Pit Stop [LANDO NORRIS]

16

AVERY

I stood in front of the mirror, the black sequin outfit shimmering under the soft lighting of my hotel room. The two-piece was simple but striking—a crop top with an off-the-shoulder neckline and long sleeves that hugged my arms perfectly, paired with a matching skirt that sat just above my hips. The sequins caught the light in the most beautiful way, making the whole thing feel special, a little more daring than what I'd usually go for. But tonight was different. Tonight was a celebration. A win that I knew Lando had earned more than anyone.

I took a deep breath, running my fingers through my hair. It was straightened to perfection, every strand falling exactly where it was supposed to. I didn't usually spend this much time on my appearance, but for some reason, I wanted tonight to be just right. I finished up my makeup—a soft smokey eye and a bit of shimmer, just enough to feel confident but not overdone. As I looked at myself in the mirror, for the first time in a while, I actually felt pretty. It was the first time in ages I'd felt this kind of excitement, mixed with a dash of nervousness.

Lando had won. And this night? This was for all of us.

I grabbed my jacket, threw it over my shoulders, and headed out of the hotel room, feeling the adrenaline building up inside me. There was a small group waiting outside the hotel to head to the nightclub where McLaren had sealed off a section for us. The whole idea of a private section, just for McLaren, felt surreal. But it was a well-deserved celebration, and I wasn't going to overthink it.

When I got to the entrance of the club, I spotted Brittany, one of the media officers, waving at me from a few feet away. She looked stunning, in an outfit that was effortless but elegant. "Hey, Avery!" she greeted, flashing me a bright smile as she came over. "You look amazing, by the way."

I laughed softly, feeling a little bashful, but she was already taking my arm, leading me toward the door. "Thanks, you too. I think we're both ready to celebrate, huh?"

"Definitely," she agreed, her excitement bubbling up. "It's going to be insane in there. The whole team is going to be buzzing."

As we entered the club, the energy hit us immediately. The lights were dim, the music thumping in the background, and the McLaren section was just ahead, roped off and already filled with people. But Lando wasn't there yet. 

We headed toward the McLaren section, greeting some of the team members who were already mingling, their energy infectious. I spotted a few familiar faces, sharing laughs and congratulations, and it made me feel even more connected to the whole team. There was a kind of family vibe here. Everyone was so close, so proud of Lando and the whole team's hard work.

And then I saw her. Lily. Oscar's girlfriend. She was standing near the bar, a radiant smile on her face as she chatted with a few people. I hadn't seen her in a while, and as soon as our eyes met, I made a beeline for her, pulling her into a big hug.

"Avery!" she exclaimed, hugging me right back. 

I laughed, squeezing her tighter. "It's been ages! I missed you. How are you?"

"I'm good! So glad to see you out tonight—this place is insane!" she said, gesturing around us. "And you look incredible." Her eyes sparkled as she looked me over. "Are you trying to impress someone tonight?" she asked, throwing me a playful wink.

I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat up a little. "Oh, no, no. Just trying to keep up with the rest of you. Besides, someone has to outshine the boys tonight, right?"

She laughed, her voice warm and friendly. "Well, you're definitely doing that."

Her compliment made me smile even wider, and I felt the tension in my chest loosen a little. Lily had always been so sweet and easy to talk to, and tonight, it felt like the perfect opportunity to relax and just enjoy the night.