Midnight, The Stars & You

38.

Present day
Monaco

The grid was crowded. There were tons of people squished in the garages and reporters who made way towards the parked cars. The whole row was bustling and hot. Ginny walked behind Elvis- Austin. She shook her head, focusing on the back of his dirty blonde hair. He looked lanky like her brother, taking each stride gracefully long. Chloe, Henry, Tani, and Lisandro were in the front of the group.

Chloe, being the leader, made sure to keep a steady path through the endless photographers who snapped pictures every second. She knew her way around and she knew how to keep going. Ginny always admired that about her. Austin glanced over his shoulder, reaching an arm out for Ginny to grab onto. She hadn't realized how far she was dragging behind, but gripped onto his forearm and shuffled forward.

It was so loud. There was noise coming from everywhere, whether that be revving engines, screaming fans, the click of a camera, or waves crashing in the distance. Ginny could barely hear what Chloe was shouting- something about finding Charles and Pierre and... food?

They had just had breakfast, but a pregnant Chloe was eating for two. Ginny caught onto Pierre's name, picturing him in his gear. She wanted to tell him right now... about all her feelings and everything between them. She wanted to get it over with because her nerves were beyond shattered.

Her mind knew she had to wait until after, for his sake, but her heart couldn't take it anymore. She was so preoccupied by her thoughts, she didn't realize Austin was trying to talk to her.

"What?" Ginny looked up at the star's face. She had to admit he was absolutely handsome.

He lowered his mouth to her ear as they walked arm-in-arm. "Are you okay?"

Ginny chewed her bottom lip before throwing on a smile. "I'm fine! I'm just feeling a little claustrophobic."

"Just picture everyone else-"

"If you say in their underwear, I'm going to smack you."

Austin chuckled, throwing his head back a little. He patted her hand that was wrapped around his arm. "I was actually going to say, just picture everyone else invisible. Imagine we're the only people walking in the paddock."

Ginny tried to envision the scene, but she ran smack into a photographer, who luckily had his camera strapped on his back. She stumbled into his shoulder and Austin tried not to laugh, tugging her away like Timothée used to do when she'd be clumsy in public. "Thanks, yeah, that really helped."

Austin just rolled his mesmerizing eyes. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong then- and don't say you're fine."

Ginny clenched her jaw, glancing away for a moment. She tried to peer over the heads of all the reporters, looking for a glimpse of a familiar face. She turned back to Austin and sighed. "Has my brother not spilled the beans?"

"No." Austin swiped at his chin, maybe for dramatic effect. "But I am smart enough to pick up on whatever is going on between you, Charles, and Pierre."

"It's a long story." Ginny groaned, pushing some hair out of her face. "Charles and I are all... settled... but Pierre and I have a lot of unfinished business. Ugh. I hate that phrase."

Austin nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean. Are you going to talk to him?"

"After the race." Ginny twisted her lips.

"Whatever you're going to tell him... just be yourself, Ginny." Austin squeezed her hand again. "And don't worry about what he might have to say... just speak your truth."

"Thanks, Austin." Ginny grinned, somewhat feeling relieved from his wise words. "Have you been enjoying yourself here?"

"Of course!" Austin cheered, delighted. "I've been in desperate need of a vacation. But I have to head back to the states tomorrow."