Faster Hotter by Colleen Masters, Hearts Collective Read Free Book Online Page B

down the road. Right now, I just need to sink into Harrison’s embrace and finally get some shuteye.
     

CHAPTER FIVE

     
     
    Time moves strangely, during the week following my father’s passing. The minutes slow to a crawl as Harrison, Enzo, my mother and I try and fill the days about our Italian estate. But even as each second drags on forever, the days fly by. The paradox leaves me feeling exhausted and anxious, charged and drained. In what seems like forever and no time at all, another week has somehow passed.
    Like clockwork, the outside world begins to filter back into our mournful cocoon. Team Ferrelli sends shot after shot over the bow, urging Enzo to ease back into training. And it isn’t just my brother that the ownership is eager to bring back into the fold. With my father’s death, I’ve now become a shareholder myself. I’m now an important part of Team Ferrelli, my voice will finally be heard. The owners have already made it clear that this is no ceremonial title for me. My input will not only be encouraged, but necessary.
    I have enormous shoes to fill, stepping in for my father, but it’s the challenge I’ve been waiting for. I can strategize and delegate with the best of them. At the end of the day, I’ll be doing what I always have been: helping Enzo succeed as a driver while bettering my team and the sport. My vacated seat as PR director will be going to none other than Bex, and even Charlie is officially coming onto the team as assistant manager to Gus. I’ll be surrounded by everyone I love...with the notable and insurmountable exception of my father.
    Enzo and Harrison decide to set off together after just a few days at the Lazio estate. Their teams are eager to get them into training mode once more, and the distraction will do them good—especially Enzo. Harrison is heading back to his home in London while Enzo settles back into his bachelor pad, nearer to the Ferrelli headquarters than our home up here in the hills. I’ll follow him soon to meet with the owners and discuss my role on the team, but for now I’m hanging back. This is my chance to get some alone time with my mom and catch up on some rather crucial girl talk about a certain bun in the oven.
    The four of us stand on the front steps, saying our goodbyes before the boys depart. I hug Enzo fiercely, holding on with all the strength I’ve got.
    “I’ll see you soon,” I tell him, “Don’t push yourself too hard. No one’s expecting you to be one hundred percent again right away.”
    “Except for me.” Enzo replies.
    My brother moves to bid Mom farewell, and Harrison lays a hand on my back. His eyes are clouded with concern as he looks at me.
    “I’ll be fine,” I tell him, “And I’ll see you in no time. I’ll meet with Ferrelli in a couple of days, then come find you in London. We can figure everything out then.”
    “Will you stay awhile?” Harrison asks hopefully. Our situation is so unconventional that we have no idea what to do about our living arrangements in the off-season. Should I move into Harrison’s London townhouse? Should we split time between England, Italy, and America? Buy a house boat instead?
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” I say, kissing him goodbye.
    Enzo and Harrison climb back into the rental car and take off down the long drive as Mom and I look on. I feel strangely grown up, standing beside my mother now. Is it only that we all feel a bit older, having said goodbye to Dad? Is it that I have a man in my life that I love more than anything? Or could it be the potential little life inside me that has me feeling so grown?
    “Why don’t we have a cup of tea?” I say to my mother, “And, um...catch up a bit.”
    She nods, and we head inside together. I busy myself in the kitchen, my nerves on end as I work up to telling her my news. She settles into the breakfast nook and I set the kettle to boil and ready our mugs with mindfully decaffeinated tea. I need something to