Pit Stop [LANDO NORRIS]

7

LANDO

The paddock's quiet now. The track's just a fading line of lights in the distance, and the air's cooling down, a sharp contrast to the buzz of earlier. I'm about to head back to my hotel, but something stops me as I pass the McLaren garage. I thought everyone had already left—the mechanics, engineers, even Zak, probably heading off to grab a beer or something. But there's a light on. Just one, barely enough to cut through the shadows of the empty garage. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I slow my step, glancing inside.

I stop completely when I see her.

Avery.

She's standing by the car, completely lost in her own world. Headphones on, bobbing her head to the beat of whatever song she's listening to. Her hair's tied back, loose strands framing her face, and she's tapping her foot in time with the music, mouthing words every now and then. She doesn't see me yet.

I lean against the doorframe, not wanting to interrupt, but I can't help but watch. She's got this look of pure focus, like she's in her own universe, singing every other line of the song, laughing softly at herself as she misses a lyric or fumbles with the words. It's so... her. I never really get to see her like this—so carefree, just existing in the moment.

I bite back a smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. It's not often I get to catch someone in their unguarded moments, especially someone like Avery, who's usually got that sharp, focused energy. It's like seeing a different side of her that I didn't know I was missing.

She catches me watching her. There's a moment where her eyes flick toward me, and before she can even fully register what's going on, she squeals, almost jumping out of her skin.

"Lando!" she yelps, pulling the headphones off with a look of surprise. "You—Oh my god, you scared me!"

I chuckle, pushing off the doorframe and stepping into the garage fully. "You're really into that song, huh?"

She's blushing now, all flustered, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, yeah! It's my favorite song," she says, looking a little sheepish but laughing at herself. "I didn't think anyone was still here. What are you doing lurking around the garage, anyway?"

I raise an eyebrow, playing it up. "Lurking? I wasn't lurking. I was... observing. Appreciating the music," I say with a smirk. "You've got a pretty good voice, I must say. Didn't know you were a singer."

She rolls her eyes, clearly embarrassed, but I can see the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, please. You're just trying to flatter me now."

"I don't flatter," I reply easily, leaning casually against the car. "I just tell it like it is."

Her eyes narrow, but I see the playful glint there. "Is that so? Well, if you're really telling it like it is, then what do you think of my dance moves?"

I glance at her feet. She was definitely tapping along, but I hadn't noticed any actual dancing—until now. "Hmm... if you're going for 'most likely to be caught off-guard by a stranger in the garage,' you're definitely winning that category."

She laughs, shaking her head. "You are impossible, you know that?"

"I'm only impossible because you let me be," I say with a shrug, smiling. "You should've seen your face when I first walked in. Pure shock. I'm still enjoying that."

She's trying to hide a grin now, the corners of her mouth twitching, and I can tell she's not really mad at me. In fact, she looks... kinda cute when she's flustered like this.

"What are you doing in here anyway?" I ask her, moving further into the garage and stepping up behind her, glancing over her shoulder to see what is on the iPad that's nestled in her hand. 

"Nick showed me some of the upgrade packages, I'm just comparing them to what's already on the car, seeing where the changes will be" she informs me, handing me the iPad. 

"Oh yeah" I say in surprise, "And what are you thinking?" I give her an encouraging smirk, actually curious about her answers. 

She screws her face up in frustration, "I mean... the package looks fine, but I don't see how it's going to help with the brake cooling, that's where you're main issue is at the minute, I think it's more important to focus on the cooling vents and ducts, try to help with the brake cooling whilst keeping the aerodynamic efficiency." 

My eyes widen at her in shock, I don't know what was expecting to come out of her mouth, but it wasn't that. "You're right. It's the downforce on the straights that's killing us too, I'm just never fast enough." 

She shakes her head, "The only team that beats you on the straights is the Red Bull, but you have them in both the slow and fast corners, I don't see them increasing the downforce any more than it already is, you'll be dragging yourself along the tarmac soon" 

We both let out a chuckle. 

"You really amaze me, you know that?" I confess. 

Her eyes widen at my comment, looking like she doesn't know what to say next, "Oh?" she mutters. 

I feel flustered, and almost embarrassed. "I just mean that, I'm not sure. Obviously I've known you for what feels like forever, I just didn't realize..." I shrug my shoulders, "You're just amazing" 

I see the red blush on her face, taking over it completely that she can't even remain eye contact with me, her eyes drop to the floor and she clears her throat. 

And with that, I give her one last teasing look, then head toward the door. "Enjoy your music, Avery. Don't let the next person walk in and start judging you."

"Yeah, yeah," she calls after me, her voice light and amused. "I'll try not to get caught next time!"

I can't help but laugh as I step out of the garage, feeling lighter than I did a minute ago. Something about tonight—it's one of those little moments that stays with you.