UGH, THIS IS SO STRESSFUL! I wish I could watch through my fingers.
But as a member of the media, that would be a bit unprofessional, so I keep my hands firmly clasped in my lap, my nails biting into my palms.
They pass the grandstand again, Xavier in hot pursuit of Caleb, and the fans go crazy at the drama that is unfolding before them on the track.
This is why I fell in love with racing. For this kind of high-speed, high-stakes drama measured in hundredths of seconds.
But that was before I met Caleb. Now all I want is for him to cross the line first.
The gap closes to 1.45 on lap fifty-eight.
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I think I’m going to have heart palpations!
Five laps to go.
Xavier continues to close. Caleb continues to push his car to its absolute limit.
Three laps.
Xavier is still trying to close, but still not in DRS range.
The gap closes to 1.38.
Oh my God, I hate this sport right now. If Caleb makes one mistake—no matter how small—Xavier will pounce.
THREE LAPS TO GO. The gap is now 1.33.
Caleb crosses the starting line to start the last lap. Xavier is only 1.06 seconds behind.
Come on, come on, come on!
Xavier is under one second now. And in DRS range.
Shit, shit, shit!
Xavier continues to chase him, but Caleb is hanging on. Xavier can’t catch him in the DRS zone, so now it’s a flat-out run to the end, with the Hoffman car in Caleb’s mirrors at all times.
They reach the home stretch.
And Caleb crosses the line first!
It takes everything in me not to cheer. I form my hands into fists underneath the table, but I don’t contain the smile I feel spreading across my face.
That was freaking amazing. Caleb is amazing. I feel as if I’m on a huge high now, watching that incredible bit of racing he just did at the end, doing everything to keep the points leader at bay.
He did it! He’s won his first race of the season!
Caleb is the winner of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
As I watch him pump his fist in the air from his cockpit camera, I’m so happy for him, I could burst.
Now only one thing is on my mind:I can’t wait to congratulate him in person.
And on a date in Monaco next week, I will.
Chapter Fifteen
I’mexhausted.But so, so, SO excited.