Checkered Love

Court(Ing) Games

You drag your ass out of bed, hit the shower, and you're out the door after leaving Lucy a quick note. You make it just in time to get to the gym, but it's empty. You wait for 15 minutes, check your phone, and see no messages from Carlos.

Both disappointed and annoyed, you ring him to ask if anything in today's schedule has changed. After three rings, the phone is answered by a female voice. 

"Hello, Y/n?! Sorry, Carlos can't come to the phone right now, he's busy." She drops the phone before you can respond.

"What the fuck?" You breathe out loud and feverishly start texting him. 

*Good morning. I'm at the gym. You've got a pretty packed schedule for today, with lots of press meetings in between the last two sessions of testing. I tried to phone you. Let's chat when you get to the track*

You drop the phone in your gym bag, angry at yourself for a myriad of reasons. You're at the gym now, so you might as well just make good use of the time. You gain steely focus as you zone out to the music on your phone, working up a sweat. You were busy with the second set of reps on the battle ropes when you sensed his presence. 

You drop the ropes and turn around to face him, forcing a smile. "Hey."

He tries to read your face and watching you, without smiling says "Hey, dama. Quite the resilience you have their. Rupert will be impressed that you're keeping me on my toes."

You ignore his response to ask "So what does your workout schedule look like? We don't have much time, so it's best to focus on one thing for today. What do you feel like doing? Legs, arms, abs? Pick your poison."

He watches you as you dry the sweat off with a towel and turn back to face him, taking a large swig of water.

"Alright, cardio it is. Let's throw some hoops if you know how to play." You instantly snap at him "I have been playing ball since kindergarten, let's go." You walk past him, but he gently grabs your arm. 

"Y/n.." You look him square in the eye and despite being angry at him, you want nothing more than to brush the stray lock of jet black hair from his forehead. 

"I'm sorry I was late" he continues. 

"It's fine Carlos, let's hit the court."

"But...I..."

You've already started walking to the court not interested in what he has to say about Isa. And you're also pissed off at yourself. 

You're equally matched on the court and after a few wordless but intense sessions, you were down by one point, and even started relaxing and enjoying it. 

Annoyed he says "Come on, Y/n, you're holding out on me. Vamos!"

You grabbed the ball, start to bounce it on the court, haunch down and meet him square in the gaze. 

"Holding out on you? Bring it Sainz" , you cheekily say...

As those damn devils start dancing in his eyes, you can see he's surprised that you aren't intimidated by him on the court. You're not sure if he pushed the challenge button, igniting your passion to respond, but in aggressive reaction, you both start running towards the hoop together and half way through, you trip over him and you grab onto him as you both fall breathlessly to the floor and burst out laughing. You both lie on the floor as you catch your breath. 

He is the first to finally get up after what felt like ages, and he gives you a hand, pulling you to your feet. In that moment, you both notice Fred and Charles standing in the gym door, puzzling looking from you to Carlos and back. Charles can barely contain his laughter as he texts Lando about what just transpired in front of his eyes.

Fred clears his throat "Well, *ahem*, It looks like you two are getting along alright?

You grab your kit to head out the door as you say "Yeah, it's been going great."

Fred is pleased. "That's good to hear. Right boys, driver briefing in an hour. Time to put our game day faces on."

Waving to all three of them you say: "Yip, that's my cue! See you gents later."

Fred: "Isn't she just great?"

"Yes" Carlos and Charles says in unison as Carlos just stares at the back of you and smiles to himself.

After dealing with much admin the rest of the day, you text Carlos to ask if he needs anything else before you leave.

*No, I'm good. I'll see you Tuesday.*