Something Gained

Chapter Six

The race concluded with a good result from Lando in 4th, but Daniel in 7th. I knew he wasn't going to be happy. I could hear the radio messages sitting in the garage, and I could see Michael's reaction. It's a good result for the team for the most part.

I got myself ready as this was the most tiring time of my day. The media would be going nuts after this first race. I waited for Daniel and Lando to come through after being weighed and doing their usual checks. I still felt all weird and strange from last night. Maybe I should talk to him? No that's pointless nothing really happened. I don't know what to do this a minefield.
Lando walked in and everyone cheered for him and was happy, they did the same with Daniel when he come in.
"Right you boys ready" I said appearing behind them. They both nodded and followed me to the press ring.

We were now on a two week break from racing before we race at Italy. That didn't mean we had two weeks holiday though. First stop was back to England and back to McLaren HQ. That wasn't until Tuesday so we had one day left in Bahrain before we leave. I was so excited to get into bed honestly I couldn't wait, stick on a movie and eat. The journey back to the hotel was a quiet one with just myself, Daniel and Lando. Both of them were very quiet and just on their phones.
"You guys okay?" I asked. I got a "Mhm" in response and that was it. I shrugged, it was exhausting for them on race day. I look across as Daniel who was opposite me and he was looking at me. I smiled and he smiled back. I looked out the window and saw the hotel, Daniel opened the door and got out and held his hand out for me to help me out, I took it and smiled at him and walked ahead into the hotel.

I got into my room saying goodnight to the boys even though it was 8pm. We we knackered, I got changed into some shorts and oversized T shirt, made a cup of tea and sat on my balcony taking in the views. I sighed and got up taking my cup of tea with me I left my room and walked across the hall and knocked on his door.

Daniel

I walked into my room. I am not focused today. My head was not in the game, all I kept thinking about is when we were on our walk. How badly I wanted to kiss Alex. How I settled for just a kiss on the head. And it's messed with my head today. I just wanted to talk to her and spend all the time with her I could.
I got changed out of the McLaren stuff and into a t shirt and some shorts, just about to sit down when there was a knock on the door. I swung it open and was greeted by the one and only.

"Hi, can I come in?" She asked
"Erm yeah of course" I said, pulling the door back so she could walk in. Her long dark hair was up in a bun, her blue eyes sparkled up at me, I could get lost in them all day, she was wearing an oversized T shirt and carrying a cup of tea. Could she be any more perfect. She walked towards the balcony and opened the door, "make yourself at home" I chuckled
"Sorry, just want some air and check if your view is as good as mine" she glanced back over her shoulder. I need to calm down. Everything she does my heart skips a beat. How can I possibly work with her for the amount I do and not talk to her about this.

Alex

"Care to join me?" I sat down on one of the chairs on his balcony. He laughed grabbed his drink and sat with me. "I know Michael is your man, but I just wanted to check how you were" I looked over at him and I looked at him from head to toe. Tanned, dark haired, tall, tattoos, dark beard, literally if my type was in one package. Daniel Ricciardo was it. But I had to stop thinking like that.
"I'm good, obviously I'm disappointed it wasn't better and I dropped back but it is what it is, we can work out the kinks and go again in Italy" I nodded along sipping my tea.
"Mhm. You can only get better. Speaking of Italy, where you going to take me to explore when we're there" I asked
"Hmm there's so many places, I'll have a look and see what we can fit in"
"You're half Italian aren't you? Isn't this like a half home race" I laughed and so did he
"I am but no, I'm definitely from down under. But I'll sort something out for us" he said. For us? Stop it. I liked the sound of us.