ALICE Ch 157

Bright lights shine on the simple chair.

Will Buxton seems more energized than usual.

“We are in truly uncharted territory,” he says. “Rumors are swirling. The Constructor’s is a free-for-all. Many teams were dealt a devastating blow in Monaco, and their ability to bounce back will be so much more consequential than is typical in Spain.” He shakes his head. “Where people were talking about Valeria Flores as the next Max Verstappen, now that narrative is focused on Alice Wilde. That’s all premature, but it’s certainly exciting. These strong debuts from the new teams, FUTA and Freedom, are unprecedented, and it’s causing all of the big players to feel even more pressure than they did before. Christian Horner and Toto Wolff are sweating right now. Nobody…” Buxton trails off, then grins and shrugs. “Nobody has any clue what’s coming. For those of us who enjoy the sport, that’s delightful. For the people whose livelihoods depend on it, that’s another story.”

FF1

Glynda takes a deep breath as she sits beside her daughter in the back of the car.

Faye looks curious. “Where’s Alice?”

“She isn’t your safety blanket,” Glynda snaps as the car pulls away from the hotel.

Hurt, Faye falls silent.

“I forbade her to touch you, and here we are.”

“She says you don’t get to do that,” Faye retorts.

Glynda takes another of those breaths, clasping her hands in her lap and squeezing tight.

“Yes,” she says under her breath. “I’m sure she does. She’s right. I can’t stop you from doing foolish things.” She faces Faye, then turns her daughter’s head to **** eye contact. “I accept that, and you accept the consequences.”

Faye nods. She’s nervous but determined. It’s a little gratifying to finally see her daughter having something like a backbone. Glynda just wishes it were under different circumstances.

“But Faye, there’s something you need to understand. You can call her your girlfriend if you like, but I don’t know that she sees you the same way.”

“She does,” Faye replies without hesitation, glowing.

“Faye.”

Faye swallows, sobering. “Yes?”

“Alice Wilde belonged to this team before she belonged to you. She has obligations.”

“Like what?”

“Like…” Glynda intended to tell the truth. That was her plan coming into the conversation; her whole reason for pulling Faye into this car for the ride to the airport. But she can’t. She can’t tell her about Irina Orlova. “Diorgasm.”

“Oh. Right,” Faye says, a little dismayed.

“Just… look. I don’t know how long this lasts, but right now she’s a major celebrity.” Glynda puts her arm around Faye and pulls her close. “Faye, you’re an adult. You aren’t stupid. You have to ask yourself: is it realistic for you to think that you can have someone like that all to yourself?”

Faye doesn’t seem to have an answer for that, but at least she seems to be listening.

“And the relationship must be secret,” Glynda goes on. “Teammates in a serious relationship is not what owners and shareholders want. And those are the people that we need to think about. This is business, Faye. And shouldn’t you be focusing on driving?”

Faye looks up. She nods.

“You’re right. I understand,” she says.

Glynda doesn’t do anything as obvious as sigh in relief. She’s known that Faye won’t stay dutiful and compliant forever, but at least today isn’t the day that she goes rogue.

Faye hugs her back.