midnight rain [f. colapinto]

f o u r

Franco Colapinto.

Franco Colapinto would be driving instead of Logan for the rest of the season.

Evita stared at the email on her laptop screen in complete disbelief.

'I think you'll like him,' James had said when speaking about the young Argentinian driver. The very same Argentinian who had broken her heart over six years ago?

Evita's phone rang at that moment, bringing her attention away from the email and the name of her ex-boyfriend. It was a joint phone call from Logan and Carmen.

Evita answered the phone. "Logan are you alright?" she asked immediately. It had been almost complete radio silence from the American after he received the news that he would be dropped immediately from the Williams team. She knew things would be worse now that the announcement would be released to the public.

"I've been better, Evita," said Logan. "I'm sorry I haven't been answering your texts, but it's been nice to stay away from my phone."

"I understand," said Evita. "I'm just happy to talk to you."

"So am I," said Logan. "I've missed your voice."

"Okay, so how are you feeling?" asked Carmen. "It was a complete shock that Franco would be the one driving, I thought for sure they'd borrow Schumacher."

"I wish we could have Schumacher," said Evita. "But instead we hired my ex-boyfriend."

Obviously, Evita knew that Franco was a member of the Williams Driver Academy, but during her time working for the team, she was able to avoid him. But now she would be working for him full-time. There would be no staying away from Franco Colapinto, much to her dismay.

"Hold on," said Logan, cutting off Evita before she could complain. "Your what?"

Evita groaned. "Ex-boyfriend," she repeated. "We dated briefly before he left Argentina for F4. We were fifteen, so it's no big deal."

"No big deal. Evita, he broke your heart. Logan, don't listen to her, she's a liar. He left her without saying goodbye. A total asshole, if you ask me."

Evita didn't want to admit that Carmen was right. Franco's sudden departure had completely torn her up. Even to this day, she still hated him for leaving her behind. There was no guarantee that pursuing a long-distance relationship would work, but fifteen-year-old Evita would have wanted to try. She had been hopelessly in love with the charming boy, and he had thrown away everything they had in the blink of an eye.

"So you're working with him now?" asked Logan.

"Unfortunately," said Evita.

"Maybe he's changed," said Logan hopefully.

"There's no way he has," said Carmen. "I've heard rumors. He's still a flirt. He sleeps around a lot, to my knowledge."

Evita knew that if Carmen had heard something, it was bound to be true. She somehow knew every bit of paddock gossip, sharing secrets with her younger cousin.

"It'll be fine. If everything goes according to plan, he'll be a breeze to work with, like you are, Logan, and my job will be easy. Then I won't have to spend much time with him. Besides, it's just for nine races," said Evita.

Evita knew it was wishful thinking. Knowing her luck, she would have to spend every waking moment with Franco. What a joy.

"I have to go, I have to catch my flight," said Carmen. "I love you both, and I'll see you in a few hours, Logan."

Carmen was flying to Florida to visit Logan for a brief vacation. Evita wished she could come along too, but with school and work, there was no time for beach trips with friends.

"I love you too, have a safe flight," said Evita, before Carmen hung up.

As soon as the line disconnected, Logan spoke again.

"Are you sure you're alright about this whole Franco thing?" asked Logan.

Evita sighed. She hated when Logan asked her questions after Carmen left, knowing Evita was more likely to be truthful if it was only them.

"I don't know, Logan," she admitted. "Is it stupid that I'm still mad at him after all this time?"

"What's the history? Like the whole thing," said Logan.

Evita explained the story to Logan. How Evita and Franco had grown up in the same neighborhood for their entire lives, but never crossed paths until they were fifteen. The two began talking and Evita found herself falling for the curly-haired boy. They dated for a few months before he simply disappeared. No texts, no calls, nothing. Evita eventually learned from his friends that he was in Europe, pursuing his racing career.

After that, Evita blocked his phone number and all of his social media. He still crossed her mind from time to time, as much as she hated to admit it. She hadn't been with anyone since, aside from the occasional date or hook-up.

"So that's it," said Evita.

"Damn," was all Logan had to say in response.

"Damn?"

"Sorry, Ev, I'm not really sure what to say," said Logan. "That was a really shitty thing of him to do."

"I know," said Evita.

"Sorry you have to work with him," he said.

"I'll manage," said Evita, shrugging her shoulders.

"Call me every day if you need to complain," said Logan.

"I will, I promise," said the young Argentinian woman. "Now tell me how you are."

The two friends continued to talk until Evita was fighting to stay awake, eventually falling asleep, her phone still held against her ear.

...

an: i don't have much to say today, but i do have tiktok (@pottershawkins.wp) where i post edits and things for my fics. you should go check it out :) -willow <3