Glass House - Lando Norris

Chapter 8

"So the guy's name is Devon?" George asked while swinging his foot on the bar stool. "Yep," Severine puffed a smoke towards the tiny gap on the window on her side. George threw a look at Lando and then burst out into a giggle. Lando joined the little laugh and said, "Oi, cut it."

"What's so funny?" Severine felt like she was missing something here.

"No, it's just that." George trailed off. "There's this NPC, a non-playable character in the F1 game and his name is Devon Butler."

Lando chimed in again. "I know! But I didn't play the solo career mode so I don't know the details. Is he like the bad guy or something?"

"Yes. He's the 'villain' if I'm not wrong," George answered. "Wow. That's just... that fits right in." Severine said while taking in all the information she just heard.

"But I still can't get over the fact that he actually fell for the toy gun thing." George said.

"You mean the real Devon?" Lando asked.

"Of course the real Devon. There's no gun violence in the F1 game. Oh, by the way," George paused and pointed at Severine who was throwing a confused look at him. "What?" she asked.

"What?" Lando also asked.

"She knows us."

"Wait, really?" Lando was surprised. Severine shrugged her shoulders. "I knew it the first time we met at the cafe." She said it like it was the most obvious thing on earth. It probably was.

Right after that, she put out her cigarette and washed her hands. "You guys haven't eaten right?". The boys shook their heads in sync. "So... Do you have anything in mind? Darlene must be hungry too." She took a peek at her friend, sleeping on the sofa.

"How does pizza sound?" George chimed. "Okay, perfect. You take care of the pizza. I'll clean up." Severine replied and then turned to Lando, "You. Rest." She pointed at him.

Lando threw up his hands, "Yes, ma'am."

George was on call with the pizza man and Severine was busy cleaning up the mess of ice packs and medicines when suddenly Lando's phone rang. It was Carlos.

"Hello?" Lando greeted.

"You're gonna get an earful tomorrow." was the first thing the Spaniard said to him.

Lando groaned and tried to rub his nose but winced in pain. "Yeah, I figured. I haven't heard anything from Charlotte, though." Charlotte was their PR officer.

"You'll be hearing from her soon. But first things first, how are you right now?" there was a tint of worry in Carlos' voice.

"I'm fine. I'm with George now."

"Any broken bones or anything? Because if that guy broke your legs, McLaren's probably gonna sue him." he half-joked.

"Just some nasty bruises and a torn lip, I guess. Don't worry about it, we still have a few days before the race."

"Sure. 'Before the race.' Must I remind you again, you're going to Monza tomorrow because, surprise surprise, practice starts on Friday."

Silence was his reply. Oh no, he totally forgot. How was he supposed to attend the press conference looking like this? Holy shit. "Carlos, I'm gonna hang up now. See you in Italy."

"Hey, wai-"

With that, he cut the line. George strutted into the kitchen where Lando sat and asked him casually. "Was that Sainz? Pizza is ordered, by the way."

"Yes. But, George, we're going to Italy tomorrow, right?"

"Yes?" George's brows were furrowed.

"I can't go out looking like this."