Thanks to Norris

part 65- after race

After the podium celebrations and the whirlwind of interviews, the evening settled quietly. Unlike other race weekends, there was no official after-party tonight — just a calm hush over the paddock as teams packed up and fans drifted away.

You returned to your hotel, the buzz of the day slowly fading behind you. The room felt vast and empty compared to the chaos of the track. You dropped your jacket on the chair and sank onto the edge of the bed, your thoughts spinning.

The victory still felt surreal, but beneath it lingered the quiet ache — the distance between you and Lando, the words left unsaid, the moments you both tried to hold back.

You reached for your phone, scrolling through the messages, the pictures from the weekend, the brief texts from friends congratulating you. But none of it filled the quiet that had settled in the room.

For a long time, you just sat there — the silence thick, but somehow comforting.

Tonight, it was just you. Alone with your thoughts, your wins, and the fragile hope that maybe, tomorrow, things could start to mend.

After flying back to England, the pace finally slowed. With a week off and no race on the horizon, you could finally breathe, unwind, and just be yourself again.

You spent most days with Josi — catching up on things outside of racing, laughing, cooking meals, and soaking in the rare quiet moments. When she had modeling gigs, you used the free time to reconnect with friends and reset your headspace.

One afternoon, you stopped by Max Fewtrell's place. He greeted you warmly, clearly happy to see you.

After some casual catching up, Max shifted the conversation, his tone a little more serious.

"Look," he said, "I know things have been complicated with Lando. We're best mates, you know that. If you want to talk, or if you need someone to help figure stuff out, I'm here."

You appreciated the offer. Max had been supportive all weekend, and hearing his perspective gave you a little space to breathe.

"Thanks, Max," you said quietly. "It's a mess right now. But maybe talking about it will help."

He nodded, giving you that easy, reassuring smile you remembered so well.

Sometimes, even when things felt tangled, having someone who understood made all the difference.

That evening, Max and you settled in for a chill Twitch stream at his place. The vibe was relaxed — just gaming, chatting with viewers, and winding down after a hectic few weeks. You joked around, sharing stories from the paddock, laughing at the wild moments, and teasing Max about his gaming skills.

Later, when Pietra came home, she greeted both of you warmly, sliding effortlessly into the easy camaraderie. After a bit more streaming, the conversation turned to plans for the next day.

"Golf?" Max suggested with a grin. "I think we all need a bit of fresh air after all this madness."

You agreed instantly, and Pietra was on board too. Josi was happy to join as well, so plans were made: the four of you would hit the golf course the next morning.

The following day, the sun was shining bright over the rolling greens. You, Josi, Max, and Pietra were laughing and teasing each other as you played, enjoying the fresh air and the rare chance to just be friends without the pressure of racing or media.

Then, out of nowhere, Lando appeared at the edge of the course.

He stood quietly for a moment, watching the group with that familiar calm intensity. You felt your chest tighten — the old, complicated mix of emotions flared up again.