Race With a Heart
Chapter 172: Looking From the Side

Chapter 172: Looking From the Side

When the eyes of the man you love look at you, you know you have to do your best. A determination came into Martin that he had never had in racing before in his life.

Back then, when he competed in training with Steve, it was similar, but different. He knew then that there was no chance of defeating his opponent, now at least one of his rivals was within his reach and Martin had to beat him. He had to prove to Steve that he, too, had enough testosterone and the streak to beat Alston, that asshole who thought he might abuse Steve.

The race was a mass-start, so Martin’s car was positioned behind Lambert’s car, from the third starting position. Jack had no reason to block Martin for Don, so he’ll likely have a quick start to jump straight away and show the rookies what real class is all about. This was exactly what happened, and Martin was almost immediately on the empty track, but was unable to use the gift Jack had given him, and Alston kept his second position. This only caused Martin to increase his sporting anger, which he transmitted into the track. Steve was off the track, watching, and Martin had no right to disappoint his expectations, whatever they were.

***

"He’s beautiful," Steve said quietly, his eyes never leaving the car Martin was driving.

"Yes, the paint is shiny with fresh," Allen agreed next to him, who recognized that Paxton was talking about a new car that was intended for him and which Martin was temporarily holding for testing.

"Yes, that too," Steve blushed, realizing that he had just subconsciously betrayed his admiration for the driver, not the car.

"Oh, you’re talking about his driving! You rarely see races from this perspective so you forgot how spectacular it looks, huh? " Allen quipped.

"I think so," he admitted. "Being a spectator is a completely different experience."

Abe Allen nodded.

"But you are right, Martin can really drive. He’s not as good as you, hell, no one is as good as you, but with the right training, he can be at least as good as Jack."

"You’re not saying anything about Alston," Steve remarked.

"It’s hard for me to say anything. He changed his style."

"Really?" Paxton was surprised. "I have not noticed."

"Because you’ve never had a chance to look at him. The driver on the track does not see what the expert sees while off the track, and you will not refuse me the title of expert, will you?"

"Of course not. When did Alston’s style change?" Steve asked a little puzzled.

"After the race," the chief mechanic sighed. "I don’t know if it’s because of his poor performance at the competition, but Don doesn’t drive like he did before. He drives worse."

Maybe it was the change that was due to the bad performance in the race or maybe something else. Steve knew perfectly well that his fist would also make a strong impression on Alston. And then there was the disclosure of his involvement with the track incidents. And - and that was probably the most important thing - Alston gave his ass. Literally.

Steve had no reason to feel sorry for or feel pity for him. If the boy had been fair to him, maybe yes, maybe Paxton would have found a little sympathy, but after what Alston had done to him, no way. Steve could forgive, but not so much that he worried about the bastard who had treated him to the point of deserving a prison.

"I see our next race in black," Allen added.

Steve clenched his fist. The chief mechanic did not know that Alston was behind the incidents on the track, although was he actually the mastermind and executor of the entire operation? Did it matter how much Don was involved in all of this? Even if his only participation was to know something like this was happening, he should have either done his best to stop the real perpetrator or warned the stable about it. Paxton wasn’t a saint, and he knew it, but he didn’t deserve - damn it! - no one deserved to be treated that way.

"Failure on the track is natural for a driver," stated Steve, stubbornly. "Only one can win, all others are doomed to worse places. This is the reality. If someone cannot accept it, there is no place for him in sports."

Steve sensed the displeasure of Allen.

"Not everyone is born a genius," announced the chief mechanic. "There is a bit of talent behind most drivers and the rest is hard, systematic work."

This statement hurt Paxton. It wasn’t because it was close to the truth, but because it reminded him of what Alston thought about him.

"Are you saying that I am not working for my success, that I get it for free?"

"God, no! I know you struggle to be successful like an ox, and I know you have had your own hardships that were even more difficult to get through. Geniuses ... only seemingly have it easier, but their path to the goal is different."

This explanation from Allen did not make Paxton feel better. The driver had the impression that the chief mechanic sensed a conflict between Paxton and Alston and instinctively took the other side. Abe’s next words only confirmed his suspicions.

"As an older colleague, you should support Don a little. The first defeat really upset him. I know you think Martin is a better driver, but Martin is not ready to go yet. Right now we only have Don and the stable needs the best position."

Oh yes, for sure.

"As a junior colleague, Alston should be glad I spared him a visit to the hospital," Steve announced icily. Then, looking the mechanic straight in the eye, he added, "Never ever get in between me and Alston again."

At this point, Steve turned and headed towards the stalls. Martin just passed his opponent in the last corner and is about to leave the track. Steve will be waiting for him here.

Many people considered Paxton a genius. Steve did not live in a vacuum, and although he was in his own world for a long time, he was not blind or deaf to the rest of reality. People used to think that because of his talent, victories came easy for him. According to them, he didn’t have to work, he didn’t have to try, he was a genius. Probably according to them, the exhausting workouts he and Jack were going through were just entertainment for Steve.

Steve was a little nervous. Allen’s comment was not intended to do anything wrong, but it nevertheless upset him.

"Are you okay? You don’t look your best."

Paxton started in surprise to hear Karl Walton’s voice. This man rarely looked here.

"Little quarrel with Abe," Steve admitted. "Nothing big, but I got a little pissed. He wants me to mentally support Don," he smirked, bitterly.

"He doesn’t know about your conflict. You cannot expect him to take your side. Being a senior colleague comes with certain obligations," Karl noted.

"Does that mean I mustn’t even get angry?"

"I thought working with Alston would not be a problem for you," commented Karl referring to their earlier conversation.

"Yes, me too," Steve admitted and sighed.

He really thought so, but Abe’s completely innocent, natural comment disturbed him. It was just like not him.

Or maybe like him? Wasn’t that the irritation, the explosiveness he felt at the time Hannah was in a coma? Isn’t that why he drank alcohol, took part in fights and slept with whom he fell?

But that were a things of the past, right?

Now Steve had Martin!

’Martin’ - the mere mention of that name made Paxton feel almost blissful. It was as if that one word was the answer to every pain. Steve turned his head to the track. The drivers started going into the boxes.

"I don’t think you should hang out in the stables," Walton noted. "You should distance yourself from Alston for a while."

"What? No! You agreed to let me work with Martin on his stage fright ... "

"So do it outside the stable. Take him out of town on a trip where you can both relax and talk calmly about his stage fright."

Walton’s offer took Steve by surprise.

"But preparations for the starts ..."

"This one day of training won’t change anything. You both need to relax and you have declared that you will be his mentor, so I don’t see any other choice."

"Karl ..."

"I’m only doing this for the future of the stable," Walton said dryly. "Shit, I think I’ve spent too much time with Larissa."

The idea of ​​going out together was unexpected, but it sparked enthusiasm in Paxton. Perhaps Karl was doing it solely for the sake of the peaceful future of the Fergus Stables, which would ensure the peaceful well-being of the drivers, or perhaps for some other reason.

"Thank you," Steve smiled, feeling real gratitude. "You really are my best friend."