Coming Home - A Lestappen Story

How Could You (Be OK)

Song to listen to while reading: "How Could You (Be OK)" - Alex Warren

It had been weeks since the pair had a meaningful conversation. 

Saying that Max was not okay, was an understatement. He was a broken mess, and was only irritated by the fact that Charles looked to be doing just fine. If the Monegasque could get through it, why couldn't he?

The truth is that Charles wasn't doing great either. He did a decent job at managing his emotions in the public eye, and even in the awkward cool down room after the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

Charles had managed to pull out back to back wins, taking pole in Hungary. He was happy to win of course, but it was truthfully the last thing on his mind. Charles knew that he did love Max, and was pretty sure that Max felt the same way. But they couldn't do anything about it. Not now. 

As much as he tried to push it to the back of his mind, Charles was still somewhat furious that Max had told Christian about the two of them. Charles knew that Christian likely wouldn't tell a soul about their secret, but it was the fact that Max didn't even think to consult Charles first that hurt him the most. 

Charles was first in the cooldown room, and was praying that for whatever reason that Max wouldn't walk in the door, he didn't want to see him and he surely didn't want to see the sad look that had set on his face for the last few weeks. 

But, like clockwork, Max followed in just moments after Charles did. 

They exchanged glances, each filled with a mixture of pain, confusion, and unresolved feelings. 

Charles quickly averted his eyes, pretending to be deeply interested in the monitor displaying the race highlights. Max hesitated at the doorway, feeling the weight of the unspoken words between them, before finally stepping into the room.

"Congrats on the win," Max mumbled, his voice lacking the usual enthusiasm.

"Thanks," Charles replied quietly, not turning to face him. The room was tense, thick with the unaddressed conflict simmering beneath their composed exteriors.

Max leaned against the wall, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He wanted to talk to Charles, but he knew that millions were watching the two of them in the room through the cameras, so he had to play the part for now. 

Norris walked in, and was definitely the happiest man in the room, even though he had finished below the other two drivers. 

Lando was well aware of what was going on between the two drivers, mostly from what Carlos told him over the phone. So Norris decided to force the two into an uncomfortable situation, anything to break this stalemate that had set in. He sat on the seat closest to the door, forcing Max to take a seat right next to Charles. 

Max hesitated for a moment, glancing at the empty seat next to Charles. He knew this was going to be uncomfortable, but there was no avoiding it. Taking a deep breath, he walked over and sat down, keeping his eyes fixed on the television monitors.

Charles felt Max's presence beside him, his body tensing involuntarily. He could sense the awkwardness, the unspoken words hanging between them, amplified by the cameras capturing their every move.

Lando, who was more than ready to break the tension or simply in the room, broke the silence first. "That was a crazy race, huh? I thought I was going to spin out at least twice."

Charles forced a laugh, nodding. "Yeah, it was intense. You did well to hold your position."

Max managed a small smile, though his mind was elsewhere. "Nice job, Lando. That last overtake was impressive."