Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 20

Marie knew that the grin on her face was a dead giveaway, but she didn't care. Watching Carlos park his car underneath the 3 sign as he drove his way to a podium finish. He hopped out of the car, raising his fists to the air in happiness. Marie couldn't help but feel a prickly sensation run through her body at the sight, saving the memory for a later date. He hopped off the car and hugged his teammate tightly, causing a massive uproar from the Tifosi in the stands. Marie smiled and clapped for the whole scene, even joining most of the crew in the viewing of the podium. She was so entranced with watching the men, her man, on the podium she didn't even notice her dad next to her, watching her expression. Once it was all over, the group walked their way back to the garage, moving slowly in the South American humidity. Everyone was buzzing about the last race of the season and their off-season plans while Marie smiled to herself, looking nowhere in particular. She felt like she was floating, maybe due to the lack of sleep, or the hours of sex that caused the lack of sleep. Marie pulled out her phone and opened up instagram, ready to mindlessly scroll until the drivers made their way back to the garage. She took a second look at the first photo that popped up, a photo of Chad standing by himself, facing a sunset. The caption, "Moving on." Marie tapped onto his profile, noticing that the photos of him and the petite blonde girl's photos were gone. Marie raised a hand up to her mouth to cover the chuckle that came out of her inadvertently. She couldn't help but laugh, thinking about how he was apparently now single and she wasn't. She screenshotted and sent it off to Erin before shutting off her phone to look at the figure fast approaching her.

"Hey, did you enjoy the race?" Gavin said.

"It was... fantastic," Marie said with a massive smile, feeling like the human version of the heart eyes emoji. "I mean for the team. Fantastic result for the team and great content for me to work with," Marie added on, finding seriousness in her tone.

Gavin looked at her with a quizzical look, "You feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Marie replied, not catching onto his thought.

"You just seem different this week. And you've gotten really into racing lately, which I'm not upset about, but I just wanted to make sure..."

Gavin trailed off as he turned to see the commotion that started behind him. Charles and Carlos had made their way back to the garage, accepting the hugs and handshakes as they moved through the swarm. Marie's eyes immediately moved to Carlos, watching his effortless charisma work its charm on everyone in the paddock. Marie took a moment to appreciate the pile of sweaty hair that still, somehow, laid effortlessly on his head with only a single strand hanging on his forehead. The lines on his face from his balaclava still remained imprinted, partially hidden by the smile that took up half his face. Marie didn't realize how long she had been staring until she met his eyes, feeling the smile already start forming on her face. He quickly started sidestepping past people, making his way over to her without even breaking eye contact. To Marie, the whole world faded away, and she saw only him. Once she let herself feel the feelings, she realized just how many feelings she had about him. He was funny and witty, passionate, and... ungodly sexy. She felt the chill down her whole body again as his presence invaded her space, pulling her into a hug that drowned her whole body. He lifted her up off her feet, causing a rom-com-esque squeal to come out of her mouth that no one but him heard. Once Marie's feet touched the ground, so did her sense of reality. Her dad cleared his throat, looking visibly uncomfortable. Marie took a quick step out of Carlos' arms, immediately feeling cold in the absence of him.

"Uhh," Gavin said as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "great race, Carlos. Good work." His tone was not the usual unmetered enthusiasm, but rather a tense dad.

"Yes, thank you sir," Carlos said as he extended a hand out. Gavin stared at his hand for a moment, looking back up to him, then to his daughter, before shaking his hand. Gavin painted a thin lipped smile on his face for show, but he was not a dumb man. Before anyone could say anything, Carlos was whisked away towards the crowds. Marie turned to her dad, cutting him off before he could say anything, yelling, "I actually should get some work in before we leave tomorrow, so I'm gonna head to bed," as she walked backwards.

**

Carlos: Can I see you tonight?

Dad: Change in plans, the flight was moved up to 8am tomorrow morning.

Marie stared at her phone, not 100% sure she wanted to reply to either message. After the awkwardness today with her dad, Marie had no idea how she was going to navigate that situation. She knew he would not be happy to hear about her dating a driver.

"Dating? Seeing? Sleeping with? Exclusive with? How do I label this?" Marie thought to herself as she flung her body onto the puffy duvet. She briefly thought back to seeing him today, letting her heart do its stupid flutter in her chest. His face, his smile, his body... Marie let out a groan as she thought about it more, letting her mind try to stop thinking about how much she wanted to be near him again. She looked at her computer, thinking how not even work could provide a distraction for her at the moment. Her phone beeped again, causing her to lift it to her face and read the message.

Erin: lmaoooo that's classic! Why is he so damn dramatic?

Seriously! Amazing timing too because I just made things official with Carlos... :Marie

Erin: Shut up I'd call you right now if I wasn't in the loudest club ever. Details?

Details are that I don't know what label we have, but I do know that I cannot stop smiling. It might be the orgasms idk. Marie

Erin: God. I cannot imagine what that's like. Enjoy it.

Marie thought back to the awkwardness with her dad. Marie felt a headache coming on as she thought about it, effectively bursting the perfect happy sex-filled bubble that she and Carlos had created.

"How is this gonna affect my job? Will my dad ban me from the paddock?" Marie thought to herself. She picked up her phone and replied to the text she had been avoiding.

Sorry, can't hang out tonight. Flight got pushed up and I'm not feeling well :Marie

Carlos: Oh no, are you ok? Need anything?

Fine, just need some sleep. Enjoy the celebrations tonight :Marie