Racing For Love

Chapter Fifty

Maybe none of us had enough caffeine in our systems this morning, because the rubix cube filming goes much better than the simulator racing. Both drivers are hopeless, and start trying to remove stickers to get a matching line. I'm sat in the motorhome editing it, laughing at their stupidity - I think this will go down well across our socials, and drop a rough draft over to Kate.

Matt and I have a busy afternoon whilst the drivers are occupied with actual race prep, and simulator work. With Matt meeting Faye this evening, it allows me some time alone and I'm looking forward to some solitude and peace. Whilst i'm enjoying being in Hungary, I also know that I need to continue to look after myself. I have an online therapy session planned for in the morning, and tonight i'm planning to distract myself with rubbish TV and room service. Jono asked earlier what my plans are, and I've put him off until Saturday after qualifying, citing being busy (which I am) but also because I need my space, which he understands. It means I can check in with James and Max each day too - despite the fact he's supposed to be resting, James wants updates each day, and I'm happy to oblige. I'll still see Jono every day, but not spending time alone with him will make it easier to manage my feelings.

After my early morning therapy session, I stay in the city because we're filming Jono in the famous thermal springs at Rudas. I feel nervous because we're clearly setting this up to be a little more sexy and less jokey than normal content, which feels...wrong to exploit the drivers in this way, especially when we were so opposed to the 'couples content' we had to film. I suggest to Matt that we should get some bath toys to lighten the video, and we swing into a shop, picking up a colourful pack of rubber ducks.

We're all set up as Jono arrives. He has already changed and as I turn to greet him, my breath catches in shock. Jono is wearing a pair of red Bianchi swimming shorts, and nothing else. His lean, muscular torso is glistening - presumably from the shower he took on his way through.I can feel my heart beating in my ears as my face flushes and I look back down at my notes. I don't think i've ever really seen him this...naked in all the time we've been hanging out, and my mind wanders immediately, despite myself.

"All good guys?" Jono says, smiling. Ok, so he's definitely noticed my embarrassment, because when I look up again, he raises his eyebrows at me and laughs. "I take it this is going to be acceptable? Doesn't Lorenzo normally do these kind of videos?"

"Yes, Lorenzo normally does these, but he's not available for us. Since it's you though, we got these," I hold up the rubber ducks before throwing them into the pool next to us. We've been given exclusive access for a short amount of time to this amazing space - the octagonal bath sits below a large dome, held up by ornate pillars. The lighting focussed on the structure around the pool and with the steam rising from the water, it's basically a thirst trap dream location.

"Right," Matt begins, explaining the plan to Jono whilst I check the camera set up. Jono's performance coach, Jacques, has joined us, because once we've finished filming, Jono is actually going to make the most of being here, and enjoy the facilities before going to the paddock for media day.

"So, dinner with Jono Saturday then?" Jacques asks me, and I realise Jono must have told him of our plans.

"Yep, thought i'd better entertain the driver before race day." I reply, and we stand together watching Matt and Jono.

"I know he's already planning it" Jacques replies, smiling broadly. I thought it was supposed to be a casual thing and I can feel my anxiety building at his words. Before I can fully overthink the situation, Matt finishes speaking to Jono and walks back across to our set up.

"Let's get this filmed and then you can actually relax!" Matt says and we set up behind the camera. It's filmed slightly tongue in cheek, first focussing on the rubber ducks before pulling the camera to Jono slowly entering the water. He makes an involuntary whimper as his body sinks into the warm water, and then relaxes, groaning and allowing his neck to fall back. Ok, I don't actually think i've ever seen anything this attractive before. The ducks bob on the surface of the water and Matt says "Ok, cool. Are you ok to do one more?" Which breaks me from my daydream. After we repeat the shot (which I don't think is entirely necessary for anything other than ensuring this moment is seared into my memories) Jono stays in the water.