Page 54 of Drive Me Crazy
Blake
SUMMER BREAK IS over and I’m back. Definitely not back and better than ever, at least not yet. That’ll happen once I convince Ella I fucked up and want to be with her. I know her flight to Hungary got in on Tuesday morning, but I don’t think ambushing her while she’s dealing with jet lag is in my best interest. So I wait a full twenty-four hours before making it my mission to find her. Even if we don’t have “the talk,” I want to at least see her. I’ve missed her.
She doesn’t make it easy. Ella’s smart. She knows the less she’s in the paddock or pit, the less likely she is to run into me. No one’s seen her. Not Theo, not Andreas, not the twelve mechanics I ask. I even stake out the dining area during lunch because she’s a sucker for Albie’s food, but she doesn’t make an appearance, and Albie says she hasn’t come for breakfast either. If she hasn’t been to the dining area in three days, then where the hell is she? I try asking Josie, but I’m on her shit list right now, so that proves to be useless.
I finally find her on the motorhome’s rooftop between practice sessions on Friday. It’s chilly out, so I hadn’t thought to look here before. She’s tucked away in the corner, secludedbehind the greenery brought in for each race. If I had to take a wild guess, she purposely chose to place herself in a very hidden spot.
Seeing her sucks all the air out of my lungs. My heart speeds up, each beat thumping like a bass in my ears. All I can do is stare and commit each curve to memory. Fuck, I missed her. Her skin is tan, cheeks freckled from time in the sun. In usual Ella style, she’s bopping her head to whatever she’s listening to on her earbuds as she types away on her computer.
I’m not sure if she doesn’t see me or doesn’t bother looking when I approach the table she’s at.
“Hey,” I greet her.
Lifting her head, our eyes meet over her computer screen. It cuts straight to my core. I even missed her eyes, for fuck’s sake.
“Hi. Sorry.” She pulls out an earbud. “What’d you say?”
“Just hey.” I shoot her a charming smile. “What are you up to?”
Nice, Blake. Really fucking smooth.You haven’t seen her in a month and that’s what you lead with? Not how was your break, how are you? This is what happens when I haven’t talked to a fucking female in over a month.
“Responding to an email. Some Saudi prince offered to marry me if I wire him ninety thousand dollars, so I’m sending over my banking information.”
My chuckle comes easily. Her ability to deadpan so flawlessly is astonishing.
“Weird, I just got an email saying I won a free cruise if I send them my National Insurance Number.”
The barest hint of a grin flashes, causing her dimple to wink. “Wild world we live in. How was your break?”
“It was okay. How was yours?”
“Good. Hung out with my family and saw some friends.”
I know damn well who some of those “friends” are. I’venever met Jack Feinstein and he better hope I never do. When I stalked his Instagram, I didn’t like what I saw. A photo of him and Ella sittingwaytoo fucking close in a booth at some bar. Her cheek pressed against his while his arm sat comfortably around her shoulders. And the caption?The babe came back for a quick visit.Jealousy spread through me like a fever. I’ve never been a jealous guy. Never had any reason to be. Now it might as well be my defining personality trait. Theo told me Jack’s gay and has a boyfriend, but I really don’t give a shit.
“Want to hang out this afternoon?” I sound like an awkward kid asking a girl to a school dance. “Should have some time between meetings.”
“Uh, depends on how much work I get done.” She points a finger at her computer. “I owe George some edits.”
She may as well be saying “leave me alone already.” Ella’s not being bitchy. She’s being indifferent. She’s tolerating my presence but would prefer me to be anywhere but here.
“Gotcha!” My voice is sugar, spice, and everything nice. “Well, let me know!”
Her earbud slips back into place as she gives me a glint of a smile.
The rest of the weekend goes no better. It’s fucking torture having to watch Ella talk and laugh with everyone else while she tries to subtly avoid me. I debate throwing the Grand Prix just so I can see something other than blank disinterest when she looks my way. I obviously don’t because that’d be fucking dumb, but the fact that I even considered it speaks volumes. How am I supposed to win her back when she won’t even look at me? It’s really hard to move forward with my plan when I can’t get past stage one, which is getting her to bloody talk to me.
I make sure I’m doing things with my friends every night in case Ella decides she wants to see everyone, but she doesn’t. It’s not until after the race on Sunday that she makes an appearance.When she waltzes into the bar we’re at, I have trouble breathing.Bloody fucking hell.Her breasts press against the material of her shirt, tugging the fabric taut. Well, there’s no way it can be considered a shirt. I’ve seen lingerie with more coverage. It hugs her waist, accentuating every curve. I’ve never seen Ella wear anything so revealing, and I want to take off my own shirt and throw it over her. No male with a pulse is going to have whiskey dick with Ella around.
Theo thrusts a drink into my hands. I’m well aware I’m ruining the mood, so I take it to appease him. I quickly realize it’s straight vodka. Christ. I know getting drunk isn’t the best idea, but I can’t handle having her so close yet so far away.Bottoms up.Theo sighs dramatically, drumming his fingers against the table.
“I’ve never seen you like this over a girl, mate. It’s kinda refreshing, but kinda alarming.”
I grunt in response.I’ve never been like this over a girl because none of those girls were Ella.
“I’m not going to lie to you, though, you’re an idiot,” he continues. “You clearly like her heaps, so just tell her already. You’re being extra dark and moody, mate.”
“There’s the supportive and caring friend I know and love.”
