Redeemed (Dirty Air Series Book 4)

by Lauren Asher

  She stands on her toes and places a kiss on my cheek. “There’s no one better suited to do this than you. You already showed that you can get behind the wheel and race as well as the rest of them. During your last test, you even broke your old record. There’s no one else meant for driving more than you.”

  Nodding my head, I lead Chloe toward her seat beside Maya. I press a kiss against the top of her head before heading toward Noah and James.

  “Ready?” Noah slaps a hand against my back.

  “About as ready as I’ll ever be.” My eyes dart across the panel.

  It’s a bunch of suits, staring down at me with stoic faces. A cool sweat breaks out across my brow, and I swipe it away with the sleeve of my suit.

  “Relax. They’d be foolish to say no. You’re a legend, and everyone is a sucker for a good comeback story.” James smiles at me.

  The head of the panel introduces himself and starts the meeting. Noah and James present my race statistics at the test track and discuss the steering wheel Bandini designed that allows me to race like everyone else.

  I hide my shaking hands beneath the table the entire meeting. My heart remains permanently lodged inside of my throat as everyone speaks.

  The head of the meeting looks over at me and calls my name.

  “Yes, sir.” I stand.

  “Are you afraid of going back out there?”

  I look over my shoulder at Chloe. She throws her two thumbs up and shoots me a goofy grin, making me smile back.

  Am I afraid? Only an idiot wouldn’t be.

  I turn back toward the main speaker. “Fear isn’t always a bad thing.”

  His brows lift. “How so?”

  “Fear motivates me. It reminds me how the best things in life will always make us afraid, but that shouldn’t stop us from pursuing them anyway. I spent three years of my life allowing fear to guide my decisions and look where that got me. I’d rather be afraid and drive anyway than be afraid and watch life pass me by. Because in the end, nothing is more fearful than realizing life goes on, with or without you.”

  All the people on the panel nod their heads.

  A woman at the end of the row raises her hand to speak. “Santiago, I want to ask how you plan on approaching your injury with the public.”

  “By being upfront about it. Someone taught me honesty takes strength.” My eyes slide from the panel to Chloe. Her eyes gain a sheen in them as she stares at me.

  I return my focus back on the panel. “I want to be a champion for those like me. I want to show them that—no matter what they want to achieve in life—no injury or obstacle should stop them. But I also want to be a model for those who have been broken by their circumstances because they deserve hope too.”

  The leader asks if anyone else has any questions. The panel remains silent, and everyone in the room is asked to leave during the deliberation.

  We all exit like cattle. Noah and I turn toward a corner while James excuses himself to talk to a colleague.

  Chloe finds me and wraps her arms around my waist. “You did amazing! I’m beyond impressed by your answers.”

  I kiss her temple. “Thank you.”

  “I loved all your answers! And to think you thought them up on the go. Wow,” Maya chimes in.

  “Hey, man. Long time, no see. I’m digging your new look.” Liam wraps his arm around my shoulder.

  “It beats the Duck Dynasty thing you had going for yourself. Did you even bother using the beard lube I got you for Christmas last year?” Jax offers me his fist to pound.

  I frown. “I thought it was a joke.”

  “No, man. Sophie loves that shit, especially during certain activities.” Liam winks.

  Sophie hides her face in his chest, only giving me a peek at her blonde hair.

  Some things never change. I forgot how much I missed the easygoingness of our friendships. A surge of shame hits me at neglecting them during my time of darkness. But like Chloe says, I can’t change the past. I can only make up for it now.

  “I’m surprised you all came.” Something squeezes in my chest.

  “We can’t miss the beginning of your comeback story. This is how legends are made, after all.” Elena beams at me.

  I cough and look down at my shoes.

  “And I’m guessing this is Chloe? I’ve heard quite a lot about you from Noah and Maya.” Jax smiles at Chloe.

  “Oh.” Chloe’s cheeks flush.

  “I’d like you all to formally meet Chloe, my girlfriend.”

  Her arms tighten around my waist as everyone assesses her.

  She’s pretty. Sophie mouths before winking at me.

  “It’s nice meeting you all.” Chloe grins.

  “Is it really?” Noah smirks. “Don’t lie. The four of them are way less cool than Maya and me.”

  “Wait, has Maya hung out with you and not said anything?” Sophie’s blue eyes bounce between her best friend and Chloe.

  Chloe nods her head in all four directions, not giving anyone a clear answer.

  I crack up at her anxiousness. “Don’t mind Sophie. She tends to get jealous.”

  “Of what? Being kept secrets from? You have a girlfriend. You’ve never had a girlfriend besides that one girl from grade school,” Sophie sputters.

  “Honestly, I thought you were gay for about point five seconds, but then Maya told me that wasn’t true.” Elena raises her hand.

  “You thought I was gay?” My mouth drops open.

  Elena nods.

  I groan. “Is it too late to hide again? Chloe, are you in favor?”

  Her body shakes from silent laughter. “Nope. I think you’re right where you belong.”

  “Aw, how cute,” Sophie coos at us. “Look at Santiago in love. Someone grab me a camera before the moment disappears.”

  Liam tugs her into him. “Why bother? If he’s in love with her, he’s never letting go in the first place.”

  Damn right.

  I look over at the wild girl who captured my heart. She belongs by my side, smiling at my friends and laughing at their jokes. It fills me with warmth to find her enjoying herself around the people I consider family. I want to give this to her. To show her family isn’t about blood, but the bond between people who care enough to stick around, even during the hardest times.

  “Santiago Alatorre, you came today to present your case, with the assistance of Noah Slade and James Mitchell.” The head speaker stands.

  The rest of us follow, rising to our feet. Noah and James nod their heads. The three of us stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the panel.

  I tuck my trembling hands into the pockets of my slacks.

  “We find everything you have done thus far to be incredibly brave. It’s no easy feat to get back in a race car after what you went through, and we couldn’t imagine a racer better suited to tackle his life circumstances more than you. I’ve had the pleasure to watch you since you began racing in Formula 3. Even as a teenager, you overcame all the odds stacked against you, time and time again. Whether it was a lack of finances or working with a teammate who was your rival”—he shoots a tight smile at Noah—“you challenged adversity head-on and came out winning.”

  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 th
rown 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.”

  “Only in the ways that count.” He winks.

  I throw my hands up. “What does that even mean?”

  Santiago looks over at the clock on the oven. “3…2…1…”

  Nothing happens. A bird chirps from outside, adding to the awkward silence between us.

  I somehow found someone about as crazy as me. What a feat to accomplish. “Are you feeling okay? That was anticlimactic, to say the least.”

  He rolls his eyes. “I expect too much out of people. It seems that being on time is a thing of the past.”

  “What are you going off ab—”

  The front door bangs open in the distance. “When you told me that you were staying in a castle that had a Transylvania vibe, you were not kidding!”

  The sound of Brooke’s voice has me screaming as I run through the halls to meet her.

  I hurl myself into her arms, forcing her to drop her luggage on the ground. “Oh my fucking God! You’re here! You’re really here! How did you even get here?!”

  She lets out a huff of air. “God you weigh a lot more. What have they been feeding you over here? Cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?”

  I cackle, letting go of her. “What are you even doing here?”

  “Santiago asked me to come visit you.” She beams.

  I look over my shoulder, catching Santiago smiling at us. He waves at Brooke and introduces himself.

  “Seriously? Are you always going to be this perfect or will it wear off like a car’s warranty?” My eyes slide from Santiago to my best friend, ensuring I didn’t make any of this up.

  All Santiago does is smile at me. It’s one that beams from the inside out, practically lighting up the damn entryway with his positivity.

  “The dynamic duo is back.” Brooke does a little dance around me.

  “You’re actually going to be visiting us for a while? I can’t believe it!” I wrap my arms around her again and give her a squeeze.

  She matches my hug with one of her own. “Well…”

  I release her and take a step back. “What?”

  She bites her lip. “Since I now am a proud graduate with a degree under my belt, and we are in the land of designer royalty…”

  “No.” My mouth pops open. Is she saying what I think she is saying?

  “Yes!” she squeals. “I applied to a bunch of jobs here. London, Paris, Milan. If there’s a country with a fashion magazine, I’m attempting it.”

  “You’re going to live in Europe? Like permanently?”

  She beams. “It depends where I get hired, but it’ll be somewhere on this side of the world, that’s for sure. I can’t let my best friend move to Europe without me. We’re like a pair of kidneys.”

  “Better off together than ever apart.” I smile.

  Santiago walks up to my side and throws his arm over my shoulder. “We have a guest room set up for you upstairs. I can imagine you want to relax and take a shower after that long flight.”

  I look up at the man who repaired my cracked heart with superglue and sheer willpower. “Are you sure that you want to sign yourself up for another roommate?”

  “For a little while, at least until she gets on her feet and lands herself a job. Not to mention when she suggested staying at the same place you did, I told her I couldn’t allow that. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy… Well, maybe Noah, but only because it would be a humbling experience for our Royal Highness.”

  I struggle to hold back my laugh.

  “Speaking of Noah Slade… Does he have any friends? Any single friends, that is.” B
rooke waggles her brows.

  Santiago shakes his head. “Unfortunately, all of us are taken.”

  “Do you hear that?” Brooke leans in and whispers.

  “What?” I raise a brow at her.

  “I thought I heard all the women in the world sobbing, but maybe I’m just going crazy.”

  Santiago and I both laugh. He looks at her with a bit of wonder. “I see why Chloe loves you.”

  Brooke preens like a damn show-off. “Oh, do tell. I love compliments.”

  “You’ve got the same kind of magic she has.”

  I blush.

  “Is it possible for me to vicariously fall in love with you too? Asking for a friend?” Brooke speaks with her most serious face even though I can tell she wants to burst into a fit of laughter.

  I laugh up to the ceiling. My chest fills with a new kind of warmth at the idea of having my best friend living on the same continent as me.

  I didn’t even need to make a wish for it to come true. All I needed was Santiago—a man set on proving the magic isn’t the wish itself, but the people who make the dream come true.

  51

  Santiago

  Seven Months Later

  “The kids are ready for you.” Chloe walks into my Bandini suite.

  I smile up at her as I zip up my race suit. “They’re all out there?”

  She nods and offers me her hand. “Ready to watch their favorite guy race in his first Grand Prix.”

  I finish strapping on my iWalk before standing up from the couch. Together Chloe and I exit the Bandini motorhome where I get ready and relax before races.

  We walk down the main road toward the series of stages where racers and sponsors meet fans.

  Chloe swings our hands between us. “Are you ready for your first season back?”

  “Yes.”

  People stop and stare. Some openly gape at my iWalk while others avoid direct eye contact with me. It should make me uncomfortable, but one look at Chloe’s grinning face has me ignoring them.