Right On Track

Chapter 14

Carlos Sainz

"Race day already."Lando pursed his lips."This weekend went fast."
Carlos picked at the breakfast on his plate and shrugged."It was fine,I guess."
"You're starting fifth on the grid."Lando said,taking a sip from his glass of water while glancing around the breakfast area of the hotel.
"Not completely what I was aiming for."Carlos replied."But I guess with the car I have,it's something,at least."
"Some of us aren't that even that close to the front this race."Lando said,his gaze moving to somewhere in the room.
Carlos followed his gaze,slowly turning in his chair.He sighed as he watched Kiara pass by,a bland expression upon her face.She didn't notice him.But he pretended as though he was fine with that,as much as the words just look my way were continuously playing in his head.
"You going to talk to her?"Lando asked.
He shook his head,turning back to Lando."She needs space when she's like this."
Lando lifted an eyebrow."Of course,since you're so experienced with pissing her off."
"I didn't do anything this time."Carlos said."Well...maybe something.But it wasn't major."
"What's minor in your eyes could be major in someone else's."
"Wow,Lando Norris has now become a poet."Carlos joked,trying to change the topic.
Lando lifted his hands,showing that he was some-what impressed with himself.
"Maybe you could give Ivy some of that poetry."Carlos said.
"Mate,I'm going to stop you right there-"
"What?You still like her don't you?"
"Of course,but-"
Carlos cut him off."But you two did it didn't you?"
"Hey!"The British driver snapped."You are in no position to comment on that!"
A laugh escaped Carlos."Am I planning the wedding?"
"Carlos,stop."He said,laughing in between."This conversation is escalating too quickly."
Carlos grinned,then checked his watch.It was almost time to get going.Lando seemed to catch on too,saying."Well,good luck for today."
"Good luck to you too,muppet."Carlos said in return.A few moments later,his gaze drifted to one side of the room,where both Red Bull drivers sat.Kiare was barely eating much.Max offered now and again to fetch her something more and she kept declining.Carlos knew that she wasn't a morning person,which meant that she wasn't one who liked to eat breakfast much,whether she was in the best of moods or not.
But Carlos still chose not to approach her.He could do that later,when he didn't have to rush off or catch her when she seemed ready to commit murder.Max was already the one getting the attitude this morning.
As he walked behind Lando towards the exit of the room,Kiara and Max noticed them when they were about to pass their table.Max nodded their way as a kind gesture and Lando said."See you guys later."
Carlos shared a high-five with Max once closer and said."Good luck."
He looked at Kiara as she lazily waved at Lando.To at least try to lift her mood a little,Carlos approached her end of the table and brushed a hand along her shoulder,slightly leaning down while quietly saying."You'll be fine.See you later,mi amor."
Her expression brightened a little at that,a light blush coming to her face.
He smiled one more time at that,then started to walk off with Lando.
He wasn't really mad at the way she spoke to him the day before.In fact,He blamed himself for that since he had clearly started it when approaching her outside the media pen.
Lando jabbed him in the side with his elbow as they walked out,giving him the side-eye.
"What?"Carlos frowned.
"What was that?"He shook his head.
"What?"
Lando clicked his tongue,shaking his head."So,'You'll be fine' was your only form of motivating her?"
Carlos gave him a flat look."Oh,come on.What did you want me to do,then?"
"I don't know."He shrugged."Maybe pull her aside and give her some words of encouragement?God,maybe even a kiss on the forehead!"
"A kiss on her forehead?"Carlos sighed,pinching the bridge of his nose."Lando,do you hear yourself?"
"Yes."He said.
"Lando,I think I choose to have my nose intact and safe from a punch."
"Don't be stupid."He said."I mean,if you're starting to go out with each other it's bound to happen eventually."
"Not under these circumstances."Carlos snapped."Not unless I need to be publically embarrassed again by the same woman."
"You are such an idiot."
"Goodbye,Lando."Carlos said,ending the conversation while taking some steps away.
Lando just crossed his arms and glared as he left.