Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 31

Carlos groaned the minute he woke up. Those windows he loved so much in his new bedroom of his Monaco house were now his worst enemy. Sunlight streamed through the room, scattered all over the half-empty boxes and clothes. He peeked open an eye at his phone on his nightstand and read that it was 9:30am. He rolled over and pulled the sheets over his head, thinking about how normally by 9:30, he'd have completed a whole training session and probably had a meeting or two.

"Well, that's the beauty of the summer break. I finally have a fucking break," he thought to himself. His mind immediately went to the plans he had for him and Marie for the break. It started with a week in Madrid with his family, a trip to Paris, a brief stop in wine country, then back to Monaco. He forgot to cancel the jet until the pilot texted him for confirmation of takeoff time. He had a brief thought to do the trip alone, or invite one of the girls in his dm's. Social media had caught on to the breakup faster than he thought they would, and Carlos' messages were flooded. He hadn't been through a proper breakup in a very long time. Normally, when he ended things with a fuck buddy, he would just get really drunk and sleep with a stranger. It always worked, it was practically foolproof for him. But he had never felt like this before. He chalked it up to the fact that they were in a real relationship, but still, his emotions were so foreign to him. Carlos felt his stomach rumbling, which was enough for him to get up and make breakfast. He didn't bother putting on any clothes and swiped a fresh beer from his fridge as he wandered into the living room. He rubbed a hand over his face and the stubble that was growing out rapidly as he wandered around. He looked over towards the second bedroom. The pain stabbed him in the heart, the same thing he felt every time he looked at the door. He refused to go in there, as he still had no idea what to do with it. He had a whole plan to have it decorated and ready for her as a surprise. Inside that door sat a brand new desk, desk chair, and other assorted decorative things, still neatly wrapped and sealed off. Carlos wasn't much with his words, but he was great with personal and meaningful gifts. He stood there, taking a long swig of his beer as he stood in front of the door.

"Maybe tomorrow," he grunted as he turned and walked back to the kitchen.

**

Marie yawned loudly as she reached around for her phone. She let herself sleep in today because she had the day off work and she deserved an award for getting through that weekend. It was a good thing she left the grand prix early because she knew she would've caved the minute he pulled off his helmet and combed through his hair. Marie took a deep inhale, smelling... pancakes? She threw on some fresh clothes and wandered into the kitchen, following the heavenly smell of her childhood. She plopped herself onto one of the barstools, helping herself to some fruit that was cut up in front of her.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Jesus you scared me," Erin said as she whipped around. "Good morning sleepyhead, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Marie said. She wasn't lying this time, she was definitely more fine than she had been in a while. She locked eyes with her best friend who was making a face. "What is that face! I'm telling the truth."

"So you're telling me that I didn't need to make your favorite breakfast because you're fine?" Erin used air quotes around the word 'fine.'

"I will not turn down pancakes. But I'm honestly okay. I took my time to be depressed and sad and just cry constantly. But I mean I saw him and talked to him this past weekend and I survived. It wasn't easy but at least that's over. It's all uphill from here," Marie said with a shrug as she grabbed another raspberry.

"Okay so that changes my plan," Erin said as she picked up her phone and started typing away. Marie reached over for pancakes, butter and syrup in the meantime. "Okay!" Erin said with a clap and a small jump. "We have plans tonight. Well, we always had plans."