Loud and Clear (F1 x CL16)

22. Dispute

Almost half a year passed.
Raceweekends flew by and so did the rest of the first half of the season. We've had eleven races and now had sixteen races left. Today was another raceday. We were in Austria. The atmosphere at the track was amazing. It always was. I'd love to win here one day. And maybe today was the day.
Since Australia I've had quite a turn around. After my first win I had only been at the podium three times. And no win anymore. The battle field varied a lot between the grid. Multiple teams were really strong this season and we've had a setback for quite some time. Charles hadn't won a race yet, while last year he won two. I felt bad for him. We were really looking forward to a strong season. Sadly the car was just underdeveloped.
But we had a little break. And the engineers and mechanics worked incredibly hard to get the car at the front of the field again. And today was the day to test that theory.
"There is my favourite teammate." A voice called from behind me and arms draped around my waist. Charles planted a soft kiss in my neck and my whole body tingled from his touch.
"I'm also your only teammate." I turned my head to look him in the eyes. "Ready to get your ass kicked?" I asked, not really sarcastic, because I was ready to win today.
"I'm going to overtake you in the first corner, mon amour, I won't get my ass kicked." His eyes glowed with anticipation. He was ready for the challenge.
I scoffed. "Try your best. I'll close the door the second those lights go out." I stepped out of his embrace and leaned against the counter where the mechanics normally would sit.
Charles took a step closer and pinned me between him and the counter. "We'll see. Try to get past Hamilton first." He grinned down at me.
Lewis was starting P1, I was P2 and Charles shared the 2nd row with Max. We hadn't had these positions in a long time. Because of our lack of pace we were always at the 3rd row or something. Never really higher.
I rolled my eyes and tilted my head to the side. "I can pass him with ease. It's the pace of that Mercedes that I'm scared of." They were incredibly fast and Lewis was already 40 points ahead of 2nd place in the championship. I was in 5th, Charles 7th. Not the best that we can do, that's for sure.
"They do have incredible pace, but you're an amazing driver and you'll beat the shit out of everyone." Charles' hands found their way to my back and he had me back in an embrace.
"We'll see." I said as I held eye contact with him. His eyes were so soothing, they made me feel at home.
"Hey love birds! Ready with making out so that we can hang out?" A voice echoed through the garage. It was pretty much empty since everyone was having a break, only a few mechanics were left, and they didn't seem to mind that Pierre just yelled through the garage.
I sighed and looked over my shoulder. He was standing at the entrance of the garage. He couldn't come in since it wasn't his garage, which made it easy to ignore him a few seconds longer. "He's getting annoying." I said.
Charles chuckled and pulled me closer to him. "You should really kick him out of your house, I can't even spend a night without him banging on the door." He said against my lips.
"I don't think I can do that to him." I was being honest. Pierre was like my brother, and Charles knew that. He also knew that I couldn't say no to Pierre, only if it was something really stupid.
"Maybe you can just give him your house," Charles said before planting a kiss on my cheek, "and then you can move in with me."
I choked on air, literally, as the words left his mouth. "That's— uhm..." I was speechless, and coughing as well. We had been dating for a little more than half a year... and we slept at each other's places like all the time. We even shared a hotel room every raceweekend. But this came just so out of the blue. We had only once talked about this, at my birthday party.
"If you're not ready we don't have to!" Charles quickly said as he probably noticed my change in mood. "But you can think about it, right?" He asked.
I nodded. "I'll think about it. But I would love to live with you." I sighed. "I'm just not sure if I want to give up my house."
Charles chuckled and his hands found the back of my head. "We can always move in together, even if it is your place. I don't mind as long as I'm with you." His words melted right into my heart.
I placed my hands on his cheeks and gave him a long kiss. "I love you." I said.
His jaw dropped, literally. He stared at me like I just said I was pregnant or something. And then it hit me. I never said it out loud. In the whole half a year that we had been dating... I hadn't said it once. Charles quickly regrouped himself and a wide smile covered his lips now, and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. "You never said that before." Charles said in a whisper.
I gave him a tight smile. "I don't remember you saying it to me either."
His hands ran through my hair again. "I say it every night when we go to bed. I guess you're just not awake when I say it." His words hit me like a rock. How could I not have heard him say it...
"I'm still waiting!" Pierre screamed from outside. I totally forgot that he was there.
"We're going to talk about this after the race. Poor Pierre has been waiting for us." I said before stepping out of his embrace once again. This time he didn't lock me in again and followed me to the front of the garage.
"What were you two talking about for so long? I was scared that you two would leave me hanging." Pierre said with a sad impression that was meant to be funny.
"I'm sorry, P. We were just talking about..." I looked at Charles, thinking about telling the truth to Pierre. Why not? "Moving in together." I dropped the bomb.
"Omg really? Are we going to live together now?" Pierre asked excitedly.
"About that..." Pierre's smile dropped immediately, "we were thinking that you might take my place, or go back to Milan?" I suggested.
"I get it." Pierre nodded. "And maybe it's for the best. I can't stand hearing you two every single night." He said with a grimace.
"Shut up." I said while rolling my eyes. "So how's it going with the girls, P?" I asked to switch topics.
"I'd say great, but that would be a lie." Pierre said, but with a hint of a grin. "Just some flings, nothing solid."
I scanned his face. He always had some kind of face when he lied. And it was right there. "You're lying! I'll find out soon enough." I said while pointing a finger at him.
Pierre threw his hands in the air. "I ain't lying! There really is nothing." He managed his grin now, putting a mask on. It was like he never lied in the first place now.
"Fine." I said, not pressing any further.