Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 51

WARNING: This chapter contains sexual content that may not be suitable for all readers.

Lando

The hum of the jet engines was a comforting backdrop as we flew back to London, the miles ticking away beneath us. For the first time in what felt like weeks, I could feel the tightness in my chest beginning to ease. 

The pressure that had been suffocating me, the relentless tension that had clung to me like a shadow, was finally starting to lift. I wasn't back to normal—whatever that was—but there was a sense of relief in the knowledge that we were heading home, that I could finally breathe again.

Lily was seated beside me, her hand resting lightly on my thigh as she scrolled through her phone. She'd been my rock through all of this, quietly supporting me even when I hadn't been able to tell her what was going on in my head. 

The guilt of that still gnawed at me, but I was determined to make things right, to open up to her the way I should have from the start.

The flight was quiet, both of us too tired to talk much after the exhausting race weekend. I knew she was as drained as I was, maybe more so, but she hadn't complained once. She never did, even when I knew she had every right to.

When we finally touched down in London, the familiar sights of the city coming into view as we descended, I felt a surge of gratitude wash over me. 

We were home, back in our space, where I could finally let my guard down. The car ride to our house was quiet, the exhaustion from the weekend still hanging over us, but there was a comfort in the silence, in just being together.

We arrived home in the early afternoon, the soft light of the late summer sun casting a warm glow over everything. The house was just as we'd left it, serene and welcoming, the perfect place to unwind after the chaos of the past few days. 

We dropped our bags inside and made our way out to the backyard, the cool breeze carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and the faintest hint of chlorine from the pool.

The pool itself was still, the water reflecting the sky like a mirror. It wasn't warm enough to swim, but it was a perfect spot to relax and take in the peacefulness of the moment. I took a deep breath, the crisp air filling my lungs as I felt some of the tension in my body begin to dissolve.

Lily and I settled on the loungers by the pool, the silence between us comfortable and familiar. But even as I tried to relax, I could feel the weight of the past few weeks still lingering. I knew I couldn't keep it bottled up any longer, that if I didn't say something now, it would just fester and grow.

I glanced over at Lily, who was staring out at the water, lost in thought. She looked so calm, so peaceful, and for a moment I hesitated. 

I didn't want to burden her with everything that had been swirling around in my head, but I also knew that if I didn't talk to her, I would just keep pushing her away. And that was the last thing I wanted.

"Lily," I began, my voice sounding uncertain even to my own ears. She turned to look at me, her eyes soft and attentive, and I felt a surge of affection for her that almost took my breath away. "I need to talk to you about something."

She nodded, her expression encouraging as she reached out to take my hand in hers. "Of course, Lan. I'm listening."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I gathered my thoughts. "I've been... struggling," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "These past few weeks have been really hard, and I haven't been handling it well. I've been under so much stress, and I just...I didn't know how to deal with it."