GRIDLOCK - Lando Norris [BOOK 1 Gridlock Series]

12

As I fly into Singapore a week later, I make it a day before practise one. A little later than I originally planned but there were some issues with the flight.

"Don't you look refreshed" the friendly, familiar tone coming from Johan as he greets me at the airport.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I've missed you" I admire as I pull him in for a hug, squeezing him as hard as I possibly can.

"Missed you too, kid" he teases.

As we settle into the back of the RedBull provided car I switch my phone off aeroplane mode, eager to let Lando know I've finally arrived.

Our communications have been quite the same all week. An array of text messages and missed calls bouncing back and forth. I understand he's really busy but I do like that he always finds time. Even if it's only a moment. But he's always ducking off to another training session or meeting.

Just landed, let me know when I can see you, miss you x - Evelyn

I switch off my phone to find Johan glaring at me with a look that falls somewhere in between disappointed and tell me everything.

"Leave it" I warn in a light tone before twisting my hair up and clipping it with a claw clip. The weather is absolutely giving in Singapore, and I'm not completely mad about it.

"Just be careful okay, last think I want to see is anyone hurt"

I nod to him graciously. I understand, but I also know what I'm doing, and I know I've never been happier.

In team management meeting, not sure when I'll be out, I'll call you - Lando

His message deflates me a little, but I know that it's the way it is. And I am proud of him. He works so hard and he is extremely talented. He and Max both are.

"You're going to absolutely adore your hotel room" Johan coos as we pull up to the Paradox Singapore. One of the most picturesque forms of architecture if I've ever seen one in my life.

"Is everyone staying here?" I ask as we collect my bags from the trunk.

"No, Lando is not staying here" he teases. Knowing what I was referring to. "I think most of the drivers are over at The Ritz-Carlton and Max insisted on staying in that new apartment he bought here last year"

I remember when Max purchased that, no one could understand why, but it was something he just insisted was a good investment, and to be honest, he deserves to put his well earned money wherever he wants.

As we get up to my room, I notice instantly that my view overlooks the pool, and I'm immediately 8 years old again.

"I love it, are you staying here too?"

"Yeah, most of the Red Bull team is here" he answers, placing my luggage down on the desk.

"Come, your mother wants to as you" his tone immediately tells me somethings wrong and he must notice my face drop, "no no, nothing about that. But we will be returning to that later"

Unfortunately, instead of leading me out the door and to wherever mothers room may be, he simple opens the connecting door to our rooms to reveal that she is in fact, my neighbour, with joining rooms.

"Evelyn, darling, there is a team dinner happening tonight which you will be in attendance at. A car will be ready for us at 7pm"

I glance down to my watch, 6pm, "that's in only an hour?" I gasp.

The expression on her face reveals she doesn't understand the issue. So, I roll my eyes and return back to my own room, slapping Johan across the arm for the set up.

"Jerk"

He chuckles at my misfortune whilst remerging through my suitcase, he pulls out one of the new skirts I got at the little market in Monza, throwing it in my direction.

"You have so much to fill me in on it seems" he pushes whilst I'm holding onto the skirt I join Johan as he struggles to find a top to go with it. I bury my hand in deep and pull out a black turtle neck crop top.

"I don't know what to tell you" I lie and play it off.

"Don't be annoying" he teases, "Did you kiss him?"

I don't answer, but my eyes are betraying me. I hear Johan gasp, "Did you sleep with him?" he pushes for me. Again, I try to hold it in, but the smile that completely, involuntary, takes over my face. "EVELYN!" he gasp shouts.

"Shut up" I warn, signalling to my mother in the very close room next door.

"Sorry" he shrugs it off as if he couldn't help it. "Tell me everything"

I shake my items of clothes at him as I walk off to the bathroom, "One hour remember" I sign as I close the door between us.

"I'll braid your hair, that will give me time" he offers.

Johan really is an everything man. And I do love that about him. I think for a while there most of the team thought we'd become something, they probably still do. But Johan and I have been friends for as long as I can remember, and it will always stay that way.

When I emerge from the bathroom, Johan wolf whistles at me as I dance around in a playful twirl to show him my new outfit. "Looking good" he coos.

I take a seat in the prepared chair he's placed in front of him where he begins to seperate my hair into two sections.

"I'm ready" he teases.

I let out a little sigh of defeat. "It kinda just happened I guess. But it started in Monza" but then I think back to everything "well, it actually kind of started in Spa, after St Lucias"

"What!? Ev you've got to be kidding" he gasps.

I chuckle knowing just how insane that sounds but carry on to catch Johan up on all the details whilst he finishes my hair. Johan grew up with 7 sisters at home, so it always made him really handy when it came to this sort of thing.

We make it down stairs and to the awaiting car in time. Mother is wearing a purple pant suit and clutching onto her new Louis Vuitton.

"How's father?" I ask her as we all slide into the back of the black vehicle.

"He's fine, doctors say he is fine" she exclaims in a piercing tone.

"Did you see him during the week off?" I know the answer, but I want her to know it too.

She however, chooses to ignore me and applies some more lipstick to her mouth using the matching compact mirror attached to the bag.

As we pull up to Les Amis, a really luscious restaurant in Singapore, Johan and I follow our mother inside to where Christian, Max and a few other members of staff and crew are awaiting at the tables.

Johan and I take a seat down next to Nate and Ian, two of the other mechanics that work for RedBull.

Throughout dinner, and Christians many speeches about team building and the plan moving forward, the same speech he gives every single season, I find myself consistently checking my phone for messages from Lando.

At a team dinner, save me x - Evelyn

I send Lando a text to see if it prompts anything.

"So, Evelyn, how do you think this years championship will go?" Nate asks

Deflated, I sink my phone back into my purse and return to my reality. Formula One.

I shrug gently, "hopefully Max will do well" I reply.

"Yeah, if Charles can stay behind and that fucking moron cheat can play fairly for once" Ian pipes in.

It's no question who he's referring to in regard to that. But I can't say anything.

Johan grips my hand underneath the table and gives it a friendly squeeze, stating that he's here for me and not to worry about them.