The One That Got Away (Sebastian Vettel)

21. The Need For Space

Seb had texted Mollie several times to see how she was but she hadn't replied. He guessed she was still mad at him. He couldn't blame her to be honest. He just wanted to hear from her that she was ok.

Things between him and Elena weren't good at all. He was still mad at her for her attitude about Mollie's injuries and she was mad at him for taking Mollie's side. They were barely on talking terms.

Hungary came, and went. Seb had finished on the podium and was over the moon. Elena had finished in fourth and had not been happy at all. Once again she'd flown out early, not bothering to stay and support him in his race.

Summer break started and Seb and Elena went on a holiday they had planned a while ago. They'd developed an uneasy truce between them. They were now talking but not discussing their problems.

Seb was beginning to feel more and more trapped. Even the sex didn't excite him anymore. He'd been having to grin and bear it.  He just found himself craving a certain British brunette. He was desperate to have her. To take the virginity she had offered to him. If she ever gave him another chance there was no way on Earth he'd turn her down again.

On the fourth day of their holiday Seb got up and wandered into the kitchen of their villa. Elena was sat at the table, scrolling on her phone, as usual, and drinking a cup of coffee.

"Good morning" he said.

"Have a look at this. I mean no wonder she never shows that leg. Look at that ugly scar. I mean what's she doing wearing a short skirt? If I had a scar like that I'd never show it. It's gross."

Seb looked at her phone screen. There he saw a photo of Mollie walking down the street with her brother in an area he recognised as where she had lived with her parents all those years ago.

He fought to hide his reaction from Elena. Mollie looked so beautiful. She was wearing a short white denim skirt and a pale blue halter neck top. He could see the cast on her wrist so it was definitely a recent photo. He looked at her scar. It wasn't that bad and it wouldn't have bothered him even if it had been the worst scar in the world. He still wanted those legs wrapped around him whilst he slipped his cock into her.

"Why do you have to be like this? That could be you one day. Racing is a dangerous sport. One accident, one broken leg, and you could be in her position. And people like you Elena are probably the reason why she doesn't show it."

"You fancy her don't you? Always sticking up for her. Have you fucked her Seb?"

"Oh for God's sake Elena. It's nothing to do with fancying her. You're just obsessed with her, trying to belittle her all the time. Her scar shouldn't be mocked. People have scars for a reason. Hers shows she survived an accident that probably should have killed her. But she's a fighter."

"Seb, I'm your girlfriend. You're supposed to be on my side, but all it is is Mollie, Mollie, Mollie, all the fucking time. "

Seb screwed his face up and stood up. He stormed out and back into the bedroom.

Ten minutes later he returned, dragging his suitcase behind him.

Elena's face drained of colour.

"Sebby where are you going?"

"Home. I can't stand being around you at the moment. I don't want to see you until Belgium. I want you to really think about your attitude. Where is the Elena I fell in love with? Why have you turned into someone I don't even know? Use this time well Ellie, because I can't be with someone like this."

"Sebby, please. Don't leave me. I love you. I need you. You know what I'm going through. I can't do this without you. Please stay."

"Elena, I'm sorry. I'm not leaving you but I need some space. As do you I think. I'll see you in Belgium. You can return to the house after your holiday. I'll go to one of my other places. "

Then he walked out the door. Elena screwed her face up and threw her coffee cup at the door closing behind him. Screw him and screw Mollie Rashford, she thought. This was all her fault. Seb may deny it but she knew that he fancied Mollie. Elena felt determined, even more than ever, to beat that little bitch. This was her title and she wasn't giving it up. Same as Seb was her man. She wasn't letting Mollie have him.  How could Mollie Rashford satisfy a man like Seb? She'd probably run a mile when rough, dominant Seb came out to play. He needed a strong woman,  like herself. He'd soon come crawling back. He wouldn't be able to help himself. Then she'd make him regret ever taking Mollie Rashford's side.

                       ***

Seb shut the door behind him  and ditched his suitcase in the bedroom.  He then went into the lounge and sank onto the sofa.

He'd flown to the UK and headed to his small apartment there. He'd not long owned it. He'd bought it for convenience for when he was over at the Aston Martin base. 

Elena had never been here so there were no memories of her. He was trying his best to be a good man, a supportive boyfriend but she made it so difficult.

He switched the television on and began to flick through channels.  Nothing interesting. He turned it off.

He picked up his phone and opened the secret Instagram account that nobody knew he had. He'd started it a few months back, after Mollie had reappeared in his life. He felt like a creepy stalker but he just wanted to look at her sometimes.

She had added some new pictures. One outside a pub with Cassie and Joel. One by a lake with a dog and her dad.

He missed her. She'd had her hair cut, he noticed. It was no longer halfway down her back. It was now to her shoulders. She was smiling at the camera but the smile wasn't reaching her eyes. She looked how he felt. He put his phone down.

He decided he might as well go to bed. He got in and laid staring at the ceiling. Sleep proved to be elusive. Mollie was haunting him. And when he did fall asleep, she was waiting for him there too.

                   ***

Seb stopped the Aston Martin Vantage outside a large detached house. The last time he had been here, he'd arrived to collect Mollie for their first date. Well, that hadn't happened and still hadn't happened. Maybe one day they would have a date.

He sighed. He didn't know what he was doing here. He didn't even know if she actually still lived here or whether she had her own place. He only knew he had to see her and this was the best place he could think of to start.

He got out of the car and headed up the driveway. Would she even agree to see him? Would she forgive him for what he had done?

He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.