It's been a week, and every phone call is interrupted or missed. Every text message takes hours for response and every hour makes Japan seem further away.
I find myself spending my days waiting by the phone, knowing that the delays come on his part, which I don't have resentment over, but I feel like I can help us by not creating any delays on my end. Like the times he's able to message, if I can reply instantly, then we may be able to have a quick conversation before he needs to go again.
With his race coming up, I see glimpses on the screen of him, and he doesn't look recognisable to me. When I see him on the screen, I feel disconnected and like I'm watching Lando Norris, the McLaren Formula 1 driver, and not the man who captured my heart.
"Hey, is the race tonight?" Jade asks, settling down on the couch next to me.
"Yeah, it'll start in about an hour" I inform her.
"Do you want to order some pizza or something?" She suggests.
"Yeah, that sounds good" I accept as she begins tapping on her phone. "Just cheese please"
"Of course." She chuckles, "Have you spoken to him today?"
I shake my head, my lips pausing around the drink bottle lid.
"He must be so busy" she sympathises.
"Yeah I guess. It's just hard not hearing from him and seeing him up there" I admit.
She nods in understanding. "I'm sure it'll get easier"
However, her words don't comfort and I know that this was always going to come with some hardships, I knew that I was going to have to be patient, but watching myself just sit around waiting for him, I question as to whether this would be what life is like if I'm not with him.
"Do you think you'll go to any of the races?" She asks.
"I can't really afford that" I admit with an embarrassed chuckle.
"I'm sure your boyfriend could pay the bill" she mocks.
"He isn't my boyfriend" I admit.
"Close enough" she rolls her eyes.
I chuckle at her, because I've often wondered the same thing.
"Where is the next race after this?" She questions.
"China in 2 weeks time" I inform her after checking through the 2024 calendar.
"Ever wanted to visit China?" She teases, shrugging her shoulders innocently.
I hear Lando's voice come on the screen and we both glue our attention to it as Lando is interviewed by some presenters.
He looks refreshed and happy, ready for the race. His qualifying yesterday went really well and he's starting on pole position for today.
"So Lando, coming off last race in Australia, how does it feel to be a rookie this year and to be winning races this early in the season?" The reporter asks him as they walk down the pit lane.
His cocky and prideful smile radiates through the screen and I can't hide the way it makes me smile in return.
"Australia was amazing, i really didn't expect the race to go the way it did. Ummm, qualifying showed some decent pace, but we really didn't expect to maintain it in the race, but you know, it all turned out good, so, yeah. Happy with a first win, I'll be remembering it for a long time" he answers.
"Rumours have it you had someone very special in the crowds in Melbourne, do you think that had a play into your performance on the weekend?"
My heart stops and I feel Jade gasp and grasp the edge of the couch dramatically.
"Oh my god" she breaths.
Lando's smile gets even brighter, and I flush of embarrassment washes over his face. He brings his palm up across his race suit, rubbing it back and forward through nerves.
"Uhhh" he hesitates with a chuckle, "There definitely was someone very special to me in the audience, and I wasn't aware they were coming, so I think I was more nervous than anything. But it definitely made my first win more special being able to share that with her, so yeah. Very special indeed"
My hand slips over my mouth.
"Good luck today Lando" she concludes the interview as Lando rushes off down the pit lane. "Well, hearts may be braking all across the world as it sounds like our little Lando Norris, is securely off the market" she mocks.
"Oh my god" Jade gasps again, this time louder as she jumps up onto the couch onto her feet.
"Woah" I mutter in disbelief.
"Baylee, he just... Baylee" Jade screeches.
"Oh" I stutter.
"Bullshit he's not your boyfriend" she stands high on the couch pointing at me.
I stare at the television in disbelief as the camera pans across the drivers on the starting grid, lined up side by side for the national anthem.
"See that" Jade shouts, pointing and jumping up and down on the couch, "That's Baylee's boyfriend"
"Oh stop" I chuckle, slapping her on the legs.
"Baylee, he just admitted to a women being present at his race, making his first win even more special" she reiterates, "He basically just told the world he's married"
"You're so dramatic" I chuckle.
"You're going to China" she declares, "You're going"
"I don't know" I consider. "Won't it make it more complicated?"
"Why?" She asks baffled
"It just makes it more official. Now that he's said this, and then I'm seen there with him, I don't know if we are ready for that kind of attention. It will just put more pressure on this than we are ready for"
She shakes her head amused, "LANDO just gave it the attention" she reminds me.
"You know what I mean" I deadpan.
She settles back down on the couch next to me, "B, I say this because I love you" she begins, "Stop overthinking" she draws out.
"I can't help it" I groan.
"I know, he knows. We all know. Just stop thinking for once and just do it"
YOU ARE READING
For Now, For Good
FanfictionA year ago, their paths crossed unexpectedly and whilst timing and circumstances were completely against them, Lando and Baylee couldn't deny the connection between them. They vowed to meet up again, a year from now, when they hoped the world offer...
