‎‧₊˚✧The Distance Between✧˚₊‧

Part 3

Charles sat at home for most of the winter break. He went out to train and to see his family, but when he was alone, he didn't want to go out much. He had been very hurt by his breakup with Alexandra, and the overlap of their friend groups didn't help either. She had cheated on him with one of his close friends Leo, and the betrayal from both of them had caused Charles to spiral. The winter break, while well-needed, allowed for him to dwell in his sadness for longer than if it was during the race season, and it made Charles feel like he couldn't recover from the breakup.

He hadn't even found out himself, he felt that that outcome may have been better because it could give him a sense of closure. No, he had to be told by Alex's roommate that she had found them together several times over the course of a month, and that she was so sorry that she hadn't told him sooner, but their lease was about to end and she didn't want to have to leave her home with no place to go if Alex discovered she was the one who told Charles. He would've given her a place to stay if it meant that he had of found out sooner!

The new season was starting soon however, and training and meetings were ramping up for the beginning of the season. With having to fly to Italy so often, Charles and Carlos spent a lot of time together, cooped up in the same hotels, and their friendship was very open. Charles felt that he could talk to Carlos about the breakup and not be judged. The two men had been close since the beginning of their time working together, and since they had similar lives, they ended up being able to relate to each other's thoughts and feelings very often.

"Mila moved in with me a while ago, I don't know if I told you." Carlos said as they walked from their first meeting of the day to the office hospitality area.

"Oh really? Did her and Alexander break up?"

"How did you know that stalker? It's Alejandro though." Carlos looked confused as he asked Charles.

"At the Spanish GP after-party she told me about him, he seemed like a dickhead. I just assumed. I'm glad they broke up."

"Me too, I've hated him for a while but I didn't want to tell her. But now they're not together she moved in with me. She is coming to all the races this year though, big promotion!"

"Wow that's great, I'll have to congratulate her when I see her then."

"Of course you will mate, gives you an excuse to flirt." Carlos winked at Charles, then joined the queue while Charles reserved a table for the two men.

How does he know I liked her? The only person I told was Pierre and they don't get along at all. Was it really that obvious that I was treating her so well? Was he just joking?

Carlos returned with two plates of food, Italian stuffed peppers, one of Charles' less favoured dishes from the canteen.

"Your favourite Charlesss," Carlos mocked as he sat down, flying the plate towards the man like you would do with a child.

"Yes, isn't it amazing!" Charles faked a smile and waved at the older woman who had just served Carlos, he didn't want to be rude of course.

Charles was still shaken by the news that his crush was public knowledge, and it was Carlos!
Mila's own brother knows how I felt about her, what if he told her? What if she liked me back? And now she is coming to every race of the year. I'm finally getting excited for this season.