CALL YOUR MOM | ln4

thirty.

{ jonesy }

"This is intimidating."

I laughed as I walked a few paces behind Lando. Typically, when I arrive at the paddock on Sundays, fans aren't as crazy. I'm not a Driver or a Team Principal, just a Mclaren employee with a camera bag hanging off her shoulder.

But today I was walking in with Lando and the fans outside the gates were insane. They were all yelling for him. I've never seen it like this, sure I've heard about it, but never seen it with my own eyes.

Lando shrugged, "You get used to it after a while." He turned to start walking backward, holding his arms out to the side. "And I've been doing it for six years."

I shook my head as I laughed at his cockiness.

As he veered off to greet fans, signing things and taking photos, I set my bag on the ground to get my camera ready. These would be some good shots, no?

I think he saw me getting my camera ready, because he continued to interact with the fans, probably longer than he had planned to. I smiled, taking as many photos as possible.

Coincidentally, Oscar showed up while I was taking pictures of Lando. I laughed because the Australian immediately followed suit and started meeting the fans nearby Lando. It was like he knew I was going to ask him to join anyway.

"Getting enough photos?" Lily asked, standing beside me as I continued my job.

I nodded, taking a couple more. "I'm getting all the angles." I sidestepped, moving over to continue to get different content.

Lily walked with me, clearly not done talking to me. I didn't mind, she was sweet and I liked her plenty.

"How's photographing with a cast?" She queried.

I paused for a second, letting my camera hang from my neck. "Interesting to say the least." A shrug as I walked past her and over to where I had set my bag down. "But at least it doesn't hurt all that much anymore."

The boys were saying their goodbyes and so Lily and I started our journey to the gates too. "How's your rib?" Her voice was quieter as she spoke.

I appreciated it. The fans didn't need to know about my broken rib. From how they were also calling out to me, it was clear they knew of my affiliation with Lando – that we were childhood friends – so, I'm convinced that they'd speculate something if they knew the extent of my injuries. A broken wrist is one thing, but a broken rib is a whole different ball game.

"Sore, but feeling better. The week of rest did wonders."

We scanned our passes, following behind the boys still. They were deep in one conversation and we were deep in another.

"Any sign of him lately?" I knew who she was referring to.

I shook my head, "Last I heard, he's still being held. I think he got 30-60 days behind bars before they're serving his restraining order."

She hooked her arm through mine, "Good, because he deserves it all and so much more." Her head dropped onto my shoulder as we walked.

We walked together, just enjoying the silence between us as we walked. I like moments like these.

The day passed rather quickly and now we're in the period of time between the driver's parade and the national anthem. Thankfully, Zak allows his drivers a bit of a break between the two, especially seeing as they both have to change into their racing suits at some point. While they were gone earlier, Lily and I had gotten some food, both wanting fuel to keep going for the rest of the day seeing as it'll be hours before a good opportunity for food will come back around.