GRIDLOCK - Lando Norris [BOOK 1 Gridlock Series]

22

Come race day and I am feeling like a completely different person, which is good, drama is just not something I am interested in. And to be honest, I'm just sick of feeling sad.

Getting ready to head down to the track, I grab my standard RedBull polo and pair it with my white denim shorts, I just love the way that it looks together. Seems to be my go-to outfit when I'm trying to impress, but I think the angle here to make them regret.

I straighten out my hair and apply minimal makeup before slipping my glasses on top of my head and then head down stairs to find Johan.

"Morning Miss" he announces upon my arrival.

"Morning" I link my arm with his and follow him outside to where the lines of cars are awaiting us and the rest of the RedBull team to take over to the paddock.

"Enjoy your night?" He asks so casually and I think this time, I'm going to keep my little secret.

"Yeah, went to bed early" I lie.

When we arrive at the track, it's in full force getting ready for the race and the anticipation of seeing Lando is making me eager to get down pit lane.

As I walk past the Ferrari garage and can't spot him yet, which is odd, but honestly in this sport he could be anywhere.

Once we get to the McLaren garage, I can feel his gaze on me before I even spot him. Once our eyes meet, I give him the faintest smile and then continue down to the RedBull garage, leaving him with nothing more.

I find Max straight away sitting with his engineers and going over the strategies for today.

"Hey" I announce as I walk up to him, giving him a one arm side hug.

"Hey sis, how are you?" I know what he is regarding too, but taking Zak's advice I need to keep this stuff separate, especially if it comes to Max.

"Yeah good," I say in my happiest voice possible, "What's the plan for today?" I ask peering closer to the screen as if I really understand any of it.

Max looks at me calling my bluff, "Do you know what anything on that graph means?" he chuckles.

"Yeah, the blue line is better than the red?" I tease earning me a well deserved eye roll.

"Go away" he chuckles, turning his chair back around to the screens.

I peel away and find Johan who is working on Max's car.

"Why do you look like a bored child" he mocks.

"Because I am" 

"Evelyn?" I hear my name being called from the garage door, looking up to see Lando behind that request.

"Hey" I say as casually as I can.

"Can I speak with you a moment?" The most formal tone ever to come from Lando.

I nod my head in agreement as I brush by Johan's shoulder to get past him. A knowing look coming from him which is sending every warning label possible.

"Hey" I greet as I walk out of the garage toward him, he barely says anything to me other than a grunt to follow him as we walk around the back and out toward the back of the pit lane.

"Coffee?" he asks me as we make our way to the food van on site.

"Sure," I hate this about him, even though I've tried to keep the confident vibe up, whenever I am around him, I lose all sense of certainty, and I turn into this shy and insecure girl with a crush. And Lando always brings that part out in me.

Once we have our beverages, we take a seat in the outdoor seating area, Lando has his black sunglasses coving his face from all emotion, which makes me crawl further into my hole.

"You okay?" I ask him as he grips his coffee a little too tightly.

"What was that?" he asks, totally ignoring my question.

I know what he's talking about, but to give me a moment to come up with an excuse, I buy myself some time, "What was what?"

I can feel the judgement coming from his hidden eyes, "Evelyn" he dumbfounds.

"I dunno?" I shrug but chuckle at the same time, "It was nothing" I lie. It was everything.

I watch as he brings the plastic cup up to his lips as he lets the liquid settle against the plumpness before parting them slightly, allowing it to pass through. My eyes then divert to his throat where I watch his adams apple bobs up and down as he swallows.

Just that simple movement making my own throat dry and legs clamp shut, that I am almost annoyed with how much control this boy has over me. Even when I don't want him too, I can't help the effect he has over me.

"Good, as long as you know that" he brags, as I watch the corners of his lips curve the slightest, but it's enough that I know order has been restored, and my slight power dominance from last night, has officially come to an end.

He doesn't allow my reply as he grips his coffee cup and stands from his seat, give me one last glance before walking past me and back towards the McLaren garage.

Dammit. I hate that this is what happens.

"He doesn't deserve the way you look at him" I hear come from behind me.

I turn around to see Charles standing there, a fresh cup in his hand as he exits the café.

"I can't help it, not with him" I confess, hearing how pathetic I sound.

Charles motions to sit down to which I nod to him, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"What's going on?" he asks, the simple question bringing tears to my eyes. "Hey, hey, it's okay." He reassures, reaching for my hand across the table.

"I'm an idiot" I shrug, "I know it's done, but I just can't seem to let it go."

"You're not an idiot" he takes a deep breath. "You've had it for him for over a year, he dangled a carrot in front of your face and then pulled the rug from out under you, it's normal for you to be a little chaotic at the moment."

I nod in agreement as the lodge in my throat isn't allowing me to verbally answer him.

"Why did it have to be him?" I cry.

******

Round 20 race is about to get underway and as the drivers set up on the grid, I'm back out amongst them, helping Johan with the last minute things on Max's car. And by helping, I mean I'm standing around in the sun, getting in the way and people watching.

"I wonder if any of it was true?" I ask, to no one in particular, Johan's in listening distance, as is a lot of the other mechanics. But I don't make eye contact with any of them.

My focus is on him.

"Ev" Johan breaths, placing his wheel gun down on the ground and standing up to be in front of me. "He knew exactly what he was doing to you, he just" he pauses before finishing but I know what he's going to say.

"Didn't care?" I battle.

"I'm sorry" he says, gripping my shoulder in comfort before returning to Max's wheel.

My eyes stay on him for a lengthened period of time, trying to seperate my memories from the reality.

I have to come to terms with the fact that our almost is all I'm going to get.