Bittersweet Honey

22. Babel

"And I'll go along
with everything you say.
I'll ride home laughing,
look at me now.
The walls of my town,
They come crumbling down."

-Mumford & Sons

Toni.

The whole crowd starts to move in different directions, but they all go do the same thing: post-race interviews. I discreetly follow Daniel, who is being escorted to a small stage before they all hit the big platform where they will receive their trophies.

Daniel has the biggest smile I've seen on him yet. I can only imagine what he's feeling at the moment. When he starts interviewing he is almost lost for words and that's hard to come by for him.

"So, Daniel, how are you feeling now that you got your first home podium?" A journalist asks into the microphone, making the whole crowd cheer even louder.

"Oh my gosh, I'm really lost for words. First of all, I want to thank all the Aussie fans for supporting me since day one, this one is for you!" Daniel starts.

"I'm-I'm beyond happy, to be honest. It was a great race from lap one, and this definitely gives us an amazing start for the season." He answers. I'm behind the crowd of photographers and journalists still, and when Daniel finishes his quick interview he heads to the podium so I just follow the crowd.

The energy is amazing; unlike anything I have experienced before. The McLaren team is waiting for Daniel to come up, since he got third place and he'll be the first up on the podium. Almost the whole circuit is already clapping in anticipation and I can feel the vibrations in my chest.

The crowd erupts in cheers, claps and hollers the second Daniel steps out with his fists in the air and a huge smile on his face. I can't help but cheer either, I just hope no one from Aston Martin can see me. I'm hiding pretty well behind the Mercedes team, our colors are similar, so no one will suspect anything.

Lewis and Max come up to the podium too and we all keep respectfully quiet while the anthems play. I look at Daniel, hoping our eyes meet, but of course that's ridiculous, there's too many people here and his head is probably in the clouds from all that joy he's feeling.

We all cheer again when they give out the trophies, and everyone suddenly starts chanting the same thing.

"Shoey! Shoey! Shoey!" Of course we all know what's about to happen, even if I find it unbelievably gross.

That's when I look up and Daniel is filling up his shoe with champagne, and our eyes finally meet. He raises his shoe in my direction before taking a sip, making everyone go crazy, and it might be gross as hell, but it's also romantic that he sort of dedicated his infamous shoey to me.

People keep on celebrating, so does Daniel, Max and Lewis, and I think interviews after this will be insane. So I head back to the garage area and hang around the Aston Martin area so it's not that weird. However, back here, everyone gets along with everyone, no matter the team. So, before I know it, a tall guy in McLaren attire approaches me. He's very handsome. But he's not Daniel.

"Hey there! Toni, right?" He has an Australian accent as well, very similar to Daniel's, and when he smiles I start to recognize him more until it clicks.

"Hi! Yes, Toni. Nice to meet you Michael." I say as we shake hands. He's Daniel's trainer, he's always around and has become pretty popular lately.

"Daniel talks about you a lot, and I saw how you guys looked at each other at the podium, so I figured it was you." And with that I feel my cheeks heating up. And I'm just wondering if anyone apart from Michael saw that.

"Oh, well...yeah, I'm...Toni." I stammer and immediately regret it.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Toni. Hey, so I guess I'll see you in a bit, you're ready for tonight?" He asks, catching me completely off-guard.

"Tonight? What do you mean?" And right there I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey! Don't ruin the surprise, man!" Daniel bursts out, he even makes me jump a little.

I turn around completely to see him, still sweaty and beaming with joy, and without even thinking about it, I hug him tight.

"Oh my God, Daniel, congratulations! You were amazing out there!" He hugs me back and my toes are barely touching the ground now. I don't even care if he's sweaty, I'm so happy for him.

"Thanks Toni. I think we're off to a good start if you're coming to every race. You'll be my good luck charm." He says close to my ear. I feel his scruffy beard against my cheek and I even tip his hat over by accident. I think we were a little caught up in the moment. But for the first time, I don't care. But I do have to keep it together and not kiss his cheek. Also, he's sweaty.

He puts me back down and I have to compose. And I go back to my awkward self, because we've kissed and I'm terrified of someone finding out. Because I've always been too transparent, dad knows that, Tristan knows that, my friends, and Daniel for sure knows by now.

"Well...I think I'd better head out and go back to my team. I have some work to do. First day and all." And I just wish I could act cool. But I can't. Daniel and Michael exchange a look that I can't quite understand, and I can't ignore what Michael said about a surprise.

"Alright, I guess I'll see you around Toni. It was great meeting you." Michael says as he gives me another strong handshake.

"Likewise, Michael." I say to him with a smile. I look over at Daniel, not knowing how to say goodbye to him. So I stretch out my hand at him. He gives me a smirk, looking into my eyes. And I think we're getting good at communicating without speaking.

"Miss Scott, I'll see you around." He says, almost sarcastically, but at the same time, sounding convincing for anyone who passes by.

It's the first time he calls me Miss Scott, and it definitely does something to me. We shake hands for a couple seconds, feeling that tingling energy I feel every time he touches me. Suddenly, he squeezes my hand and pulls me closer, leaning in to speak into my ear.

"Hey, pack your things and wait for me at six. Don't worry about anything, I already talked to Enzo." He says, lets go of my hand and starts to walk away.

I don't even have a chance to process so I just begin to stammer as I see him walk towards more interviews.

"W-what? What do you mean you talked to Enzo?" But he just looks over his shoulder and winks at me.

I decide to head back to the Aston Martin hospitality and just play it cool. I don't know what Daniel has up his sleeve now, but I have some work to do before we go back to the hotel. Where I'll pack my bags and wait for him until six.