Page 22 of Spin Control

“What I’m saying is that I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”

“Let’s go!” I shout, turning the engine over again. “This time, I’m drifting.”

When I hit the accelerator, Elizabeth smiles.

There are some moments that feel pre-destined.

Sitting in an F1 car for the first time. Taking in the glittering sight of Monaco. Winning my first grand prix.

So when my phone rings the very second I step out of the shower, I know in my bones that it’s the call I’ve been waiting for.

“Hi, Stas.”

“Hello, Wes.”

We’re both silent then. There are so many things I want to say. So many questions I want to ask. I don’t even know where to start.

“How’s Hyunjoon?” he asks, surprising me.

“Banged up and in need of a lot of rest and physical therapy. But he’ll bounce back.”

“Good,” he says. “Your new teammate is an asshole.”

I bark out a laugh. “Yeah, he is. He might even be worse than you.”

“No one is worse than me,” Stas says. Despite everything, I’ve missed him.

“Ain’t that the truth,” I say. I mean it to be a joke, but it comes out with unexpected gravity.

Okay. So maybe I’m angry.

Stas sighs. “I owe you a big conversation. Many explanations.”

“Hell yeah, you do.”

“But I called to ask for a favor.”

My stomach drops. “Stas, what the hell? Am I part of this? Did you make me part of this without me even knowing?”

“No,” he says, his voice firm. “I worked very hard to keep you out of it. And I won’t give you any details now because I want to continue keeping you out of it.”

“But Elio—”

“Stay away from him,” Stas says, his voice as serious as I’ve ever heard it. “Listen to me, Wes. That story you told the press about the Bugatti.”

Every cell in my body goes on high alert. “What about it?”

“There’s a journalist looking into it. I need her to drop it.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know how it sounds,” Stas says quietly. “But please know that I’m trying to make this right. If this story comes out too early, it will ruin everything.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do?”

“Talk to the woman,” Stas says. “Elizabeth Jacobs.”

I freeze. How the hell does he even know her name? And where is he? No one seems to know—I’ve asked everyone in his inner circle and they all swear they’re as clueless as I am. “Why?”