This Love

16

The next morning I feel myself waking up due to the light shining through my closed eyelids. The warmth surrounding me makes a smile appear on my face, my eyes staying closed. When I become aware of something heavy resting on me I slowly open my eyes confused, I see that my hand is over Dan's, which lays on my belly to keep me flush to his chest. His breath tickles the back of my neck sending a shiver down my body, I gently trace the tattoo on his hand enjoying the way that he's holding me. "Morning Cal" I look over my shoulder seeing that Dan is waking up, "morning" he gives me a sleepy smile, he must realize the position we're in because his eyes widen and he starts to pull away, "no don't" I exclaim stopping him in his tracks. The Australian smiles moving back to where he was, tugging me close his hand moving back to where is was on my skin, "a few more minutes" I mumble as he buries his head into my neck making me giggle. We lay together in silence my fingers dancing along his arm as his trace patterns where my silky tank top has risen up on my torso.

A phone ringing breaks the silence, Dan shifts before letting go of me, the bed moves when he stands. I sigh but sit up and put on my glasses figuring I should start the day so I swing my legs out from under the covers before getting up. Once i've chosen my outfit for the day I take the clothes with me to the bathroom where I change. I run a brush through my hair before stepping back into the room, "ready?" I nod at Dan who is smiling at me, "is there food at the track?" I ask as we go to leave the hotel room, "oh yeah, there's tons" I brush my hand across my forehead, "phew, you don't want to deal with me when i'm hungry" he laughs and pulls me out of the room, locking it after us. "You're laughing now, but let me tell yah i'm aggressive when I have an empty stomach" I tell him as we walk into the elevator waiting to get down to the lobby, "Cal i'm sure you're right but i'm not too concerned" he explains before pulling me into his side by my shoulders.

——

I'm grinning when we walk onto the race grounds later, "come on lets get some food" I nod and Dan takes my hand pulling me around members and drivers from other teams. "Daniel!" I turn my head at the yell seeing a guy in all red waving, "Charles" the Australian exclaims pulling us to a stop, "have a good practice out there, everyone is saying that the track is amazing today" I detect an accent in this stranger's voice, "thanks man, you too" that's when he spots me. "Who is this? Dan what have you been keeping from me" I blush and Dan brings me closer, "this is Callie, she's my..." I peer up at him shyly, "very good friend" I smile, "it's nice to meet you, i'm Charles, I drive for Ferrari" I shake his outstretched hand, "nice to meet you" he nods before saying goodbye. Once he's out of earshot Dan continues leading us through the venue, "he was really nice" I say making him look down at me, "yeah we're all pretty nice guys, just a warning though, he'll probably tell the other drivers which will cause the curiosity to spike around here" I laugh, "that's okay, I love meeting new people" he squeezes my hand, "then this should be a really fun day for you.

After a few more instances of getting stopped and introduced to other drivers we get to the Renault players lounge. My eyes immediately go to the table set up with a coffee machine and a plethora of breakfast foods, Dan pushes me in that direction, I look up at him, "go eat, i'll be there in a sec" I nod and make a b-line for the heavenly table. Once i've piled up my plate I find a seat at one of the empty tables, before I can make a move to eat someone sits across from me, "Callie right?" I look up at the man, "yeahhhh" I reply a bit freaked out, "Charles told me Dan brought a friend" I smile feeling a bit better, "that's me, who are you?" he laughs, "I'm Cyril, the team leader of sorts" I shake his hand, "nice to meet you" he nods, "are you harassing my friend?" I look over at Dan who approaches the table, "always Daniel" he replies making me giggle as I finally get to eat food.

"Ready for practice laps?" The Australian nods and the team lead walks away, I grin up at the driver who sits across from me, "this is getting so tiring to keep the kids at bay around you" I shrug innocently continuing to eat my breakfast not wanting to admit that I'm enjoying the attention from all the drivers. Dan squints at me but I avoid his intense gaze, "don't tell me..." he trails off, I look up sheepishly, "...are you actually enjoying all of this?" He asks me a smile coming to his face, "maybe a tiny bit" I reply, he laughs out loud making everyone in the lounge look over at us. I blush trying to avoid their looks only focusing on finishing the food left on my plate. After a few more minutes of teasing Dan leaves to start his practice laps leaving me be once I've promised to wait in the paddock for him.

——

As I'm walking to the paddock my phone rings, I pick it up when I see that it's Lexi. "I'm going to kill you guys" I say immediately still not over the fact that they packed those pjs, "what did we do?" she whines, "those pyjamas? Really?" there's a shuffling on their end, "you're welcome babe" I roll my eyes as I get to the garage. "It was so awkward last night" they choke, "wait what?" They yelp, "they messed up the reservation so there was only one bed" Lexi laughs making me huff. "How was that?" I bite my lip remembering this morning, "god it was kind of perfect" I mumble, I cringe at the high pitched squeals coming from my friends, holding the phone away from my ear for a few seconds. "We've wanted this for you for forever Cal" Lexi tells me, my gaze moves to the screen in the garage showing Dan's practice lap.

"Wait omg are you at the track?" I focus back on the call again, "hm, yeah" I reply, "isn't the race tomorrow though?" Jill chimes in, "I'm watching Dan do his practice laps" awwws come from their end making me blush, "he asked you to be at practice? that's adorable" my cheeks get even redder so I duck my head to hide my face. "Shut up, it's no big deal" I mumble, my head suddenly snaps up at the sound of an approaching car, "gotta go" I say into the phone ignoring their cries of protest as I hang up to watch the crew backing Dan's car into the garage. When he gets the alright he climbs out of the car, he pulls of his helmet and grins at me. "Looked good out there" I say with a smile and walk over to the Australian, "I'm just happy that everything works" he replies and places his hands on my hips to pull me close, "definitely a thing to be happy about" he ducks his head to kiss my cheek softly, "gotta go to the team meeting, meet me at the lounge later?" I nod and he smiles before walking down the tunnel that will take him out of the garage. I take one last look at the space around me before heading to the lounge where I started the day.