The Race Director's Daughter (Sebastian Vettel)

24. Seb's Confusion

Seb was sat outside the Aston Martin motorhome staring blankly at his phone screen.   He'd arrived here in Barcelona the previous night and he was trying to work out what he wanted to text to Leah.  

He hadn't heard a peep from her since Miami but then again,  he hadn't been in touch with her. He'd been giving her space.  He was just as confused as he'd been that last night.  He still couldn't understand what he'd done wrong.  All he'd done was kiss her.  

Sure, the kiss had been a bit more heated than their previous kiss had, but it had still been only a kiss.  Maybe she was more inexperienced than he'd thought...maybe it was just a case of nerves....but he just had a feeling that there was more to it than that. 

"Morning dickhead!" Daniel called out as he and Michael were passing.  Seb raised his middle finger at him with a big grin on his face.

After Daniel had passed he returned to staring at his phone screen.   He decided to start with just a basic message.

Seb: Hey, good morning.  How are you? S x

He sent it and began to sip at the protein shake Antti had given him. 

His phone beeped.  He looked at the screen.  She'd replied quickly. 

Leah:  Hi, I'm good thanks. How are you? L x

Seb:  I'm ok I guess, but tired. Didn't sleep great.  What are you up to at lunchtime? Fancy getting a bite together? S x

Leah:   Sorry, I can't today.  I already have plans.  Maybe some other time? L x

His heart sank.  Did she really have other plans?  Or was she avoiding him?

As he headed out on his track walk with his team his mind was only half on his job. The other half was firmly on Leah. Why had she suddenly shut herself off from him? Had he misread the signs so badly? He'd been convinced she liked him as much as he liked her.

As he headed towards turn 8 he heard someone calling his name. He turned around and saw Daniel approaching him quickly on a bicycle.

"Lazy git!" he exclaimed.

"Why use up valuable energy when I don't have to?" Daniel laughed.

"I guess," Seb replied glumly.

"What's up with you?"

"Look I can't really talk. I really should start paying more attention to the track."

"Meet you later for dinner?"

"Yeah, ok. Pizza?"

"For sure. Laters!"

Daniel whizzed past, catching up with his crew, who were a corner ahead of Seb's.

As they neared the end of the lap Seb decided that after he'd finished his track walk he would pop into the FIA motorhome and see Leah. He couldn't stay away any longer. Maybe he'd be able to judge by her reaction to seeing him if he stood a chance or not.

After saying goodbye to his team, he headed towards the FIA. He got within twenty feet of it and then he stopped in his tracks. Leah had just walked out of the door, her bag slung over her shoulder. She'd gone back to wearing trousers again but she still looked as beautiful as ever. Her hair was hanging over her shoulder, loosely braided, and she was still without her glasses.

Perhaps he could persuade her to meet up with him some other time over the weekend. He started to head over, but before he could reach her he stopped again, watching on in shock as she fell into the arms of another man.