GRIDLOCK - Lando Norris [BOOK 1 Gridlock Series]

06

I cannot describe how perfect dinner went, he actually talked, about things separate from racing, we didn't even mention the Grand Prix, any of the races and my brother wasn't brought up at all.

The thoughts of a game being played were drifting further away with every moment Lando and I spent together, but my guard was still up. Because even at the end of the night, when I was regretfully leaving, he settled for a kiss on the cheek and sent me on my way.

Walking back to my hotel room, I tried not to get absolutely gutted because other than the expectation, everything else was perfect.

I couldn't help myself, I reached for my phone and pulled up the messages between Lando and myself

Tell me something, Lando. – Evelyn.

I wanted to see what he would say when under the spotlight, I seemed to be the only one who was having to confess any sort of feeling. I want to know how he feels.

I watch as the three dots of his reply begin to type, and then almost too quickly disappear, doing this another three times and still, no reply coming through.

I switch off my phone and crawl into bed, wishing my brain won't begin it's over thinking process, however it's the inevitable.

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It was qualifying day of the Italian Grand Prix, and Max's car was having some difficulties during practice, the mechanics and engineers couldn't communicate on how to fix the problem and it was starting to cause some tensions in the garage. Well more than usual. Whenever my mother is around, you can guarantee that there will be tension.

I've taken a stroll down the pit lane, knowing that there were still a few hours before any of the action would start, I knew it was safe to go and catch up with some of the boys. My Ferrari boy to be exact.

"How did I know you'd be in here?" I sing out as I enter the garage.

To no surprise at all, I find Charles sitting in his cockpit, a tablet in front of him that is showing his point of view of the track.

He does this before every race, and I do like that predictableness about Charles, he is always where you suspect you would find him. And it usually involved him being completely focused on his race.

Charles was up there with Max and Lando for points but was sitting comfortably in third position against the two of them.

Charles and I had been close since the karting days. He is closer to my age so whenever the older boys and Max would pick on me, he would often come over and make sure I was okay.

"Hey Ev, how are you?" he announces once he notices my arrival, taking the headphones from off his ears.

"Nothing, Mother wanted to come down to the track early, I think she's just supervising the engineers."

"Oh yeah, I saw Max was having some issues, everything sorted?" and I know that Charles genuinely does care.

I shrug my shoulders in response because, I couldn't care.

I obviously want Max to do well, but I don't ever get involved in the mechanics or technical side of the sport.

"How are you feeling?" I ask him, helping him out of his car.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Ready to get this week over with if I'm honest. What are you doing on break?"

"No idea, I hadn't really been thinking too much on it."

He smirks at me knowingly.

"What?" I chuckle, shoving him lightly in the shoulder.

"Waiting to hear where Norris will spend his break huh? Before you make a decision?" He gives me a knowing wink.