THREE - Daniel Ricciardo

Chapter 48 - Memories

AMY

"So, what did Pam and Steve say when they found out you were going on a date with me?" Charlie asked as he swirled the red wine around his glass, his blue eyes staring at me.

"This is a date?" I asked mockingly, knowing it would spur him on, understanding that our relationship was a lot of taking the piss out of each other.

Without anyone knowing, Charlie and I had made it out tonight without any questions asked. I felt sneaky, as if I was doing this behind someone's back. The notion of being sat here with my school friend, on a date, mere days after being engaged to one of the most recognised drivers in the world, was wild.

Of course, I had told my mom at breakfast this morning. She had thought that I was moving on from Daniel too quickly, but my dad was pissed at the Australian so he could find the goodness in my intentions. My dad loved Charlie; he was practically a dad for him too growing up

"It can be anything you'd like it to be." He smiled as the food arrived at the table. Kindly thanking the waitress, we dug in and consumed the delicious plates of food which had been placed in front of us. "My mom asked about you today."

Charlie's mom was an absolute sweetheart. She looked after him alone when his dad died when he was just a newborn baby, never letting herself find anyone new and dedicating her life to her son.

Sadly, she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year which devastated everyone who knew them. She was such a kind soul; bad things always happen to good people.

"She did?" I smiled and placed my fork down. "How is she?"

"She's alright, yeah." Charlie hummed as he continued to chew his food, politely clearing his mouth before continuing. "She's been on chemotherapy for a while now. There's good days and bad days."

As we continued to discuss his mom and the prospects of her health improving, our table was cleared from the main course as the dessert list arrived.

"What's happening with Jason, now?" Charlie asked as he broke the silence, delving into an uncomfortable subject for me. I shuffled in my seat and smoothed out the end of my dress as I looked over at my date.

"He's inside now but there will be another court hearing soon." I confirmed as I dreaded even thinking about it.

"I wish that you told me what was going on, when it was going on." Charlie said as he placed the menu into the middle of the table, rubbing his hands together as he had already decided on what he wanted.

"I didn't tell anyone." I spoke, my tone slightly shaky. "Can we talk about something else?"

Moving on from the conversation, we spoke about anything and everything in between, shortly catching up with laughter.

As we walked back to the hotel, my arm linked through Charlie's as I steadied myself on the cobbled streets in my ridiculously tall heels. Charlie laughed as I wobbled but ensured I was stable enough to take each step.

Breaking our laughter, Lando, Blake and Daniel were leaving the hotel and getting into a taxi before they noticed us. Lando had to double take to check that it was indeed me, noticing my arm gripping onto Charlie.

"Hey guys." Charlie smiled as he put his best face forward to my ex boyfriend. This was beyond awkward.

"Where have you two been?" Lando asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Just for some dinner." I confirmed, not giving too much away of the situation. Charlie remained silent which I heavily appreciated.

"You don't need to hide it, Rachel told me." Daniel piped up, the first time I'd heard an Australian accent since leaving his room last night. I exhaled sharply at the thought of Rachel informing to Daniel that I was out on a date, how much that must've been knocking his ego right now.