Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 44

Marie couldn't shake the lingering sadness and disappointment as she re-adjusted in her seat. Even in business class, she was still a bit cramped as she crossed and re-crossed her legs. Her book was boring, the TV show and movie selection was garbage, and Marie opened and closed her social media enough to stall out the apps. Part of her felt wrong for being on a plane while the rest of the team, and Carlos, were doing their qualifying race in Qatar. She tried to watch it on video stream, but no streams were loading while in the air. She refreshed her Twitter, waiting for some outlet to post the official results.

Erin: So, you're good with him now?

Yep! We're friends, clean slate.: Marie

Erin: Bull-fucking shit.

No seriously I think we're all good.:Marie

Erin: My love, he defended your HONOR. He came to your rescue like rapunzel or cinderella or something

Technically I came to my own rescue because I punched him first: Marie

Erin: I know that's what you said. But still, he's still in love with you

We care about each other. Keeping it friendly until I never have to see him again!: Marie

Erin: How many races left?

After this one it's just Austin and Mexico: Marie

Marie forced down the sadness that formed like a lump in her throat. It was unexpected, mostly because she knew how much she was dreading this job in the first place. There was excitement, sure, of this new job that would take her to where she wanted to go. A big step in her 10 year plan. But there was something so final about all of it, like the last time she would ever see him again. Much less time with her dad, leaving a great team of people who were kind and welcoming. Not getting the chance to explore new cities every weekend and rack up a ton of airline points.

"No, this is the right choice."

The thought rang out in her head as she refreshed her twitter, seeing that Carlos nabbed a front row start in 2nd place. A smile broke out on her face as she switched over to his contact, shooting him a congratulatory text.

**

Marie: Second place, not too shabby.

Marie: (Congratulations, wish I could be there)

Carlos could feel his mouth contorting into a smile at her texts. He read the words over and over again, thinking back to all the texts she would send when she couldn't make it to races earlier in the season. They always had the same essence of slight bullying that he loved more than anything.

Ah, I've really missed these texts: Carlos

(Thank you, glad you watched it): Carlos

Marie: You better make sure it's worthwhile for me to block out my calendar for this race tomorrow

What's got you back in the UK?: Carlos

Marie: Meetings. Always meetings. The funny part is that 90% of them are over zoom??

So theoretically you don't even need to be there?: Carlos

Marie: Precisely that. Also, I have some work stuff to talk to you about so give me a call tonight if you have a chance?

Carlos' heart jumped at that sentence, wondering what that could mean. Was it fully about work? Was this a ploy to talk to each other more? The thoughts alone made him sweat.

Yeah, I'll call you tonight: Carlos

The text felt eerily similar to their past, like an old comforting hug. He set his phone down, running both hands through his hair before standing up. He looked around his room, seeing the places where their photos were taken down. The little things she had bought or arranged in this room for him. It reeked of her, all over. The couch where they hooked up when he was still pretending they were only friends. The mirror she always took pictures of them in. The little drawer that she reorganized after going on a long rant about how it made her nauseous to look at. And sitting, barely visible, on the shelf was a small rock from their favorite beach in Monaco. He never got rid of it and it always made him think of their first real date, even though the framed photo of that date was an early casualty after the breakup. His thoughts were interrupted by his manager coming in to collect him for post-quali briefing.