by KT Shears
He was close to Delaine now, and his dashboard confirmed he was in range for DRS. He just had to wait for the right zone… As they rounded a corner and came into a straight, Asher knew it was time. Pushing the car as hard as he could, he nipped out from behind Delaine. He knew his fellow driver wouldn’t give up without a fight, and he was fully prepared when Delaine crossed over to block his overtake. Asher was experienced enough not to panic and pull back in, and as the approached the corner, he drew neck and neck with Delaine. One of them would have to ease off at this corner – and it wasn’t going to be him. For a second, he thought the cars were going to touch, then Delaine veered off to the side, leaving Asher space to slip through into third. Maintaining the gap proved to be easy – it seemed the fight had gone out of Delaine after he had been overtaken.
As he passed the chequered flag, his radio burst into life. Jim was shouting joyfully at him – Asher couldn’t make out the words, but he could tell Jim was over the moon. He shouted back, yelling his thanks to the team.
‘This one’s for you, Ben,’ he added, more quietly, as he waved to the fans, who were standing up and screaming. Probably because fan-favourite Jonasson had won again, but Asher didn’t care. He was going to pretend those cheers were just for him.
It was all a bit of a blur as he parked up in the special place for the top three drivers, and he had to be shown the way to go by a scantily glad girl who beamed at him, hopefully. He just smiled back and thanked her. When he got into the room, Erik Jonasson was already there and he strode over, clapping Asher on the back.
‘Congrats, man! Nice racing.’
Asher grinned, clapping Erik on the back in return.
‘You too, dude.’
Jensen Arbor, who had got second place, came in. He didn’t look very happy, and Asher knew he must be thinking of Ben. Jensen came over and shook Asher’s hand, and nodded at Jonasson.
The wait backstage to go and collect their awards seemed to last forever. There was some awkward conversation about how the race had gone, before a harem of more scantily clad girls arrived, and the trio were led out onto the podium.
Asher was overwhelmed with the noise of the crowd. It seemed more deafening than the engines. He noticed his team standing at the front – some of them were crying and he fist-pumped in the air as he climbed onto his spot. Suddenly he noticed Ava standing beside them, tears streaming down her face, too. He grinned at her, and she smiled back, giving him a thumbs-up.
As Asher was handed his award, he kissed it and then lifted it to the sky gesturing to the heavens. This was for Ben. The other two drivers followed suit. Then, it was time for the champagne. The familiar music played and the three of them sprayed each other’s faces with champagne. Asher took a deep swig from his over-sized bottle.
As they started to climb down from the podium, ready to head back stage and take part in the various press conferences and interviews, a sudden urge grabbed hold of him. Perhaps it was the adrenaline, or the sudden intake of champagne, but he jumped down and ran to the barrier, behind which his team were standing. The cameras followed him, and the crowd roared.
He smiled at Ava, who was looking at him, shocked.
‘Ash, what are you?’
He put a finger to her lips.
‘Don’t talk. Just listen. I wasn’t looking for anyone when I met you, Ava. I thought my life was pretty complete. But since I’ve met you, I’ve realised that the only way that it will ever be complete is if you are in it. So, will you…’
‘Oh my God, Asher, don’t,’ she started, but Asher held up a hand.
‘Will you be my girlfriend?’
Ava looked at him, and for a second he was terrified she was about to say no in front of a whole racetrack full of fans, and the world’s media. But then her face broke into a grin and she nodded, laughing.
‘I will.’
As Asher’s lips met hers, he heard the crowd scream and start chanting his name. Yes, his life was very much on the way to being complete.
Did you enjoy this book? This is the second in the Racing to Find Love series, which is set in the glamorous and glitzy world of Formula One.
When magazine writer Anna Sawyer is given the job of following a racing team around the world, she isn’t exactly thrilled. What does she know about racing? She is even less thrilled when she meets the two drivers who she’ll be sharing her time with. As Anna gets to know up-and-coming driver Erik Jonasson, however, she begins to wonder if perhaps there could be something in his silly jokes and little touches. But racing is a competitive and dangerous sport, and, with a teammate who is determined to see himself at the top, could both Anna and Erik find themselves in sticky situations?
http://www.amazon.com/Race-Top-Book-Racing-Find-ebook/dp/B0128LY5W2
Coming later this year…
Race For Our Love
Stanton LeClaire is on top of the world. He’s a multi-millionaire racing star, who lives life to the full. But, when he bumps in to old flame Ashleigh at a racing track, his world suddenly comes crashing down. Faced with a seven-year-old son he didn’t know he had – and back in touch with the only woman he has ever truly loved – Stanton has a touch decision ahead: carry on living a life of champagne and models, or become the father and man he knows he can be…