Love 4 Apex | Lando Norris

🏎 37 - Lean on Me

Rose was jolted awake by the buzzing vibration of her phone against the nightstand, the sound slicing through the quiet darkness of the room. She groggily reached out, the soft glow of the screen lighting up the space. Squinting, she noticed an unfamiliar number flashing on the display. She hesitated for a moment, then picked up, bringing the phone to her ear.

"She's awake. You can come now."

Rose took a deep breath, clearing the sleep from her mind. "Alright, I'm on my way," she replied, her voice a quiet murmur in the stillness. Hanging up, she swung her legs over the bed, rubbing her eyes and taking a moment to gather herself. Sitting up, she glanced around, remembering she was in Lando's room. It felt strange, yet comforting—a quiet refuge she hadn't realized she needed.

Moving quietly, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water. Apex padded over, his tail wagging in gentle excitement as she crouched down to greet him, wrapping her arms around him for a quick cuddle.

As she stood, Rose's gaze landed on Lando and his sister, Flo, seated at the kitchen table, sharing a quiet conversation over a late-night snack. Their voices fell silent when they noticed her standing there, and she felt her heart skip at the sight of him. She hadn't expected him to be here.

She and Lando exchanged a long look, the silence heavy, filled with unspoken words. After a moment, she broke her gaze, shifting her attention to Flo, trying to steady herself. "I have to go," she murmured, glancing down at Apex. "Would you mind taking him for a little walk?"

Flo smiled, giving her a nod. "Of course, go ahead!"

Rose moved toward the door, stepping into the still night air. She'd barely taken a few steps when she heard Lando's voice softly calling after her.

"Hey, wait."

She stopped and turned as he closed the distance between them. His hand found hers gently, the touch grounding her in a way that caught her off guard.

They stood there for a moment, his hand warm against hers, anchoring her in the cool night air. Rose felt her pulse quicken, the unexpected intimacy of the moment settling heavily between them. But she broke the contact, gently pulling her hand away as she looked down.

"I gotta go, Lando," she murmured, her voice soft but firm.

He hesitated, his gaze searching her face. "Wait... are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with genuine concern. "You look... tired."

Rose managed a faint smile, a mix of gratitude and weariness crossing her face. "It's been a long few weeks," she admitted quietly, almost to herself. "But I'll be fine."

Lando's gaze remained fixed on her, concern etched in every line of his expression. "Are you sure?" he pressed gently, his tone unwavering, as if he could sense there was more beneath her words.

She paused, swallowing as she felt the weight of her own thoughts. "Honestly? I don't know."

He stepped a little closer, his voice low but firm. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" he said, his gaze unwavering. "Even if you said you needed space... I won't distance myself from you if you need me."

Rose looked at him, emotions flickering in her eyes as she tried to find the right words. His reassurance was a comfort she hadn't anticipated, and for a moment, she allowed herself to lean into it, letting his words sink in.

Rose took a deep breath, gathering herself before she spoke. "My grandma... she's really sick. They admitted her to the hospital not long after the ceremony." Her voice wavered slightly, but she continued. "She's always been the strongest person I know, and seeing her like this... it's been tough."