Finding Home - an f1 romance

chapter 8

Natalia Bridgers (POV):
Ava and I took shots all night long after my encounter with Max. We partied and danced with each other, enjoying the time spent together. We truly are the best of friends, and no once can deny it.

Some of the drivers came up and talked to us, mostly about the fact that Daniel actually invited a girl to a party. Apparently he hasn't done that in years. Apparently, the dare was made when Charles and him were drunk out of there minds, so how he remembered was the big question amongst the guests.

Together, my best friend and I laughed at what they said. Charles personally came up to us, a drunk smile on his face as he slurred, "I can't believe Daniel invited you. That's amazing."

Carlos stood protectively with Charles, watching with a worried frown as his friend took shot after shot with us. When the trio of us took those drinks, Ava and I were sober, so we got drunk off of the shots. Charles on the other hand was already slurring and stumbling by the time we started taking them, and he blacked out at one point after the drinks.

His teammate immediately left, even if it was his day, considering he won. He took Charles with him, concern etched in his face as he practically carried him out.

Ava ended up spending the night in my guest room since we stopped partying well into the early morning, since she felt unsure about taking a ride share so late. I told her to stay with me and that was that.

We woke up at around 4pm, the hangover haunting us. With pounding heads, smeared makeup, and pain radiating throughout our bodies, we washed our faces and slumped into the chairs downstairs. Sitting by the island, we sipped water, groaning out in pain.

"Do you guys want some toast?" Daniel asks as he walks into the kitchen.

"Yes, please," Ava practically moaned, and I whole heartedly agreed.

Daniel, like the kind soul he is, makes us the toast, shooting my friend smiles every now and then. I raise my eyebrows at Daniel, and his face flushed before he turns away. Ava doesn't realize, though, as she munches on the toast happily. I eat it, too, just wanting to get rid of the feeling.

"Has Max come down yet?" Daniel asks.

I frown. "Nope. We just got here." His worry is palpable, and Ava gives me a look telling me we were going to debrief later. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I just . . . needed to talk to him." We nod at him, and he suddenly beams. "See you both around." And with a wink, he quickly leaves.

Silence settles over us, but Ava immediately grips my arm the second we hear the front door close. "You need to tell me what happened with Max. We got too busy drinking and you never told me!"

I laugh, and say, "Yeah, I know." But then I sigh. "Honestly? I don't know what happened. I walked in and he was on the ground, so at first I thought he was unconscious or something, but then he told me to go away and get Daniel. So, I did."

Ava shakes her head, surprise flashing through her eyes. "Daniel was up there for a while," she comments. "I hope everything was okay."

"I do, too."

We make sure to keep our voices quiet, but then Ava exclaims, "Nat! We should do something here in Australia. See koalas or something!"

Picturing koalas in my mind, a smile breaks on my face. "That sounds like so much fun! Maybe your man Daniel can help us arrange that."

I raise my eyebrows and her cheeks tint pink.

"He's not my man," she hisses, looking around as if someone heard her. "And also, I don't know if he can arrange things like this."