GRIDLOCK - Lando Norris [BOOK 1 Gridlock Series]

27

Lando's nerves were evident during his practise. I don't know if it was to Zak and his engineers, maybe it's just because I knew about it, but I could tell he was holding back. He still did great, don't get me wrong, he was up in the seconds with Max and Charles, but you could just tell he wasn't making the extra push decisions that he usually would to get the job done.

I feel like I need to talk to him, he's still so close in the points with Max for Championship, even though he missed a few races, and if it's not Max winning the championship, I would really like it to be Lando. I think there were times there where I hoped it was more in Lando's favour.

But I feel like I can't talk to him.  He's not mine to talk too. I feel like whatever is starting with him and Luisinha, that's their business now.

But as the drivers start to make their way into pit and backing into the garages, I feel at a loss on what to do.

"Bloody brilliant times there, Max" Ashton, one of the technical engineers boasts at Max as he steps out of his cockpit.

"Yeah,  car felt great" Max replies, slipping his helmet off and unzipping his overalls.

"You've got his championship in the bag I would say" Ashton compliments.

Max chuckles at him before walking off out to the RedBull lounge to cool off and have their 'after practise debrief'.

"That was different" Johan mutters into my ear from behind.

I turn around to face him, "What do you mean?"

"Lando" he comments.

"What's wrong with him?" I try and act as cool as I can.

"He's driving different"

I shrug my shoulders and pick up one of the logbooks Max left behind, "Don't know, probably got told to ease back in" and without leaving him a chance to respond, I follow Max out of the garage and across to the break room.

As I cross over the pathway toward the RedBull lounge I can see Lando crossing over to head to the McLaren rooms.

We catch each others gaze for only a moment, but inside that moment is everything I need to know. His eyes are pleading with mine, he's inside his head and not connecting with his car and racing again. His eyes tell me that right now, he needs me.

I whip out my phone quickly and send a message as this isn't the time or place for this. Not with the cameras, not with the lights, not with the people.

9pm, Meet Me Back Here - Evelyn

I see his attention move to the phone in his hand and I duck inside the RedBull lounge. I have a plan on maybe how to help Lando, but it's hard because I've never been inside a Formula 1 car whilst it's pelting at 200km down the straight and into a corner. I can't give him that sort of advice, but maybe I can help in another way.

Throughout the whole debriefing, I'm struggling with myself as to how to keep my feelings for him, and caring for him seperate. In caring for him, I want to be able to help him through it. But with how much I have feelings for him, I don't know if I'll be able to keep them hidden during this.

And then on this other hand, is he telling Luisinha about how he feels with the race? Is he going to tell her he's meeting with me? Will he bring her?

God I hope he doesn't bring her with him. I wouldn't know how to react to that.

***

Just before 9pm hits, I'm already down at the Las Vegas track, pacing back and forth near the entrance to the McLaren garage, checking what seems to be every 2 seconds to see if Lando is coming down the strip.

Being so late at night in the middle of November in America, the weather is freezing and I can see my nerves in steam form as they come in sequences from my lips.

I'm dressed more to impress than I am convenience at the moment which I'm quickly regretting. I'm in my cream coloured matching sweats set from Tommy Hilfiger, and whilst it looks super cute, it's pretty thin in material and I can feel the wind chill factor seeping straight through the fabric.

I peer up again to see a darkened figure coming in my direction. The minimal light surrounding this part of the track making it difficult to see exactly who it is, but I feel like I've embedded Lando's physique enough to pick him out anywhere.

As he gets closer too me, the cold hair transmits from his shivering lips into the air between us and I'm wondering if this is the greatest idea.

"You're here" he mumbles.

I chuckle at him, "this was my suggestion" i motion around us.

He looks around whilst tucking his hands further into his pocket, "Why are we here, Ev?"

I turn my body away from him and motion for him to follow "Come on"

I lead us away from the garages and around the side so we're able to climb over a small fence which brings us into the pit lane. From there I bring him to the start/finish line and stand on pole positioning.

"So, you'll start here" I tease, acting as optimistic as possible for my plan to work.

I'm relieved when he finds the humour in my teasing and comes and stands directly next to me. "Okay" he breathe.

Standing shoulder to shoulder and staring down the track, I feel at ease, comfortable in this position with him.

"Walk me through the entire track. Talk me through all of it, every turn, every scenario, every brake and acceleration." I turn to look up at him from where he's looking down on me. "I want to know everything" I conclude in a whisper.

Lando exhales a deep and purposeful breath, I can see his eyes as they dance back and forth fight different replies, so instead he settles on a nod, take one of his hands out of his pockets and secures it firmly inside of mine. As his fingers link with mine, I fight off every urge to jump into his arms and hold him for eternity.

The sadness is overpowering him at the moment and I want to take it all away.

The hustle and bustle of the bush streets of the strip muffle around us and it seems as if all emotions have been zeroed in on this moment.

With our fingers secured together, a gentle stroke of his thumb against the back of my hand, we make our way down to turn 1.

Brake now, take it wide, slow turn left, cross over track ready for turn 2.........

*******************************************************************

Hey guys!! I really hope you're enjoying my first Lando fanfic, it's surprising me how many there are of you in such a shirt period of time, and it really send butterflies my way whenever I see someone read, rate or comment, so thankyou so much!!

I am writing a second book now, not the sequel to this one yet, it's another one, called DECEPTION and it's bad boy Lando!!! ;)

I have attached the description below for you, if it's something you might enjoy, please give it a read :) it would mean so much <3 thankyou

CB x

DECEPTION - Lando Norris

"You want to know why I insist on keeping you here?'' he repeats. I allow my head to nod. "Because I know how much you hate it"

Lando Norris and Josie Oliver's paths crossed in more ways than one over the past year and every time wasn't pleasant.

Josie had worked her entire life to be the best personal trainer and life coach that she could be. Something to really make her parents memory proud, and there had been times in Josie's career where McLaren had scheduled meetings with her for Lando when they were in England. But when the call came in to request Josie full time and to travel with them throughout the season, the only positive benefit Josie could see was the figure on the pay check.

As the season goes on, and Josie begins to find herself experiencing more than what her job description provides, she realises that the small print in contracts, may have gotten her way more than what she bargained for.