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

Chapter 5: Mending Fences

Jamie lay sprawled on her bed, her thoughts still swirling from the previous night's events. The dull glow of the bedside lamp cast a soft light over the room, but it did little to soothe her frustration. She kept glancing at her phone, waiting for a message from Alex, wondering if he was ready to talk. She was still hurt by what he had done—watching her actions in the club, hovering like she couldn't make her own decisions. She was old enough to decide who she spent her time with, and Alex should have trusted her.

After all, Alex knew how much Jamie had struggled since her breakup with her ex-boyfriend. It had taken her a long time to find happiness again, to feel like herself. The last thing she needed was her brother and Lando treating her like she couldn't make her own choices. The thought stung, and even though the anger had subsided somewhat, the hurt lingered.

She turned onto her side, burying her face in the pillow, replaying the events of the night. Why did Lando always have to make everything about him? Why couldn't he just let her be happy?

Meanwhile, Alex was finishing his training session at the track. His mind wasn't entirely focused on the testing; it kept drifting back to the previous night. He hadn't meant to hurt Jamie by keeping an eye on her, but he'd seen the way Lando's mood had shifted the moment he spotted Jamie with that guy. Alex had tried to stay out of it—after all, Jamie was her own person, and it was her decision to talk to whoever she wanted. But when Noel had placed his hand on Jamie's leg, Lando had leaped out of his seat, and Alex knew there was no stopping what was about to happen.

Alex had hoped things wouldn't escalate the way they did, but it wasn't the worst outcome either. Lando had been out of line, and Jamie had every right to be angry. Still, Alex understood why Lando had reacted the way he did, even if he didn't agree with it. Lando had always been protective of Jamie, even if he'd never admit it.

After his training session, Alex made his way toward the Williams hospitality, ready to freshen up. Just as he was about to enter, he heard someone call his name. He turned to see Lando jogging toward him, his cheek still a bit red from the slap.

Alex couldn't help but grin. "Looks kind of painful," he teased.

Lando scoffed, touching his cheek with a wince. "Yeah, thanks for teaching her those self-defense moves. She's got some serious strength now."

Alex laughed. "Hey, maybe Jamie's the first person to slap you, but I guarantee it won't be the last."

Lando grinned despite himself. "Shut up. But seriously, yesterday was a stupid scene. She just doesn't get it."

Alex shrugged. "Well, did you ever actually talk to her about it? There's not much to understand if you don't try to explain."

Lando rolled his eyes, frustration evident on his face. "I can't talk to Jamie. It's exhausting, and it always goes nowhere. Her attitude drives me nuts."

With that, Lando turned on his heel and began walking back toward the McLaren garage. Halfway there, he stopped and glanced back at Alex. "Oh, and tell her to unblock me."

Alex chuckled. "I'll pass on the message, but don't hold your breath."

Once Lando was out of sight, Alex entered the Williams hospitality, changed into more comfortable clothes, and headed back to the hotel. He needed to patch things up with Jamie before the weight of the situation got heavier. After a quick shower, he dressed for dinner and knocked on Jamie's door.

She opened it after a few moments, and Alex was taken aback by the sight of her swollen eyes.

"Have you been crying?" Alex asked, concerned.

Jamie sniffed, looking a bit embarrassed. "I watched Coco and If I Stay. They both get to me every time."

Alex smiled softly, pulling her into a warm hug. "You've always had a soft spot."

Jamie chuckled, wrapping her arms around him. "It's a weakness."

"Maybe," Alex said, pulling back slightly. "But it's what makes you you."

They let go of each other, and Alex gestured toward the door. "Come on, let's get some pizza. You need it after the day you've had."

Jamie nodded, grabbing her sneakers and slipping them on. As they walked to the car, Alex took the driver's seat this time. The tension between them had lessened, but Jamie still felt the sting of last night's events.

On the drive to the pizzeria, Alex broke the silence. "I talked to Lando today. He's still mad about last night. Oh and he wants you to unblock him"

Jamie frowned, leaning back in her seat. "Well, I'm still mad too. I don't want to talk to him, and I don't want him texting me. So, no, I'm not unblocking him."

Alex nodded, understanding her resolve. "Fair enough. I just thought you should know."

When they arrived at the pizzeria, they chose a quiet corner away from the other diners. The smell of pizza filled the air, and Jamie could feel some of the tension in her shoulders melting away. They both scanned the menu before deciding on a pepperoni pizza with mozzarella sticks on the side. Jamie ordered a Sprite while Alex opted for a Coke.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Jamie finally asked, "So how did testing go today?"

Alex smiled, relaxing into the conversation. "It went well, actually. The car feels good. We're in a better place than last season, I think."

"That's good to hear," Jamie said, genuinely happy for him. "You've got a good shot this season."

They chatted easily about testing, the team's plans, and the upcoming season as they enjoyed their meal. For a while, it felt like the weight of the previous night had been lifted. The pizza was delicious, and the mozzarella sticks were perfectly crispy. It was exactly the comfort food Jamie needed.

By the time they finished and got back into the car, Jamie felt more like herself. The stress of the night before hadn't disappeared entirely, but it felt more manageable now.

When they returned to the hotel, Jamie smiled at Alex as they went their separate ways. "Thanks for dinner, Alex. I needed that."

He smiled back, giving her a soft pat on the shoulder. "Anytime, Jamie. Sleep well, okay?"

Jamie nodded and headed into her room. She changed into her pajamas and slipped under the covers, her body finally relaxing as she sank into the comfort of her bed. The day had been long, and the night even longer, but for now, at least, she had a moment of peace.

As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts wandered back to Lando, but she quickly pushed them away. Tomorrow was a new day, and she had more important things to focus on than his antics.

Still, a small part of her wondered if this feud between them would ever truly end.