From the Past - Lando Norris

Forty-Six: Good Night

I knock on Peter's door and gasp as he drags me inside slamming it shut behind me, "What is happening?" I giggle as he picks up a glass of wine sipping it nervously. He's already dressed to go out but he looks panicked.

"I may or may not have sent a flirty sexy to one of your friends when I was drunk last night," he whispers. I widen my eyes and pour myself a glass instantly interested in the situation.

I sit on the couch trying to think of who he could have sent a text to, "It was a guy," he adds making me widen my eyes even further.

"Do you know if he's into guys?" I ask sipping my wine, "I can't even think of who you could have potentially texted."

He sighs, "He hasn't responded and I think I ruined everything. We met at one of the Formula One events and then started texting. He wanted to learn more about mixology and I wanted to learn about racing," he says.

I cut him off shocked, "You want to learn about racing?"

He glares at me, "You're my best friend and I feel like I have to learn about a big part of your life. Shut up," he says making me smile.

"That's so sweet. Continue."

"I couldn't tell if he was bi and I guess drunk me decided to shoot my shot," he rambles.

"So it's a racing guy," I whisper thinking out loud, "Charles?" I question.

"No, he's not my type."

I raise an eyebrow, "No offense but the man is gorgeous."

He nods in agreement, "I know but you know I like younger guys," he says as I nod my head remembering our conversations about love. I always said I'd say one year younger and however many years older. While he wants one year older or younger within reason. Kelsey called him a cougar but he said he'd never date someone who's 19 when he's 25. But he would date someone 28 when he's 34. I get it. Who's a younger guy in racing that he could potentially like?

I widen my eyes giggling and he hides his face in a pillow, "It's Arthur, isn't it?" I ask sounding giddy.

"I'm humiliated."

I pull the pillow back smiling, "He's a really sweet guy. Even if he didn't feel the same way he wouldn't make a big deal of it," I assure him. He pulls his phone out showing me the text.

"My doctor said I lack vitamin D. Can you help give me it?" I read out loud absolutely gagged. I cover my mouth looking at him in complete shock, "There is no fucking why you sent that," I gasp.

"I KNOW."

I see the read receipt at the bottom and my heart drops a little for him, "It may be a little worse than I thought but...it's kind of funny. Maybe you can play it off."

"I don't think I can. Scroll down one more," he whispers. I hesitantly scroll down.

"I must be a beaver because I'm dying for your wood," I say starting to laugh, "Where the fuck did you find these?" I ask.

He takes his phone back whining, "It's not funny. I was starting to like him and I didn't want to mess anything up."

"You do know he's going to the party tonight?" I ask, "This could be your chance to explain. Say you were dared or something and forgot all about it."

"I guess I could. Or I could avoid him all night with your help," I point out. I give him a look and he sighs knowing that's the worst decision. I stand up and down the rest of my wine before holding my hand out.

"Let's go face the consequences of your actions," I softly smile. We walk outside after I get the notification that Uber is here. When we arrive I can see him looking around nervously. I was looking forward to seeing Arthur tonight but now I'm a little nervous. Peter immediately goes to get a drink as I look for Lando. After searching the entire house I finally find him in the backyard with Oscar, Kelsey, Charles, and Arthur.

He pulls me onto his lap, "What took you guys so long?" He asks as I put my arm over his shoulder.

I lean into his shoulder, "I'll tell you later," I whisper kissing his cheek as I pull away. He squeezes my thigh as I turn back to the group. I listen to their conversation as Lando's hand absentmindedly runs along the hem of my dress.

Peter comes over and I can tell by the blush on his cheeks he downed at least 3 shots inside before coming out. He hands me a glass and I thank him as he sits beside Kelsey, across from Arthur.

Arthur is staring at his drink subtly glancing at Peter. I turn back to Lando so my staring isn't obvious and he looks at me confused, "Where is everyone else?" I ask.

He shrugs sipping his beer, "Carlos is inside, Max isn't here yet, Daniel couldn't make it, Alex and George are playing a drinking game, and I think Pierre is somewhere with his girlfriend," he fills me in.

"We should play a game," I say looking at everyone, "Somebody else pick 'cause I have no ideas."

Oscar laughs shaking his head with his arm around Kelsey. Charles leans forward, "We can play good old-fashioned truth or dare."

Everyone slowly comes around to the idea. It's nice to feel like a kid again. Charles dramatically turns to Kelsey, "Truth or dare?" She tells him truth and he smiles, "What's your favorite thing about Oscar?" He asks keeping it wholesome.

Oscar rubs her shoulder as she thinks, "He's really romantic. Every race weekend he sends me flowers saying he's thinking about me," she says making all of us look at him in awe.

"That's fucking adorable," I whisper holding my heart. He kisses the side of her head as she looks around the group deciding who to ask. We go through a couple of rounds some of their friends joining in the middle. Everyone is either tipsy or drunk as we giggle along.

I turn to Arthur, "Truth or dare?" I ask him. He downs the rest of his drink knowing the game has gotten more intense. He says dare, "I dare you to give a little smooch to the person you find the most attractive in the circle," I tell him.

George hands Lando another beer as everyone watches intently. There are a couple of girls in the group that have joined but I'm hoping he kisses Peter. I wonder what Charles would think.

The bonfire glows on everyone's face as Arthur stands up. His white button-down shirt is flattened by his hands as he nervously stands up. Everyone cheers as he looks around the group. He walks over to the bench Kelsey, Oscar, and Peter are on and I see Oscar tense up thinking he's about to kiss Kelsey. But he leans down putting his arm on the back of the bench as his other hand cups Peter's cheek.

He presses his lips to Peter's and I smile brightly seeing it's more than a little peck, "That's why we were late," I whisper in Lando's ear.

Charles yells for them to get a room as Arthur pulls away looking into Peter's eyes. They are both having a conversation without words before Arthur pulls away sitting back down. Peter winks at me as Arthur asks Alex a truth or dare. Tonight is such a good night.