Breakaway Chapter 21 Teaser

Edward and Bella sat across from each other at the dining room table in Edward’s house about a week after leaving Chicago, each individual with a cell phone plastered to their ear. Bella took notes while Edward’s brow crinkled in confusion as he asked more questions.
“So you’re saying it would be six million per racer to start, and that doesn’t include HQ, test track, entrance fees, travel expenses, or the extensive staff I intend to keep?”

Bella raised a brow at Edward before shaking her head and replying to the question from the person on the other end of the line. “Yes, Ma’am. Edward Cullen and I are looking into starting our own team. We already have our staff lined up and are looking into buying in for next year. What I am looking into at this point is whether or not your company would be willing to sponsor our new team.”

The lady began to babble on in a monotone voice that reminded Bella of the teacher from Charlie Brown as the glanced back up to see Edward’s face turning bright red. “That’s just to rent a facility? Surely, you could build your own for that price. For fuck sake, Jim, that’s highway robbery.”

Bella’s focus returned to the lady on the line in time to hear the end of her monotonous dialogue. “I’m sorry, but we simply don’t have the liquid assets at this time to invest in such a venture. I am very sorry, Miss Swan. You and Mr. Cullen are wonderful racers and would make a fine PR investment, but we just can’t at this time.”

Bella sighed, shaking her head as Edward’s jade eyes lifted to meet hers, his shoulders slumping. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. If the situation with your company changes, please keep us in mind.”

“We will, Miss Swan. Thank you for your interest.”

Bella closed her phone with a frustrated snap and resisted the urge to throw it against the table and watch it shatter into hundreds of tiny pieces. This was so much more difficult than she thought, and from the sound of things, even if they both invested their entire savings and Edward’s trust, they would barely have enough to start off with a bare bones operation, much less start the company they way that they both wanted. Plus, in the current economy, there was no guarantee that they would not be left with nothing when it was all said and done.