Dopamine | Adrenaline Book Two

17- First To Come

British Grand Prix

Saturday

Being this weekend the one of his home race, Lewis obviously planned to deliver a win in front of the crowds of adoring fans. Unlike previous years, when he was part of Mercedes, the crowds now seemed to wear more red than ever—Ferrari colors.

However, it seemed like the stars had something different planned for that weekend. With almost half a second of advantage, Max had managed to secure pole position. The crowds were quick to boo his achievement but he received nothing but adorations and compliments from his own team. And when he arrived at the hotel he was met with an even warmer congratulatory welcome from Penelope.

"Maxie!" she shouted, running to his arms the moment he crossed the entrance doors of the hotel. Penelope and Kelly had just arrived and had been waiting to be assigned a room.

The blond lowered to pick her up, taking her into his arms, "Hey, P."

"I missed you," she said, rubbing her face onto the crook of his neck.

Kelly stood from a safe distance, a certain awkwardness still lingering in the air in between them. "We decided to come a bit earlier, she wants to be at the race early tomorrow to see you."

"Is that true, P?" Max asked, pulling Penelope back so he could face her.

She nodded, with a cheeky smile on her face before pulling him into a hug again.

"Alright, but then you have to take a bath and sleep really early today," he said, putting her down.

"I promise!" she insisted, holding onto his hand.

"Alright," Max chuckled, ruffling her hair before they were informed that their room was ready.

As they entered the elevators, someone suddenly stopped the doors from closing, one of the assistants from the team. "Max, the strategy papers," he said, handing the documents to the man.

"Thanks," Max nodded, before the door closed on them and took them to the floor where Kelly and Penelope were staying for the weekend.

Once at the door, Penelope begged and insisted for Max to come in so she could show him the drawing she had made for him, to wish him good luck. Max gave in and placed his belongings on a countertop while he followed Penelope inside.

"This is you, and this is the trophy, and this is me and mommy!" She spoke, showing him the stick figures.

"That's great," Max complimented her, "it'll make me win tomorrow, I'm sure." He smiled, briefly caressing her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, P."

He said, giving a civil nod to Kelly before recollecting his things and leaving the room.

Heading back to his presidential suite two floors above, Max texted Charles, asking him when he'd be able to come that night.

"I can come over now. Where are you staying? I miss you." Charles replied.

Once he got a reply from Max, Charles wasted no time abandoning his own hotel room for the comfort of Max's company. Sneaking out in England wasn't the hardest task, especially when most people were on the lookout for Lewis and not himself.

He still avoided taking his own car, opting for a ride-share app under a different name and keeping to himself until he arrived.

It wasn't until he was outside Max's door that his shoulders dropped some of the tension he'd been holding. He knocked on the door, anticipating seeing Max again—the only highlight since leaving the track.