章 39: A Door that Shouldn't Have Opened

Jack Lambert, stuck in his driver's suit, adjusted his gloves. He looked extremely handsome against the background of his red and yellow car - a bouncy blonde with bright eyes and a happy smile. Although he was just waiting for a test race, he seemed to be posing for a photo session. At least he looked as great as if he were in such a session. Martin was absolutely dazzled looking at him. So what will the mechanic feel when the one and only Steve Paxton comes out of the hall?

Martin was just as excited as the rest of the mechanics. Maybe a little more. Jack was his friend and Steve was his lover. Of course, he was a supporter of both (though Paxton a little more), so it was going to be a really exciting training for him. Although he will only witness what is most important, he will witness something beautiful. After all, no one said that friendly rivalries and sparring were to be less exciting than the actual competition.

Probably only Don Alston did not enjoy this friendly race. He glanced at the cars and the track and Martin. The young mechanic had no idea why he was among the objects Alston was peering at, but decided it was because they had raced together before, as Paxton and Lambert will now do. Martin had no other explanation and did not need it. He had neither reason nor desire to bother with Alston. After all, something much more interesting than his former rival awaited him.

Steve finally emerged from the corridor and Martin sighed involuntarily. He was not very good at Greek mythology, but he had the impression that there were two Olympic gods in the hangar - the radiant god of sun, Apollo and the dark god of war, Ares. Each of them had a readiness to fight to death and life in their eyes. This race is going to be amazing!

Martin couldn't remember Paxton's careful driving yesterday. Why would he remember something so insignificant? Later, in the locker room, the two had a different ride, and Steve showed no hesitation in this one. He was strong, decisive and aggressive, but he was delighted to drive Martin as an outstanding driver his beloved car. The finish was like winning a grand prix and then an explosion - not from a bottle of champagne, but equally exciting.

The young mechanic had no idea that he was just blushing up to the tips of his ears, his eyes turning into liquid caramel - melted sweetness. He didn't notice that Don kept his eyes on him a little longer. Martin was too busy admiring the two Greek-godlike drivers.

Steve gave Martin a brief glance that filled Martin with joy. Previously, he did not even give him such looks, always avoiding even accidental contact. There was no tenderness in those eyes, but the god Ares was going to war with Apollo, so how could he have had anything else in his eyes other than the will to win?

"You'll be sniffing my burnt rubber," welcomed rival Jack. The smile did not disappear from his mouth.

"If you can overtake me even for a second," Paxton replied in an equally friendly manner.

There was a healthy rivalry and fierce between the drivers. Their training race will be something special!

Both drivers got into the cars and put on their helmets. They started their engines and rode one by one to the track. They did one practice lap and then stood head to head on the starting line.

"All right, boys," Allen began giving commands over the radio. "You know the rules. You can have fun as much as you want, but remember that you have to get to the finish line in one piece! You understand?!"

Both drivers nodded and Abe ordered them to be ready. The lights above the starting line began flashing, and when they suddenly went out, both cars rolled forward. At the straight line they went head to head, but Steve took the first turn.

"Yes!" Martin, overjoyed, jumped up, causing general delight. He felt ashamed for a moment, but only for a moment, because he had no time to be ashamed of when his two favorite drivers raced on the track.

It wasn't a good day for Don Alston. It started badly at night, when instead of normal, healthy dreams he had a dream about his former rival from the track. He dreamed that they were racing together again. The Don struggled to win but finally succeeded. He was pleased, proud and excited. Martin was waiting for him in the locker room, wanting to congratulate him on his victory. The Don was to collect his prize.

Alston didn't know what award Martin was talking about, but suddenly it was clear. His prize stood before him. Martin was showing him an irresistible face. So Alston didn't even try to resist.

It was a crazy, extremely passionate dream. The things that Don and Martin did with him were unimaginable to Alston. Maybe he couldn't imagine them consciously, but the subconscious was doing well, turning Martin into a passive giver of the greatest pleasure and a recipient of the wildest erotic madness.

Waking up from such a dream was a terrible disappointment, and the erotically stimulated body demanded satisfaction. Don woke Heather with a caress, but whether it was because she was still asleep or for some other reason, Alston wasn't satisfied. It was with this attitude that he came to work.

It wasn't much better here, because wherever he looked, he could see the real, excited Martin. His colleague enjoyed the training race so much that it was downright indecent. Alston mentally wished Paxton the worst. He sincerely hoped that Steve would show his worst side today and prove to everyone that his days were over. The driver on the track has no right to drive like an old woman. If there is something wrong with his head, let him show some decency and get off the track to make room for others instead of becoming a laughingstock or a cause for pity.

Steve drove a lot better than yesterday, though, and while this wasn't his full potential yet, it was clear that Paxton hadn't lost what makes him a brilliant driver.

Damn! After all, Don felt like he had heard the applause he received after winning his first grand prix of the season!

Alston felt like Steve was stealing just what was honestly owed to Don. For a driver, Steve was almost to old to move to F1, so why was he stubbornly standing on a way of younger and more capable? Why did he not understand after driving yesterday that it was time to leave?

Damn! Damn! Damn!

Meanwhile, everyone in the stable looked pleased that Steve was clearly in good shape. Martin in particular was excited and happy like a little child waiting for a gift from Santa. Was Martin always so childish and so stupidly naive? Maybe. Who knows? He was always nice and polite. The type that will help the old woman carry her shopping up the stairs, which will accompany her neighbor to the hospital. Gawk. It's good that Martin stopped racing. There was no place on the track for wimps like him.

Everyone in the stable was smiling, so Alston smiled too. He didn't want to stick out in the end. He was, admittedly, much better than them, but it was not yet the time to show them who was in charge. Don will do this when he is promoted to first driver.

Though the stable had Lambert and Paxton, Jack was no challenge for Don, no obstacle, much less a rival. Jack sat in his safe seat from the beginning, because he was a safe driver in the top five for the safety-loving Fergus Stables. It is Paxton who has smashed in here and may be out just as suddenly. He should even do that. One mistake from Steve is enough and Robert Walton will not allow this driver to stay here long without the support of a specific sponsor.

By the way, Alston wondered why Paxton didn't have a sponsor? All the capital was brought to the stable by the stable itself or by Jack. Steve has attracted some capital, but not alone and not for himself. He has not tied up with any company that would allow him to develop his career and earn from advertising contracts. Don has had a lot of support for this and whenever the opportunity arises, his sponsors will be pushing hard for Alston to appear in the competition.

Don, of course, preferred it sooner rather than later, but today's test race blew his hopes away. Steve Paxton turned out to be invincible, and not because Jack gave him a head start. Steve just was better.

Alston was furious, but he couldn't let it show. He congratulated both drivers and watched them disappear down the corridor that led to the locker room. As the mechanics finished looking after their cars, Don approached Martin.

"Hey, can I have a minute please?"

"Something happened?" Martin asked.

"Nothing big. It's a personal matter, so I'd like to talk for a while in private."

"Oh, okay," the young mechanic agreed.

At this point, the two men had little in common, but they had a common past and mutual acquaintances. Well, they even had a common girlfriend. Martin may not have been eager to fraternize with Don, but he had no reason to refuse him a brief moment of alone-to-talk.

They left the building and stood a little out of the way.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Martin asked.

"About you actually."

"About me?"

"I saw you yesterday."

"I saw you too. We see each other every day. "

Alston laughed. Was Martin really that booty or was he just pretending?

"I saw you in the locker room. With Steve ... "

The young mechanic turned pale. He looked like a small, frightened animal. Don's heart beat harder.

"I have no idea what you are talking about…"

Alston's smile widened even more. He rested his hand against the wall as if to prevent Martin from escaping, and brought his face closer to him.

"I think you do after all," he announced quietly. "Who do you think, who will be more harmed by such a media scandal, him or you?"