Russell's Cousin- Lando Norris story

Playing with the boys

It was heating up in Miami after the quali session and it was time you were all heading off the track to get some rest. You were packing your final bits away before leaving the Mercedes garage when Angela came over
"Anna!" She caked in her New Zealand accent
"You ok ang?"
"Yeah the boys are having a game of footy on the beach this evening. Lewis booked part of it out starting at 5:30pm. You fancy a few drinks and a play?" She asked
"Yeah of course. I'll throw my stuff in the hotel and get changed I'll meet you there though."
"Superb, see ya later chicken"
"Oh ang, who's going?"
"Most I think. Lewis and George, few of the mechanics. Think a few other drivers too."
"I'll see if mick is free if that's ok?"
"Yeah!"

You headed back to the hotel and in your way tried to avoid at all costs specific photographers in the paddock who would create speculations of your love life even though it was all in the clear now.

—
You threw on a pair of light purple sports shorts, a white Nike sports bra and a Mercedes base ball cap before meeting mick in the lobby.
"You look lovely" mick said
"Aw thank you. Can we grab some drinks on the way down?"
"Yeah sure. Who's there tonight?"
"Don't know really, mostly Mercedes and then a few drivers I think."
"Nice. Should be fun" he said with that smile but you could see behind his eyes he was tired

—
Angela was sat with a big esky box full of ice under an umbrella with everyone's bags thrown under. She took your drinks and threw them in as you went over to chat to Carmen and George.

Just behind you were the last group coming in made up of Charles, Carlos, Pierre, lando and Danny.

You knew you had to be professional as possible with lando considering this was a very open and public place so you thought the best idea is to just be civil.

"Ok let's go boys!" Lewis shouted as everyone natural divided into two teams. Shirts and non shirts. Lando and mick ended up on the same team. The team with no shirts...

You and Angela decided for now it was best to referee and make sure no one did anything stupid before tomorrow

—

It was currently 6-4 to the shirts team with Lewis as team captain while the non shirts with George as a captain (obviously) were struggling to get between them. "Right. Next time Bono comes in for the tackle on mick, I need lando and someone else to tag team him to let mick score." George said as they reset. You saw lando roll his eyes at the sound of mick being the one who scored, he was such a child like that at times.

"Ang! Anna!" Lewis called and you both went over
"When George comes in Anna I need you to take him down. By whatever means. Just do it. Ang, when I pass it to you in the box you score" he explained as both team had no had a brief. "Just stay as a ref now then when I shout in come for it"

You nodded in response and shouted for them to start the second half.

George managed to get hold of the ball before passing it accidentally to Charles who was on the other team before yuki came running in screaming per usual, Lewis shouted for the ball, shouted for you two to join in and that's when everyone else recognised and ran to take you both down. With neither of you or Angela being the tallest people in the world you both made a run for it towards the goal shouting for the ball.

Mick had control and was looking for people on his team, being sly you shouted for the ball and he automatically passed it at the sound of your voice before realising and earning a boo off his team. You jumped up to try and control the high kick before having a side force hitting you and knocking you onto the sand side on.
The weight carried on and landed on top of you and as you turned to stand up you locked eyes with lando who was inches from your face. You became flustered and froze like he did. There was still a sparkle behind his eyes and a look you knew was a look of regret.

"Okay... Anna! Anna! Up!" George shouted
You quickly stumbled to your feet as you felt eyes burning into the back of your head

"Think it's best if I sit out lew" you said to him as you walked off brushing off the sand.

—

It was now 9pm and you had just got back to the hotel, slightly sunburnt and with sand in places where sand shouldn't be.

"What was that Anna?" Mick quietly asked
"Sorry what was that?"
"Before. When you were on the floor. I saw your look"
"Mick please, you know it's just awkward between us"
"Sometimes I feel you still hold onto him"
"No, please" you said as you pulled his hand to your side
"I love you Anna, I'd give you everything. I let you in on my life. I just don't know if it's 100% the same."
"Come on mick! We were playing a game" you whined
"It didn't seem like it"
"Don't be such a baby over it" you laughed
"Don't call me a baby. Your the one who throws her toys out of her pram when it doesn't go her way"
"Are you being serious? It was nothing. Nothing! All I want is to be with you. I was there watching you, with you just a few weeks ago when you lay there unconscious! I thought you would end up in the same situation as your dad!" You shouted before realising what you had said... a sick feeling came over you.

He was silent and slightly shocked

"Do you love him?" He asked getting his words out

You couldn't respond. You saw a fire in his eyes you had never seen before.

"Do you still love him?!"

You stood mouth open, shaking your head not knowing what to say.

"Get out. I don't want to see you at the memory. I need my space." Mick said

"Please mick. No. You know I - I - please?"
"Sorry Anna"

He closed the door on your face. You stood un the hallway silenced. A tear rolled down your face.

You walked down the hallway and to the lift up to the 19th floor. You walked back to your room and lay in bed. Staring at the roof.

You grabbed your phone and decided enough was enough now.

You: hey
🧡: hi ..
You: can we talk. Please?
🧡: my room is 672
You: I'll be 5 minutes. Thank you