AGAIN || MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

Céline

Before

'So, did you celebrate?' Kelly hands me another vodka lemon as I nod enthusiastically to her question. I genuinely enjoy spending time with her and her boyfriend, Max. He's a Formula One driver too. Charles introduced us in Bahrain after the first race of the season, and we've stayed in touch ever since that night, when we partied to celebrate Max's victory. That was a little over six months ago. Max and I have become really close and, right now, he's the closest friend I have after Daniel.

Tonight, we're all out together.

Well, not all of us.

This is my fourth drink, and I can already feel the alcohol kicking in. We're celebrating my latest win this week. Daniel and I pulled it off again, bringing home another trophy and a nice chunk of prize money. Now that the tournament is over, I can finally relax and spend some time with the group.

'We haven't really celebrated yet. Danny's racing tonight, the second phase is underway. I think he's planning to throw something cool at his place tomorrow.' I explain, feeling a pang of guilt for leaving him alone tonight. We race as a team, and I should probably be there. The only thing easing my guilt is knowing Heidi is there, and I'm fairly certain something is going on between them.

'What about Charles?' Kelly asks.

I down the rest of my cocktail, stalling before answering. Everyone knows how Charles feels about what Daniel and I are doing. Even though it's basically his job, he thinks it's too dangerous, and the fact that it's illegal doesn't help. My real concern, though, is someone finding out Daniel is involved. If the media ever got wind of it, his career would be over. Maybe it's reckless, maybe even stupid, but the rush I get driving my Mercedes through the streets of Monaco makes it all worth it.

'You know how he feels.' I finally reply, aware of Kelly and the others watching me, trying to gauge if Charles's absence bothers me. He had plans, which is why we celebrated together last night. That was enough for me. 'Yeah, but does he hate it so much that he wouldn't come to dinner tonight?' Kelly presses. I shrug, unwilling to force him into anything. If he didn't want to come, I wouldn't have pushed him. Still, I know he had somewhere else to be. With Lando, Pierre, and Kika all here, he wouldn't have missed it otherwise. 'He was busy.' I say, though my explanation is cut short by Lando, who finally rejoins us after spending the last twenty minutes glued to his phone.

'What's he doing at the race?' Lando blurts out. 'Heidi just posted a video on her close friends. It's him, I'm sure it's him!' He tosses me his phone, and I see Heidi's private profile open.

The video unmistakably showing Charles.

My eyebrows furrow as confusion washes over me. Without thinking, I grab my own phone to send him a quick text.

          CÉLINE: Where are you?

Why didn't he tell me he was going? He always tells me how irresponsible it is for us to take part, how much he hates that place. He's only ever gone to make sure I'm safe. I could understand if he was there to support Daniel, but given how strained things have been between them lately, I can't think of a single good reason why my boyfriend is there tonight.

'Are you okay, Lin?' Max asks with concern.

I shake my head, refusing to let the night be ruined by this. Charles is an adult, he can make his own choices. 'Alright, what were we saying?' I grab another drink, silently promising it will be the last one. Not that it matters, Max won't let me have more anyway. The mood quickly shifts back to how it was ten minutes ago: light, carefree, and full of laughter. For the next half-hour, we reminisce about how Daniel and I got into illegal racing.