The Secret of Us // Oscar Piastri

32

Audrey was right, the track was filled with lots of very attractive people. It was safe to say that Casey felt very insecure and out of place. They had time to walk around the paddock before the race began, but Casey decided to just hide away from it all in the Mercedes Garage. The paddock was pretty much just one big party with all the DJs and alcohol on the go, so of course Audrey and Rowan were out in it.

Casey was also really uncomfortable, the dress Audrey had her wear was so not her style and so very tight fitting. The heels Audrey had gave her were also killing her feet. God, why'd she even listen to her? Casey felt so stupid, like she was playing dress up. Audrey had also done her make-up way more intense than she'd normally have it and her hair was more intense too.

It was then that George snapped her out of her thoughts. "Casey!" He said, jogging over to her.
"Hey." She smiled. "Why do you look like a monster high-doll?" He asked, a chuckle to his voice. "Audrey said the track would be swarming with models and influencers, said I should try and fit in." She told him and watched as his face softened.

"It's not really you, is it?" He asked and Casey looked down at herself for a minute. "I suppose not." She said and somehow felt guilty, as if she was wrong for feeling like a fish out of water. "Anyway, I need to go." George said, tapping her on the shoulder as someone dressed in the Mercedes uniform singled him to hurry up. "Yeah, good luck!" She said as she watched him jog off. Presumably to go for the national anthem.

It was then that Audrey and Rowan came up beside her and she could tell they'd been drinking. "Have fun?" She asked and both of her friends nodded. "Yup." Rowan answered, throwing his arms around Casey's shoulders. "Is it away to start?" Audrey asked. "Yeah, in like fifteen minutes." Casey told her.

-
"Oh My God!" Audrey's hand was squeezing Casey's shoulder so much as the blonde jumped up and down in excitement. "He's going to win!" She exclaimed, a bright smile on her face.

"Calm down, Audrey." Rowan laughed at her from behind them. "How can I? He's never one before." She said, eyes never leaving the screen the race was showing on for even a second. Casey couldn't helped but smile at how happy Audrey was for Lando. It was nice.

A few minutes later Lando was crossing the finishing line and was P1. Audrey was cheering, which got her some strange looks considering they were in the Mercedes garage. All three of them hugged at the sight of his win. Even though Lando and Casey had their squabbles, he was her friend and she was happy for him. He deserved it. "I can't believe he's going to win for the first time with that bandage on his nose." Casey laughed and Audrey hit her shoulder. "Don't ruin the moment." She said, her arms around Casey.

They watched the screen as Lando got out of his and ran to his team, jumping into their arms. "We need to go to the podium, come on." Audrey said, grabbing a hold of her and Rowan's wrists. "Don't you want to watch his interview?" Casey asked, nodding to the screen. "Oh, yeah." Audrey said, dropping the hold she had on her friends.

It wasn't long until Lando's interview came on and it was nice to see him so happy, it was even making Casey smile. Audrey was watching the interview in awe, or at least she was until the end of the interview.

"Once again Lando, congratulations on your maiden win." The interviewer said to Lando, patting him on the shoulder. Lando was away to leave when the man spoke again. "Oh and I meant to ask you, is your girlfriend here to see your win?" He asked and Lando scrunched up his face in confusion. "My girlfriend?" He asked. "Yes, Audrey Hail." The interviewer said.

"Oh," Lando began with a chuckle. "She's not my girlfriend." He said and Casey watched as Audrey smile dropped from her face. "So you're not seeing her?" The interviewer asked and Lando shook his head. "No." He said before going to the cool-down room.

Casey's lips were parted in shock. "Audrey-" She began but she was cut off. "Don't." She said, and was quick to speed off and out of the Mercedes garage. Casey looked a Rowan, shock and concern on both of their faces.

Casey and Rowan had split up, looking for Audrey in the paddock. It was the only place she could been since she had no way of getting back to the hotel on her own. Casey was speed walking her way through the paddock, looking in every direction for the blonde when she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder.

She was surprised when she looked up to see that she'd bumped into Oscar. "Casey, hey!" He exclaimed, a big smile on his face as she looked down at her. "I didn't think I'd see you until tonight." He said. "Have you seen Audrey?" She asked and Oscar's face scrunched up. "Why? Is everything okay?" He questioned. "Ask your teammate." Casey said as she walked by him, in a hurry to find her friend.

It wasn't long before Rowan was waving her down with a blonde under on of his arms. Casey jogged over to them. Audrey seemed embarrassed. It threw Casey off, Audrey was never embarrassed. She was always so sure of herself. "Can we go back to the hotel?" Audrey asked and Casey was quick to nod. "Of course." She said, throwing her around Audrey's free shoulder.

-

Casey was in Audrey's hotel room with Rowan, watching her pack. She was leaving tonight. And Casey couldn't blame her. If she was in her shoes, she'd have been hurt too. Audrey had told Casey how she felt more stupid than anything, that it wasn't just what he said but that she'd thought it was more.

Casey had to admit that she was mad at Lando, this was more than just avoiding questions about Audrey. He told the interviewer that they aren't seeing each-other, when they are.

A knock sounded at the door and Casey knew who it was because she'd been messaging him. "So?" She said and she opened the door, stepping out of the room so that Audrey wouldn't hear them. "He's not coming." Oscar said, throwing his arms up. "Why not?" Casey asked, growing more and more annoyed by the minute.

"He said he's up to his eyeballs in press. And that he's going out with the team to celebrate after it." Oscar said, seeming annoyed that he was even involved in the whole situation. "So he's too busy to deal with the girl whose heart he just broke? She deserves an explanation, Oscar." Casey said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Lando said he'd come and see her in the morning." He said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Audrey's not even going to be here in the morning!" Casey exclaimed, running a hand through her hair.
"She's already booked a flight to NewYork."

"I don't know what you want me to do." Oscar shrugged and Casey instantly felt bad. It wasn't his fault that Lando was acting like a dickhead. "I'm sorry." Casey said, her face softening.

"Don't be." Oscar said as he shook his head and Casey couldn't help but let a small smile break out on her face. "Are you leaving tonight too?" He asked and Casey nodded. "We can't let her go back on her own."
Casey told him. "She's pretending to be okay, but we can tell that she's really not." Oscar nodded at Casey's words, a disappointed expression on his face.