Russell's Cousin- Lando Norris story

Not us this time

It was the final race of the year and what a lead up it had been! George won his first race which was massive for you and the team as they hadn't won an race all year, you and Lando had moved back in with each other both in Monaco and you had recently moved into a new studio apartment style building not too far from the Mercedes factory as you knew the long term situation would be George at Mercedes.

Night races always hit different and had a vibe but the vibe in the paddock leading up to the Christmas break wasn't all merry and bright. Charlotte had spent the past week on the phone crying to you as she found out Charles had cheated on her and she had no idea how to tell him she knew. She hadn't been the past races due to her work and he had been playing around. The most significant part of the whole thing was people had asked you who a certain someone was and you had no idea until Charlotte name dropped.

She was broken, she loved him more than anything and you could tell their relationship had been on the rocks since the summer break. You thought it was all the travelling and the demands of being away which did it until she sent over the proof.

You and Carmen spoke over a coffee the morning of the final race with Charlotte on how she should confront him as she came to the last race of the year to support him because she still loved him. It hurt seeing her trying to be normal as he didn't suspect a thing that she knew. Later the day you were told she finished it in his drivers room after the race as she didn't want to upset him before. Obviously he was still upset but it wouldn't be dangerous to mess with his feelings, which was your input as it was not just a risk to him but to those on the grid with him such as George and lando.

Lan 💗: "you must be kidding me!"
You: "hey what's wrong? X"
Lan 💗: "him!"
You: " I'd not get you babe? What do you mean?"
Lan💗: "I got mick in secret Santa!"
You: " I'm so sorry Lan can you not ask someone to swap?"

"Carmen you will never believe what lando just messaged me" you said showing her the texts
"Aw no that's really shit" she replied "maybe lando could gift him some respect for you" she suggested
"Funny. He will get something sarcastic I'm sure"

Lando went past the point of pettiness as he bought mick a driving lesson for dummies guide which was held at the Haas HQ in England. He was still the big child you knew and loved.

—
It wasn't until the after party when people noticed Charlotte missing from all the action
"Where's char?" Lando asked as you sat together
"Left him" you replied
"Seriously?"
"Seriously" you replied
"Wow makes a change it's usually us two in the drama" Lando giggled
"Yeah well it wasn't pretty so called. They haven't even announced it publically yet. Let's just say she knew where his feelings lay" you suggested
"I'm not following" Lando replied
"He cheated on her with some girl when he was in Mexico and it's been going on since. She was due to go away with him and his family at Christmas but she's sacked it off and deciding to come spend it with  Carmen and George as she's only said to us guys so this convo goes no further. Understood?"
"Understood. Anyway, why are we just sat here? Come on your always more fun than this" he said holding out a hand
"I'm not really in the mood it's just I don't know I'm not feeling 100% on the vibes. I'm still trying to work Charles out to be honest"
"Well Sherlock maybe get on the dance floor and speak to him about what's gone on see what he says if he's a bit loose in the mouth after all those drinks"
"Thank you Watson. Come on then" you said d standing up making a bee line for Charles to find out more.

—

You danced the rest of the night away and after the party it was time to part ways for a while as you were travelling back home to spend some time with your family before a monaco Christmas.

By time you got back to the hotel room it was 3am and your phone kept pinging away as you walked down the hallway.
"God who wants me now" you thought

Missed call 3:03am
Missed call 3:05am
Missed call 3:08am

You gave the number you didnt recognise a call back as it seemed to be an emergency and it was answered soon after with slurs of words
"Who's this?" You asked
"Co-come on why Anna!" Someone mumbled
"What? Who is this?"
"You know me baby" you recognised the voice
"You can come to talk things through at any point and you choose now? When your high?"
"I'm not - there's nothing on" mick replied slurring again
"Why do you only call me when your high?" You demanded
"Fuck knows - come on Anna"
"No. I'm done. If this is how your gonna try to sort things out you can forget it. Goodbye"

Your chest did that thing, that feeling when you can't find your phone but this time it lasted as you stumbled down the rest of the hallway to your room.