Off the Tracks

Chapter 1- Lucky Charm

It had been nearly 2 weeks since Riley had arrived in London, and she was currently packing for the race weekend in Bahrain. These past 2 weeks have particularly busy, her and Logan were always doing something, more so Logan than her but she tried her best to tag along when she could. Spending most of her time with him and meeting his teammate Alex Albon, and getting to know him better as the group would go out for lunch and dinner quite frequently trying to pass time before the first race weekend of the season.

But now, Riley is sitting on the floor of Logan's bedroom trying to finish packing her bag for their morning flight tomorrow. Rummaging through a pile of recently washed laundry trying to gather all of her clothing, so she can toss them in the open suitcase that laid in front of her.

"Do you need help?" Logan asked, leaning against the doorway while watching Riley pack.
He made his way over and put himself at her level, sitting down across from her. Riley's concentration broke from the task before her as she looks to him.

"I think i've got it myself" She said, "Thanks though" She returned back to putting the last final pieces of clothing in her bag. Riley didn't really like being offered help, it was something she had been asked a lot over the past 3 almost 4 years. She was fairly independent, and even if it was the smallest tasks such as packing her bags, it was frustrating to hear someone ask. "Have you finished packing?"

"Yeah I finished earlier" He told her, watching her nod. "You know I kind of thought you were going to be more stressed" Logan said, gaining her attention once more. "You always were when you would go back to America"

"Well your calming presence is obviously doing wonders" She said sarcastically "I think it just helps that I was never fully unpacked from when I got here"

Riley started zipping up her bag that was 100% completely full, leaving no room for anything else. Even if she wanted to.

"Have you talked to Oscar lately?" She asked with a gaze that met Logan's as he pulled her closer to him.

Riley and Oscar managed to become good friends when him and Logan met. They were the same age, so there wasn't any mental gaps in that aspect, they were facing the same stage of life; just with different lifestyles. She saw him at the races she managed to attend, and during the trips she made during the summer. They texted every now and then to catch up, but it always died down after Riley was away for a while.

"Yeah, he called me earlier and we talked."

"Is he ready to go?" She added to her previous question.

"Yea he said he's ready, nervous though" He told her, taking Riley's hands in his gently.

"Aren't we all" Riley joked, already knowing Logan himself was nervous too, just the same as she was. "Are you ready?" She put an emphasis on the question, wanting to hear his thoughts on the matter.

"I'm ready to bring home some wins to America" Logan told her with confidence getting Riley to break into a smile

"You're gonna do great"

"Yeah, but just because my lucky charm is gonna be there" He said, moving a hand to her side.

"Shut the fuck up" Riley said, rolling her eyes and moving away from him.

'My Lucky Charm'. That's something Logan has referred to her as for years, purely because every race Riley has been able to attend, Logan did well in. So why would it be any different now?

~~~

After a long day of travel Logan and Riley had finally arrived at the hotel. Once they walked in, the hotel lobby enveloped Riley and Logan whilst they passed through the polished glass doors. A cascade of sparkling chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the marble floors. The air carried a subtle scent of luxury, mingling with the murmur of hushed conversations from some of the best race drivers in the world.

"Impressive, right?" Logan glanced at Riley with a hint of excitement in his eyes.

"Definitely not your average hotel." Riley nodded, her gaze was wandering around their surroundings, trying to take everything in. She knew it was a privilege to be staying somewhere life this for free, and it wasn't an experience she was going to waste.

They approached the check-in counter, where a concierge greeted them as Logan stepped forward, offering their reservation details.

The concierge swiftly retrieved their information, her fingers moved across a keyboard quickly, trying to make this fast as their were multiple other people behind them, some being drivers, others reserves, and some fans that found out the hotel everyone was staying in.

The fans was something Riley had never experienced before, she had only heard stories and seen videos of them mobbing drivers. To her knowledge, the main driver they went for was Charles Leclerc.

"Mr. Sargeant, we hope you enjoy your stay." She said, handing him 2 keycards, one for him and the other for Riley.

"Thank you" Logan said, taking the keycards and following Riley through the enormous lobby with bags trailing behind the both of them."Ready?"

"Totally"

Together, they walked further into the hotel, taking note of the different art pieces that hung along the walls, something Riley appreciated as a ex-art minor. They stepped on a surprisingly empty elevator, and waited for a few seconds before the doors opened again. This revealed a carpeted floor that muted their steps as they walked onto it.

Entering their room, the door swung open to reveal a spacious haven. The room had a very clear view of the city lights below them. And the bed was adorned with various different plush pillows, and the ambient lighting created a cool atmosphere around them.

"Wow," Riley breathed out, taking in the sight as she stood by the window.

Logan stood behind her, wrapping his arms gently behind her, feeling Riley lean into his chest as they looked out the window. "Not bad huh?"

She grinned, "Definitely not bad at all." She said leaving his arms so she could change into something more comfortable to wear. "Do you think everyone is here yet?"

"Most probably are" He responded somewhat dryly but not intentionally. It was only a reflection of the stress and nerves that he was feeling at the moment. Riley took note of that, not wanting to pry and push to have a conversation when it didn't seem like he wanted to talk.

She knew how that felt.

"Is Oscar?" She asked once more with the weight of anticipation in her voice as she gracefully plops down onto the bed that had a surprisingly hard mattress.

Logan shook his head in response, his attention momentarily pulled away from the window with the sweeping cityscape.

"He's not supposed to get in until later."

"Oh okay" Riley said, just taking in her surroundings, letting herself process the day full of traveling they just had. Logan joined Riley on the bed, laying next to her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"This week is going to be so fucking crazy" Logan remarks quietly.

"I know" She said, easily moving within his arms to face him. A tender moment unfolds, and Riley leans in, capturing Logan's lips in a soft kiss. It was a silent reassurance in the moment. With the weight of anticipation and nerves momentarily dispersing as their connection deepened. Both nervous for what lays ahead.

In this brief moment Riley's mind silences itself, blocking out the usual thoughts that ran through it. One's she was constantly fighting and trying to hide. She felt the hot air around them as their lips mold together. Breaking the kiss, Riley looked into his eyes, exchanging a warm smile with Logan that had never faded around her.

"I love you," Logan says, his voice carrying the weight of sincerity and affection, placing his forehead on hers. He was attempting to take ahold of this short moment they had alone together before their lives got hectic. Soaking up this last bit of normalcy.

"I love you too," Riley replies, the words a delicate promise that stays lingering in the air for the time being.

~~~

Authors note~ Race weekend race weekend race weekend (the best kind of weekend)