The One That Got Away (Sebastian Vettel)

18. Something To Stare At

Mollie got out of the car at the end of the second free practice in Germany.  She could feel a headache coming on, a lasting reminder of her head injury.  It didn't happen very often nowadays, for which she was thankful, but she desperately needed to take some painkillers and have a lie down.

She headed to the media pen to give a brief summary to the few journalists that were actually interested in Formula W free practice, which wasn't many.

Halfway through, the pain intensified and she felt nauseous. She turned to Cassie and whispered in her ear.

"Headache. Got to get out of here."    Cassie put her hand on Mollie's arm and led her back to the motorhome.  She sat down and put her head in her hands.

"Fuck, this is a bad one. I need to get to the hotel. I can't drive like this."

"Where's Ash?"

"Last time I saw him he was talking to Garrett at the back of the garage."

"He can drive you back. You ok honey?"  she asked, concerned, tucking Mollie's hair behind her ear.

"I will be. I just need some painkillers and a sleep."

"I'll go get Ash."

Cassie headed out and soon returned with Ash.

"Come on, Mols, let's get you back," he said, helping Mollie to her feet.

They waited a few minutes while Cassie fetched Mollie's bag from her room. Then they began the walk to the car park.

She slid her sunglasses on as the bright sun made her wince.  Halfway there she spotted the person she least wanted to see. Seb. He must be on his way to see Elena, she thought.

"Mollie," he said as she was about to pass him. She tried to ignore him but he reached out and grabbed her arm. She yanked her arm away from him.

"Don't fucking touch me you bastard!"she snarled, storming off, leaving Ash with a shocked looking Seb.

"Her head's playing up," Ash said. "I'm sure she didn't mean to be so rude."

Seb knew she meant it, and he knew he deserved it. He was a complete twat. He'd let her down. He'd given her hope, then snatched it away.

"Got to go, see ya mate."  Ash chased after Mollie.

"Hey Mols, what was that about? Amazed the poor man still had a head left."

"He's a twat. I don't want to talk about it Ash. Just take me back to the hotel."  Ash sighed. He unlocked the car and they got in.

                           ***

When Mollie got back to her room she took some painkillers, drew the curtains and laid down on the bed. Then the tears came. She didn't know if it was because of the pain or because of Seb. Maybe a bit of both. She needed him out of her head.  She made her mind up there and then to move on and put him in the past where he belonged. Her focus was on the championship.  She might have failed to take Elena's man, but she was determined to take her title.

                         ***

Mollie woke the morning after with no lasting effects from her headache. She arrived at the track bright and early, ready for qualifying. She totally dominated it, topping each of the  three qualifying sessions.

The race wasn't even close. Mollie dominated, leading every lap and taking fastest lap. In park ferme Elena got out of her car with a face like thunder. As was her custom, she walked off without congratulating Mollie or Sophia, who was third. They looked at each other trying not to laugh, before hugging each other.

"Well done Mols, not bad for a mediocre driver," Sophia laughed.

After the podium they headed back to the support paddock. On the way she spotted Seb talking to his father, Norbert, and his brother Fabian. He glanced at her as she passed.

She deliberately turned her head away as she passed him.  Fuck him. His loss. There were plenty more fish in the sea.

                         ***

Sunday night the Thorne drivers all headed out together again. They met at a club and pretty soon were all tipsy after Will got them started on the shots.

Pretty soon they were joined by some other drivers that were there. Ricciardo, Sainz, Latifi, DuBois and Parker were all there.

A few hours, and a lot of drinks later, Cody Parker dragged Mollie up on to the dance floor. He grabbed her hand and started twirling her around.

She laughed as they nearly bumped into Sophia and Ash.  Mollie felt happy for the first time all weekend. She hadn't even been happy when she'd won the previous day because Seb was on her mind. The drink and her friends had helped her to forget him. Seb who?

Seb stood at the bar watching Mollie laughing and dancing with Cody Parker. She looked as gorgeous as ever, wearing black skinny jeans and a low cut blue satin cami.

He hadn't planned on coming. He had started watching a movie when Elena had gone out but in the end he'd been unable to resist.   He needed to see her. He was addicted to her.

He hadn't expected to see her dancing hand in hand with another man. It hurt. It hurt so much, but he knew she was entitled to do whatever she wanted. He had forfeited any right to her.

Mollie went back to the table briefly and drank another glass of  whatever was in the pitcher in the middle of the table. She didn't know what it was and didn't care. She wanted to get drunk. Heading back to the dance floor she spotted Seb leaning on the bar watching her.

What was he up to? He'd made it clear that he'd chosen Elena. What right did he have coming here and staring at her like that?

She reached Cody and started dancing again. She decided to give him something to stare at. She started dancing sexily up against Cody. He raised his eyebrows.

"Wow, what's this for?" he shouted in her ear.

"Showing someone what they're missing out on."

"You little minx. Come here and we can really put on a show."

Mollie smiled and went into Cody's arms. She tilted her head up, ready for his kiss.

It was a nice kiss. It didn't give her fanny flutters but it was nice. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

Seb was fuming. He wanted to march over there and pull Parker off of her. How dare he kiss Mollie? Mollie was his, not anyone else's. He downed his drink and slammed the glass down on the counter.

"I told you not to hurt her Vettel," said Luca, appearing besides him.

"She looks far from hurt to me. She's having fun exchanging saliva with Parker."

"Jealous?"

"Yes," Seb said, honestly.

"That could have been you but you chose Elena. You have no right to be jealous."

"It's not how it seems Bonucci."

"Never is, is it? Stay away from her Seb. If you care for her at all, you'll leave her alone."

Bonucci walked off and Seb looked back on the dancefloor. Mollie and Parker had stopped kissing and were now dancing again.

Seb took one last look and headed out of the door back to his hotel room and his empty bed.