Formula 1 | One Shots

Into You, Only You | Carlos Sainz

Author's Note: I have an obsession with grumpy x sunshine tropes 😉 

Done in Carlos POV
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I had always liked Monaco. The historical streets, the calm evenings, the ocean breeze, at least it used to bring me peace. Now, it just feels like another place to be angry in. I'd moved here to get away, hoping the change would do me good, but that hadn't happened. Instead, everything seemed more hollow. Empty. Like me. 

Since Ferrari told me I wouldn't be staying after this season, it's like a switch flipped inside me. I didn't even try to hide my frustration anymore. Why bother? I'd given everything for that team, and in return, they were tossing me aside like I was nothing. 

So, I pushed people away. Friends, teammates...anyone who tried to get close. It's easier to be angry than to let people in, easier to tell myself I don't need them. Today was no different. I had nothing in my apartment except some water bottles and maybe a couple of beers in the fridge. I hadn't even noticed how empty the place had become, like it matched my mood. So, I had no choice.

I grabbed my keys, put on a hoodie, and made my way to the grocery store. The air outside was warm, but I didn't care. I pulled the hood up anyway, not wanting to deal with anyone recognizing me. Monaco wasn't as chaotic as some of the other places I'd been, but I didn't have the patience for people stopping me, asking for photos or autographs. Not today. Maybe not ever again. 

The grocery store was quiet when I walked in. Good. I grabbed a cart and started down the aisles, not really paying attention to what I was picking up. Pasta, bread, a few vegetables, some fruits. Whatever. I was just going through the motions, trying to get out of there as quickly as possible. 

Truthfully, I was lost in my thoughts, my mind drifting back to Ferrari, to the conversations with the team that had made my blood boil. They acted like it was just business, like it wasn't personal. But it was. How could it not be? I'd given everything to them, and this was how it was going to end? I gripped the handle of the cart tighter, my knuckles turning white. 

Suddenly, I felt a jolt. Someone had hit my cart. I stopped and turned, already feeling my temper flare. I was about to snap, but when I looked up, I saw her. A woman stood there, her eyes wide as she realized what had happened. She had pushed her cart right into mine, clearly not on purpose, but I was in no mood for this. 

For a second, we just stood there, staring at each other. I could feel the irritation bubbling up inside me, ready to spill over, but something in her expression made me hesitate. She looked a little startled, maybe embarrassed. I clenched my jaw, biting back the words that wanted to come out.

I stood there, tense, ready to snap, but then I noticed something I hadn't seen at first...a toddler, sitting in the woman's cart. A little boy, no older than two, wide eyed and grinning like he had no idea what just happened. The anger that had flared up inside me vanished almost instantly. The woman gave me an apologetic smile, her face a mix of exhaustion and embarrassment. 

"I'm so sorry," she said quickly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "He's been driving me a bit crazy today, and I got distracted." 

I just stared for a moment, the annoyance from earlier gone, replaced by something different. My eyes shifted from her to the kid, who was looking at me like I was the most interesting person in the world. His chubby little hands held onto the edge of the cart, and he gave me this goofy, innocent smile, the kind only kids can pull off without trying. I didn't know what was happening to me. I should've been mad, annoyed at least, but instead, I found myself...softening. 

The tightness in my chest loosened, and before I knew it, I was smiling back at the boy. A small smile. It felt strange. 

"Don't worry about it," I muttered, my voice softer than I expected. The woman looked relieved, letting out a small laugh.