Georgia stared at me, her expression still soft even though my voice was rising.“So, you’re going to kill yourself trying to prove a point in free practice?That’s your strategy?”
“I’m not trying to prove anything,” I said, forcing my voice to stay level even as anger simmered beneath the surface.“I’m trying towin.That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?Or have you forgotten?”
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them.Georgia’s face went carefully blank, the way it always did when I’d crossed a line.
“That was low,” she said quietly, and the apology sat on the tip of my tongue, but nothing came out.Georgia sighed, and I could hear a small hint of desperation in my sister’s voice.“Henri, listen to me.I know you’re under pressure.I know what it’s like to feel like you’re carrying the weight of everything on your shoulders.But you can’t drive like this.You’re going to hurt yourself, or someone else.I need to know you’re okay out there.”
“We needed the data.I’m—”
“—fine.Yes.So, you’ve said.”She sat back down, taking a sip of her coffee, trying to find the right words.“You know, Éliott told me you haven’t answered any of his texts or calls since Monaco.”
I winced, guilt settling heavy in my chest.Éliott didn’t deserve that.He’d been my best friend since we were kids, and I’d been ignoring him like he was just another person trying to get something from me.“I know.I’ve been a terrible friend.”I rubbed my hand over my face.“I just haven’t felt like myself lately.Everything feels… off.”
“That’s not an excuse,” Georgia said, though her voice had lost some of its edge.
“I know it’s not.”I sighed.“I’ll catch up with him after this weekend.Properly, not just some five-minute check-in.”
Georgia nodded, seeming satisfied with that answer at least.The tension in the room eased slightly as she settled back on the sofa, picking up her phone again.We sat in silence for a few minutes, and after a refill of Georgia’s favorite coffee, I could feel us both start to relax.
Suddenly, a smile crossed her face.“Oh, look!Ollie posted a photo of him and Lily from Montreal, from their dinner.They look cute together, actually.”
I thought back to our conversation after my interview.Wonder if he posted that as a reminder to me?
Peering over Georgia’s shoulder, I glanced at the photo.“She’d better watch out with that one.He’s a snake.”
Georgia’s phone slipped slightly in her hand, her eyes widening.“What?”
“You heard me.”I turned back to the window, unable to look at her.“Ollie’s using her.For his career, his profile.”
“Henri…” Her voice had changed—gone softer, more probing.“Why do you say that?I know you’re annoyed that he asked you some tense questions in Montreal’s press conference, but that doesn’t mean he’s a snake.”
“He’s just… not right for Lily.”
She scoffed.“If you ask me, you’re acting jealous.”
“I’m not.”
“Sometimes I wish you’d just admit you like Lily.”Georgia said it with the certainty of someone who’d finally solved a puzzle she’d been working on for months.
Suddenly, I felt incredibly warm.“Georgia—”
“I just… I really thought you guys had something, that’s all.And now you make comments about Ollie when I mention him with Lily.”Her eyes searched my face, possibly seeing something she shouldn’t have.“Henri, is there something you’re not telling me?Did something happen between you two?”
“Nothing happened.”The words came out too quickly, too defensive.
“But you wanted something to happen,” Georgia said quietly.“Or… maybe something almost did?”
I pushed away from the window, grabbing my water bottle from the table with more force than necessary.“I’m done talking about this.”
“Henri—”
“I said I’m done, Georgia.”My voice came out harder than I intended, echoing off the bland walls.“Arête.”
She stared at me for a long moment, her expression caught between sympathy and frustration.“Fine,” she said finally.“But you acting like this isn’t helping anyone.Especially not yourself.”
I didn’t respond, just stood there gripping my water bottle like it was the only thing keeping me grounded, trying not to think about Ollie’s photo.About his arm casually draped near Lily’s shoulder.About the way he’d captioned it with some charming quip that had hundreds of comments speculating about them as a couple.
She’d better watch out.