Broken arrows

22.

Kara landed early this morning, I was so happy when she texted me. I needed to tell her about Lando and Lara and about Max.

I needed her.

I went to the paddock way too early, no drivers or trainers were here yet, even Max Fewtrell was still sleeping.

Kara was sitting in front of the Ferrari hospitality. She looked tired as she was looking at her coffee in front of her but she smiled as soon as she saw me.

"Oh my God Aimée, I missed you and I'm so sorry about Lando" she said as she got up and hugged me.

I guess Charles already told her. I was actually thankful for that because I didn't know if I could explain it to her.
My heart would break all over again.

"It's okay, he made his choice so I can finally move on" I smiled. His best friend was definitely helping with that part.

We both sat down again after grabbing another coffee, we both needed it.
I always needed it in the morning and she had to beat a jetlag.

"Okay don't look, but this gorgeous man is totally checking you out" Kara whispered as she leaned closer to me.

I quickly looked behind me looking right in Ryder's eyes. What was he doing here? How did he get in?
I shouldn't be questioning it, he always got into places, he had that power.

"I literally told you not to look" Kara slapped my arm making me look back at her. "Do you know him?"

"I do" I quickly grabbed the cup of coffee in front of me. She didn't know Ryder, she knew every part of me except for him.

He was a part of my life before I met her.

"Who is he? He's hot" she couldn't stop looking at him and I knew he would have a damn smirk on his face because of that.

I shrugged my shoulders. "He's not that hot Kara, besides you're dating Charles"

She frowned. "Who is he Aimée?" I realized she wasn't asking because she was interested in him. She was asking that question because I was acting weird.

I bit my lower lip before I felt a kiss against my cheek. "Morning princess" Max said as he sat down next to me and grabbed the coffee out of my hands.

The frown on Kara's face got even bigger as she looked at Max and I.

"I have to go to Lando but I'll see you soon yeah?" He said as he sipped from my coffee. I nodded with a smile.

He got up before kissing my lips quickly and walked to the Mclaren hospitality.

Kara looked at me with her mouth open. "What just happened" she mumbled.

"I will explain later, I have to go to the Red Bull hospitality" I said as I looked at the time. I hated to leave her confused like this but I was already too late.

I got up and walked passed Ryder, our shoulders brushed against each other but I didn't talk to him. I couldn't deal with him right now.

But then again, I didn't want to deal with Verstappen either, but I had to.

"Let's go" he said as he grabbed my arm as soon as I walked in the hospitality. He took me outside again.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I took my arm back. "I have a press conference remember?"

No I didn't remember because my head was a mess but I still nodded.

We reached the conference room. Max Fewtrell and Lando were standing in front of it. They were talking, but Lando didn't seem amused to say the least.

Lando looked at me before shaking his head and walking in the room. I followed him and sat down at the back of the room.

I grabbed my phone to distract myself but when I looked up, I saw Lando staring at me.
He was biting his lip, his eyes were a little red or was I imagining that?

He looked down and pointed at the phone on his lap. Was he really texting during a press conference?

Not a second later, my phone lit up as well. He used to be my favorite notification and if I was honest, my heart still skipped a beat when I saw his name on my phone.

It's been a while since I saw that.

Lando:

We really need to talk
Privately

About what?

About us.

I see no combination of 'you' and 'I'
That forms an 'us'

Come on Aimée
Please

I didn't reply anymore. I just locked my phone and crossed my legs. Looking everywhere but Lando.

I owed him nothing and he definitely didn't deserve my time.

I had other things to deal with now.

Like Ryder. What was he doing here and why did he give me a knife?

But most importantly, what happened in those five years when I thought he was dead?