Thanks to Norris

part 31- leaving

4:18 AM – Leaving the Club, Monaco Streets
The bass faded behind you as the five of you slipped out the side entrance into the early-morning hush of Monaco. The city was quieter now — velvet sky above, just a whisper of wind off the marina. The kind of silence that only shows up after the party dies.

Josi and Charles were hanging off each other, laughing like lunatics. Josi had her heels in one hand and her clutch in the other, stumbling a little with every step. Charles wasn't any better — hair a mess, shirt untucked, voice slurring in French and English like his brain forgot which mode it was in.

You watched them with a mixture of amusement and regret.

You (sighing):
"I can't leave them alone for five minutes without it turning into a rom-com subplot."

Max Fewtrell and Lando had emerged behind you, both a little sweaty, still riding the high from the night, jackets tossed over their shoulders.

Lando (grinning):
"You sure you don't want help dragging your couple of the year home?"

You (groaning):
"No. I'll handle them. I always do."

Max F.:
"Yeah, well — bad news. We live in the same direction, so you're stuck with us anyway."

You didn't argue. It was late. Monaco's quiet back streets were barely lit, bathed in a soft golden haze from the old lamps lining the alleys. The four of you walked slowly.

Then the reality of your situation hit you.

Charles nearly tripped over a curb.

Josi shrieked laughing, then leaned her whole body into him. They were whispering and giggling and — honestly — a bit too handsy for 4 AM in public.

You sighed and handed them off.

You:
"Max. Take Josi."
You:
"Norris. You're on Charles duty. If he throws up on you, you deserve it."

They didn't even argue. Lando groaned dramatically but stepped up. Max pulled Josi's arm over his shoulder, steadying her with the smoothness of a man who had done this before.

You dropped to the back, walking a few paces behind, letting the city swallow the noise in front of you.

And that's when you pulled it out — the half-smoked joint from earlier. You lit it silently, the tiny flame flaring and then dying as the cherry glowed softly. The smoke curled in the air like a secret. You didn't need much. Just something to take the edge off again.

Up ahead, Josi and Charles were deep in conversation. Flirty. Teasing. Lost in each other. Neither of them even noticed the rest of you anymore.

You exhaled.

And then you heard it:

Max (glancing over his shoulder):
"...Wait. Are you smoking?"

Lando (turning too):
"Seriously? You told Max you quit."

You met their eyes through the smoke, not hiding it.

You (flatly):
"I lied."

Max F. (shaking his head):
"You're unbelievable. You yell at me for vaping once in the paddock and now you're out here like you're starring in a French indie film."

Lando:
"You do realize you're walking behind us, holding a joint, while your best friend and Charles are basically falling in love right in front of you, right?"