Throttled: Dirty Air (Book 1)(92)
Another video starts, this time of the podium when Santiago won the Grand Prix in Spain. Noah ignores everything happening on the stage. He gazes off to the side, the camera panning off to find what he smiles at, catching me with my back turned, hugging my parents. The Spanish flag is draped over me as I jump up and down.
My heart beats rapidly, my throat closing up, unable to get any words out. Suppressed happy tears cloud my vision. Noah was always into me, even when I thought he was only interested in hooking up, but his eyes betray the way he feels. It’s a sucker punch right in the feels.
Various video clips play, including one of me whistling at Noah as he walks down the runway in Monaco. I embarrassingly yell how I’d like to take his tux off. He winks at me, but I miss it because Sophie distracts me by covering my mouth with her hands. I’d die of embarrassment if Noah didn’t squeeze my hand in a silent way of telling me he still finds me cute. Not sure how this video saw the light of day or how Noah got it in the first place. Sneaky man.
Another plays of me dancing up on the podium after the kart race Noah planned. My scream shakes the computer’s speakers as Noah sprays me with champagne like a real F1 racer, even making me chug straight from the bottle. Peer pressure is a thing. I dance around on the small step, my arms thrown up in the air. Noah laughs along with me before he winks to the camera. Ovaries, meet your master.
His thoughtfulness makes me want to cuddle up to him and never let go. Put a “do not disturb” sign on our front door, sealing us off from the public for an unforeseeable lifetime.
The camera catches him smiling wide as he carries me over his shoulder to the car. Claps for the cameraman because he conducts a perfectly executed zoom of Noah smacking my ass. A+ filmography.
Damn Noah and all his cuteness. My throat feels like I swallowed a rock, unable to say much as I watch all of our memories. Why does he have to be such a sappy yet seductive man?
Tears escape my eyes. Noah occasionally rubs them away with his thumb, my skin heating up at his touch.
He stays silent. The whole thing almost feels like too much. Almost being the keyword since I need to lap up this romantic display and enjoy every second. Duh. I’ll replay this video a hundred times—to my children, my grandchildren, my next-door neighbor. Everyone in walking distance.
A clip plays of me screaming for dear life while he drives the atrocious green Bandini car. He stares at me and laughs while one hand turns the steering wheel, our car drifting as I grip onto him like a lifeline. Must have blacked out because I don’t remember that.
A short scene of my Tequila Talks episode plays. Noah answers the question I ask about his dream girl, but he intensely gazes at me while he responds. I stare straight at the tequila bottle and pick at the label instead of meeting his eyes.
I swear my heart has never beat this fast, questioning another cardiac arrest. A swirl of emotions churns inside of me: happiness, excitement, thankfulness. A whole freaking spectrum.
The screen shows a film from a Brazilian fan based on the terrible quality and backdrop. I crack up while walking up the stairs to the Christ statue. Noah trails behind me, alternating between checking out my ass and looking up at the sky like it can answer his prayers. No such luck though because he’s stuck with me.
Sappiness leaks out of me, along with my tears. “Die a Happy Man” plays low in the background over the part where Noah twirls me around the air after winning the World Championship. Our smiles mimic each other. A beautiful mess surrounds us, with champagne splashing everywhere and confetti launchers exploding on the stage.
I love this cocky, self-assured, yet equally selfless and loving man. No other can ever replace him. I never thought it was possible to love someone like this. Unyielding passion and endless appreciation. Like he hangs the moon before dancing with me under it. Noah never letting a day go by where he doesn’t tell or show me how he loves me. A broken masterpiece no longer defined by his past.
Music cuts out to a black screen. I wipe the tears from my face and look over at Noah.
Except he isn’t in his chair anymore.
He looks up at me with the smirk I love, while he’s down on one knee, holding a ring box.
THE END
COLLIDED coming May 2020!
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone who read my debut novel. I am grateful for the bloggers and readers who gave my work a chance. You deserve your own champagne shower.
Mr. Smith – I am appreciative of your endless support, including the times you forced me out of my house to eat and socialize. Your patience, help, and positive words pushed me to believe in myself and pursue this dream.
Julie – You welcomed me into the book world with warmth and kindness, and I can’t express my gratitude enough. You’re a fantastic individual who has been an integral part of this process. Thank you!
To my beta readers – Thanks for giving my F1 world a chance. With your feedback and comments, Throttled became everything it is today. I am forever grateful!
To everyone else who helped me during this process – Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Without you, none of this would be possible.