The One That Got Away (Sebastian Vettel)

7. Rise

Brazil

November 2017

Seb gave one more thrust, groaned and released himself. Then he rolled off of Elena and laid on his back, panting.

Elena reached out and picked up her phone from the bedside table.

Seb rolled his eyes. Couldn't she be parted from that damn thing for five minutes?

"Elena, come here. Let's have a cuddle."

"Seb, you know I'm not the cuddly type or you should know by now."

"What is so interesting on there anyway?"

"Just reading about tomorrow's race in Indy W."

"Since when have you cared about that?"

"I don't.  They're losers. If they were any good they'd be here racing in Formula W and losing to me."

Seb had to laugh at her arrogance.  It was true though. She was the best there was.   Formula W had made its debut this season and Elena had run away with the championship. With one race left she was over sixty points clear of anyone else.

"I'm just interested to see where Miriam Varga comes.  She's just signed for Zenith for next season. She's a triple Indy W champion. If she wins tomorrow she breaks the all-time record. Only one who can stop her is some rookie kid."

"Put the phone down Elena," he ordered, slipping his hand between her legs.

"Fuck off Seb. I told you,  don't play your games with me. In bed we are equal. I'm not submitting to any man. Not even you."

"Spoilsport," he said. That's the only thing he would change about Elena. She didn't like to be bossed about in bed. She didn't like it rough either. She tended to try and make him feel like a freak for enjoying a bit of rough every now and again. It wasn't like he wanted it that way all the time but every now and again would be nice.

"Ellie, don't worry about it. She won't be as good as you any way, " he said, rubbing her harder.

Elena threw her head back and moaned. Damn, he was good. She soon forgot about Indy W.

                           ***

Austin, Texas

November 2017

Mollie breathed deeply as she followed championship leader, Hungarian Miriam Varga behind the pace car. There were just seven laps to go. Whichever one of them finished ahead would be crowned Indy W champion 2017. If Miriam won it would be for a record breaking fourth time. If she won she'd be the first rookie to take the crown since the championship's inaugural year in 2005.

Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she would be in contention for the championship this season. 

Her state of mind had still been a little fragile at the beginning of the season but had grown stronger and stronger with each race.

Her driving had taken a while to get back to how it was but now she could honestly say she had reached the level she was before the accident, and had actually surpassed it.

Her breakdown after her failed test at Indianapolis had been the turning point. She had finally admitted she needed help and begun to see to see a sport's psychologist.

Her dad had been her rock. He'd flown her home for six months whilst she was attending regular sessions. It had been great to just press the reset button and spend time with her mum, dad and Jude.

Franklin Brooke had been amazing.  He'd offered her whatever help she'd needed. Then in November 2016 she'd flown back to the States to take part in another test. This time she had been strong, mentally as well as physically.