Keep Me In | DR3 | BOOK 1

12 - You Go Here?

"What's that?"

"The car you used to test for me, the RB14, die-cast and plated in gold. You deserve it, you were part of the reason it was so good to me that year. I got one of those every year from Red Bull, please. I'd like you to have it."

--

"Here's probably a good spot. Thanks for driving me kiddo," Dad smiled at me in the drivers seat as I pulled into the drop-off area at the Cote d'Azur airport. 

We both got out of the car as I watched him remove his bags from my trunk, "Another Christmas come and gone. I think this is my favorite holiday of the year, Dad."

"Mine too, it's nice how it brings everyone together, isn't it?" Dad pulled me in for a hug, "And how fun was it having Daniel, Michael, and Olivia there? They seemed to fit right in."

"They definitely ended up being a welcome addition. You should have seen Daniel throw Rory into the ocean, I still can't believe you fell asleep. We weren't even halfway through 'Home Alone 2', you didn't even make it to the Donald Trump cameo," I poked Dad in the shoulder jokingly, causing him to shrug away from my touch before we laughed together. "You getting old or something?" 

The rest of Christmas Eve had gone without a hitch. We decided on a movie, watched it as we got progressively louder and less focused due to the eggnog, and tucked a sleeping Dad in before sneaking out. Carson grabbed a bundle of firewood from the balcony and we headed across the street to the desolate beach. We brought snacks and blankets and all sat around the fire playing truth or dare. Obviously, half the dares involved getting into the ocean, which would normally not be a problem except for the fact that it was December and therefore, less than ideal for swimming.

"Have fun with Leanne, and we'll see you next year then, I guess!" I said.

"Oh, you're all staying here for New Years?" he remarked.

"Yep! Rory and I have got a friend that's hosting a party. Rooftop bar, you know. The usual. I'll be sure everyone stays out of trouble," I responded.

"Don't be too responsible. Have some fun while you can, Shark," Dad said before giving me one last hug. I watched and waved as he entered the airport before getting back into my car and making my way back onto the highway to Monaco. I decided to give Rory a call, to let him know where I was.

"Hey Lex," he answered after a couple of rings.

"Hey, coming back now. Dad's off," I could hear a mixture of voices in the background, one definitely being Molly talking with someone. "Am I interrupting something? Where are you guys?"

"Sounds good. We're just out with Michael and Olivia, they wanted to show us this restaurant," He explained. "You wanna join? We'll be done eating by the time you get back to Monaco, but we were thinking of going for a walk or something."

"And interrupt your double date? I'll pass, thanks though," I scoffed on the other line.

"We could call Daniel up and see if he's free, if that'd make it less awkward," I could hear Molly exclaim 'oh my GOSH Ror, that's Lex isn't it?' in the background. I cringed, hoping Michael wouldn't think that was a weird thing for her to say.

"I assure you, Rory, that would make it more awkward, in many ways," I mumbled. A single shiver ran up and down my spine making me spasm in my seat at the mere idea of having to be on an assumptive triple date with Daniel. "Enjoy your afternoon, I just wanted to check-in."

"Alright then, see you!" Rory said, and I returned a quick 'bye' before I hung up.

I figured if I had a bit of free time this afternoon, it would be a good idea to put some work towards my personal health and go for my first workout in two weeks. I normally was somewhat consistent with a workout schedule, but Christmas was always a throwaway. I threw my gym bag into the trunk of my favorite car to drive around here, my purple Porsche GT3RS, turned up the music and headed out of my garage onto the windy roads to the gym.

I had a nice, relaxed drive to the gym through Monaco before arriving. I had to drive past the casino, where tons of supercars were parked attracting car lovers from around the world, meaning I had people snap some pictures of my car as I was stuck in traffic. I always tried to act nonchalant in the driver's seat, like I didn't notice the attention, but I had to admit I kind of loved it. I parked in the lot and decided to give my phone a check before I entered the gym.

I smiled stupidly down at my phone, realizing I had received a text that I had been waiting all week for.

Maybe: Mason
Hey! Hope you had a good Christmas.
Glad we got that tree sorted for you, otherwise I doubt your Christmas would be all that great 🤣

The tree was the star of the show, and I have you to thank 🤗
Christmas went well, had a great time with the family. Just dropped my Dad off at the airport. Hope you had a good Christmas as well.

Mason 🎄
Oh, the usual. Had my mom on my back about not having a date to dinner 🙄
Made me think of you. Coffee soon? 😉

I let out a squeal to myself as I now stood in the locker area of the gym. Thank you, Mason's mother.

I'm free tomorrow, pick you up at 1:30? Send me your address

Mason 🎄
Perfect. Looking forward to it!

Needless to say I was a little more than excited about hanging out with Mason. For a moment I actually didn't think he would bother texting me at all. Him sending me that text had given me an extra boost of euphoria, and I feltmore than ready to exercise. I threw my stuff in a locker, grabbed my Airpods, my phone, and my water bottle, and headed into the gym for my workout.

With a grunt, I finished the last rep of my weightlifting set before moving on to cardio. I always liked to lift first, then do a bit of cardio, then end with stretching if I had time. For cardio today I decided on inclined jogging on the treadmill. I hate cardio, but I reminded myself how good I always felt after, and I still had tons of energy to burn off.

I had toweled off my sweat as best as I could after finishing a round of sprints. I rarely showered at the gym, communal showers freaked me out. I walked up to a mirror and pulled my soaked hair into a bun, admiring my tomato-esque flush, grabbed my car keys, and began heading to my car.

As I entered the lobby, I looked up to wave a quick goodbye to the receptionist when I heard a very familiar laugh. I turned to find Daniel, laughing with another guy. I shook my head as I mumbled to myself, "Of all the gyms in Monaco." As if he heard what I said, he turned in my direction with a surprised look on his face as he noticed me.

"Alexa? You train here?" He called out my name as he crossed the lobby to meet me.

I guess, not anymore.

"Yeah, when I'm in town this is where I go. It's the only place that's got so many different options. Swimming pool, tennis court, separate room for stretching; kind of a no-brainer," I rambled.

"For sure, Michael usually comes with me but I think he's actually out with Ror, Liv, and Molly right now," he said. And lucky for me, we're not with them. Yet, at the same time, here we are. At the gym. Together. "You should join us next time!"

"I think whatever routine Michael has you on would probably grind me to a pulp," I laughed. "I remember how hard my trainer did me, I do not want to go back there."

"Well you know where to find me," he said. There it was, another awkward pause. It was as if both of us were so socially inept we didn't know how to end a conversation. We stood there for what felt like an eternity, blankly staring at each other.

"So wha-" Daniel started.

"Well yo-" I simultaneously tried to say, both of us laughing uncomfortably. I shot him a coy smile and placed my hands on my hips before I finished, "Enjoy your workout."

"Yeah, thanks," he nodded, loosely waving a hand before I turned away from him and made my way to the parking lot.

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a/n: woooo race weekend! putting out some good energy for danny ric and lando in monza
as always, comments and votes are appreciated <3