Racing hearts

Part 7 - Options

Australia ended up going horribly for Max, his race ended on the first lap with problems to the car. He was less than thrilled about the situation and it was obvious due to the aggression in the tone he shared to his team.

He later joined me in the garage and we watched Carlos get the win followed by Charles and then by Lando. I wanted to go out and congratulate him as he got out of the car but I decided against the idea as I thought about the possibility of even more rumours. So instead I waited for him to finish on the podium and the media pen before wrapping him in a tight embrace.

"Well done, you did brilliantly," I spoke against his chest before pulling away. "Thank you," he smiled down at me. His face then shifted into an expression I couldn't read, "Charles was talking about you on the way to the podium, I guessing the meeting went better than you thought," my eyes widened, I had no idea what game he was playing.

I had told Lando that Charles had apologised about the situation and that we were putting our differences aside. "I guess I had a bigger effect on him than I expected," I joked trying to make some humour out of the situation but Lando didn't seem to find to entertaining.

"Come on," I interlocked my hands with his and led him towards the exit. "Where are you taking me?" I didn't answer but he later figured hit out. Alya and Max met up with us and we went to my hotel room and spent the rest of the evening watching movies and not bothering with any of our problems.

~

As the credits rolled on our second movie, the room was filled with a comfortable silence. Max was sprawled out on one end of the sofa, looking more relaxed than he had all day. Alya sat cross legged on the floor with Max's arm behind her head as she used him as a cushion, she scrolled through her phone but occasionally glanced up at the TV. Lando was sat beside me, his arm draped around my shoulders on the back of the sofa.

"Another one?" I asked the group getting all of their attention. "I don't think so, I'm going to head to sleep," Alya answered as she stood up and stretched out her legs. "Same," Max sat up on the sofa, turning to look at Lando. When the Brit didn't speak. Max took that as his queue to follow Alya to the door.

"Goodbye guys, see you tomorrow," I shouted after them, both of them reciprocating my words before exiting the room.

"Are you alright? You seem distant?" Lando asked, turning his whole body in my direction so he could face me directly. "Nothing, just work. I'm fine I promise," I placed my hand on his arm before smiling slightly. Technically, I didn't lie, I just adjusted the truth.

"I thought you and Carlos are close, Why aren't you out celebrating with him?" I was almost certain that Max had said that they were almost inseparable. "Yeah, we are, it's just that he is with Charles and his team and I didn't want to impose," his expression changed slightly for a moment like his walls dropped but only for a millisecond.

"Anyways, I better head out," he stood up so quickly that I wondered how he didn't get dizzy from the sudden movement.

"Okay," I stated as I tried to comprehend what was going on, the second I closed my mouth he opened the door and disappeared.

Once I was left alone I was finally able to allow my mind to ponder about the situation. Much to my dismay, there seemed to be only one option that would get us out of the hole we are in quicker. I tried to think of any other viable option but disappointingly, there wasn't one.

Hesitantly, I grabbed my phone, opening Emily's contact. The second I pressed call, I regretted it immediately but it was too late, the dial tone shot through the air like a bullet.

"Madelyn?" The silence on my end caused a questioning tone in her voice. "I'll do it," I spat out, trying to get it out as quickly as possible as if it would make the severity of the problem decrease.

"That's good news, I'll let Fred know in the morning and we can go from there," she informed me, her tone as stern as always. "Okay, keep me informed, please." I grimaced, thinking about what I had just agreed to. "I will, goodnight Madelyn," I reiterated her words before hanging up the phone, I dropped it on the sofa next to me before dragging my hands down my face.

I let out a loud sigh as I leant back against the cushions, staring up at the plain ceiling, dreading the next few months.

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Madelyn.Paige

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Liked by landonorris and 1,345,289 others

Madelyn.Paige Thank you for the opportunity @RedbullRacing to come and watch the race, had an amazing time. Sadly, Max did not finish but I'm happy for Carlos, congratulations on the win🎉🏆

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