After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

34. That Old Green Eyed Monster

Seb was stood talking to Antti, watching Lottie take photographs of Lance across by the motorhome.

Before heading to Austin he'd flown home to Switzerland where he had seen a counselor. He had been dreading it. It made him feel weak, useless. In all his years in the sport he had never needed one before. But he had never felt the feelings he was feeling now. He was constantly feeling like he wasn't good enough. Not good enough for Lottie . Not good enough for Formula 1.  He guessed that it was the years of bottled up feelings all overwhelming him at once. 

Surprisingly though he found talking to Doctor Mattheus had helped a lot.  The older man had been so easy to talk to.  He knew he wasn't going to be back to normal overnight but he was making the first steps.  He felt so lucky to have such supportive people around him. 

He'd called his parents and told them what was going on.  His mother had got upset, which had upset him but his father had managed to calm them both down. He was going to fly home to Germany between Brazil and Australia to spend some time with them. He was going to ask Lottie to go with him. She had been his rock these last few weeks. He was so lucky. With her by his side he had no doubt that he would get better.

He heard a male voice shout her name. She turned her head and Seb saw a big smile spread over her face. She handed her camera to Laura who was stood by her and started jogging down the paddock.before throwing her arms around the man, who lifted her up and swung her around.

Seb felt jealous. Who was this man? Why was he so familiar with Lottie? He clenched his fist at his side. He was sure there must be an innocent explanation. He watched as the man dropped a kiss on her cheek. Was she liking it a little too much? He wanted to storm over there and ask her who this guy was and how she knew him.

"Who's that?"asked Antti.

"I have absolutely no idea," Seb answered through gritted teeth.

"Easy boss, they're heading over."  Great, thought Seb. I'll have to act all nice when I just want to tell him to keep his hands off of my girl. 

"Seb, glad I caught you. There's someone I would like you to meet.     This is Brad. He's a photographer. He's co-owner of the company I worked for when I lived in the States."  Brad laughed and held his hand out for Seb to shake.

"Oh come on Lottie, I was a bit more than that. We were in a relationship for nearly five years," he said, smugly. Seb ignored his hand.

"Oh you're her ex?" he said, putting emphasis on the word 'ex'. "I'm her current," he added, marking his territory. Lottie and Antti looked at each other, rolling their eyes.

"Yeah, so I hear. Your ex doesn't seem convinced of that though, does she?"

"I don't give a shit what she thinks," Seb said, plastering a fake smile on his face.  "Well, you'll have to excuse me. I have places to be. The work never stops in Formula 1.  Nice to meet you....sorry I forgot your name."

"Brad."

"Brad, enjoy your weekend."

"Yes, I definitely will. Been looking forward to catching up with Lottie . Just a quick question. Who do you think will win Sunday? Max or Lewis?"

"Neither because I'm going to win," he said and walked off with a cocky smile. Lottie shook her head. The old Red Bull Sebastian had just come out to play. Good in a way but bad for her. He wasn't going to like it when he found out she had arranged to meet Brad for dinner tonight. Tough. Even though they were no longer together Brad was still a good friend. And he had a girlfriend anyway.  He wasn't interested in rekindling their relationship. Seb should trust her! He should know by now that she loved him. He was quite welcome to join them for dinner. She had nothing to hide. Men! Why was it always a competition?

***

"You what? You're going out to dinner with your ex? What the hell Lottie?" Seb snapped, the anger obvious on his face.

"Catching up with an old friend. He was a friend before anything else. And you are welcome to come along. It would be nice if you two could get along."

"Old friend? Tell him that. They way he was looking at you. I didn't like it. And no thank you. Have no interest in sitting watching him undress you with his eyes."

"Sebastian, you are being unreasonable.  Even if he was, which he isn't, you should trust me. You know it's you I love."  Seb felt like a right prick but he just couldn't help how he felt.

"How would you feel if I was to go out to dinner with Celestine?" he asked.

"Sebastian, maybe feel a little weird yeah but I trust you. And if I was invited....you're beginning to piss me off now."

"Oh am I? Yeah I'd noticed I'm Sebastian again instead of Seb," he said, raising his voice.  " Well excuse me if I don't want to sit around watching you flirt with your ex."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! I'm flirting now?"

"Yeah you are. Throwing your arms around him."

"I'm not doing this Sebastian. Grow up.  Well I'm going out whether you're coming or not. Like it or lump it."  He stormed off into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. "Fucking manchild," she cursed, under her breath.

***

Seb had given her the silent treatment ever since their argument. She'd tried that night to talk to him but he'd just rolled over and gone to sleep, or pretended to.  

When she woke the Saturday morning he'd already left to train.    She thought maybe he'd be in a good mood after qualifying in third place for the following day's race but nope all she got was a grunt when she congratulated him.

He'd get over it, she figured. She hadn't done anything wrong. She wasn't going to apologise when it was just him and his stupid jealousy.

***

The race day dawned. Seb woke up bright and early. He looked lovingly down at his beautiful girl, still asleep by his side. Then he remembered they weren't talking and he jumped out of bed and strode across the room. He had a quick shower, then threw on his clothes. He noticed that Lottie had woken. He grabbed his bag and was about to head out of the door.

"Seb, please. Stop ignoring me. " He stopped but didn't speak. "Good luck. Stay safe. I love you." He looked at her, gave her a small smile, then left the suite.

***

The Aston Martin garage erupted as Seb crossed the line, winner of the United States Grand Prix. He'd been amazing. He'd took Verstappen at the start and overtook Hamilton on Lap 10. The never got close to him again. Seb had driven like a man possessed, totally outperforming his car.

Let the critics chat shit about me now, he thought as he pulled into park ferme. He launched himself into the team. This felt good.

After the podium and all the interviews were done Seb went to hospitality to see if Lottie was there. She was but to his displeasure he saw that Brad was there with her . Right, he thought. Time to show Brad whose girl she was. He strode up to them. He looked at Brad and said "See, told you I'd win." 

Then he pulled Lottie into his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.