Page 36 of Drive Me Crazy
Ella bounces slightly in her seat. “Want me to cheer you up?”
When she bites her lip in anticipation of my answer, I can’t stop myself from saying sure. I know it’s not going to be a blowjob, but you bet your arse I still say a silent prayer that I’m wrong.
SIXTEEN
Blake
BARCELONA’S one of my favorite cities—the people, the culture, the food. I always make sure I spend a few extra days here after the Grand Prix. I was pleasantly surprised when Ella asked to tag along with me. Part of me was expecting her to keep her distance after my temper tantrum at the last race in Austria, but she seems determined to prove that everyone’s allowed to have bad days. Even if my bad days make me act like a “petulant four-year-old who lost their iPad privileges.” Her words, not mine.
It’s also nice to have the company after losing the race this Sunday. I’m aware that coming in P2 is technically a win since I still placed podium and secured eighteen points, but it’s not the win I wanted.
Ella’s never visited Spain before, so I take her to all the touristy hot spots. Park Güell, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, Ciutadella Park, La Sagrada Familia. Her eyes widen in child-like appreciation at everything we see. The amount of sugary sweet churros she consumes as we tour the city is mildly concerning. I swear she has one in her hand in almost every cheesy photo she asks me to take of her. She takes photos ofme too. Not because I ask her to, but because fans recognize me and ask if she’ll snap a picture. It amuses her more than it annoys her.
I invite her to hang out with Theo and me at the beach today, but she and Josie are going to Girona for aGame of Thronestour. I guess they filmed some scenes there or something. They meet us at dinner instead, showing up almost twenty minutes late. It’s very unlike them both. Josie always says she’d rather show up at the airport three hours early than risk being five minutes late for a flight. I’ve never had that issue since I fly private.
Ella settles into the open seat next to me. Her cheeks are highlighted with a sunburn, her eyes twinkling.
“The tour wassocool.” The familiar curve of her smile appears. “You guys should’ve come with us.”
“We even got to try aGame of Thronesinspired ice cream flavor!” Josie adds. “It was amazing.”
It’s a toss-up which one of them loves ice cream more. Sipping sangria, we listen to Ella and Josie joyfully tell us about the tour. They might as well be speaking gibberish, but it’s hard not to be excited by Ella’s excitement. She can get me interested in paint drying.
“Have you ever thought about podcasting outside of sports?” I ask Ella.
She hesitates before answering. “No, why?”
“You’d be good at it.” I place acroquetaon my plate, my fingers getting greasy. “Take today for example. You could do an entire episode with the tour guide you met and talk all thingsGame of Thrones.”
“Yeah,” Ella says slowly. “But what if people don’t find that interesting?”
“Who cares?”
“Uh, sponsors, the audience, the studio. Me.”
“I’dtotally listen to aGame of Thronespodcast,” Josie adds encouragingly. “I’d listen to any podcast you do, babes.”
Ella shifts in her chair, swirling the straw in her drink as if it’s the most interesting thing she’s ever seen. I know Play-Media left a bad taste in her mouth, but I don’t know why she’s so hesitant to podcast again. It’s clear she loved doing it, and she must know she’s good at it. Right?
“Well, I think you should at least try it,” I suggest. “You have all the podcasting equipment after all.”
“Do you want me to give it back?” Ella asks. Her mouth draws into a tight line as her body goes rigid. “Because I will if you’re pissed I’m not podcasting with it.”
The table gets unnaturally quiet, the only noise coming from Theo slurping the remains of his drink. I’m not trying to be a dick. If anything, I’m trying to help Ella find her footing again.
“No. It was a gift, Ella. I’m simply saying you should think about it.”
“Noted.” Her tone is flat and sends a chill down my spine. “Can we move on now?”
“Anyone want to play ‘Never Have I Ever’?” Theo breaks the tension. “I want to know if Josie’s ever had sex in public.”
Josie scoffs with an eye roll. “Bugger off, Walker.”
No one’s more thankful for his distraction than Ella, who quickly kicks off the game. Three rounds later and we’re all tipsy. Ella messes up numerous times, putting a finger down when she hasn’t done something versus when she has. The first time is when she puts a finger down after Theo says, “Never have I ever done anal.” I nearly fall out of my chair before she quickly declares she has not, burying her face in her palms from embarrassment. After that, she keeps a finger up when Josie says, “Never have I ever lied about my body count.” A few seconds later, she swears and puts a finger down.
“Inmy defense”—Ella shrugs—“there are some people I don’t want to count.”
I wish we never played this game because I’m lying my arse off. Never have I ever had a sex dream about someone at this table. Lie. I’ve had numerous about Ella. Never have I ever thought about another person while fucking someone else. Lie. Thought about Ella while fucking the redhead she claims faked an orgasm. Never have I ever lied during this game. Lie. Please see above.
