Race With a Heart
Chapter 138: When Opportunity Itself Knocks on the Door

Chapter 138: When Opportunity Itself Knocks on the Door

Walton felt sorry for Martin. The boy clearly had feelings for Steve and was clearly worried about his condition. His gaze reminded Karl of Steve’s eyes when Walton suddenly appeared without warning. There was a keen fear in those eyes that Karl was bringing the worst news possible.

"Relax, it’s okay," Walton announced, instead of the standard hello. His words calmed Martin visibly. The boy breathed a sigh of relief.

"But then ..."

"It doesn’t look like business is going very well," Walton noted.

"This is temporary trouble," Martin remarked, his face pouting. The boy clearly felt proud to work in this antiquated place.

"Good." Karl had no intention of offending the workshop. "I didn’t mean anything by it, we just... we need to talk. There’s been a lot going on lately and I don’t have much time, so I guess I’m glad I’m not interrupting you with anything important. Can we leave for a few minutes? "

"Is it about Steve?" Martin was concerned.

"More about you."

"Okay," agreed Martin.

They both left the building. Autumn was making itself felt more and more clearly. It was a little colder again, but not so cold that they would freeze in the open air.

"Listen, Martin," Walton began. "I’m not gonna beat around the bush. You know Steve is out of the competition for a while. You know his car’s gone for scrap. You know we’re bringing a new one. You also know that a stable cannot function efficiently in a limited composition. You also know we had a hard time finding someone before season started and Alston stopped by at the last minute. We had a problem getting a test driver then, now that the season has started, it’s even bigger for us. The guys in the stable came up with the idea that you should test his car during Steve’s indisposition. "

There was no reaction from Martin. The boy was staring at Walton as if he were still waiting for what he would say.

"I think I have something wrong with my ears," the young mechanic announced after a long moment, but judging by the blush that had started to appear on his face, he heard Karl right, but he couldn’t believe it was actually like that.

Walton sighed and, ignoring that he might get his expensive clothes dirty, leaned against the wall.

"This is not an ideal solution for us," he announced, "but the only one we have now. Martin, you’re not stupid, you know what a wrecked car and a wrecked driver mean to a racing stable. Do you know how long it will take us to find someone, anyone who wants to come in almost mid-season? Anyway, how many drivers do you think will agree to come for such a short time, just to replace? Everyone will want a guaranteed place, and I can’t do that. I can’t kick Jack or Don or Steve out. Each of them has a valid contract. All I can do is get someone in for a while. Tell me where can I find someone like that? Where can I find someone who has track experience, but lacks the ambition to be professional, someone who knows cars and also knows our stable? Do you see another candidate besides yourself? "

"So I would be a test driver at the Fergus Stables?" Martin asked incredulously.

"Contract for two months. By this time, Steve should be back to normal. "

Martin did not agreed immediately, which surprised Walton. A promotion from a mechanic to a test driver would look great on any young boy’s biography. Anyway, there was no point in deceiving himself, at some point in his life Martin, like most boys, had to dream about such a chance. But this dream could die in him, as in the hearts of most adolescent boys.

Could Martin really not have racing ambitions?

That would be great!

If Martin really doesn’t want to get onto the track, Steve shouldn’t force him to. So it will be a normal, completely independent decision by the young mechanic, and Paxton will not be able to blame Karl. This solution would be perfect!

"I don’t expect an answer immediately," Walton announced. "I know you have obligations to this workshop. In addition, I am not offering you a permanent job. We need help, in return we offer money and the opportunity to gain experience that you do not get on a daily basis. I don’t expect an answer now, but I would like to get it as soon as possible. You know we care about time. "

"This is Steve’s idea, isn’t it?" Martin asked timidly.

"Yes, his," Karl admitted with a sigh. "At first, I was totally against it. Imagine he wanted to put you on the track instead of himself. There’s no way I’d do it with a complete rookie and completely ignore the hierarchy. But I discussed it with Jack, and especially Allen, and they both think you can be a good test driver. "

Karl sighed again.

"I think Steve needs you close to him. I think ... he needs you now. He would like to be with you twenty-four hours a day, but he can’t, no, if you work elsewhere. In our stable, even if he is on sick leave, he can always hang around the track all day with impunity. I don’t know if he would feel as comfortable here. "

"So this suggestion," said Martin, "is only because Steve ..."

Karl looked at the boy more closely. Martin was pale and serious, and he was not at all pleased to be working at the Fergus Stables as a third driver. Was one of the main reasons why he got the job offers not because of his talent, but because he was sleeping with Steve Paxton?

Was Martin a really honest man?

Karl wasn’t going to start liking him. However, he could show him respect and understanding.

"The idea was Steve’s," he admitted, "but you don’t think I’m a man who will endanger the well-being of the stables just to fulfill his whim?" and that was what his father accused him of.

"Of course not, Mr. Walton!" Martin assured the hot. "I’m sorry to make you feel that way."

"Think about my offer, just don’t think long, because if you refuse, I will have to urgently look for someone else. And I’d really rather use this time differently. I am waiting for a reply by tomorrow by nine in the morning. "

***

Martin returned to the auto repair shop with his heart and head full of confusion. He was pleased with the job offer that Karl had given him, and at the same time annoyed that she had even fallen. He was flattered that Jack and Abe thought of him as a good candidate, but bothered him that the idea came from Steve. He loved Paxton with all his heart, but he didn’t want to be someone who relied on his lover in his working life. Getting back behind the wheel of a racing car would be a childhood dream come true, but he buried these dreams a long time ago and moved on with his life. The thought of returning to the Fergus stables, where everyone was like one big family to him was very tempting, but here, in this little workshop, he had a family too - much smaller, with more problems, but maybe that’s why he was needed more here? But the stable was in real trouble at this point, too, and needed the help he could provide. He, a small, insignificant mechanic, can help one of the best GP2 stables for a few moments.

It was all so complicated!

Martin shouldn’t even consider leaving this little workshop and going back to the Fergus Stables. He owed Teddy and the boys loyalty. Since they didn’t have many cars to repair, there weren’t many opportunities for him to teach Sid either. The repair shop may not have had many customers, but those who checked in deserved the best service, and Sid wasn’t ready to provide that. Plus, now that Sid has discovered that Dave is carrying the burden of the past and also Sid discovered his love for his older friend, he will need his moral support.

But wouldn’t Dave himself feel better if Martin vanished from his sight? Seeing Martin would remind him of that terrible event. It will be like constantly sprinkling salt on the wound. Plus, Martin wanted Steve to show up at his workplace from time to time, and while it wasn’t about bonnet sex, backseat sex or anything else, if he’d come to take him to lunch or pick him up after work ... Wouldn’t it be too painful for Dave to see Steve? Will Martin have to forbid Paxton from visiting work while working here? But then Steve would be doomed to loneliness, and now, especially now, Steve shouldn’t be alone ...

Besides, Karl was right in saying that the stable needs a test driver. The situation was sudden and urgent. Every day counted here. It really won’t be easy for them to find someone suitable quickly enough. Martin knew he wasn’t a perfect candidate too, but he was the only one available right away. Fergus’ stable, Abe, gave him the opportunity to gain a lot of experience, now they needed temporary help, no longer than two months ...

But this little workshop had no mechanic apart from him. The boys could change the tires, change the battery, oil and fix a few small things, but with more complicated problems they could not cope and would have to refuse to help ...

Martin saw three serious sets of eyes staring at him.

Teddy’s eyes smiled kindly, like those of a loving grandfather who is ready to support his grandson’s every decision.

Sid’s eyes gleamed like those of the little brother whose older brother is facing the greatest chance in his life.

Dave’s eyes were ashamed and quickly bored to the ground.

Martin had the impression that the three of them knew he had received an offer from Karl Walton.

It also seemed that they had discussed the topic among themselves and had come to some sort of agreement.

The young mechanic sighed. He really had no idea what to do.