After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

26. Reality Bites

Lottie had about as much luck on Friday as she'd had on Thursday. Not one chance to be alone with him all day. She'd found his text message when she'd woken up. She'd messaged him back to explain she'd fallen asleep. He sent a brief message back saying he'd figured as much. Nothing about meeting up later or anything.

She'd headed to the track after breakfast, walking in with Sophie and Laura. Joel had already gone in early. Once they got there they went to hospitality to get coffee. Sitting down Laura remarked on how quiet Lottie was that morning.

"I'm just tired Laura," Lottie lied, unable to admit that she was missing Seb.

"Why's that then? Got a man keeping you up all night?" Laura joked.

"I can confirm I was totally alone all night. No man in my bed." Just in your head Lawson, she thought to herself.

"Oh look Seb's here," perked up Sophie. "Morning Seb, morning Britta," she called, waving. They both raised a hand in greeting. Lottie thought that maybe he'd come over to say hi, but after Britta had her coffee they both left.

The rest of the day dragged. Again, she didn't get a chance to speak to him. By the time it was time to go back to the hotel her head had started banging. She felt a migraine coming on. She didn't get them often nowadays like she had in her teens, but when she got one it was horrible. She hurried back to the hotel and once in her room quickly took some painkillers. She drew the curtains, making it as dark as she could, which was hard at this time of the evening in summer. She laid on the bed and put a pillow over her eyes. She knew that's where she'd be for the rest of the night. Oh well, wasn't as if she had anything else to do. She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew, she was woken up by her phone ringing. She pressed answer without paying any attention to who it was.

"Hello?" she said, sleepily.

"Sorry liebling. Did I wake you? You sound half asleep."

"Yeah, I have such a bad headache. Was trying to sleep it off."

"Are you ok?" Seb asked, concerned.

"Feel like shit but I will be. I just need to sleep it off. I'll be ok in the morning."

"Oh ok, I was going to ask if you wanted to pop round for an hour before I have to sleep, but I guess not," he said, disappointed.

"Any other time I would have said yes, you know that right?"

"I just miss you."

"Yeah well, it is what it is. I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe."

"Hope you feel better baby. I love you. "

"Love you too," she replied, hanging up. She turned over and went back to sleep.

***

Arriving at the track Saturday morning Seb cast his eyes around looking for Lottie. He hoped she'd recovered from her headache. She had sounded rough on the phone the night before.

He was feeling so guilty over how little time they'd had together so far this week. He knew she understood but it didn't stop him feeling that way. He started to worry when he couldn't see her anywhere. He took his phone out and gave her a call. She answered after a few rings.

"Hey, morning you," she greeted him. "This is a nice surprise."

"Good morning Liebling. Just checking how you are today."

"Much better thanks Seb. How are you?"

"I'm OK. Just missing you. Where are you? I'm free for the next fifteen minutes. I'd really like to see you if you're not too busy."