Pit Stop [LANDO NORRIS]

8

AVERY

I'm lying in bed in the hotel room, the lights dimmed but not quite off, tossing and turning under the covers. My phone's on the bedside table, but I haven't picked it up yet—mostly because I know if I do, I'll probably overthink things, and I don't feel like dealing with that right now. But I can't shake the image of Lando in the garage, leaning against the car, that smile of his... and then the words he'd said to me. "You're amazing."

I replay it in my head for the hundredth time, that playful, teasing tone, but also something underneath it. Something more. He hadn't said it like it was just a joke. It felt different. I'd always seen Lando—and, well, most of the McLaren team—as just that. Part of the job. Employees. Part of the machinery that made everything work smoothly.

But that moment... it felt like a tiny crack in the barrier I had around all of them, especially him. I don't even know why it's sticking with me so much. It's just Lando, right? Sure, he's funny and easy to talk to, but what's the big deal? I've been around drivers my whole life, and they've always been in their own world, out of reach in a way. But... there's something about Lando that's been a little different. A little more real.

I sigh, tossing again. I know I'm being ridiculous.

And just as I start to mentally scold myself for it, my phone buzzes, lighting up in the darkness.

It's a message from Lando.

Lando: "Hey, are you awake?"

I blink at the screen, my heart skipping a beat. It's 11:30. I'm definitely awake. Maybe a little too awake.

I don't even think about it—I just type back.

Avery: "Yeah, can't sleep. You?"

The little dots pop up almost instantly.

Lando: "Same. Couldn't stop thinking about the garage earlier."

My breath catches. Okay, so maybe I'm not totally overthinking things.

I wait a beat before replying, trying to play it cool.

Avery: "Oh? What about it?"

Another pause, and then he messages again.

Lando: "I just hoped I hadn't made you uncomfortable in any way"

I'm sure my face is bright red now. I definitely wasn't expecting that. I bite my lip, trying to think of something clever to say back. But in the end, I just go with honesty.

Avery: "No, of course not. It was actually sweet, I kind of liked hearing it"

He responds with a laughing emoji.

Lando: "I really enjoyed talking to you though and since we both can't sleep, what do you say we do something about it? You up for a dip in the hotel hot tub?"

A smile breaks out across my face without me even realizing it. I should probably stop myself from getting into a late-night adventure with Lando, but I'm kind of in the mood for something spontaneous. Plus, it's just the hot tub. What's the worst that could happen?

I hesitate for just a second, then type:

Avery: "You mean, like, right now?"

Lando: "Why not? No one's awake to see us."

I glance at the clock. Well, I guess it's not like I've got anything better to do. Plus, it'll give me a chance to see what this is all about—this thing that's been nagging at me ever since the garage.

Avery: "Okay. I'm in. Let's go."

Lando: "See you in five?"

I quickly get into my black one piece and pull a hoodie over the top, then slip on some sandals and grab my room key. The thought of seeing him again, especially after everything that happened earlier, sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I don't know what it is, but there's something so easy about the way he makes everything feel lighter.

I head down the hall, the hotel eerily quiet at this hour. The dim lighting and the soft hum of the air conditioning make it feel like we're sneaking around, even though it's just two people getting into a hot tub.

When I reach the door to the hot tub area, I spot Lando already waiting there. He's leaning against the side, looking casual in a hoodie and shorts, his hair tousled like he just rolled out of bed. He's grinning, his eyes bright with that playful look.

"Hey," I say, trying to keep the grin off my face. "You sure you're not just trying to get me to come out here so you can, I don't know, try and win me over with charm or something?"

He laughs. "If that was my plan, I'd say it's working. You showed up, didn't you?"

I roll my eyes, but my heart is definitely doing something weird right now. "Fine. You win."

He pats the side of the hot tub. "Come on in. It's warmer than I thought."

Lando pulls off his hoodie, leaving himself in just a pair of black shorts as I toss my hoodie onto the floor next to where I was standing. I step into the water, the heat immediately relaxing my muscles. It's a nice contrast to the cold air outside, and the quietness of the hotel feels like a secret between us. We both sit on opposite sides of the hot tub for a moment, just taking it all in. The night is still, and for a second, everything feels a little surreal.

Lando breaks the silence, though, his voice softer now. "I'm glad you came."

I glance at him, catching his eye. "Yeah? Me too."

He's looking at me with this gentle expression, and for a second, I feel like I can almost see what's behind the playful banter. 

"I guess I didn't expect this," he says, glancing down at his hands for a moment. "I didn't expect... you. Not like this, anyway. I've known you for ages, but tonight was different. I don't know. Maybe it's just me."

I smile softly, my heart warming at his words. "It's not just you," I say quietly. "It's been different for me too."

He looks up at me then, eyes searching mine like he's waiting for me to say more. I shrug a little, but I can feel myself opening up in a way I didn't expect. "I guess I've always seen you guys as, well, just the team. The drivers... it's like you're not just that. It's hard to explain."

He leans back, his expression softening. "I get it. It's funny. We're always on the move, always in the spotlight, but there's a lot more to us than just the racing, you know?"

I nod, feeling the weight of his words. "Yeah," I say softly. "I'm starting to see that."

He smiles then, his eyes warm and genuine. "I'm glad," he says, his voice low. "I think I'd like to get to know you more, like away from the track"

My heart does that stupid fluttering thing again, and I glance down at the water, suddenly feeling a little shy.

"Yeah," I whisper. "I think I'd like that too."