Austin was a lot colder this year than previous years. I only had on a thin pair of trousers and my Renault top. I sat in the garage, reading data on the screens in front of me, we had just finished up qualifying and I was preparing myself for debriefing. I turned my head to see Daniel and Nico walking through, Daniel catching eye contact with me and flashing a cheeky grin. He had been improving is times all weekend and I knew he would only get better tomorrow. Daniel and I chatted but we weren't proper friends, he'd make a few jokes here and there but I was a stranger to him really. Part of me wanted to get to know him better but why would he do that when he could talk to any girl he wanted.
I cradled a cup of coffee as we had debrief, a couple of electric heaters plugged in to try and head up the room. I tried to concentrate on what everyone was saying but I was so cold my mind couldn't concentrate on anything else but getting back to my room and curling up into my duvet. After we finally finished I went back to the garage to gather all of my stuff up, just about everyone else had already gone home, the boys were finishing up some press and a couple of engineers were staying to make sure we were fully prepared for the morning.
As I stepped out into the harsh winds I pulled my cardigan around me tighter, pulling my phone out of my bag so I could book an Uber back to my hotel. A felt a small tap on my shoulder, I turned around to see the happy Australian standing behind me, wrapped up in a large coat and a black beanie.
"Hey, are you heading back to the hotel?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, just about to book a taxi."
"W-Well, I can drive us if you'd like? Saves a load of hassle..." Daniels eyes flicked from mine to the floor repeatedly.
"Yes please, if you don't mind." He grinned again and we began to walk to his car.
Daniel grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me into his side, wrapping his coat around the two of us. My cheeks began to turn a light shade of pink, people we walked past staring at the two of us, making me feel slightly self conscious.
"Did you have much for lunch?" I looked up, his dark brown eyes gleaming.
"Couple packets of crisps. It's been a busy day." Daniel nodded as we approached his car. He opened the car door for me, I thanked him as I sat down, Daniel closing the door behind me. He got in the other side and we drove away from the circuit. The radio quietly played in the background, Daniel's fingers tapping along to the beat on the steering wheel.
"Did you want to get some food and hang out or something?" I turned my head, Daniel looking extremely nervous, making me chuckle.
"Yeah that sounds good."
We arrived back at the hotel and took the lift up to Daniels room, deciding that we should order room service. Daniel gave me a hoodie and I sat down on the edge of the bed, while he changed in the bathroom. Daniel came back in and sat next to me, putting on a film and ordering dinner.
"Can I ask you something?" Daniel looked over at me and nodded, his usual grin had been replaced by a concerned frown.
"How come you wanted to hang out? Almost a whole year of working together, why now?"
"I've wanted to talk to you properly since day one, but every time I'd go to say something my brain would just freeze and I'd have to turnaround quickly before I made an absolute fool of myself." I giggled as he began to ramble, his eyes widening and his grin starting to reappear. "But then I realised that I couldn't wait any longer and I had so say something. I know it must seem completely out of the blue and I understand if think that I am a complete loony but you're just the most kind, intelligent, beautiful woman I have ever met and..." I reached out and placed my hand on top of his.
"Daniel breathe... it's okay. I do think that you're a complete looney..." Daniel's face started to drop again. "only because you waited this bloody long to say anything." Daniel chuckled and entwined his fingers with mine.
The food arrived soon after and we sat on the bed and tucked into our meals, watching a film on Netflix but we were hardly paying attention. We were too busy chatting and laughing at each other. After we finished eating Daniel wrapped his arms around me pulling me into his lap, his fingertips tracing patterns on my hips.
"I wish I'd spoken to you sooner, can't believe I've been missing this for so long?" I smiled and rested my head in the crook of his neck. "When the season is over, would you wanna come home with me? Spend some proper time together... o-only if you want to." I smiled and pressed a small kiss to his lips before pulling away.
"I'd love to Daniel."His face lit up like a fireworks display before pressing his lips against mine again, one hand cupping my cheek, the other resting on the back of my head. As we pulled away he pressed a small kiss to my nose before laying us down in bed. Our legs entwined and my head resting on his chest. My eyes began to feel heavy as Daniel ran his fingers through my hair.
"Sleep baby, I'll still be here in the morning." I nodded and mumbled a good night to him. "Sweet dreams beautiful."
