Red Hot! (Sebastian Vettel)

42. The Final Straw

Libby stood looking out of the window in the staff dining area. To say it was raining would be an understatement. It was rain of biblical proportions. The paddock almost looked like a river. She thought to herself that it was a good job it was only media day, then chuckled as she thought about those that had to undertake a track walk.

Hearing the door open, she nervously turned her head.  Seb hadn't arrived yet and she was dreading seeing him.  She could have stayed in her office but she knew she had to face him sooner or later, and to be honest she didn't want to be confined to her office.  She had as much right to be out here as he did.

To her relief it wasn't Seb arriving, it was Scott.  He noticed her straight away and headed over. 

"Hey you, love the hair! How's your mum? Mike said she hasn't been very well."

She felt tears pooling in her eyes.  She couldn't cry here!  Scott seemed to noticed something was wrong. He took her arm and quickly steered her out of the room and down the corridor towards her office. 

She unlocked her door and they went inside. Then she burst into tears.  Scott pulled her into his arms.

"Hey, hey it's ok. I've got you." She buried her head in his chest, letting go of all the emotions she'd been holding in since arriving at the circuit. "Is it your mum?"

"There's nothing wrong with my mum."

"But Mike said..."

"I lied. I had to get out of there, I couldn't be there. I don't want to be here."

"Libby come on, this isn't like you. I may not have known you long but you're always so happy, and you love your job."

"Not any more."

"What's wrong Libby? It may help to share."

"Nothing can help. I messed up. I lost him. Not that he was ever really mine."

Scott released her and stared at her. "Seb?" he asked. She nodded, grabbing a tissue out of the box on her desk. She blew her nose loudly.

"I knew there was something going on between you two. The way you looked at each other....I'm sure you'll make up."

"We won't. And it isn't what you think. We weren't together like that. We were just...friends with benefits, but I broke the rules. I fell for him Scott, and I was dumb enough to tell him. He was horrified. He couldn't get out of there quick enough."

"The bastard! Just wait til I see him!"

"No!  It's not his fault he doesn't feel the same way."

"I hate seeing you so upset! I need to do something."

"I'll be fine.  I just need to face the truth and get on with things.   There's only two races left and then he'll be off to Red Bull.  I'll just do my best to avoid him."

Scott sat down on a chair. "Oh Libby.  I wish I could be of more help but remember, I'm here for you whatever.  I mean that.   We may have only just found each other, but you're my sister and I'll do anything for you."

Libby began sobbing again.   "Oh Christ, I didn't mean to set you off again!"  He jumped up and hugged her again.  Libby hugged him back. 

"I'm so happy I've got you.  I don't know what I'd do here alone."

"You're not alone Libby.   You'll never get rid of me now.  You'll never have to be alone again."

But Libby knew that she was alone.   She would never love anyone again.   This was it for her.   Seb would always own her heart, and the sooner she got used to life without him the better.