Tangled in Trophies- Lando Norris

12. Training and Tracks

Weeks passed, and the strange spark of excitement Evangeline had felt after her interactions with Lando had began to fade. As the new tennis season drew closer, her days were dominated by regimented schedules, the click of her sneakers against the treadmill, and the rhythmic echo of a ball meeting the strings of her racket. Every moment was carefully measured, meticulously controlled. The magazine shoot and the "corporate alliance" she'd managed with Lando had faded to the background, buried beneath routines, drills, and her usual pressurizing thoughts. She'd barely been present in both the mental and physical world unless it required her to be holding a racket. She knew that if she lost a match this season not only would she never hear the end of it from the media, but shed never let herself live it down. She couldn't give the media any content, anything to produce crappy half baked stories. Not after last years break up, she couldn't have a repeat of the rumours and blogs, it nearly broke her. Which is why even though she had enjoyed the minimal interactions with Lando she was glad they hadn't bumped into each other or messaged since the coffee meeting. Although she did miss the immature banter.

The days had blurred together in a cycle of training and routines for Evangeline, and today was no exception. After a grueling morning workout, she managed to carve out some time to meet up with Olivia, for a much-needed coffee break. She had chosen to meet her at the same coffee shop as Norris the other week, they served impeccable cappuccinos. The moment she spotted Olivia at the café seated in a corner table, her shoulders relaxed, a bit of her usual guard slipping as she moved towards the table.

"There she is," Olivia called her strong Argentinian accent drowning out most of the words. She waved Evangeline over with a bright smile, her brown curly hair getting caught in her hand as she frantically raised it to gesture to the girl.

Evangeline grinned as she sat down, instantly feeling a bit lighter. "Liv, you have no idea how much I needed this. I'm starting to feel like I haven't seen the outside world in weeks." She immediately felt the knot brewing in her thigh muscles disappear as her legs hit the table, her body physically melting into the chair. God she was tired.

"More like I haven't seen you in weeks!" Olivia laughed, nudging her. "How's the endless training treating you?"

"Oh, you know, just the usual," Evangeline sighed, stirring her coffee while staring at the rings on her fingers. "It's just... intense. They've added even more to my schedule, as if that's even possible. I feel like I've been living at the gym lately." She laughed.

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "More intense than usual? I thought last season was already maxed out."

"Apparently not." Evangeline shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee. "My trainer's got me on this new regime that's all about upping endurance. I even have this nutritionist now who's monitoring everything I eat, down to the last blueberry in my breakfast."

Olivia chuckled. "I can just imagine you scowling at a bowl of carefully measured blueberries."

"Oh, it's worse. I'm up at dawn every day now, and they've got me eating things I wouldn't wish on anyone, have you ever tried protein powder soup?" Evangeline groaned. "And the strength training... i wouldn't be surprised if i turned into the racket at this rate."

Olivia gave her a look, her tone softening. "Evangeline, don't lose yourself in all of this, okay? You're more than just a name in the rankings, plus when the Italian Grand Prix rolls around  i think we should do something, I've had my eye on some lovely train tickets to Portofino"

Evangeline tried to smile, though she knew Olivia's concern came from an honest place. "I know, I know. It's just easy to get sucked in, it would be nice to visit Portofino, I haven't been there since my mum died, maybe i could score us some tickets to the Grand Prix that happens around then, now that i know Clara also manages Lando Norris.