The driver, The Girlfriend and Me

Im going to show my scars

Jerez testing day 3

When I woke up that morning I realised I needed to wash my clothes. I brought enough for the week but I needed a clean Force India T-Shirt. Being up at a perfect time I decided it was ok to quickly wash them. My only problem, the washing machine had broken. I didn't know what to do. I racked my brain for ideas. Then I wondered if I could borrow Nicos.

Oh come on Sophie. Is it any excuse to see him now?

I fought against my thoughts. I grabbed my stuff and went to his motorhome.

As I looked at the door marked 'N.Hulkenberg #27' I was starting to decide against it. I pushed past my anxiety and knocked lightly on the door.

"Seems it's the other way round this morning. What can I do for you?" He asked. He was only in his tracksuit bottoms.

Before I said anything I quickly had a look at him. Each ab was perfectly sculpted. Perfect. A smile formed on his face.

"I see you've never been around a lot of men before" he laughed as I blushed then giggled.

"Am I that bad?"

"Not bad. I would say more...needs to spend more time around men than emails"

We both laughed.

"To be honest your right!"

"I knew I would be. I love your laugh by the way. It's cute"

"Thanks. Now can I use your washing machine? Mines broke"

"Sure. Come on in"

Wow. He didn't question me. Not like other men. How could he not question a girl staring at his abs?

I went straight over to the washing machine and threw my clothes in.

"This place is surprisingly tidy" I said.

"What are you trying to say?" He laughed.

"Oh how stereotypical of me" I laughed back.

"Very!"

Nico went to his wardrobe and threw a T-Shirt on.

"Shall I leave you to get ready?" I asked.

"Go and get ready and be back in...let's say 10 minutes"

"Ok see you then" I said as he flashed me a smile.

I practically skipped to my motorhome in happiness.

All I'd been wearing was Force India T-Shirts so I was starting to get tired of them. I threw it on with a pencil skirt. I didn't have enough time for makeup, apart from a few coats of mascara. My hair could wait.

With that I grabbed the stuff I would be needing today (bags, laptops, notebooks and things like that) and headed back to Nicos motorhome.

"Welcome back" he said.

I went and sat down on the sofa, took out my compact mirror and began to sort out my hair.

"How long does that take you?"

"My hair? Depends. I'm only putting it into a ponytail"

"Ok"

As I finished putting it up the washing machine beeped. I got up with my hair falling gracefully down my back. I took it out and put everything into the tumble dryer.

"House trained I see" Nico winked.

"Anyway we need to get you to the car"

"Should I risk letting you lead the way?"

"Yep! I need to learn"

Reluctantly Nico let me lead. He was right about not letting me though. He ended up holding me by the shoulders most of the way. I'm not going to lie, when he did I loved it. He even did it all the way to the garage just to be sure.

"Lost?"

"Serval times"

"Well what are you waiting for? Get in the car!"

I went and sat at the back to answer my emails. Today seemed to be the day that I was able to do everything. Within an hour I'd already answered them all so I put some of the radio headphones on to listen to Nico. He seemed to be enjoying himself. Either that or the team didn't have the heart to tell him that he was in last place.

I kept checking the times and noting them down. He was at least seven seconds down from the leader. As he drove back in we had to tell him.

"That was great. I really got to push the car!" He said with a smile on his face.

We all looked at each other.

"What?"

"You may have been pushing but you came last" Vijay said.

His smile instantly dropped.

"Oh"

***

With debrief over I walked Nico back to his motorhome. I went in with him so that I could get my now dry clothes.

"Are you doing a track run again?" He asked me.

"Probably"

He nodded as I walked out of the motorhome.

With my makeup off and hair in another ponytail I was ready to run. I had a pink and black sports bra and some black running shorts on. I took a quick look in the mirror to see what I looked like. Not too bad.

He was waiting outside for me.

"You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be"

He guided me to the track. Even though I could get on the wall he helped me to climb it as I squeezed through the gap and jumped down.

"Racing or just running?" He asked.

"Just running. Racing is to intense for me"

I put my headphones on and smiled at Nico to say I was ready. We both started out at a steady pace.

We sped up as we got closer to the end. I wasn't concentrating and fell over. Yes. I tripped over air.

"Are you ok?" He asked as he knelt down beside me.

"I am. Just took a tumble that's all"

"Here let me help you up" he said, taking me by the underarms.

"Get off me!" I instantly yelled, causing him to jump away, letting my arms hit the ground hard.

"Oh sorry I..."

I didn't let him finish. I got up and ran away with tears streaming down my face.

***

I need to talk to you

I ignored the message as I heard a knock on the door. I knew it was Nico. I went over and opened it. He walked straight in and sat on the sofa.

"What did I do wrong?" He said this as if we were together.

I came and sat next to him.
"Ever since I was little..I...I got abused. I hate people touching me. If they do then I do what I did to you"

My top lip started quivering as the telltale signs started. I managed to control them enough to only let a few tears spill down my face.

"Sophie? What's wrong?"

At this point I tried to talk but only tears came out.

"Come here" he said as he moved closer to me "am I able to hug you?"

i squeezed my eyes shut and nodded.

He held me close as I stopped my crying.

"Shall I stay the night?"

"I'll be ok. I don't have another bed"

"Ok"

He smiled at me and left. I went to my room and cried until I slept.