33 Bending the Rules

"Are you alright now?" Karl Walton asked, feeling Steve no longer tremble.

"Yes."

"How long have you had relapses?"

"Today," he confessed quietly. "Only today."

"What happened?"

"Martin… I think he has fallen in love with me. I told him it wouldn't be fine, and he left nervous. Then I saw Hannah ... "

'My God' thought Walton 'Something as simple, as innocent as dispelling someone's fantasies about love ...'

But was it really that innocent? Was Martin to blame for falling in love with Paxton? Was Steve to blame for not loving him back? It was the same with Hannah - well, almost the same. Hannah was an eyewitness to the shocking situation, Martin only heard "I'm not interested in you" but on Steve impact was almost the same.

"I'll get you some water," he offered. There were a few packets of water in the old, slightly dingy kitchen. Walton suspected that there was little else here that would be suitable for putting in his mouth.

Anna shouldn't have let Paxton move out of the hotel. There at least someone looked after his bedding, clothes and food. But what could she do? After all, she couldn't force him shut.

Though maybe they should do it?

Walton chased this terrible thought away.

"You'll have to see a specialist," Karl announced, handing him a bottle of water. "I say this as your friend and as your boss. I can't risk putting you on the track like this. "

"Come on," Steve smiled wryly. "It was just a one-off incident. You know I can be crazy in real life, but I'm never reckless on the track. Anyway… I really need a track. Let's wait. Let's see what will happen next. "

"If all is well with you, the psychologist will give you the green light."

"We both know he won't do this after the first visit. He will insist on a few sessions to be sure, by then the stable will start the season without a driver and I ... I can give up everything but not the track. "

Karl knew all of this was true. The rules were quite precise but very general, while Steve was a special case. Not only was he a genius who was unmatched behind the wheel, but racing on the track, although he sometimes seemed aggressive, he was extremely aware of the situation around him and never, never got into any situation that threatened the safety of himself, competitors or the car . It was perhaps his greatest talent. If Steve had recognized that anything was wrong with the track, he would have swung aside at the expense of winning. He wasn't one of those idiots who had to win at all costs without even looking to see if they were walking over someone else's corpse.

So leaving Paxton at the Fergus Stable track was not risking anything, because they didn't really have anyone to replace him.

But it did involve bending the rules.

"Could this little mechanic suspect that something is wrong with you?" Walton asked Paxton.

"If he sees me like he always does tomorrow, he shouldn't suspect anything."

"I shouldn't be doing this, but ..."

"I swear I won't take any chances. Even if I had to get ahead of this new one, I wouldn't take any chances. "

"Fine. For now, you can drive, but you'll talk to Larissa. "

Steve didn't like the idea, but he knew it was the best he could negotiate right now.

"Fine. Make an appointment at a time convenient for her. "

"So I will. And Steve ... "

"Yes?"

"If you need to talk, remember I'm always here for you."

"I will remember. Don't forget to send me an invitation to your and Anna's wedding. "

There are days when a man is faced with an extremely difficult choice. Moments when making a decision has huge consequences and it is impossible to say which choice will be better.

One such point was when Karl made the decision to let Paxton enter the track. It was a risky, but in his heart Walton believed it was the right thing to do. Yes, he had his fears, but he believed in Steve. He was his friend after all.

Steve looked normal that day, as if yesterday's anxiety attack had never happened. Maybe it was actually a one-off incident caused by the situation? Breaking up has never been easy, and for Steve it was an additional trauma. And, after all, Karl believed that Steve felt something warm towards Martin, only he couldn't accept it.

Oh yes, Martin. Walton decided to take a closer look at this young man, so he looked at his documents first. He was glad and relieved that the boy had a contract that would expire in a few days. If Martin disappears from Steve's sight, Paxton should quickly forget about him and go back to being his old self - a racing driver for whom being on the track is a real joy to live in. So the mechanic, contrary to Karl's earlier fears, posed no threat. Walton, glancing towards the garage now, saw the boy curling up over the heating blankets. In fact, he was a good worker, a good mechanic, who would be a good help to any stable, but his presence had placed anxiety in the mind and heart of their first driver, which was unacceptable.

Today, Steve Paxton and Don Alston were to go on the track for the first time together. Karl was usually too busy to watch training, but the new improvements and the new driver were a perfect excuse for him to sit in the stands. All Walton really wanted was to watch Steve and make sure the driver wasn't showing signs of anxiety.

Walton called Larissa yesterday and told her what happened. His aunt also had a major in psychology, and although she did not work in this profession, she had knowledge and qualifications. She confirmed it was too early to make a diagnosis. One incident does not prove anything. People without trauma in times of increased stress have also experienced similar symptoms. It is best if such people can find themselves in a friendly, familiar environment and do what they like to find peace. The problem with Paxton was that what brings him relaxation is driving an extremely expensive car at high speed. An objective psychologist should give him a red light.

Larissa Fergus, however, was not objective and made it clear. She had known Steve for over three years and knew his story. Due to his friendship with Karl, Steve was almost like a family member to her. All she could do was watch carefully.

So Walton made this observation. He could see Martin and Steve making glances at each other, but there was no more contact between them. He saw that they were both acting perfectly natural, without any provocation or any evasions. They were both total professionals.

If Karl hadn't been so excited about Paxton, he would probably have been impressed that neither of these men had any connection between private and professional, that they could have left their animosities behind the stable door yesterday, but now Walton had a more important problem on his mind. How will Steve act on the track? Will the presence of a new, enthusiastic driver provoke him to do some crazy stuff?

He was about to find out about it in a moment.

It was too early for a practice race. Alston was still too green to let him go crazy on the track on day one. He clearly came from a different class to them. The boy was to get used to the machine and track, and Steve - to the new driver. They won't be racing together, but the new season has brought with it some new drivers with their own style, so Steve should get used to the variety.

Jack Lambert, who was still forced to avoid the car, approached Walton.

"It's a rare pleasure to see you here," said the driver.

"I can say the same about you. How's the leg?"

"Just say the word and I'm ready to race today."

"I didn't expect anything else from you. How do you rate the new driver? "

"I haven't seen him live, but he looks decent on recordings. He's not a genius like Steve, but maybe he'll be okay. As for his personality ... "

"Is there any problem?" Karl became concerned. The atmosphere in the stable was very important. Paxton and Lambert fought each other constantly, but actually maintained a decent relationship. You could say there was a healthy, almost brotherly rivalry between them. It got hot at times, but in the end they showed solidarity.

Jack shrugged.

"The kid is arrogant. I like arrogant people, but if they really have something to show off. Alston has more arrogance than skill so far, such a top gun. "

Karl looked suddenly concerned. If Alston is so arrogant, he will definitely want to prove to the world that he is a better driver than Steve. He will be aggressive and insolent. Will it not provoke Paxton to a similar behavior? Won't that cause a problem?

No, Karl has to trust Steve. During the race, there will be many arrogant rivals on the track, young hot shots who will want to beat the leaders at all costs. If Paxton can't handle the pressure in training, how will he handle it in the race?

Alston was already doing his second lap. He's been going well so far. He even seemed to be following Allen's directions because that was clearly a mechanic's style. Walton didn't see the arrogance Jack had accused him of. Maybe the boy liked to brag, but he was actually a pretty good driver?

Walton's hopes were shattered when the second red and yellow car appeared on the track. It was as if Alston was just waiting for the Paxton to show up. Predictably, the new one went crazy.

Karl puffed out a curse in his mouth. If only Steve would not be provoked!

The Paxton seemed to be doing nothing about the co-driver. He rode calmly, in his style, not letting himself be distracted by his rival's arrogant behavior.

"Like a Rottweiler and a rattler," Jack remarked suddenly.

The comparison was quite accurate. The strong and dominant Rottweiler didn't mind the little rattler barking at him. It just wasn't the class. Walton felt a rush of relief.

"Someone's calling you," Lambert addressed him. It was only now that Karl noticed that his phone was clearly ringing. He frowned as he saw it was Larissa. He wasn't expecting a phone call from her. Does that mean she had any comments about Steve's condition?

"I have to pick up," he announced and retreated to a more quiet place.

When he answered, he regretted leaving the stands because he needed to seat down.