Ready or Not?

13.

Back in England

Max and I got back Monday evening, and went straight back home. He didn't say much to me, I don't know what I have said or he has heard, but he was definitely in a mood. I didn't have time to deal with his childish ways at the moment, I needed to make a serious decision for my future, one which might not include Max being so involved with my life. I also needed to find Lando, I think we need to talk through our feelings, or if there are any left.

Lando 🧡

Let me know when you're back home, we'll get another takeaway and sleep on my sofa this time...

today 8:30pm

Hey Lan, are you testing negative yet?

Heyy chick, yeah I've had 3 days negative so I think I'm in the clear again

Ok good, I'll bring the food, you pick the movie okay?

Now that's a plan, is Max coming over too? 👀

Unfortunately not, he's too busy for us both tonight he's got a date 👀

No way! With who??? 👀

His simulator 😂

I grabbed the food and walked over to Lando's, he opened the side gate and allowed me to pass through first and his eyes followed my hands carrying the goods.

"Thanks for this Nat, it smells amazing" We sat and ate before any serious talk, all these thoughts and feelings made me nervous, so I thought it best to eat beforehand. Lando passed over a glass for my wine and we sat onto his couch, I was careful not to spill any as he would probably kill me.

"Lan can we speak about something a bit more serious?" I look over to try and meet his eyes but he was concentrated on the movie, I lowered the volume and that got him interested again. "Hey I asked if we can talk now...I just want to get something off my chest"
"Oh yeah sure, talk away"
"Right so when you missed the Grand Prix this weekend, Carlos and I caught up, he was telling me how there's some feelings towards me that you both share" I took a breath, it was starting to get warm in here and I didn't want to leave this talk just because I was uncomfortable "I just want to know if it's true?" He hesitated

"Yeah, I guess the feelings didn't really disappear just because you did last year" we laughed together which was a nice feeling "But yeah you make me look forward to the races and the time I spend at home, you're always around at Max's so you can see why I come over more often now. I don't want you feeling the pressure to choose me just because I've told you all this" I smiled and actually appreciated the honesty from him.

"Thank you. You know the reasons I explained before and how I can't really date anyone whilst Max is racing at such a top level. It could have an impact on him or even my relationship with him" "I could never betray his trust like that" I look over to Lando who's eyes are glued to mine, he could see I was troubled with this. His hand reached over to my empty one and we both took a deep breath in sync.
"That's okay Lia. I have sisters so I know how it goes. Do what's right for you and I'll respect your decision either way" he pulled me into a hug and I accepted it, I didn't take him for a hugger but he does give good ones.
"I didn't actually expect you to be so mature about this if I'm honest, but I'm glad you have been" I stayed in the hug and eventually we both sat in silence, that silence put us both to sleep because when I woke back up it was 9am and I was still on his couch. Shit. I'm supposed to be back at the factory today. I jumped to realise Lando wasn't even in the room, he must have gone to his bed last night.
"Lannnnnn!!" "I'm going home I'll see you in Canada!" I grabbed my shoes and headed back home, when I walked back in Max had already left for training. Great. I would be making my own way today I guess. After I showered and changed I got my keys and headed to the garage. I haven't been using my own car for a while so it was nice to sit in the comfort of my car, I am a Mercedes girl funnily enough, but I would never say those words out loud or worse - in front of Max.

When I got into the office, I quickly joined the huddle. This is where we group together in the morning and plan our projects and update the team leaders on the progress we are making. I kinda like it, but since I've only just started I don't really have to take part, just observing for now. Joe spoke for our team and made it clear we had a lot of work to do today so we needed to get started asap. Once it was over we went back to our office and officially caught up within our team.

"Hey Nat how was your dinner the other night? I saw on Insta you had some pretty cool company" Joe was grinning as he opened up the laptop with all his work on.
"Oh yeahh, it was just some friends of ours, but it was a good night thanks for asking...I want to know how yours went? Did you meet anyone interesting on your lads night out?" I couldn't help but smile knowing these nights out can be eventful.
"Honestly not much happened, the bar was quiet so we came back early, sorry to disappoint but no spicy stories to report"
"Ah maybe you'll strike some luck in Canada keep your eyes out for anyone who speaks French out there"
"Let's move away from my love life and onto our work, are you ready for the final edits?" "You heard it in the huddle, we've got a lot to catch up on"
"Yep I understand, I'm actually finished with the media you sent my way, so I'm happy to take on some of your work if you need the help?"
"Oh" Joe looked surprised, were his expectations lower than that. "Okay yeah, you could do me a favour actually...I didn't get a chance to speak with your brother so can you find him and ask him about those sentences for the blog about your dad?" He didn't look up but instead handed me the folder again with the hundreds of pages that outline my brother's life. I walked over to the gym that was on the other side of the factory, along the way Rachel passed me yet another folder but this one was for Ricciardo's media plans - something to deal with later.
I knocked before going in and was greeted with my brothers glare.
"Hey Marc how's it going?" Marc was always full of positivity, I wish he would pass that onto my brother during their training sessions together.
"Hey Lia it's going well, Max was just saying what a great time you both had in Barca, I wish I could have been there" he sensed the tension so he swapped places with me at the door "I'll be back in 10, I'll let you two catch up" Marc made a quick exit and Max had not given up his staring contest with me but I had to quit it and sit with him on the mat.
"Hey dude, what's with the attitude?"
"It's nothing, just get to the point, why are you here?"
"Stop being a dick" "I don't know what's got you so aggy these days but cut it out bro, we live together so let's leave that shit at home"
"Fine"
"Right so the team wrote up a biography type thing for you, but they put a lot of harsh things down about our dad. I want you to just approve it or disapprove it so they can rewrite it or post it. It doesn't affect me much since this is based on you as the driver, I just want to make sure you're happy with it before it gets posted"
"That's it?"
"Yeah that's it" "Can you read it and get it sent back by the end of day today please"
"Sure, I'll pass through your office and drop it off. We also needed to talk later so don't go off again"
I didn't even bother to end this talk well because I just know I'd say something I would regret later.