Chloe and I walk hand in hand into the boardroom, following Noah and Maya. It reminds me of a law courtroom with the panelists sitting in a row of seats where a judge usually resides.
I halt, and Chloe stumbles from the momentum of being pulled back. She looks back over her shoulder. I can barely focus on her because of the sight in front of me.
Every seat in the room is filled with people of my racing past. Maya takes a seat beside Sophie and Liam, who both wave at me from the front row. Beside Liam sits Jax, who has his arm wrapped around Elena. He offers me a chin tip before turning his attention back to Elena and Elías.
Countless Bandini crew members sit in the rows behind them, all chatting or smiling at one another. There isn’t one face I don’t recognize. The sight assaults me, forcing ragged breaths from my lungs.
All these people are here for me?
James waves me over from the table in the front meant for lawyers.
Chloe squeezes my hand, gaining my attention. “Ready?”
I swallow back the lump in my throat. “I’d say no, but I’m supposed to act calm, cool, and collected according to Noah, or else he’ll kick my ass.”
She laughs under her breath. “You’ve got this. No one has prepared more than you have for something like this.”
“It’s hard to compete against no one. It’s not like many racers have been in this position before.”
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 thrown 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.
