From the Past - Lando Norris

Twenty-Eight: Before Australia

Peter pours an extra shot as I walk up to the bar, "What's the occasion?" I ask as I grab a lime from behind the bar. He shrugs his shoulder as he starts on his next cocktail and points behind me. I turn immediately making eye contact with Lando as he sits down with the guys. 

"Are we still on for tomorrow?" I ask as he hands me the tray of drinks. Kelsey is working the other section and I felt weird having someone bring us drinks. It was my job and now I feel bitchy if I don't. I'm overthinking but I don't care. It's an excuse to talk with Peter and Angelo can't get mad. As I walk with the tray of drinks Kelsey smacks my ass making me laugh as she runs off. All the drinks are immediately taken as I put the tray down. Lando pulls me down into the booth keeping his arm around me. Everyone is either too plastered or isn't paying attention. 

I take a sip of his drink and gag at the whiskey taste, "I had Peter make it extra strong," he says laughing at my heavy frown, "Alex and George went to dance and Oscar is following Kelsey around all night like a dog. What do you want to do?" he asks. 

"Get a pizza and watch a movie," I tell him as he leans into my side.

Charles perks up and looks at us, "Pizza?" he smacks into Carlos's side making him laugh as he looks at his teammate, "Mate, we have to get pizza," He tells us. He downs the rest of his drinks and gets up waiting for everyone else who wants to come. We have been here for a couple of hours now and I can tell that Lando is ready to go. 

I get out of the booth and start laughing as Charles grabs my hand and drags me out of the club not waiting for anyone else. I managed to wave goodbye to Peter as he took a photo of us. He puts his arm around my shoulder and stands waiting for the rest, "Thanks for waiting," Daniel says as Max comes behind him and almost tackles him to the floor. Daniel pushes him off sending Max forward into me. He wraps his arms around me to keep me upright as Lando walks out seeing us laughing. Carlos leads the group as half of them are drunken messes. I slow down to walk with Lando brushing my fingers against his. 

"Do you want to stay at my place tonight?" I ask him turning around and walking backward, "Cause there is this really cute cafe that I really want to try out and," I tell him as he grabs my body and pulls me forward. I feel the breeze of a car go by making my eyes widen as he stares at me. I let out a nervous laugh as he straightened me out and turned me around.

"Let's look this way for the time being," he whispers in my ear as I feel embarrassed. That embarrassment soon wears off as Charles hunches over a bush and hurls. Max makes a joke about holding his hair back and getting a middle finger in return. 

The sober ones of the group go in and get the pizza as I lean against the building looking at Daniel and Charles, "I'm offended you've taken no pictures of me. I don't need as much editing as these guys so it should be easy," he says as Charles narrows his eyes at him.

"I would love to photograph you. I just need a pass into your paddock so I don't get chased out. Or I can take pictures when we all go out...just let me know so I don't look creepy following you with a camera," I joke.

"Sounds good either way," he says with a thumbs up, "So...are you and Lando dating? I swear I only see him with you nowadays," He points out.

"We are best friends. That's how I got the job," I tell him as Oscar, George, and Alex come walking down the street.

"You lot are assholes for leaving us behind," Alex says crossing his arms. His expression quickly changes to a smile when Max walks out with a pizza followed by Lando and Carlos holding some as well. Lando offers up his apartment since we are so close and that's how everyone ends up sitting on his couch talking about Australia. I take photos of everyone and wink at Lando when he looks at me.

All night he's been keeping an eye on me and it's really cute. Even when I was with Oscar, Charles, and Carlos on the dance floor with Kelsey on her break...he was still making sure I was okay. I told Kelsey and Peter about the helmets and they both said I have to marry him cause it's the cutest thing any of us have ever heard of. I grab a beer from the fridge and sit down taking a slice from the box. Lando leans into my side and plays into the drunk feeling so if anyone questions it we are fine. We listen to the conversation as Oscar and Carlos argue about the last race. It's weird being involved in their boy's night but I definitely love being a fly on the wall. I guess I did have the hookup with the club and a percentage off drinks. I just hope Lando told them I would be here. 

"Shrimpy, when are you coming back to Red Bull to take photos?" He asks getting everyone's attention.

"What did you just call her?" George asks confused as everyone laughs.

"Text me a day and I can sneak in," I tell him as he nods his head.

"You have to tell us the nickname," Daniel says nudging his friend's side. He looks at me and pretends to lock his lips as Lando puts his arm around my shoulder.