Overkill [Formula one]

21

Esteban had insisted that Grace joined him to the next race in Istanbul. Because last time he hadn't and it had taken him almost a full year to get her back in the paddock. So he made her join him and called it exposure therapy.

But he'd called in the help of his friends. Not wanting Grace to be alone at one single point of the weekend. So he called Lance, Mick, George and even Lewis, who was more Grace's friend than his, and together they had made sure that atleast one of them was with the woman during the weekend. And for the moment they had to be in the car he'd convinced Chloe, Lances sister, to keep her company.

Well that was more of an effort on Lance's part, but Esteban was very appreciative of it. Because he'd promissed Grace that there would be someone by her side every step of the way. So she didn't have to feel alone, or feel like all eyes would be on her.

So, that was how it happened. On saturday, Grace had walked in together with Esteban and she'd been with him at the Alpine garage. For the morning, both siblings enjoying each others company. And Esteban had loved the calming pressence of his sister before FP3. It had calmed his nerves, because she'd alway believe in him and be proud of him.

Right before FP3 started Lance had picked her up from the Alpine garage and walked her over to Aston. Lance smiled as he had approached the two siblings, but only one of them returned the smile. Esteban, on the other hand, had given him another stern look. "No funny bussiness." At which Lance defensively held up his hands. "She'll be with my sister."

Grace didn't notice any of this and just grabbed her stuff ready to walk over towards Aston Martin. She wished Esteban good luck and patted him on the helmet, like she'd done many times before and then made her way out of the garage following Lance.

Grace kept walking close to Lance as they crossed the paddock. Lance didn't dare to touch the woman, knowing that with all the press around it would start up rumours. But he kept glancing her way every few seconds, making sure she was still there and doing okay.

Grace just kept her eyes on the ground as she followed Lance closely, so she didn't see Toto as he watched her cross the paddock following the young Canadian. Lance however did see Toto watch the girl and he just shook his head towards the Mercedes team principal, before making his way inside alongside Grace.

Together with Chloe, with whom she hit it off perfectly, she watched FP3. The young girl was telling Grace all about her new boyfriend, Scotty.

"Scotty? Scotty James?" Chloe nodded excitedly. "Isn't he friends with Daniel?" Chloe nodded again. "Yeah. He's good friends with Daniel? You know Daniel?" Grace nodded. "We've met several times, held multiple conversations, but that's about it. He's a nice guy." Chloe nodded and wondered if Grace and Daniel would be compatible, because she likes the girl a lot and it would be nice to go on a double date with the girl.

She also knew about her brothers crush on the woman. But Grace was literally 10 years older than Lance, so both Lance and Chloe knew that that would never work. But Chloe also knew that this didn't mean that Lance wouldn't fiercely protect the woman.

Grace had felt the nerves die down during FP3 and she felt that she'd be okay to watch qualifying from Estebans garage instead. So she said goodbye to Chloe and gave her her number and then made her way trough the paddock, that was buzzing with all the teams that had just finished FP3.

As she walked across the paddock Toto followed her until he had caught up with her.

"I see your going for the younger men in this field of action now." He said as he grabbed her wrist to pull her to a stop. Grace looked up at Toto and frowned at him. "I don't know what you're on about, but if that's the first thing you say to me after everything that happened than this conversation ends here."

Grace ripped her wrist from her grip and stormed off. Or at least tried to, 'cause Toto had caught up with her in three big steps and looked down at her again. "I saw you at the Aston garage with young Stroll." Grace scoffed and kept walking away from Toto.

"Who I see or who i do not see is none of your business Torger Wolff. Go back to Susie." Grace hissed.

Toto knew it wasn't fair of him. He knew he had nothing on her nor could he expect anything from her after what went down (or didn't) between the two off them. But seeing her with someone else, that made him rage with jealousy. Because she had become something he almost had, but he had let her slip between his fingers.

Grace ripped her wrist from his grip another time and swiftly stalked away from Toto. Leaving Toto standing in the middle of the paddock.

Toto hoped nobody had witnessed the moment because it had been a moment of weakness. And honestly it was just pathetic how he acted.

It looked like he'd get away with it, but just as he turned around he noticed one of his drivers standing on the terrace towards their garage.

Lewis was shaking his head at his principal. Lewis knew how hurt and embarrassed Grace had been by the actions of the man, and now he'd witnessed this moment. And honestly, he thought it was pathetic. Toto was a grown man, not some jealous teenager. He should know better.

And Lewis was about to tell him that as Toto walked back towards the garage.

"Don't, Lewis." Toto muttered as he walked past Lewis. He knew by the look on the Brits face what he was thinking.

"Jesus Toto." Lewis hissed. "What were you thinking?" Toto just huffed and pushed past him.

"Leave it." He muttered towards his driver. "Get ready for quali."

Lewis rolled his eyes. "If this is how you're acting then she's better off without you." With that Lewis walked towards his drivers room.

The tension within the Mercedes garage was heavy. None of the other teammembers knew what was wrong, but they noticed the distance between Lewis and Toto.

And even as Lewis took another pole position at qualifying. The tension within the garage stayed.