Behind the Pit Wall: Jamie Albon's Challenge // Lando Norris // F1

Chapter 4: Silent Storms

The drive back to the hotel was steeped in an uncomfortable silence. No music filled the air, no conversation to break the tension. Jamie kept her eyes focused on the road, her knuckles tight around the steering wheel. In the backseat, Logan sat quietly, his gaze out the window, while Alex stole occasional glances at his sister, as if gauging her mood. Neither of the boys dared to speak, knowing better than to poke at the simmering frustration that lingered in the car.

When they pulled into the hotel parking lot, the silence lingered like a heavy cloud. Logan took the cue from Alex's subtle look and spoke up first. "I'm going to head up and get some rest. See you guys tomorrow."

Jamie barely nodded, still too wound up to respond properly. Logan gave them a wave and disappeared into the lobby, leaving Alex and Jamie alone in the dimly lit parking lot.

Jamie moved to walk past Alex, but just as she was about to, he gently grabbed her wrist, turning her to face him. She was met with his concerned eyes, which softened despite the tension hanging between them.

"What happened, Jamie?" he asked, his voice quiet and understanding.

Jamie sighed, her emotions still raw from the night's events. "Lando happened. He just... interrupted everything. I was finally having a decent time, talking to someone, and then Lando storms in like he owns my life."

She looked down, avoiding Alex's eyes as she continued. "He ruins everything, Alex. Every time I try to do something, he crashes in like I'm some kid he has to protect."

Alex nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful as he listened. "You're right, Jamie. You're an adult, and you can make your own decisions. Lando shouldn't have stepped in like that."

For a second, Jamie felt some relief in hearing her brother side with her. But then Alex hesitated, and she braced herself for what came next.

"But... he wasn't entirely wrong, you know."

Jamie's eyes narrowed in frustration. "Are you seriously giving Lando credit for acting like a complete asshole?"

Alex held up his hands in defense. "I'm not excusing the way he acted. But I wouldn't have liked it either if you had started making out with that guy, Jamie. Something about him didn't feel right."

Jamie scoffed, crossing her arms tightly. "You told me earlier to enjoy myself. You even encouraged me to have a good time. Now you're saying I shouldn't have?"

Alex's face softened with concern. "I know what I said, but that guy... he just felt off. I didn't want to ruin your night, but after we saw him flirting with a few other women before he started talking to you, I got a bad feeling."

Jamie's frustration flared as she took in Alex's words. "You and Lando were watching me? Stalking me while I was trying to enjoy myself?"

Alex shifted uncomfortably, knowing he'd hit a nerve. "We weren't stalking you. We just kept an eye on things. Lando noticed the guy first, and... we were just worried, okay?"

Jamie shook her head in disbelief, the anger bubbling up again. "So, what? You don't trust me to handle myself? You think I need you and Lando to play bodyguards every time I talk to a guy?"

"Of course I trust you, Jamie," Alex replied softly. "But you're my sister, and I care about you. So does Lando, even if he has a terrible way of showing it."

"I don't care about Lando's intentions," Jamie snapped. "He doesn't get to barge in and ruin things for me just because he has some issue with it. And you—" she pointed at Alex, "—you should've trusted me to handle myself. I'm not a kid anymore, Alex."