Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
I was up before I saw any more. I hastily excused myself as I bumped past others in my row and raced down toward the tunnel that would take me to the infield. I flashed my press pass, so grateful that I'd planned ahead to get it, even though this was not how or why I'd envisioned myself using it.
There were people everywhere. When I realized I had no idea where to go, I found a security guard and asked him where I could find the medical center. Then I weaved in and out of the crowd and moved quickly in the direction he'd indicated. I wasn't sure if Axel would still be onsite or if he'd have been taken to a hospital. I'd seen a few terrible accidents while watching races, and I'd heard about many others, even fatal ones. I knew the cars were equipped with safety features, but at two hundred miles per hour… anything could happen.
There were more guards at the medical center, and a buzz of activity. It looked like something important was happening inside; crowds were thick where they were permitted. I pushed my way through toward the building's entrance. I knew my press pass wouldn't work here, and was glad I had another card to play.
I yelled out to the guard by the door, "Is Axel Beckers inside? I need to see him. I'm his sister. Stepsister," I amended.
The guard stepped closer and I repeated my request. He asked for my name and then communicated with someone through a two-way radio. I had no idea if this was going to work, and along with my silent prayers that Axel was okay, I added a request that I be allowed in to see him.
After several long minutes, the guard received notice, waved me toward him, and opened the door for me. "End of the hall. Make a right," he said, before he stepped back out.
There was also a buzz of activity inside the medical center, though it was much quieter and calmer. I hurried down the hall, afraid of what I'd be seeing, but reassured by the fact that I'd been let in, and that Axel was here and not already in an ambulance being taken away.
There were a few people clustered at the end of the hall, and they moved aside as I approached. I looked to the right and saw Axel on an exam table. Two medics were attending to him, but after a quick glance, he appeared to be okay. He was conscious, sitting upright, and the parts of his body I could see appeared unharmed. And he was staring right at me in disbelief.
I wanted to run to him and embrace him, but there was a woman crouched in front of him examining his legs and a man next to him listening to his heart.
"Axel, are you okay?" I was breathless.
"Kayla? What are you doing here?"
I just shook my head. I had to fight back tears that came with the rush of relief at seeing him alive and seemingly well. I looked down at the medic checking his legs. She was pressing at spots on his feet and gently rotating his ankle. His calves were bare where his uniform had been cut away. Nothing looked broken or bleeding but she was doing a thorough check.
"What happened?" I asked.
Axel started to speak but the doctor at his side interrupted him. "We should be done checking you out in a few minutes. Everything's looking good so far."
"I'm fine," Axel said, his tone quick with impatience.
The doctor turned to me. "If you could wait in the hall, we'll finish up with him and then you can talk."
As I turned, Axel called my name. "Kayla, don't leave."
I smiled at him and shook my head. "I won't. I promise."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. Axel and I were never alone, so we didn't talk about us, though his eyes were full of questions every time he looked at me. I found out what had happened on the track—Velasquez had tried to pass Axel but cut him off and ended up in a spin. Axel swerved to avoid hitting him, lost control and veered off into the infield. Luckily neither of them were hurt badly, and both had walked away from the accident.
Axel was pissed, and I sensed that he'd have been much angrier if he wasn't distracted by my presence. I did my best to fade into the background though, as he attended team meetings, interviews, and other debriefings. He checked in with me when he could, and asked me if I would have dinner with him when it was all over. We made plans for him to drive me back to my hotel first so that I could shower and change.