This Love

27

Once I have confirmed my plan with Nico I quickly pack a bag, call the Colts to tell them I'm taking Monday off and buy a plane ticket to Germany. My bank account cries a bit as I get last minute ticket that will get me there in time for the race the next morning. Lexi and Jill help me double check I have everything but not before throwing some red lace at me, "what?" I ask catching the fabric, "just in case you decide it's THE night" I blush holding out the matching bra and panties, quickly stuffing them in my suitcase, "I'm not sure" I mumble, "you have a killer body and this will accentuate it perfectly, no take backs" I feel the blush subsiding as I zip up my bag.

Later I say bye to my parents who are about to leave to get back to their hotel. "We love you Callie" I grin and tighten my arms around them, "love you too, safe travels home" they nod and each kiss my head, "have fun in Germany" I smile and my friends push me out the door and into Jill's car so that we can make it to the airport in time for my flight. "I can't believe I'm doing this, what's happening to me" I say as Jill drives, "love makes us do crazy things Cal, you are no exception" Lexi tells me while peering back at me with a smile, "what if he doesn't love me?" I suddenly ask, "he does though" I bite my lip nervously, "Callie I swear on my life that he does so don't back out" I sigh and the three of us fall into a silence the rest of the drive.

At the airport I get out of the car with my bag in hand, "good luck babe" Jill says before hugging me, "you've got this" Lexi adds and joins the hug. I let go and give them a smile, "see you in a few days" I say and wave one last time before walking into the building running to security to board my flight on time. On the plane I don't sleep at all the excitement keeping me awake as I watch several movies to pass the time. My thoughts circle around Dan and what he's gonna do when I show up at the race, thousands of kilometres from where I should be this time of year. I look out the window of the plane the clouds changing as we approach the final destination of the flight.

——

When my plane lands in Mannheim hours later, it's a little after 2 am, as I carry my bag into the airport I let out a yawn. "Callie" I blink looking around to find the voice that called me out, I smile when I see Nico waving at me. I trudge over to him sleepily, he pulls me into a hug and I lean into his body, he laughs, "lets get you to bed" I nod and he lets go of me before leading me out of the building. We get into his rental car my bag going into the backseat as I buckle up letting out another yawn leaning my head against the passenger seat window.

"Callie" Nico says while shaking my shoulder I hum, "you're gonna need to get up for this part" I open my eyes turning to the driver next to me, "okay I'm up" I mumbles as I sit up and get out of the car, grabbing my bag in the process. "You can stay in my room tonight, figured you'd stay with Dan tomorrow" I nod as he leads me into the hotel and up to his room where I immediately throw myself onto the sofa bed that is all set up. I smile at Nico "thanks for helping with this, you're a really great friend" he shrugs, "anything for my favourite couple of dorks" I shove him and he laughs, I curl onto my side not bothering to change as I fall asleep.

——

Loud music has my eyes snapping open a few hours later. Nico is grinning at me, I groan turning away from him. "Nope it's race day Cal" he says before throwing the covers off of me, the thought of seeing Dan gets me sitting up on the sofa bed rubbing the sleep from my eyes before sliding on my glasses. "So how breakfast is gonna work is I'm going to go down first with Danny and once we leave I'll text you when it's clear, I told Charles to meet you downstairs so that you don't have to eat alone" I nod at the Renault driver as I walk over to my bag to grab some clothes. He leaves the room a few minutes later so I slide on some denim shorts and my Renault shirt, tucking it into the waistband of the shorts before bringing my hair up into a messy bun. When I'm ready I sit on the sofa grabbing my phone, scrolling through my social media while I wait for Nico to text me that all clear to grab some breakfast.

The text finally comes through making me jump off the couch grabbing the spare room key, my wallet and my race pass. I basically sprint out of the room ready to eat something. My feet take me down the stairs not having the patience to wait for the elevator. When I enter the lobby I see Charles in his Ferrari red, I grin and take a running start jumping on his back, he stumbles forward a bit making me giggle. "Geez Callie, give me a warning next time" I get off of his back my feet resting back on the floor, "but then it wouldn't be a surprise" I explain as he turns to me, "you're ridiculous" I shrug still smiling at him. "I'm starving" he laughs and we go to the breakfast area off of the lobby, I pile some food onto my plate and that's when I notice that Charles isn't taking anything, "aren't you gonna eat?" He shakes his head, "I already ate" I scoff, "wow couldn't even wait to eat with me, I'm offended" he rolls his eyes and I laugh. We find a table to sit at so that I can eat, Charles asks me questions about work and I ask about his girlfriend and family the conversation flowing between us naturally.