Lucky number 4

POLE!!!

The rejection strikes me harder than expected. I don't know why I feel hurt, it's not like we're friends of any sort. Get a grip Kay. I school my features and nod, not daring to look at him. He needs space and time to prepare for the qualifying.

"With you inside, love" Lando comments when I'm almost out the door.

I turn around, uncertain. "You don't want me to leave?"

Lando shakes his head, coming over to where I'm still in the doorway. I close the door behind me and get caught in the view for the first time. "You must love being up here with a view like that." Lando never looks away from my face.

He steps closer to me to the point I have to tilt my head back. "What happened?"

I sigh, having a suspicion Menno told him more than he should have. Regardless, I try to play it off. "Nothing happened. I don't know why I'm here."

"Kay, cut the crap and tell me what happened."

Oh, he is really not letting this go. I bite my lip, thinking my answer through. Lando tracks the movement with his eyes. Heat flares in my stomach. I look towards the pitlane to divert my traitorous brain. Crew members are hastily preparing for the qualifying this afternoon. I sigh reluctantly. "I uhm. Sort of had a run in with a still object. It was an accident, really".

"Who?"

"What," I correct him. "But it's all fine, see". I hold my arms out to show him I'm injury free. And to distract him from my face.

"Love, I asked for a name." Behind the calm exterior I can see his barely contained rage. I have to put down this fire before it gets out of hand.

I sigh, "please, can you let this go? Why did Menno ask me to see you?"

Evade and ignore.

Lando seemingly struggles to drop the subject. He can clearly see that I'm fine. I see the exact moment his shoulders drop, and he hangs his head. "Because you're staying here until you finish work."

Wait what? I'm stunned into silence. Lando looks up and watches me with a tilt of his head. "No one has access to these rooms except for me and the people I choose to have access."

I'm not sure if I want to kiss Menno or strangle him.

"I can work from here?" I repeat. Lando nods. "But this is your space. I don't want to impose."

Lando shrugs heading back to the couch. He seems to have dropped the topic and is back to his relaxed self. Or maybe he just pretends for me. "I like your company, you're fun to be around and this way I can keep an eye on you, though I seemed to have failed already."

I frown offended. "I don't need a babysit-, but ... thank you?" I walk over to the couch and sit down opposite him. Okay, I can continue from, whatever that was, too.

"What do you usually do to prepare for a race?" I'm not sure if I should be quiet or not, but he doesn't seem annoyed with my question.

"Listen to some music or like you already pointed out, stare out onto the track." The view is mesmerizing.

So he did hear me.

"How is your eye?"

The question takes me by surprise. "What? Why would you ask that?"

"I'm not blind, love."

My cheeks must be on fire because I can't help the blush from spreading over my face. "It's fine" I reply in a clipped way.

"Why do you lie so easily?" Lando wonders out loud. I scold him and start to unpack my backpack. Amused, Lando checks his watch and gets up. "I have to go meet up with Jon. I don't think I'll be back before quali, but you'll stay here until I'm back?"