Anger once again shoots straight through me. Is hekidding?Arthur is actually going to imply this is somehow my fault?
I’m about to answer when someone beats me to it.
“No,” a British voice says. I turn, and to my surprise, Caleb Collings has risen from his seat. “You didn’t misspeak. We all heard you. And you were anarse. You owe Ms. Foley an apology.”
Oh my God. I didn’t expect anyone to say anything.
And I certainly didn’t expect Caleb Collings to be the one to speak up.
Arthur turns a brighter shade of red, bordering on purple. It’s one thing to have me mad at him. He could care less about that.
But to haveCalebpissed at him? That’s a whole different story.
Caleb moves around the table to my side. I look up at him, hardly believing that he’s standing next to me.
“And I’d appreciate it if you make that apology soon, because I have a tour to give,” he continues.
“What?”I ask.
He stares down at me, those icy-blue eyes locking on mine.
“You won’t be going on a tour of the motorhome with Arthur. You’ll be going with me.”
Chapter Two
There is nothing but dead silence in the conference room as Caleb’s words hang in the air. Arthur is still purple, staring at him with a shocked expression on his face. But he recovers himself and quickly begins speaking. “Caleb, you have more important things to do than give a tour of the motorhome. You have the drivers’ press conference and—”
“I’m well aware of my schedule today,” Caleb interrupts, his voice cold and deadly calm at the same time. “I’m also aware of the fact that you haven’t apologized for being a misogynistic, mansplainingarseto Ms. Foley. I’m waiting, Arthur. And I’m willing to wait for however long it takes you to realize what a wanker you’re being.”
Then he folds his arms across his chest, fixing his eyes on Arthur with laser-like precision.
That look says everything without saying a single word. Caleb Collings isfurious.
And he’s furious on my behalf.
“He’s not wrong about that,” another voice says. I look back at the conference table, where Mason Clark is leaning casually back in his chair. “You were a misogynistic, mansplaining arse.”
Now I’m the one who is stunned. I have not only one, but two of the top drivers in F1 championing on my behalf.
I did not have any of this on my bingo card this morning.
Okay, so dealing with some sexism and dismissiveness? Yes, I knew that could very well happen.
But Caleb Collings and Mason Clark coming to my defense? Definitely not.
Arthur pauses for a moment. I smile. He must be hating life right now, and I, for one, am glad he is.
“Ms. Foley, please accept my apologies,” he says, the color of his face now going from eggplant back to tomato.
Ha! Arthur is the eggplant parmesan of facial expressions today.
“Accepted,” I say simply.
He clears his throat. “Um, shall we do the tour now?” he asks meekly.
I’m about to reply yes, but Caleb speaks first. “No. I told you, Arthur, I’m doing the tour,” he insists.
With a jolt, I realize he’s serious. “Are you sure?” I ask. “I don’t want to encroach on your time.”