RED LIGHTS | LANDO NORRIS

Silverstone

"Silverstone weekend!"

Zak cheered as he entered the team room. Lando and Lia were rambling about their qualifying session from the day before, cracking jokes every now and then. They giggled like children before Zak sat down and the meeting was called to attention.

"Alright, we're running on good PR right now. After the fundraising gala and Lia's podium finish last weekend, you guys are looking good as teammates and representing McLaren well," Charlotte complimented.

The two drivers smugly grinned and high-fived each other. Charlotte rolled her eyes in a motherly manner at the two.

"However, we should continue to refocus the media's attention on the races. They continue to push for more personal comments that we want to let die quietly."

Some gazes shifted to Aurelia. Personal comments was starting to become a code for comments about relationships, history, feminism, etcetera. And while she didn't mind promoting a little female energy, she had to admit that the amount of questions revolving around what she represented was getting a bit tiresome.

As for Lando, his personal comments were focused on trying to make him view Lia as an enemy. Rumors of faked friendship and intense rivalry were sparking, especially as Lia rose through the ranks. Both of them expressed their concerns to the team as they just wanted to be left alone with their friendship as it was. The possibility of anything more or less was lost on them-well, on one of them.

"Why don't we just tell them sod off?" he suggested, leaning back in his chair. Lia's eyes accidentally found themselves watching as his hips adjusted to his new position.

Both Graham and Charlotte lightly glared at him while Zak coughed to hide a laugh. Lia cracked a smile that she covered up by taking a sip from her coffee.

"Just keep it nice and short."

They conceded and agreed. Zak briefed them on the strategy for the race and gave them all the expectations.

"Let's get a double podium today!"

Zak cheered once more before they all stood and filed out. Lia glanced down at her phone-which Lando noticed had been buzzing the whole meeting-and frowned.

"Something wrong?" he asked, opening the door for her to leave hospitality. They both shivered as the brisk wind attacked them. Lia grabbed the edge of her coat and tugged it closer to her body.

She thought about dismissing it but Lando's expression made her think that he wouldn't believe any excuse she gave.

"Brax was supposed to come this weekend," she sighed, "He got a last minute job in Montreal so he can't make it."

Lando's smile faltered at the mention of her boyfriend, but then raised again when he realized he wasn't going to be there. But Lia was disappointed so he had to pretend to sympathize. He placed an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She giggled as she nearly tripped over her own feet in the process.

"I guess that means I'm your lucky charm this weekend."

She scoffed and playfully shoved him away-making it his turn to stumble over his feet.

"You'll regret saying that when you pass the checkered flag behind me."

He feigned hurt as they entered the garage and walked amidst the crew. Lando got distracted by them since he decided to join in on their group stretching session. Lia smiled and continued back to her driver room, getting her shirt layers and race suit on.

She walked back out and began to stretch and hydrate while the others bustled around. Ten minutes passed before Lando came up from behind.

"Good luck Wren."