Chasing You

Chapter 2

CHRIS

"I know, that's what I said", a female voice says, over the sound of the coffee machine already in use.

"Did she at least apologise?", another female voice.

"She did not", the first one.

I rub my eyes, clearly not ready for this day. I need at least a few more hours of sleep. And coffee. But luckily someone has already thought of that.

Sighing, I get out of bed and put on the first pair of shorts I find. It's then my phone lights up with a notification, and I am rather more interested in the date it is, that I quickly take off my shorts and put on a red pair.

Hopefully Fabio thought of that too.

I walk my way out of my room, not bothering with a T-Shirt, only goal in mind being the coffee.

Someone slaps me hard on the back of my neck on the way. "How funny you are", I curse at the blond now walking beside me. Levi lets out a chuckle, all while buttoning the sleeves of shirt.

"Big day today, huh?", he asks. "Ready to have your ass served for another year in a row?"

"Sure, Dyer, go gloat", a masculine voice with a strong Italian accent comes in my rescue. I turn around to find my best friend and teammate. White Polo shirt and... red shorts. That fucker remembered.

"Sorry, but he's only speaking facts", one of the voices from before says. Yvonne is smiling at us from behind the kitchen counter, stains of matcha powder on her hands. Levi comes hug his wife nevertheless, offering her a big fat kiss.

"Morning, dove", he breathes on her lips, making her chuckle and earning himself another kiss.

"You would think they didn't just share a bed", Fabio mutters, taking a toast from the basket on the table.

"Who shared a bed?", the seven-year-old walks in on us, Lewis on her tail. My other best friend picks up his daughter, Winnie, and gives her a kiss on her ear, as if to undo what she heard.

"Nobody, sweetie", Aria, the other one behind the kitchen counter, shouts. "No one shared a bed." She gives Fabio a look as if to say 'I dare you'.

"Mommy and Daddy", Levi dares instead.

"You did not", Aria throws a pancake at him.

"Say it, sister", Yvonne cheers for her.

Levi side-eyes her, as if to say that she should be on his side. She only shrugs, mischief in her eyes.

"You started this, don't you have anything to say?", Levi shouts at Fabio.

He only continues eating toast.

"Really?", Levi asks. "That's all you can?!"

"Really", Fabio shrugs.

"I swear to God, I'll-"

"Guys, be nice", Aria tries to stop the fight.

Welcome to another morning in our household.

Honestly, my best friends and I don't always live together. During the off-season, yes we use to spend our holidays together, but sometimes we also take some time alone. Yet we always grow bored of being alone quite quickly, and although every morning means a new chaos, I wouldn't change it for the world.

"Duncan called", Lewis stops his call just as Levi and Fabio were mid-pancake fight, Winnie quickly having joined in, much to Aria's despair. From all of us, Lewis Cunnan must be the most serious one. Hell-bent on productivity. Must have its roots in the time he wasn't driving for Apollo, but being its CEO. Even now when he stepped back from his leading duties and focuses solely on driving for the team, he still has the majority of shares in the company, mostly meaning that his net worth overcomes ours. But apart from his addiction to tuxes and expensive watches, he doesn't let it show.

Lewis runs an eye over the scene, Levi, Fabio and Winnie covered in pancakes, me casually watching the scene, Yvonne grinning as she's covered in matcha powder and Aria probably saying a prayer for our sanity and fussing to get her daughter cleaned up, that it makes him rolls his eyes, yet even for his grumpy ass, I can see his mouth twitch minimally.

"Children", he mutters. "Only children." He goes over to his wife, brushing a kiss on her temple, then peels a pancake off Winnie's head, turning to face Fabio and Levi. "Do I want to know which one of you assholes did it?"

The two point at each other, saying at once: "He did it."

Cue Lewis's other eye roll.

"Aria is right", I decide to join this circus. "Let's all be nice. The season starts today. We need to be peaceful." I walk over to Levi and Fabio, and wink at my teammate. "And besides, if something needs to be settled, better do it on the track."

"I'll toast to that", Yvonne says, finally finishing her matcha. As she had her first sip, she quickly adds: "May Apollo win."

"I hate you all", I chuckle. "And I'm moving out."

"Good luck, asshole", Levi smirks. "We're already only here for the weekend."

Right again. This week Bahrain, next one Jeddah. We keep moving again after that.

"Guys, chill", Yvonne cuts us short. For once, Levi listens. It's after a sip of her matcha that she turns to Lewis and asks: "What did Duncan want?"

"He asked whether some of us could go attend this event before the race. Apparently we have to meet some people, give some interviews. You know, the usual", Lewis answers, taking a break from explaining the track to Winnie.

"When is it?", Levi asks, probably already contemplating on doing it if Lewis asked. The two are as close as brothers. They know each other the longest from here.

"We can't", he counters. "Duncan is holding a speech as team principal at the time. He wants us all in the garage. You and me are giving the following speeches to the team." He raises an eyebrow at me and Fabio. "What about you? Does Toni need you then?"

"No", Fabio answers for both of us. "But I can't at the time, sorry."

From the pained expression on his face we all know better than to ask.

"Mommy promised me she'll come search for pearls with me", Winnie answers. She then kisses Lewis's eyebrow. "Sorry, Daddy."

I can see him suppress a smile. "It's fine, honey. Find some beautiful pearls for you and your Mom. And send me pictures."

She nods, and it's then I find myself saying: "I'll go."

"You'll go?", Fabio asks, knowing how much I hate interviews.

"Yeah, I'll go. You're with duty, Lewis and Levi are needed at Apollo. I'll go."

"You know what?", we can hear Yvonne's voice shortly after. "Fuck it, I'll come with you."

Levi raises an eyebrow as if in a silent question whether it would be okay for her, and she nods. "Yeah, of course. And Chris won't be alone. It's fine."

"Thanks", I whisper to her. Yvonne only nods, and tells me to pick her up at ten thirty.

As I drink from my coffee again, I know I'm going to need it. With the interview and the race, it seems like we have a long day ahead.