Rise Up

Chapter 26: Birthday Boy

When Lando told me he invited a few friends to celebrate his birthday, I didn't imagine that half of the grid would be there, with some others guys like Max Fewtrell and his brother Oliver. Fortunately I wasn't the only girl as some of their girlfriends were there too.

Isa was Carlos' girlfriend and seemed a really good girl, we got along in a second, even before the start of the dinner. Also Max's girlfriend, the one Lando talked me about, was nice but sometimes she sent me strange mixed messages like comments about her famous friend Eliza or looks over the table, that kept making me feel a bit nervous.

The dinner was great, we ate at an Italian restaurant, Lando's favorite, that wasn't that bad considering we were still in Brazil. The birthday boy was sat next to me and never left my side, even when I got up to head to the toilet, he came with me, "checking the door" as he said to everyone, making the whole table laugh at him. I think he just wanted to sneak away to be able to share a few kisses, out of the views of the others that didn't know about us yet.

Of course Max and Oliver were with us in Croatia so it was pretty normal for them, but we asked to don't share the news. We couldn't let the whole paddock know about this. Above all because we were the first to don't know what we were in particular.

Sleeping together and spending time every now and then was considered dating, right?

For the few hours sat at the table, we tried to look like good friends, that found each other again after many years, but it wasn't that easy, considering his hand on my bare thigh every now and then and his amazing smiles that he kept sending me every time I dared to talk or even make a joke with his mates or brother.

After the long conversation back in my room, I understood how much important he was becoming for me, not only because he said he's falling in love with me, that absolutely melted my heart, but also all the small things about him were making me going crazy, literally.

It was time for the cake so everyone got up from their chair to film the moment and clasped their hands, singing him happy birthday. As far as I know him, he was embarrassed for having all people's attention on him, but the blush on his cheeks disappeared when I came closer to him, with a big smile, pulling myself on my toes and pretending to kiss his cheek. Instead I took a big spoon of cream from the cake smashing it to his face, making him giggled like a little child.

He surprised everyone, above all me, when he grabbed the spoon in my hands but also my finger, a bit covered with cake too, to clean them, not with a towel, but taking them to his own lips. I'm pretty sure I was the one blushing after this, and not for the embarrassment but for the heat increasing in my lower belly.

The dinner finished and the group moved together to the club, walking down the street as it was a really short distance.

As soon as we entered, Lando was welcomed by a receptionist that took us to the VIP area. It a big booth on a balcony, above the whole dance floor, away from all the mass of people having fun down there on a Sunday night.

Even if Lando wasn't used to drink, he provided everyone shots and entire bottles of different alcohol. I didn't want to get wasted, so I didn't want to drink at all as I also don't tolerate it too much- after a small beer, I'm already tipsy.

Of course Daniel had to force the whole group doing some shots together, in order to celebrate Lando, so we all shared one tequila shot, also the birthday boy, that as soon as he tasted it, scrunched his noise.

"How can you all drink it? It's disgusting." He screamed over the table making everyone laugh at his silly reaction.

I laughed at his face too, then I walked closer to him, still with a shot in my hands.