Breaking the Grid

Call

Blair stumbled into her hotel room after a grueling qualifying session, feeling the weight of the day lift as she finally entered the cool embrace of her space. The air was thick with heat and humidity, making the room feel stifling despite the late hour. She had managed a respectable P4 for the upcoming race, just behind Verstappen, Norris, and Russell, and ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton. Though the effort had left her exhausted, she was satisfied with her performance.

Her hair was neatly braided, a testament to her meticulous preparation, and she was dressed in nothing but a pair of shorts and a sports bra, trying to stay as cool as possible in the oppressive heat. The steam from her recent shower still lingered in the room, mixing with the intense heat coming through the windows.

Blair glanced at the small, pre-packaged meal on the table—another attempt at a "healthy" option that, while nutritious, didn't exactly appeal to her taste buds. She sighed and moved towards the TV, flicking it on to escape the monotony of her evening. As the screen lit up with the usual hotel channels, she heard the familiar chime of her phone ringing.

She turned abruptly, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten as she dashed towards the nightstand where her phone lay. She glanced at the screen just in time to see Leah's name flashing brightly.

Blair's face broke into a wide, genuine smile as she answered the call, her previous fatigue replaced by a burst of energy. "Hey, Leah!" she greeted, her voice warm and cheerful despite the late hour.

Leah's face appeared on the screen, her wide smile visible as she lounged on a bench at the Arsenal training center. The background was a lively mix of teammates, some stretching, others chatting casually.

"Hey, Blair!" Leah waved to the camera. "You look like you've had quite the day. How's everything going?"

Blair sighed, adjusting her phone to prop it up as she settled into a chair. "Qualifying went better than expected. P4—I'm happy with that. But, man, it's so hot here. I just took a shower, and I still feel like I'm melting."

Leah's eyes widened in sympathy. "P4? That's amazing! You're in a great spot for the race. Just stay cool and stick to your game plan. How are you feeling about the start?"

Blair smiled. "I'm feeling good about it. The car's fast, but honestly, I'm more concerned about the heat."

Leah laughed. "You're going to do great! It's warm here too, but nothing compared to where you are. We just finished training, and everyone's cooling down."

As they continued to chat, Leah shifted slightly, and suddenly, Katie McCabe appeared on the screen with a cheerful grin. Blair couldn't help but smile at Katie's Irish accent, which she absolutely adored. There was something charming about the way Katie's words flowed, and Blair enjoyed listening to it, though she kept her appreciation to herself.

"Blair! What's up, superstar?" Katie teased.

Blair laughed. "Hey, Katie. Just trying to survive this desert heat, you know? What about you guys?"

Katie shrugged, still smiling. "Same old, same old. Kicking balls and causing chaos. How's that P4 treating you?"

Before Blair could respond, Leah's phone was suddenly grabbed, and Blair noticed it had been handed off to someone else. "What's going on?" Blair asked, a bit confused.

Suddenly, Kyra Cooney-Cross's face filled the screen, catching Blair by surprise. Kyra looked a little awkward, clearly not prepared for the spotlight. "Uh, hey, Blair."

Blair blinked, then smiled, amused by the sudden change. "Hey, Kyra. Didn't expect to see you here."

Kyra, who was on an exercise bike in a gym, glanced down, almost shyly, before looking back up at Blair. Her gaze lingered as Blair moved towards the kitchen area, her every movement accentuating the results of her intense training. The sports bra clung to her toned physique, showcasing her defined abs and sculpted arms. As Blair bent slightly to open the refrigerator, her smooth, athletic lines were prominently displayed. She then reached up to grab a bottle of water, stretching in a way that highlighted the strength and definition in her shoulders and back.

Blair noticed Kyra's lingering gaze after a moment, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Eyes are up here, Kyra," she teased with a smile.

Kyra immediately blushed, flustered. "Oh no, I didn't mean—well, I mean, you... you look amazing. It's hard not to notice."

Blair's smile widened, her tone becoming more playful. "Thanks. I'd say the same to you, but I guess you'll have to show me before I can make any judgments." She winked at Kyra, enjoying the unexpected flirtation.

Kyra's blush deepened, and she laughed nervously, trying to recover from the surprise.

Blair leaned forward, her eyes softening as she continued. "Hey, by the way, I wanted to check in with you since it's been a while. How have you been since the last time we hung out? You're looking great, by the way."

Kyra's eyes brightened, a shy but pleased smile appearing on her face. "Oh, thanks, Blair. I've been good, just busy with training and everything. It's nice to hear that from you."

Blair nodded, her smile warm. "Yeah, you've got this glow about you. I hope everything's been going well."

Kyra's smile grew a little more as she focused back on her cooking. "It has, thanks. I've been keeping up with things and trying to stay on top of my game. It's been a bit hectic, but all good."

Blair chuckled softly, scratching the back of her head. "Yeah, it was a bit wild at the party, but I should've reached out to you. I really enjoyed hanging out. You were fun to be with."

Kyra's smile became a bit more bashful as she continued stirring. "I had a good time too. We should definitely do that again sometime. When things calm down for you, of course."

Blair's eyes softened. "Definitely. It'd be nice to hang out again, away from all the racing chaos."

At that moment, Leah's voice could be heard from somewhere in the background, asking, "Has anyone seen my phone?"

Blair looked at Kyra and laughed softly. "Should I tell her you've been holding it hostage this whole time?"

Kyra looked mortified, shaking her head. "Oh no, it wasn't me! Katie—she's the one who put it in front of me! I didn't even realize until it was too late."

Blair raised an eyebrow, leaning back with an amused expression. "Katie, huh? That explains a lot. I was wondering how you ended up in this FaceTime call."

Kyra laughed, nodding as she glanced over her shoulder, probably casting a mock glare at Katie. "Yeah, she thinks she's hilarious."

Blair smiled. "Well, I'm not complaining. This accidental call has been pretty fun."

At that moment, Leah reappeared in the background, arms crossed and with an exaggerated frown. "Katie, did you really just give my phone to Kyra? You're up to your old tricks, aren't you?"

Katie popped into the frame briefly, grinning widely. "What can I say? I'm a matchmaker!"

Blair burst into laughter, shaking her head. "You're something else, Katie. Always stirring things up."

Leah finally reclaimed her phone from Kyra, shaking her head with a mock disapproval, though a broad smile lit up her face. "Sorry about that, Blair. Looks like Kyra got roped into this without a choice."

Blair waved it off with a laugh. "It's fine. We had a nice little chat. Maybe Katie's antics aren't so bad after all."

Leah rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll remember that next time she tries something sneaky."

Kyra, still in the background, gave a shy wave to Blair. "It was nice catching up," she said softly, a genuine smile on her face.

Blair returned the smile, her eyes shining. "Yeah, same here. Let's plan something soon."

Leah glanced between them, sensing something but choosing not to comment, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Anyway, Blair, I'm glad we got to catch up, even if it was a bit hijacked."

Blair grinned. "Hijacked in the best way possible."