Collided (Dirty Air Series Book 2)
Collided: Chapter 16

Even after winning the Canadian Grand Prix, the press conference sucks. I get hit with a couple questions I don’t want to answer. Cameras focus on me, their bright lights causing my skin to flush. For once, I don’t appreciate the limelight, the surrounding reporters stifling me as I aim to keep my composure.

A sleazy reporter eagerly moves up to the front of the group. His slicked-back hair and beady eyes send some creepy vibes as he licks his lips. “Liam, several sources claim your McCoy contract is on the fritz. Your performance is competitive, yet you’re struggling to beat Noah this year.”

“Is there a question somewhere in there?” I rub the back of my neck with my hand, despising how uncomfortable I feel under the intense scrutiny from everyone in the room. Jax and Santiago shift in their chairs.

“Uh, right.” He licks his lips again. “So, is it worth putting your contract on the line for Claudia McCoy?”

This shit again. New race, new reporter, same crappy questions.

“The status of my contract is not contingent on my relationship, or lack thereof, with Claudia McCoy. I’d appreciate if it’s no longer brought up during these press conferences. I’m here to race, not discuss my private life.”

McCoy’s PR agent will have a field day with this one. I see another meeting with Peter in my future because he hates when we sass reporters. But fuck all this shit. I’ve been staying out of the headlines and playing nice with others. Plus I’m a role model for abstinence. Sophie’s probably to thank for keeping me in line, to be honest. I haven’t slept with anyone for almost three months already. My free time is spent constructively as of late, no longer plagued with bad mistakes and easy women.

Another reporter speaks. “Liam, there’s talk that you may switch over to Kulikov’s racing team at the end of the season. Would you like to share more about that?”

“No comment.” My response garners some hushed whispers.

The reporters process my response. I have no idea where they get their information from, but their sleuthing skills suck.

“Can you tell us more about your relationship with Miss Mitchell? Are you looking to join Bandini next year?” The same slimy reporter from earlier speaks up.

Where the fuck did that come from?

“My friendship with Sophie Mitchell is of no one’s concern. Not everything in life revolves around contracts and signing deals.” I smirk at the reporter, hoping he shuts up.

He slyly grins. “As of an hour ago, a source reported you’re sleeping with Miss Mitchell to climb the career ladder.”

My fingers clench in front of me. “Seeing as you mentioned Claudia a moment ago, I’d double-check with your sources about their reliability. Whoever I decide to sleep with, whether it’s Miss Mitchell or not, is no one’s business. I’d rather commit career suicide than sleep with someone to get ahead in this sport. I’d advise you to replace better stories that don’t involve the latest scoop inside my bedroom.”

The reporter settles back into his seat, his shoulders held high.

The press conference wraps up in record time. My mood darkens despite a Prix win, tainted by tactless questions and untrue stories.

My day goes from bad to worse when I get a call from my agent about Peter wanting to meet with us. I grace them with my lovely presence, my foul attitude from earlier following me around like a dark cloud.

McCoy’s motorhome palace greets me, the cold gray aesthetic no longer filling me with a sense of pride. I step into a conference room to replace an agitated Peter and my agent seated.

“When I said to stay away from women, I didn’t expect you to befriend James Mitchell’s daughter. How stupid can you be?” Peter’s meaty fists bang on the table.

The notion has me shaking in my sneakers.

Not.

Unnecessary politics need to stop. I show up to drive, place on podiums, and schmooze with sponsors. My contract doesn’t include discussing my bedfellow schedule.

“You should’ve been more specific. You told me to respect your niece and I did that. Sophie and I are friends. It’s not my problem if reporters twist our friendship to fit their agenda.” I flick a piece of invisible dust off my jeans.

“For the love of God, I appreciate your skills as a racer, but you need to control your private life. I hate hearing reporters talk about you like that and I don’t enjoy having McCoy associated with Bandini.” Peter comes off genuine for the first time all season. He reminds me of the old him, of the guy who took me under his wing when I was lost.

“I think what Peter means to say is how hanging around someone from Bandini may not be the best choice, especially the team principal’s daughter. What if this blows up again? Let’s say you have your fun with her and then leave her behind. She can’t go away because she’s always around.” Rick assesses me.

My agent’s words make my blood run hot. He should be on my side rather than sucking Peter’s cock and appeasing him.

“No, it won’t. You two are acting like I’m fucking around behind her back. You’ll have to trust me. If you believe I can drive a million-dollar car and win, then you can count on me to not mess up.”

Despite my confidence, I know they’re right to question me. That’s the thing about trust. Once you break it, the journey to get it back tends to be long and tedious. I want to put in the work for my team.

Peter wraps up the meeting with a warning glance and a grumbled apology about losing his temper. Look at that. Billionaires: they’re just like us.

Rick stays behind per my request. Clearly, I need to give him direction about what I want.

“I need you to replace out what McCoy’s plan is for me next season. Ask if they want to keep me or not. If yes, then replace out the cost and an estimated timeframe of how long it’ll take Peter to get over his dislike for me. My patience is thinning because his attitude changes more than my car shifts gears. If McCoy doesn’t plan on offering, I want to see a report about bids from other teams.”

“And if McCoy doesn’t agree to any terms?” He taps away at his phone.

“Then do your job. It’s what you take a chunk of my signing bonus for, isn’t it?”

Rick triggers my angry side, with him continuously giving me a hard time about my relationship with Sophie and my image with McCoy. I don’t pay him as much as I do to bitch and moan about me. He earns his million dollars by putting up with my shit and replaceing solutions. He likes money, and I like racing. It’s a win-win situation when he motivates himself.

His dark eyes remain on mine. “I’ll get right on it. But you know McCoy is your best bet. I’ve been working Peter down, trying to keep your payout worth you staying with the team. These deals take time so give me a few more weeks.”

Everyone and their goddamn mother know McCoy rules F1 with Bandini. But I won’t compromise myself and limit opportunities for a sick race car and a best friend for a teammate. At least not unless there is a promise that Peter will relax and let me do what I do best.

“Be careful with Miss Mitchell. As much fun as she probably is, you need to think about your career. This is the very thing you’ve been working toward since you were a kid. If you keep pissing Peter off, I don’t know if I can help you. I can’t save you from every mistake.”

His words make my stomach twist. With one last glance, I step outside of the conference room to replace Jax leaning against the wall.

He glances at me with wary eyes. “Hey, I thought you could use a break from this place.”

“Let’s go.” I follow him out of the McCoy motorhome, leaving behind my shitty mood.

Jax and I make our way to a local pub, hiding in a corner booth far from potential fans. We order food and drinks.

“So, what happened?”

“They got pissed about Sophie and my reputation. Blah blah, same old shit.” I tear at the label on my beer bottle while Jax watches me.

“Is there a reason for them to be worried?” His raised brow doesn’t sit well with me. I’m tired of people questioning my shit, making me second-guess every move I make.

“Why the hell should they? I can fuck whomever I want without their approval, as long as it isn’t Peter’s niece.”

“So, you and Sophie are hooking up now?”

I take a sip of my beer. “No. But it shouldn’t matter either way. I promised to be good and to not draw attention to myself. Never did I say I would be a damn monk for months.”

“And how’s the not drawing attention to yourself working out for you?” He tilts his head and smirks.

“Screw you. How was I supposed to know some reporter would mention me hanging out with a friend at a press conference?”

“The same way you should have guessed they would wonder if you’re using your friend to get ahead with Bandini.”

“Seeing as they already offered Santiago a two-year contract, that shit is irrelevant. And Noah will probably race with Bandini until he retires.”

He shakes his head. “Seriously, though. What do you plan on doing about your friendship? Please tell me all this hassle and drama is worth it. Are you at least getting some?”

“No. But not because I don’t try.”

“Tell me more. Open up to Dr. Kingston.” He folds his hands in front of him.

“I pushed her before she was ready. The furthest we’ve gone is phone sex and kissing.”

“Phone sex? What are you, a fifteen-year-old boy lusting after his first girlfriend?”

I grind my molars together. “Fuck off. She kissed me a few nights ago, thank you very much.”

“Okay, I’ll stop being a dick. But really, you need to do something about your situation.”

“And what exactly do you suggest, seeing as the closest female friend you’ve had is our fifty-year-old massage therapist.”

“I can give good advice when I want to. And don’t hate on my relationship with Ms. Jenkins when you’re only jealous she gives me a lollipop after our sessions.”

I rub my temples with my fingers. “You do understand you’re all over the place, right?”

“That’s what keeps life interesting. You never know what you’re going to get with me. But anyway, I reckon that you need to give Sophie what she desires if you want any chance of hooking up with her.”

“Feelings?” I choke on the word.

“I mean, do you really not feel anything for her?” Jax lifts a brow.

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t feel the extreme kind of love she might end up wanting.” I take a swig of my beer to soothe my aching throat.

“You can care about someone without wanting to marry them and love them forever. Girls love thoughtful shit. Someone like her won’t have sex with someone with your past if you don’t show her you like her for more than good looks.”

“But we’re friends. What else more can I do?”

“Besides terrible phone sex?” He fights a smile.

I shoot him a pointed glare.

“Show her you care and won’t dump her after hooking up a few times. Of course, she doesn’t want to be another conquest in your long list, especially if it puts your friendship at risk.”

What the fuck have I gotten myself into? I know shit is going to hit the fan when Jax starts making sense.