“Yeah. But I’m really nervous now though.”
“Jett’s golden, Indy. He’s got this in the bag.”
“Yeah.” I bring my eyes to him, giving him a light smile. “You’re right.”
The engines roar, and my body tenses up as I see the race about to begin on the screens before me.
And I think about my life then and now.
If someone had told that scared shitless pregnant seventeen-year-old girl that, in close to eighteen years’ time, she’d be getting ready to watch that baby boy growing in her stomach take his first drive as a Formula 3 driver, she would have told them that they were crazy.
Or if someone had told me five years ago that I would be happily married and pregnant with my second child with that broken, angry Brazilian racing driver who’d just walked through my office door, I’d have definitely said they were insane.
Falling in love with Leandro wasn’t part of my plan, and I know for sure that it wasn’t his, but God, am I glad it happened.
We were wrong for each other but so right in the truest sense of the word.
Leandro and I were inevitable.
Life has twists and turns and sharp bends and throws all manner of hardship at you, but it’s how you deal with it that counts.
If you stand up and be truthful, with yourself and others, everything will come out right.
Telling the truth about Leandro and me showed me that.
Yes, I might have lost my career over our relationship, but I don’t regret it. Not for one single minute.
Leandro always tells me that I saved his life. But really, I think we saved each other. I was living but not to the fullest. Not until him. And now, we’re both living to the max, together, as we were always meant to be. We had to endure the worst, to be able to find each other.
But it was those things we endured and faced separately that made us who we are together.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I WILL TRY TO KEEP THIS AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE. Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who bought, read, and loved Revved. This book is possible because of you guys.
As always, thank you to my family. My ever-patient husband and children, you three saved my life in more ways than you’ll ever know.
Sali—“God has not taken them from us. He has hidden them in his heart, that they may be closer to ours.” Author Unknown. #LiveLikeBenny
Trishy—My days are simply brighter with you in them. Disneyland next year!
Christine Estevez, my lifesaver and patient friend—One of these days, I will surprise you by having something ready on time! Thank you for being you.
My agent, Lauren Abramo—Your support and patience is truly appreciated. And I promise, I will finish that book for you now!
Zoë Lowdon—Your enthusiasm and love for Revved and Carrick truly touched my heart. Thank you for your awesomeness and for Revved Round Up!
A big thank you to India Partis, soon-to-be Kendall, for letting me borrow your name.
Huge thanks to Ulla Milla and Cleida Roy for the Portuguese translations.
And, as always, my biggest thanks goes to you for reading this. Three years ago, my life changed in a way I never imagined possible, and I have you to thank for that. My gratitude is limitless.