ALICE Ch 374

Bright lights shine on the simple chair.

Erica Bruhl all but sparkles with excitement. “There is never a low-key Grand Prix. But when Ferrari is having a good year and you get to Monza, you can feel it in the air. When Lewis is about to make history, and it happens to be in Silverstone, you can feel it. The Japanese Grand Prix is always a big spectacle, and Japan is a truly lovely place to visit. Alice Wilde is back in her car, Faye Darcy is as well. The unexpected is happening everywhere. Patty Dunham’s success, Valeria Flores struggling—it’s pure excitement, and this is what people want. Tomorrow’s party at the Shigeno promises to turn Suzuka into Monaco, at least for one night.”

“What do you think about the state of the Constructor’s?” the producer asks.

Erica lets out a long breath and smiles. “For the first time, I don’t think I care. I see no point in looking beyond the next race.”

FF1

“How do you feel?” Glynda demands, looking into Faye’s eyes and holding her face with both hands.

“She said she’s fine,” Alice snaps, and it comes out sounding hostile because she’s in a lot of pain as she squeezes into her racing suit. “Quit feeling up my girlfriend, Glynda.”

Faye blushes. “I’m fine,” she murmurs.

Radiating tension, Glynda glares at Alice, then snatches her headset and walks off.

Alice watches her go, wincing as she zips up. She shoots Faye a reassuring smile. Glynda’s right to worry; it seems like half the team is sick, and it’s all the same thing. It actually isn’t Covid this time. Most of them are still able to work, but nobody’s at a hundred percent. It’s weird. Maybe even suspicious.

Alice’s gaze falls on a water bottle in Lora’s hand, then the identical bottles all around the pit.

“Alice? You OK?” Coach Riley asks, heaving a heavy bag of tools over her shoulder. She looks cool as hell in that jumpsuit. Aki stops what she’s doing to watch. Alice can’t shake the feeling that she’s missing something, but her job is to drive, not to think.”

“Oh, yeah. I just need one thing,” Alice says, holding up a finger.

“What?”

“Can I touch your ass for luck?” Alice opens and closes her fingers.

Coach Adella picks up a wrench.

“Guess not. I’ll settle for this.” She grabs Faye by the collar and pulls her in for a big kiss.

“Oh,” Faye says, bright red.

“Focus, Faye. Focus. Don’t get distracted. You gotta think about driving. Don’t be thinking about all the stuff I’m gonna do to you later. Eyes on the road.” Alice swats Faye’s bottom and grabs her helmet. “Come on, people. What are you? Hourly?”