Formula 1 | One Shots (1)

Bets Off | Franco Colapinto

Author's Note: Banter & fluff? Sir yes sir 😝 

Done in reader POV
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I watched Franco stroll through the Williams garage for the third time today, that ridiculous smirk plastered on his face as if he owned the place. Ever since he'd joined the team mid season, he'd been making rounds, acting all friendly with everyone he encountered. The mechanics, the engineers, the catering staff...everyone seemed to love him. Everyone except me.

"Hey, Katerina!" Franco called out, waving in my direction as he caught my eye.

I rolled my eyes, my hands busy taping up Alex's wrists and making sure he stretched before he headed out for practice. "Busy here, Franco," I replied with a simple nod in his direction, not even sparing him another look.

Franco had this annoying tendency to linger. In fact, it seemed like every time I turned around, he was somewhere nearby, like a puppy that kept following me around the paddock. And it didn't help that his charm reminded me all too much of my ex...the same tendencies, the same cocky smile. It got on my nerves. I didn't need a reminder of my past mistakes walking around in a fireproof suit.

Alex gave me a quick glance, barely suppressing a smirk. "You know, he's not that bad."

"Oh, he's insufferable," I muttered under my breath. "The worst kind."

"Come on, Kat," Alex teased. "I think he's just trying to be friendly."

"I don't need 'friendly,'" I replied, rolling my eyes. "I need 'out of my way.' Now don't make me give you a three mile run for tonight's workout...."

Just as I finished speaking, Franco spawned by my side again. "Hey, Katerina," he said in that annoyingly cheerful tone of his. "Need help with anything?"

"It's just Kat," I said. "And yes I do need help. Can you take about twenty steps back and try not to be in my line of sight for a solid ten minutes?"

Franco laughed, clearly not deterred by my coldness. "You're a tough one to crack, aren't you? I like a challenge."

"And you're dense as a rock," I replied, my voice sharp as I turned back to Alex. "Isn't there somewhere you need to be? Prepping for FP1?"

"Oh, I don't know," Franco said. "I think I'm exactly where I need to be. Besides, I have this theory."

Alex raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "A theory, huh?"

"Yeah," Franco continued, ignoring my clear look of irritation. "I think Kat secretly likes me."

I snorted, not bothering to hide my disdain. "In your dreams, Colapinto."

"Now, now, Kat," Franco said with a dramatic sigh. "You don't have to be so hostile. We could get along, you know, if you just gave me a chance."

"Right, well...because that worked so well for the last guy I knew with your attitude," I shot back, giving him a cold stare.

He paused for a moment, as if he was actually processing what I said and then shrugged. "Maybe that's because he didn't know what he was doing. You're looking at an upgraded model."

Alex snorted, trying to hold back his laughter. "She's got you there, Franco."

"Oh, so you're ganging up on me now?" Franco shot Alex a glare, then turned to me, a mischievous look in his eye. "Alright, Kat, tell me, what would it take to make you smile?"

I crossed my arms, giving him a fake sweet smile. "The rest of the season without hearing your voice."

He laughed, a sound that was irritatingly pleasing to hear. "Come on, even you have to admit that was funny."