"What if we're better as a team?" Lando asked, his gaze softening.
"We're better as rivals," Rose replied, her heart pulling her in two directions.
In this world of speed ambition friendship and love, every race could change everything-on and off th...
The Bahrain International Circuit was alive with anticipation, the dry desert air buzzing with the hum of engines and the chatter of fans. The paddock was a vibrant hive of activity, with mechanics fine-tuning the cars and engineers poring over data screens in the team garages. The smell of fuel and the faint scent of desert sand lingered in the air, mingling with the occasional waft of sizzling street food from the fan zones.
Lando arrived at the circuit early, as he always did on race day. The first race after the mid-season break carried its own weight, and Bahrain was no exception. His McLaren team was a flurry of motion, preparing for a race that could set the tone for the rest of the season. Lando greeted his team with a focused nod, slipping seamlessly into the rhythm of pre-race preparations.
Standing at the back of the garage was Rose, her presence an anchor of calm in the storm of activity. Despite her retirement, she was still a regular in the paddock, offering guidance and support to young drivers and her closest friends. Today, she was here for Lando. Beside her stood Flo, Lando's younger sister, who had come to watch the race and cheer him on. Flo's excitement was palpable as she peppered Rose with questions about everything from race strategies to life outside the paddock.
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"Are you ready for this?" Rose asked Lando as he approached, her tone light but with an underlying seriousness.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Lando replied, flashing her a quick grin. But Rose noticed the way his shoulders tensed, the faint edge in his voice betraying a nervous energy he was trying to hide. Something was off. Bahrain marked the start of a crucial leg in his championship battle, and she could sense the pressure was starting to weigh on him.
"You sure?" she asked softly, her eyes searching his face.
Lando hesitated, the grin slipping for a moment. "Not entirely," he admitted, glancing toward the car. "There's something... I don't know. The handling feels inconsistent, like it's changing every lap. The team's gone over it a dozen times and can't find anything specific. It's hard to put my finger on it, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "We'll see in the race."
Rose frowned slightly but nodded, her instincts telling her to tread carefully. "Trust yourself out there," she said after a pause, her voice steady. "If something feels wrong, don't push it too hard."
"Yeah," Lando said, his grin returning, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Let's hope it's nothing."
She stepped closer, brushing her hand along his cheek to catch his attention. Without a word, she leaned in and kissed him softly. When she pulled back, she reached for his hand, guiding it gently to her belly. "Now you have two people waiting for you at home," she said, her voice filled with quiet emotion.
Lando's expression softened as his hand rested on her belly. A small smile tugged at his lips, and for a moment, the tension seemed to fade. "Don't worry," he said, his voice calm and steady. "It's fine. Everything's fine."
