Dear Lando - Book Two

𝟿 ♡ Everywhere

Everywhere By Fleetwood Mac

Race day could not have come soon enough for Lana. After their impromptu movie night and filling Theo in on the emotional details of the dinner with the Ferrari boys, as well as having a lengthy conversation with three drivers, the trio felt the exhaustion and were ready for the main event.

Qualifying hour came and went, rather uneventfully. Neither Ferrari boy managed to secure pole, leaving the door open for Lando Norris to go fastest overall, with Max Verstappen completing the front row.

"You still so sure I'm gonna win today?" Carlos snuck up from behind where Lana sat in her brother's side of the garage.

With about 30 minutes until the race started, Lana always got anxious and could do nothing but sit in the garage and wait. Nat and Theo had gone off to grab coffees for the group, leaving Lana alone. Now in the unexpected company of a certain Spanish driver.

Surprised by the sudden company, Lana jumped slightly before turning her attention to the man leaning on a railing behind her, his head right in front of hers.

Slightly speechless, she only gaped a little before collecting herself and finally responding, "Yes, I do."

Even though the other night had left her a bit shaken by Carlos' innuendo, Lana had complete faith in him and always wished the absolute best for him. Seeing his huge brown eyes right in front of her face again, she couldn't help but wonder if he did have a girlfriend and what this girl had that she didn't.

Seeing the genuineness on her face, Carlos softened and silently thanked his teammate's little sister. "Well, I'm gonna head back to my side. I'll see you later when I'm on that top step, yeah?" He finished, sending a wink in her direction before disappearing down the hall.

Lana took a minute to recollect her thoughts as she straightened out in her chair. Taking a deep breath, she held back the tears that threatened to arise just from the small interaction with the Spaniard. Thoughts of his dating life were taking over her head in all the worst ways.

"A coffee for you—hey! What happened?" Nathalie came and took her seat next to her best friend, handing her the coffee she bought when she noticed Lana's state.

Theo sat on Nat's other side, offering a comforting hand on Lana's knee.

Calming her breathing, Lana graciously accepted the coffee and simply said, "Carlos."

The two understood immediately, offering their support and saying they would debrief later, letting Lana take a minute to recoup.

As the Italian Grand Prix ticked away lap by lap, it was evident that either Max or Lando was going to take the win. They roared down the track, going side by side and taking turns making passes on each other. The close calls left everyone on the edge of their seats.

"Oh MAN! That was a close one," Nathalie exclaimed, sitting so forward on her chair that she threw her arm backward and grasped Lana's leg.

Lana made no reaction as she stared intently at the screen, paying nothing else any attention.

"I reckon they'll end up crashing if they keep this up," Theo commented as he, too, continued to watch the screen.

Just as he finished his sentence, the camera whipped around to get a view of the two battling for 1st, crashed out in the run-off area.

Both Nathalie and Lana, absolutely stunned in silence, slowly turned their heads to the right, straight at Theo.

Theo straightened defensively, "Why're ya lookin' at me like I did it?"

"Did you see what just happened?" Nat questioned.

"Well, my bad, I guess?" Theo fake-apologized as he returned to his slouched position and watched the replays of the crash.

"Yes. Your bad," Nathalie pointedly said as she, too, returned to the replays.

Lana, who was already watching the screen again, said without turning away, "Not too bad," as Carlos slid into first with Charles behind in second.

"Holy shit," Nathalie and Theo both said in unison, equal smirks on their faces.

"And your race winner, Carlos Sainz!" The announcer beamed as the Spaniard came to take his place on the podium. The trio shouted and cheered with happiness, joining the rest of the Ferrari team down in Parc Ferme.

As the Spanish national anthem played, Carlos took a second to look down at Lana, directing a wink in her direction before smiling at the rest of his team.

Butterflies shot through Lana as she earned a little nudge and a smirk from Nat standing beside her. The redhead only shrugged back, keeping her eyes on her two Ferrari drivers standing on the podium.

It was then her brother's turn to look down at her with a big grin, which Lana reciprocated with an identical grin back.

"Looks like Ric did not, indeed, have it in the bag," Nat whispered to Lana, gesturing to the third-place podium spot.

"Indeed," Lana whispered back as they both looked in awe at Azalea standing on the third step.

As Monza came to a close, Lana couldn't think of a better way to wrap up this hectic weekend than standing with her closest friends and watching her favorites stand on the podium.