2: I'll survive

ALEKS’S POV

The noise in the paddock is already giving me a headache, but I keep my expression blank as I leave Gunnar’s office.

Derek is a few steps ahead of me, hands shoved into his pockets, still angry about the vacation.

“Aleks! Derek! Wait up!”

I turn.

Andrew, my engineer, is hurrying toward us with Maya, Derek’s strategist.

“We just heard from Gunnar,” Andrew says, stopping in front of us. “Look, Aleks, I’m sorry. We knew the board was meeting with Gunnar yesterday, but they kept us out of it. If we’d known they were going to pull this forced vacation nonsense—”

“It’s fine.”

Andrew stares at me. “It’s fine?”

“It’s an administrative decision. The sponsors want Derek under control.”

I take a breath and wait for Derek to react.

“Fuck you, Mcray!” Derek snaps, turning around. “We’re in this situation because you keep making everything a fucking competition!”

“Do you hear yourself?” I ask softly. “It’s not a competition if I’m better.”

I hold back a smile when his face turns red with anger.

“You fucking entitled trust-fund princess.”

“It’s prince, actually.”

“So help me God—”

“Okay, guys.” Andrew cuts him off. “We just want to say we’re sorry we couldn’t give you a heads-up.”

“It’s insane.” Derek looks at him. “They’re locking us in a mountain house together like we’re children who need a timeout.”

His eyes settle on me.

“You’re actually fine with this, Mcray? Or are you too terrified of losing your drive to say anything?”

“I don’t argue with decisions that have already been made.”

Derek scoffs. “Of course you don’t.”

I say nothing, and he steps closer.

“You think you’re so perfect, don’t you? Mr. I’m-so-much-better-than-everyone.”

“If you believe that, that’s on you.”

His expression hardens.

Maya immediately steps between us.

“Okay. Save it for Switzerland. Please.”

Derek gives a humorless laugh and walks away.

Andrew watches him go before looking back at me.

“Two weeks alone with him. You sure you’re going to survive?”

“I’ll manage.”

I turn toward my driver quarters.

I’ve spent five years learning how to keep my emotions off the track. I don’t let anger affect my decisions. I don’t let pressure show.

I certainly don’t let Derek know what he does to me.

That has always been the easiest part.

Keep my distance.

Don’t look too long.

Don’t let him notice.

But Derek makes it so easy to get under his skin.

And the truth is, I like it.

I like the way his attention snaps toward me the second I say something he doesn’t like. I like knowing exactly which words will make his jaw clench and which ones will make him step closer.

I like having his attention.

Especially when I know how easily he gives it to everyone else.

Derek flirts with women in the paddock like breathing. A smile here, a laugh there. He has no problem making sure everyone knows he’s interested.

I hate how much I notice.

So when he looks at me instead, even if it’s with pure hatred, I let myself enjoy it.

I provoke him on purpose. I throw his insults back at him. I push just enough to keep those eyes on me.

If I can’t have his attention for the reason I want it, I’ll take it however I can get it.

I reach my private room and lock the door behind me.

For a moment, I just stand there with my eyes closed.

The silence helps.

I open my eyes and move toward my suitcase sitting on the bench. My hands tremble slightly as I pack.

I tell myself I can handle this.

I tell myself I can survive fourteen days of playing the calm, unbothered Aleks Mcray while living in close quarters with the only man who has ever made me feel completely out of control.

I zip the bag shut, my jaw tightening.

I’ve survived five years of hiding it.

Two weeks in Switzerland won’t break me.