Something Gained

Chapter Fifty-One

It was a tough weekend. Daniel failed to pass the first qualifying and had power issues with his car. He got penalised for using additional power elements, meaning he started in last place. He was not happy at all and it made me sad to see him that way, Lando was p7 which was okay but he wasn't happy with it either, both cars struggled with qualifying and it wasn't great to see, especially after the success in Italy, on top of that it was still raining as I sat in the garage as the race began. Hannah and I were holding each others hands, she was the same as me, wet races were not okay for us.
"Are you okay?" She asked, as I listened in on the team radios
"Not really, I'm scared" I thought back to the last wet race, in qualifying when Lando had that big crash. Hannah gripped my hand tighter as Lando come into pit. All went fairly okay and then we saw Liam gripping his hand, the pain on his face. Hannah jumped up and went over to him. Lando had pulled out of the pit Lane and Liam still had his hand on the car and it twisted his wrist. Hannah got some ice and taped it to his hand. I watched the race after making sure he was okay. He come and sat with us as he wouldn't be able to do any more pit stops and Daniel was still yet to come in.

The race finished with Lando still in p7, Daniel had made his way up to p13. Not a good day for the team and they would both be distraught with the performance. They both walked in the garage and spoke to Jon and Michael. Before I had to whisk them away. I grabbed one umbrella and walked out the back before stopping them to quickly talk. We were huddled under and i huffed them both.

"I know you're both disappointed, say what you need to say and we'll deal with it. But know that you couldn't do anymore than you did" I said, I head their heads either side of me so I knew they both heard, they both squeezed me tight and we let go.
"What would we do without you?" Lando said, "Daniel would be a misery that's for certain" he said trying to laugh
"And you wouldn't? I'm hurt, im actually hurt" this time they did both laugh. "Come on then, let's get this over with" I said, I walked between them under the umbrella to the media pen. Daniel squeezed my hand before I directed him to the journalists.

Back at the hotel we decided to go for dinner together. I wanted to try and cheer them up. After the insane performance in Italy, they were so deflated, it wasn't nice to see them like that. Michael and Jon were also coming. Daniel was in the bathroom so I got out my phone and laid on my bed scrolling through social media.

"A Bond For Life - Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris spend time with their PR after the race"

I clicked on the link hoping it wasn't anything horrible or any rumours. There was pictures attached of us talking together after the race, and one of me hugging them both. They both were cuddled into me under the umbrella. I smiled. I saved the picture and went onto Instagram.

"Not the result we wanted, but proud of my guys, love you both. We go again, USA🇺🇸"

I captioned the picture and posted it. Tagging them both. My likes and comments went crazy straight away, I didn't want to look but I knew I would keep thinking about it. I always scared to get negativity.

Love this bond they have, family🧡
Alex is always there for them, love her!
Papaya family🧡🧡🧡
She truly is one of the McLaren family!
We got this boys, USA we are coming🧡🇺🇸
I love the three of them together, we need more Alex content!🧡
Papaya Trio🧡

I smiled at the comments, there was some crap comments but I overlooked them knowing that I had Lando and Daniel, and they had me and we were all family.

Love you Lex🧡 - Lando commented which made everyone go wild replying to his comment

My girl🧡 - then Daniel commented which I didn't think he would, he was only in the bathroom? That made people go crazy replying to his comments

Alex and Daniel are actually the most adorable couple!
Favourite couple🧡
I'm so happy he's found someone to make him as happy as he makes us!
We need more insight into them. I know they're private but give the people what they want! More Alex and Daniel!🧡🧡

The boys fans were one of the most important things to them. I knew it would make them happy to see something nice like this. Daniel walked out of the bathroom and came and laid down on the bed with me.
"You sent them crazy" I said to him
"I love that they love you though. Lando and I always worry because we know what some people can be like" he said, grazing my cheek with his fingers.
"You guys worry?" I questioned. I never knew that
"Yeah we always do. We see the negative and we don't want you to get upset or feel down about it"
"When I've got you two, how could I? I said mumbling into his neck as I snuggled into it
"You're so cute you know that" he said kissing my head. "Surely I'm ahead of Lando?" He said. I pulled away from his neck and looked up
"You're level playing field" I said trying to tease him
"Oh sorry, I didn't realise you were in a relationship with him and me" he said, when he said the word relationship it made my heart skip a beat
"Yeah didn't you realise that? He's not as good as you in bed though" winding him up was fun but the thought of Lando like that repulsed me. Not that he was unattractive or repulsing but he was basically my brother. Daniel gasped and clutched his chest
"In all seriousness the thought of you with someone else makes me sad"
"There could only ever be you" I said locking eyes with him. They lit up when I said my words and he smiled, "do you ever think like any failed relationship, the heartbreak or the stuff you've had to deal with in life, all led you to one person and it makes it all worth it in the end to know you're now with someone who you adore, and care so much about and are completely in love with" I continued, he responded by putting his hand through my hair and giving me the deepest most loving kiss, it made my head spin.
"I love you, you've brightened my whole day" he murmured against my lips. There was a bang on the door that made us both jump.

I drove one of the cars with us all in it to a nearby Turkish restaurant. It was supposed to be very good, so I was hoping that was the case. We all sat down to eat and had the loveliest meal, the boys perked up and we were all chatting and laughing the whole time. Exactly what I wanted for them. Daniel sat with his arm round me once we'd finished dinner, he was tracing his thumb on my shoulder and it was quite comforting.
"Excuse me, can I have the bill please?" I asked the waitress, she smiled and nodded and went to collect it. The boys sat chatting about the next race, they literally have just finished one, give it a minute. I chuckled to myself about it, of course they couldn't go five seconds without it. The waitress came back and I snatched up the bill which was met with protest
"Absolutely not" Lando shouted trying to snatch it away
"Jon he needs his reflexes working on here" I said chuckling
"I'll get it" Daniel said
"No" I said simply
"Alex you can't pay for the entire table" Michael spoke. I got up from my seat and went over to the waitress who was at the till and quickly tapped my card before any of them realised
"What is wrong with you?" Lando asked
"Sorry?"
"How much was that?" He asked
"None of your concern" and it wasn't, and I didn't care. I travelled the world for free, I ate for free most of the week at the track, any work related expenses were paid, hotels were free, I only ever paid for when I went out that wasn't for work, and for my personal phone bill. My house was brought out right (thanks to mum and dad who left everything to me being their only child) so I only ever paid my energy bills which were so minuscule because I spent 10 months travelling, even the car Daniel bought was sorted and I only ever put fuel in it, which again was minimal because I had only driven it in LA, I had a massive savings pot, and now a salary double what I had. I didn't care about paying for dinner for them, I didn't have any financial worries and it was the only way I could ever do something for them to say thank you for taking me along for the ride. I was lost in my thoughts when Daniel snatched the receipt out of my hand
"Nothing wrong with my reflexes" Michael laughed at him, "£300!" He said rather loud
"Absolutely not" Jon and Michael said, I shrugged
"Let's go" I said as I picked up my phone and my bag and stood up
"This doesn't end this conversation" Lando said. I ignored him, I really didn't care and they could moan however much they felt like it, it would change nothing.