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

Chapter 17: A Return to Routine

The next morning arrived earlier than Jamie expected. Her body ached all over from sleeping in the car, and she groaned as she tried to stretch out the stiffness in her arms and legs. Her throat was a little swollen, probably from the chill of the night, and she realized just how stupid it had been to sleep like that. She rubbed her tired eyes, trying to blink away the exhaustion, and glanced out the window at the peaceful lake where she had sought refuge the night before. A deep sigh escaped her lips as the memories of yesterday flooded back.

Lando... she thought bitterly. The argument still sat heavy on her chest, and she knew it would be a while before she could let it go. He had crossed a line, and she wasn't ready to forgive him. But at the same time, part of her knew she had pushed him too far as well.

She opened the car door and got out, stretching her sore limbs as she took in the early morning air. Across the street, she noticed a small bakery just opening for the day. The clock on her phone read 6:00 AM—early, but at least she was up before the world got too busy. She locked the car and made her way toward the bakery, hoping a hot drink and some food would help her feel a bit more human.

The bakery's door chimed softly as she entered, the smell of fresh bread filling the cozy space. A woman behind the counter greeted her warmly, and Jamie offered a tired smile in return.

"Good morning," Jamie mumbled, her voice still rough from sleep.

She scanned the display, eventually deciding on a croissant and a hot cocoa. Something simple, but comforting. After thanking the woman, she took her order and headed back to the car, trying to clear her mind. As she sat back in the driver's seat, munching on the croissant and sipping the cocoa, she debated whether or not she should head back to the hotel. She knew Alex and Lily would be worried about her by now, and it wasn't fair to keep them in the dark.

I can't hide out here forever, she thought with a groan, knowing she had to face them—and maybe Lando—eventually.

Finishing her breakfast, she started the car and pulled back onto the road. The drive back to the hotel was quiet, the morning light casting a soft glow over the city as she passed familiar landmarks, including the golf course that had been the site of yesterday's disaster. She grimaced as she drove by, memories of the argument with Lando flashing in her mind.

After about forty minutes, she arrived back at the hotel. She parked, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling back over her, and made a beeline for her room. As soon as she hit the bed, she practically melted into it. The soft mattress and cool sheets were a stark contrast to the cramped car seat she'd slept in, and before long, the warmth and comfort of the bed pulled her into a deep sleep.

Hours later, Jamie woke up feeling a bit better, though still drained. She lay there for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake off the grogginess. The events of yesterday still clung to her, but the sleep had helped take the edge off. With a sigh, she forced herself out of bed and into the shower, hoping the hot water would wash away the lingering tension in her muscles.

After her shower, she dressed in something simple but comfortable. She didn't have any plans for the day, but she figured working on some social media projects for Williams might be a good distraction. She grabbed her phone and texted Danielle, one of her closest colleagues on the team.

Hey, you got any plans today? I was thinking about heading to the paddock to film some stuff. Maybe work on a few videos.

Danielle responded quickly: Nothing planned! I'm down to help. I'll meet you in the lobby in an hour?

Jamie smiled at the reply. Perfect, see you there.

With the plan set, she applied some makeup, wanting to hide the exhaustion that still clung to her face. After getting ready, she decided to check in on Alex. She figured it was better to face him now rather than later. She knew he was probably worried sick, especially after the punch he'd thrown at Lando.

She walked over to his room and knocked. After a few seconds, she heard hurried footsteps, and the door flew open. Alex stood there, looking at her with a mix of relief and frustration. Without a word, he pulled her into a tight hug.

"Good morning to you too," Jamie chuckled softly, hugging him back.

Alex sighed, his grip on her firm. "I'm just glad you're okay. I was worried."

"I know, I'm sorry," Jamie said, pulling back. "I didn't mean to worry you. I'm fine now, really."

As they stepped apart, Lily appeared from behind Alex, pushing him aside to get to Jamie. She wrapped her arms around Jamie, her voice filled with concern. "We were so worried about you! Don't ever just run off like that again."

Jamie hugged her back, grateful for her friend's support. "I won't, I promise."

Lily pulled back, giving Jamie a once-over. "Next time, we'll just have a girls' day without all the drama, okay?"

Jamie laughed weakly. "Deal."

As they stood in the doorway, Alex gave her a curious look. "Are you really over the argument already? You seem... I don't know, calm."

Jamie shook her head, her smile fading. "No, I'm not over it. Lando's still an asshole, and I don't plan on talking to him anytime soon. But... I also know I said some pretty harsh things too. So, it's both of our faults. But I'm not apologizing."

Alex raised an eyebrow, knowing his sister well enough to sense when she was being stubborn. He knew this wasn't over for her, but he also knew pushing her to talk about it now wouldn't help. "Well, as long as you're okay."

Jamie nodded, then turned to Lily. "I'm heading to the paddock to film some stuff for Williams. Want to come?"

Lily shook her head with a smile. "I think I'll let you work. I'll catch up with you later."

"Okay," Jamie said, giving her one last hug before saying goodbye.

Jamie headed down to the lobby, where Danielle was already waiting for her. They greeted each other, exchanged a few lighthearted jokes, and then made their way to the paddock. The walk was quiet and uneventful, the streets of Bahrain still relatively empty as the day stretched ahead of them.

When they arrived at the paddock, Jamie wasn't surprised to see it completely deserted. Most teams had taken a few days off before the season started, and the paddock felt almost eerie in its stillness. But for Jamie and Danielle, it was the perfect opportunity to get some work done without any distractions.

"Alright, let's get started," Jamie said, her energy returning as they began shooting content for Williams' social media. They filmed various parts of the paddock, focusing on areas that would give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team's setup. They also brainstormed a few ideas for TikTok trends and short Instagram videos, bouncing ideas off each other as they worked.

As the hours passed, they lost themselves in their tasks, barely noticing the sun dipping lower in the sky. By the time they wrapped up, the paddock was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.

"Wow, we really got carried away," Jamie said, glancing at the time. It was already getting dark.

Danielle laughed, rubbing her eyes. "Time flies when you're working hard. I'm glad we got so much done, though. It'll make next week a little easier."

"Yeah," Jamie agreed, packing up their equipment. "Thanks for helping me today, even though you didn't have to."

Danielle shrugged. "I was bored anyway. And I always like working with you. We make a good team."

They headed back to the hotel, tired but satisfied with the work they had accomplished. As they walked through the lobby, Jamie couldn't help but feel a sense of calm return to her. The argument with Lando still lingered at the back of her mind, but for the first time since it happened, she felt like she could breathe again.

The new season was just around the corner, and whatever drama came with it, she knew she'd face it head-on, just like always.