Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

Hungary, Post-Race

This race showed what a great team we have here at @JaguarF1. Very grateful for @JessicaBond57's help with what was a very tough race. Couldn't ask for a more supportive teammate! - @SchumacherMick

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HUNGARY
AFTER THE RACE
JULY

Holy shit, I want a jet of my own.

Max is grinning at me like this is hilarious, but truthfully, I'm in awe. Daniel's already found himself a plush leather seat to park in, and I'm just... staring at the luxury of it all. When I was making jokes about Max and his private jet, I don't think I realised just how extravagant it is.

"I want a jet." I blurt out, to their amusement.

"You can buy one if you have a spare ten million." Max says through a laugh as he goes to the bar my god this thing has a bar.

I force myself to go and sit in one of the cream-toned seats, putting my phone on the table in front of it. Now I get why Charles was talking about spending the money if you have it. The dark wood-lined floor, creamy white seating and entertainment setup all make it seem like a hotel on wheels.

Max places a drink down in front of me, the grin still wide on his face. This is all fun and games for him, he gets to show off. Daniel is plugging his phone into a port by the table he's sat at, and I just can't pick my jaw up off the floor.

The takeoff is incredibly smooth; whoever the pilot is, I hope Max pays them a hefty salary. As we sail through the air, towards England, where the boys will be heading off for some event at the Red Bull factory, while I go and spend some time with my parents at home.

"Soooo..." I look over at Daniel, who seems to be desperate, about to burst with whatever it is he's desperate to say. "Are you staying at Jess' tonight?"

My head drops to hide the way I'm flushing with a soft red. Yes. He is staying at mine again, but Daniel doesn't need to know that.

"Yeah, and?" Max's casual answer makes me want to sink out of the floor of the plane. I feel his foot tap mine under the table; I raise my head to see him giving me a brief flash of concern.

"Gonna have a little romantic dinner? Netflix and chill?" Daniel's enjoying this way too much.

I heave out a sigh. I have to get used to this. It's going to become the norm now that word is out amongst the others that we know they know. They're going to do this. I have to keep reminding myself of it every time, and it's only been one week. Daniel's smile is all teeth, no flicker of shame, only glee.

"I use my dad's Netflix." The reaction is instantaneous. Daniel puts his hand to his chest, mockingly gasping in an overdramatic way. Max is laughing and I've managed to divert this from being a haha, you two are dating to just be a target Jess moment.

"Cheapskate! You should be paying for it!" There's no bite to his tone, it's all for a laugh.

After an hour in the air, Daniel's fallen asleep. Max is still on his phone whilst I enjoy the view of the world below. Fields and towns and cities seem so small and insignificant as we breeze past them all. The clouds briefly obscure my view here and there, but even then, I feel like there's some awe-inspiring beauty. I think, sometimes, if I'd never gotten into racing, I might well have wanted to go to space. For the thrill of it, as much as the experience. Perhaps it's just ingrained in me to find a life of excitement in one way or another.

Something taps my foot; it's Max. He's placed his phone down and is staring at me with the same sort of awe I've been showing to the tiny world beneath us.

"What's up?" I ask him as I turn my attention fully to him.

He smiles at me, a huff of air leaving partially flared nostrils. His hands are clasped together on the table as he leans forward. "I was thinking, I've seen your home, maybe you could come to mine during the summer break?"

"Er—" I can see his happiness threatening to vanish, but he shouldn't be worrying. I have a suggestion. "I'm going snowboarding and that with Liam and some of the guys, maybe you could come with? Then we could go to Monaco after that? It's only a weekend, or a few days, but I did promise Liam I'd go. And he's been excited to arrange it, bless him."

"Who else is going?"

"Um... I think it's currently Liam, James, me..." I count off fingers as I name drivers, trying to rack my mind for what names were said or added to the chat Liam made for the holiday. "We haven't got a yes off Logan or Oscar yet... James felt bad about Seb not being invited so Liam decided it would be Rookie Gang and Co. Seb's invited and so was Kimi, but no solid yes from either. Mick's coming with us... I think Liam's trying to get Yuki to go too."

"Would Liam be okay with me being invited?"

"I think he's surprised I haven't asked yet. I can always just pop it into the chat and see. It's not that expensive, everyone's just chipping in on a fully catered chalet. I think we have a limit of twelve? I'd have to ask to be sure." I'm already on my phone, prepping a message to throw into the group when we land. "I'll ask them once we touch down, I'm sure Liam won't mind. It makes it cheaper, and you get on with pretty much half the people going."

"Okay." Max nods, and I'm taken aback by how he's gone from being unsure to being totally on board with it. I would've thought perhaps he had more questions to ask.

"And then we can go to Monaco, I can sort out—"

"You can stay at mine. It's only fair." He shrugs in a way that makes it clear he's not fussed about it. I'm nodding, but that's just because I'm not really going to get a choice here. "You can meet my cats."

"You mean I can have a chance to steal them from you."

Max laughs at me, and the momentary tension and unease I felt about the idea of going to his home, into his private space, is all gone. He's okay with it. He's not as overly guarded as I am, it seems. "You can try."

"Yeah, I think I'd have a hard time trying to get them through border security..."