𝐒 𝐏 𝐑 𝐈 𝐍 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 [max verstappen x oc]

seventeen

As soon as the plane touched down in Monaco, Lena was rushing through the airport, her duffel swaying from side to side as she swerved through pedestrians. Even the air smelled like home. 

"Thanks for letting me stay at your place." Danny smiled gratefully as they entered her apartment. "Saved me a lot of money on room and board."

Lena waved him off. "Of course. I have an extra bedroom anyway."

"Honestly I would've been fine with the couch."

She laughed and set her bag down. Her apartment looked the exact same--messy and cluttered with things she didn't need. Lena tossed an empty box of cereal into the trash can. "Excuse the mess."

"All I see is a free bed." Danny admitted as he found his way to the guest room. 

"Yeah, food is on you, though." 

Danny was kind and funny. A good friend, but unfortunately one she wouldn't really pick out of the crowd. Emilia called out sick before the left for the Monaco GP, so they brought Danny to cover for her. He mostly worked on events and non-sports related shoots, so Lena knew he was feeling nervous. The least she could do was make his life a little bit easier. 

Lena opened her phone and scrolled through her messages, spotting her groupchat with Jaime and the other photographers at the football club. 

"Hey, I'm going out, okay?" She called out to Danny. "Just gonna visit some old friends. You have the spare key so make sure you lock the door if you leave."

She grabbed the keys to her motorcycle and headed for the door.

_____________________

"Long time no see."

Jaime whirled around and his mouth hung open at the sight of his old coworker. He gasped and rushed over to hug her. "You bitch--where have you been? We've been dying  over here without you."

Lena embraced him tightly, relishing the familiar feel of his hugs. "I missed you too, Jaime."

She pulled back. "And, I've been busy."

He scoffed. "Yeah, we know. Working for RedBull Racing--I can't believe you're working for them, you must be making bank."

"Trust me, I wouldn't have left you guys if the paycheck wasn't big enough." Lena smiled at him before nodding to herself. "I really missed you, Jaime. Things have been...weird."

"You're working for Max Verstappen, I don't want to hear any complaining from you." Jaime pointed at her and walked over to his desk. 

Lena rolled her eyes and shoved her hands into her pockets, remembering their moment in the hallway back in Miami. She could still feel the warmth of his hands on her waist, could still see his blue eyes gazing into her sometimes. 

"He's not all that. Kind of a dick, if I'm being honest." She shrugged. "But he's worth a whole lotta money."

"That, he is." Jaime smirked and walked back over to her. "Speaking of who you work for--or I guess, who you've worked for--loverboy's been pouting for the past three months because of you."

Lena stared at him blankly. 

"Wesley, idiot." Jaime tapped her on the head, which she swatted a way. "Ever since you ran away to Austria, he's been heartbroken, as one can say. Drooping around the arena and gazing longingly into your photo on the bulletin board."

She whacked him. "Shut up, he did not." Jaime raised an eyebrow. "Did he really?"

He shrugged. "Just telling you what I've seen. You really should go say something to him, his little heart might snap back into place. "

Lena groaned internally, already regretting what she had to do. 

She scrunched her nose at Jaime but reluctantly made her way to the entrance of the field, already spotting the players doing their warmups. 

A few that were right outside the doors saw her and hugged her, telling her they had missed her and making a few snarky jokes about her new job. But even their goofy comments were heartwarming. 

Her breath caught in her throat as a familiar head of black curls entered the field from the back entrance. It was now or never. 

"Hey, stranger."

Wesley turned around at the sound of her voice and the look on his face was one of sheer surprise, followed by a stern, emotionless expression. 

"Oh. Hi." He swallowed hard and started unzipping his bag.

Lena let out a breathy laugh and crossed her arms. "Three months and that's all I get? I missed you, Wes."

He kept his back to her. "Yep."

Now he was starting to piss her off. 

"Seriously? You're gonna be like this?" Lena shook her head. "Look, I'm sorry I never reached out and I'm sorry I never said anything, but you have to understand that--"

"Understand what?" Wes whirled around. "Understand that you left out of nowhere and never said a word to me? After a date--I mean we literally went out, Lena, and then you just left like I meant nothing to you. I think you  need to understand that."

She was at a loss for words, Lena had never seen him this upset. 

"I'm sorry. I-" She stopped and swallowed. "I didn't know what to do. I'm not good at goodbyes."

Wes stood awkwardly in front of her. "I know. I...I get it. It just upset me that you didn't even try to reach out. 

So the guilt she had been feeling this whole time actually had some weight. 

"I'm sorry, Wes." Lena smiled sadly at him. "I really am. C-can we start over? Or at least try?"

He inhaled, arms still at his sides, before exhaling and smiling. "Sure, asshole."

Lena laughed and embraced him. "You're the asshole." The familiar scent of his cologne filled her nose and make her wishs he'd never left in the first place. 

"Okay, stop touching me now because all the other guys are looking at us." 

Lena rolled her eyes and pulled away. "Well, how about I make it up to you?"

Wes returned her clever grin. "I'm listening."

"Ever been to the Monaco GP?"

a/n: i just planned out the rest of this book by making a timeline, and im literally so excited to keep writing so i might be posting a lot more than usual lately!