Chip moves in closer to get a shot of the coffee. I lift the cup and take a very careful sip. I don’t want to get the foam on my lips.
Caleb picks up the mic. “How is it?”
“Mmm, this is delicious.” I quickly pick up a napkin and blot my mouth. “I think I’d work for Collings Motors just for the coffee alone,” I proclaim.
We make our way through the rest of the building, with Caleb popping open doors and surprising workers with his presence. He pauses in the merchandise room and signs some hats, promising to return later. Then we visit the communications and marketing team, all working away on their computers. He shows me some private offices, like the one belonging to the team principal, Alex Oliver.
Caleb leads me to another room. “This team room has a lot going on—these are the people responsible for administration, logistics, travel, and hospitality.”
“Logistics—I can’t even imagine what that entails with a Formula 1 team.”
“Neither can I. That’s why I drive a car,” he says, flashing me a playful smile.
Again, I’m struck by his personality. Why does he hide this?
And why is he giving it to me?
But I know why. He’s giving it to me so hopefully I won’t go back to The Downforce Network and recap that encounter in the conference room.
We conclude our tour on the posh rooftop terrace, where Caleb talks a bit about what goes on up here, like hosting sponsor events, hanging out, enjoying this space at the end of the day. At that point, we’re finished.
“Well, Caleb, thank you so much for the tour. It was great to have such insider access,” I say.
“You’re very welcome,” he says.
I smile and look back at Chip. “I’m Isla Foley for The Downforce Network. Thank you for watching.”
Chip waits a few seconds and then stops recording. He walks over to me and hands me my phone. “That was great, Isla. Do you need anything else from me today?”
“No, Chip, thank you. This is my one assignment for The Downforce Network. So far,” I add hopefully.
“All right. I’m going to head out.”
“Thank you again for all of your work this morning. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
Chip leaves, and now it’s just me and Caleb.
“So what happens next?” he asks.
“I’ll edit the video on my phone,” I say. “Once that’s done, I’ll send it over to The Downforce Network, and then they’ll put it up on their YouTube channel and social media sites.”
“And you’re hoping this will be your break.”
I nod. “I love F1. I’ve been creating content on my Connectivity Story Share for fun this past year. My thoughts on races, drivers, et cetera.”
Caleb quirks a brow. “Have you shared your thoughts on me?”
Suddenly I feel my face grow warm. Is it the Miami sunshine? The heat? The way Caleb is looking at me?
“Of course,” I say. “You’re a story worth talking about this season.”
Caleb folds his arms across his chest, and I notice the beautiful veins running through his forearms and up his sculpted biceps, disappearing under his Collings Motors polo shirt.
“Because of my wins? My name? The supposed conflict I have with Mason?” His eyes darken as he speaks, and I can tell he’s got some hot buttons here.
In fact, all of them seem to combine to form one major hot button in itself. If you press on any one of these topics, they all link together in his brain to cause him to be cautious and skeptical about the media.