gate. She tackles me for a hug. “You’re going to race again! In a race car! With those sexy suits and champagne podiums!”

I chuckle into her hair. “Sexy suits?”

“Only on you. No offense, Noah.” She looks over at him sheepishly.

“None taken. I’m retiring in a few months anyway.” He winks.

Maya and my parents join us to celebrate. Everyone wishes me congratulations. I keep Chloe by my side, never letting her step away.

I smile the entire time I chat with old friends and family. All the weight from the years I lived in isolation lifts from my shoulders. It’s as if the darkness was never there, trapping me with negative thoughts and hopelessness.

I can finally breathe easily, knowing I can achieve my dreams again with Chloe by my side.





50





Chloe





Santiago and I have fallen into the best kind of routine together ever since he asked me to move in. While he busies himself with practice rounds at the racetrack with Bandini, I spend my days with Matteo and work on my latest designs for my Etsy shop. I already have a few orders after Maya helped me take photos of the different pieces of clothing I made.

Somehow while searching for my father, I found a man to love and a job that makes me happy to wake up every morning. It’s as if every last piece clicked into place for me.

Well, almost every last piece. I never thought I’d truly find out what would make me happy in life, but it seems like everything I could possibly want has fallen into my lap when I least expected it.

Even Brooke shipped over all my belongings, with Santiago’s help. What once was a house devoid of emotion now bursts with colorful blankets and plants on windowsills. We turned his house into a home, and it’s somewhere I wouldn’t mind spending many years of my life sprucing up.

Santiago preps dinner while I sip wine and stare.

He pauses his chopping to look up at me. “Are you happy?”

“Moi?” I lift a brow.

He smirks. “Yes.”

“Of course! What kind of question is that?”

He shrugs, resuming his cutting of tonight’s vegetables. “Yesterday you were kind of mopey.”

“That’s because I’m on my period, you dufus. I can’t always be the type to throw confetti around wherever I go.”

He frowns. “Is that why you cried while watching Bridesmaids?”

I cringe. Did I really cry during a comedy? Okay, maybe I was a bit emotionally reactive yesterday. “It made me emotional.”

“Because?”

“Because it’s Brooke’s favorite movie and it made me miss her. I haven’t seen her in forever and she’s so far away that even our usual phone calls aren’t enough.”

“I gathered that after you fell asleep with your laptop while video chatting with her last week.”

“I’m not cut out for long-distance relationships. They suck.”

“Thank God for that.” He smirks.

“Are you seriously smiling? You’re evil.”