The cloud of steam dissipates.
And Gemma is standing in front of me on full display.
"Shit. I'm so sorry!" I blurt, averting my gaze immediately.
But it's too late, the image of her perfect hourglass figure is already seared into my brain. Gemma raises an eyebrow.
She appears slightly amused, as if she couldn't care less about my presence. Then, she calmly reaches for her towel hanging on the shower hook before slowly draping it over herself.
"Problem?" she asks.
"No—sorry. I just, uh..." My brain stalls, words tripping over each other on the way out.
She tilts her head, appearing slightly annoyed. "You're gonna have to do a little better than that."
"I'm—uh—Liv Young. The new reserve driver. Nice to meet you." I extend my hand.
She ignores it.
Instead, she crosses her arms, completely unconcerned with how the gesture emphasizes her chest. Her gaze drags over me, slow and assessing, from head to toe.
"Reserve. Driver," she repeats, like she's tasting the words.
Her lips twitch. "More like a junior driver, by the looks of it."
Great. A female version of Virgil.
"Welcome to the team," she says flatly. "I guess."
Before I can respond, she turns away and starts spinning the dial on her locker, already done with me.
I don't waste the opening, and while she's distracted, I slip out of the locker room as quietly as possible, my heart still thudding a little too hard for comfort.
Well... that was embarrassing.
I unlock my car and slide into the driver's seat, letting out a long breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Of all the ways to meet one of NRGYZR's primary drivers, walking in on her in the shower definitely wasn't on my list.
Once home, I toss my keys onto the counter, change into an oversized hoodie and shorts, and head straight for the kitchen.
A few minutes later, I'm perched on a barstool, half-eating, half-scrolling. My fork pushes rice around the container more than it actually lifts it. My brain, unfortunately, is still at NRGYZR.
My phone buzzes in my hand.
Willie.
Willie: How was NRGYZR?
I stare at the message for a second, debating how honest I want to be.
Liv: Their facilities are incredible.
Willie: Just wait till you level up to the Indigo Series. Then we'll really be talking.
Liv: Can't wait 😭
Willie: Also, Beatrice just forwarded me your schedule. You've got physical fitness testing tomorrow at 8 a.m.
Willie: You know the drill. Get to bed early and stay hydrated.
Liv: Will do. Thanks for the heads-up.
I check the time.
9:00 p.m.
"Okay," I mutter to myself. "An hour to unwind, then bed by ten."
I head into the kitchen and pour myself a tall glass of water, squeezing a lime wedge over the top before dropping it in. The citrus scent is sharp and clean.
I sink into the couch and take a slow sip.
"Mm. That really hits the spot."
About forty-five minutes in, my eyelids start getting heavy. My body finally cashing in on the adrenaline bill from earlier.
Okay. Bed time.
I shut everything off, brush my teeth, and slide under the covers.
***
When I wake the next morning, sunlight spills softly across my room. I move through my usual routine. Then I grab my water bottle and a few personal items, sling my bag over my shoulder, and head for the door.
At my car, I dig through my bag.
Nothing.
I check again. Slower this time.
Still nothing.
"Seriously?" I groan.
I jog back inside, keys apparently deciding to play hide-and-seek on the worst possible morning. After a frantic search, I finally find them stuffed into the pocket of yesterday's outfit.
By the time I'm back in the car, I'm running about thirty minutes behind.
"Okay," I mutter, pulling out of the lot, "this is not the impression I wanted to make on my first day."
As the drive settles into a steady rhythm, my thoughts drift back to what Beatrice said about Emerald Series cars being faster, heavier, and harder to control.
If the cars are more demanding, then the physical testing probably is too. I've done fitness assessments before. Plenty of them. But something tells me today's won't be the usual routine.
NRGYZR HQ comes into view, sleek and imposing, and my nerves spike like it's exam day all over again.
Ready or not, today feels like I've just taken my first real leap as a Prisma driver.
I draw in a deep breath, sharpening my brows.
"Time to get to work."