Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 38

I don't remember who asked but there'll be Jos in that chapter!! (sorry)

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POV: Max

Days have passed until it's almost time to go racing again. I'm quite impatient to be back in the car, even though I don't particularly like practice. We've done FP1 and FP2 already, yesterday, and I'm quite happy to sit on top of the standings for now. Currently in the garage, I'm speaking to my engineers when my father interrupts me, apparently eager to tell me something.

— It's obvious that the Mercedes are gonna be shit this week, you better win points and extend the gap, son. He says coldly, a burning fire in his eyes.

— Yeah of course, you don't need to remind me this all the time, I know, always be the first, I roll my eyes, tired of his never-ending speech.

— Have a bit more respect Max, you know how much I helped you getting there don't you?

I choose the safest option and don't answer, grumbling internally. I wish I hadn't needed his help to get there, then maybe people wouldn't be saying I got there only because of him, or the way he so harshly treated me. But I was a child, how could a child not need his father?

Shaking my head, I decide to go back to my earlier talk, but my father impedes me again.

— Wait, I also noticed you were being more... strange, lately. I think your mother has something to do with this, she's softening you, you shouldn't spend too much time with her if you wanna be a champion, one day.

Starting to feel my blood boil at his words, I close my fist, trying to regulate my emotions as best as I can. I wouldn't like to appear in the newspapers because I punched my father and unofficial manager.

— I can decide myself who I spend time with, thank you very much. I'm not seventeen anymore, and I don't need your "be tough" talk, so just shut up.

— It was just an advice, nothing to get angry about, he rolls his eyes, not calming me at all.

— Yeah well I already don't see my mom on the track so you will not keep me from seeing her at home!

I am about to end the discussion here, but I see a smirk on the face of my father, leaving me astonished. Why is this man smiling now, if he wants to upset me then he's doing it perfectly.

— And that makes you smile?

— Hum? No, I just thought about something, he tries to avoid the topic, but I'm not one to give up.

— What. Have. You. Done. My voice is almost shaking at how angry I feel right now.

— I just "advised" your mom not to distract you during race weeks, that's all! I'm doing this for you son- I cut him off, shouting

— You WHAT?? First of all, I hate when you call me that so stop. And second of all, is this the reason why she's never coming to the races? Did you threaten her?

I can't believe what I've heard, why after all these years does he have so much power over my life, over my mother, over my career, everything? I'm fuming.

— No, you're exaggerating... As always...

This is more than I can take, and I push him away aggressively, needing to be left alone for a moment to calm down. Practice is starting only in a few minutes, and I can't jump in the car being so upset, I'll just make mistakes and ruin everyone's weekend, which is of course not what I want.

I'll need to call my mom too, not now, but after practice. I hope she understands I never wanted her away from me, especially not during race weeks. This is infuriating.