Finding Home - an f1 romance

chapter 7

Natalia Bridgers (POV):
Australia was turning to be really nice so far. Daniel's place is beautiful and comfortable, and it's become the place I've felt the safest in for a few months.

It's not that I've felt unsafe, I've just always felt watched, either stuck in my parents house or in a hotel room Kira forced me into it.

Now, I feel carefree.

Max might be a little happy, but he certainly doesn't feel carefree. He's only left his room twice, if that, in the past three days.

I'm currently sitting at an island, sipping some juice. Daniel and I were both there when Max strolled in, gave us pleasant smiles, took a bottle of water, and quickly left.

Daniel sighs the second we hear Max's door close. "He's been different this year," Daniel suddenly says. "I'm worried about him, more than he knows, probably. He keeps shutting himself out, and he stops responding most times. Do you know why?"

I blink at him for a second, processing what he just said.

"I'm sorry, I thought you might know," Daniel rushes to say. "I just thought, you know, because you were the girl in the article and you're his fake girlfriend-"

"What article?" I blurt out, body freezing. Articles like to spin the truth. Articles make me out to be the bad guy. Articles are horrible and fake.

He looks confused as he said, "You know, the one about you two eating together at a restaurant?" I blink at him, even more confused than he is. "There's nothing bad, I promise. It's sparked some interest in your relationship, though."

My mind spins and works through everything. If I continued to think this through, I wouldn't be able to stop, so I quickly say, "About Max, I don't know why. The first time I saw him, he looked tired. It takes a while for him to respond to texts. The time we spent in Monaco was very separate, he practically holed himself up in his bedroom and hardly ever responded."

Concern flits through Daniel's eyes again. "I try to ask him about it, actually, but he always dismisses it or just changes the topic. Something is bothering him, and I want to find out why, just so I can help him, you know?"

I nod. "It's clear he trusts you, though. I mean, you're probably the only other person he talks to without being forced into conversations with others. He also talked about how amazing it is to be here in Melbourne, with you."

The concern is replaced by pure happiness at my words. "Seriously?" I nod again. "Thank you. I needed that, actually."

"I could talk to him, if you want?" I offer. "Maybe he'll talk to me?"

Daniel laughs, but shakes his head. "He won't open up to anyone. A lot of people have tried, trust me, and it never works."

I think about Daniel's words the entire time we're in Australia. The week goes by with fun times lounging around the house with Max and Daniel, taking walks along the beach, and tanning in the sun.

Max and Daniel have a few media duties throughout this time, so I use those free spaces for whatever I want, like shopping or maybe even eating at this restaurant I saw.

I'm trying to try new foods in each of the countries I now have to visit. Might as well try to make the most out of the whole "F1 traveling experience" the drivers and mechanics have to go through each year.

I guess I'm also trying to just eat more in general. It's not like I'm modeling anymore anyway.

The race weekend approaches quickly, and Max is in a way better mood. He smiles sometimes, he joins me and Daniel for breakfast and sometimes even dinner, he lounges around the house instead of isolating himself up in his room.