A World Alone - D.R.

fourteen

The after-party of the win was one of the best parties Joe had ever attended. He'd been training Dan since his Formula One debut, but none really topped this. At first, Joe had been a bit hesitant to let Dan drink, His immediate thoughts were of the perfect nutrition plan he'd designed for Dan, but it had been a long few years. He supposed Dan deserved a break, and it was the first party that Jade would experience. He'd enjoyed watching Jade and Dan together., They made a cute couple. When they didn't think anyone was looking, they'd give each other a peck on the cheek. Their hands hadn't unlinked since they'd walked into the swanky hotel bar. It didn't take a genius to figure out that when sober, Jade didn't really like socialising. She had one conversation topic and it was based around her Thesis, which made sense, she had been working towards it for about 8 years. But still, it wasn't the best thing to talk about at a party. Joe was sure she had just binned off socialising at university in favour of her studies. And that was why's she was clinging to Daniel, and why he was clinging to her. He was her crutch in situations such as these. He'd see how things would change after a while, as she had a few more drinks. Joe knew first hand how much Jade came out of her shell when she drank. The first night they met, in that dingy German bar, Jade had come across like a completely different person to the one she was sober. It surprised her that her sober self and Dan managed to get on so well.

***

Jade rolled her eyes at something Dan said but chuckled along with the rest of the group. She was a little sick of celebrating with the other team members, but it was something she had to do. She didn't quite see why she was needed there, Dan was the man of the hour - several hours, actually. She squeezed her hand free from Dan's grip and excused herself to the bathroom.

She headed straight for the marble counter lining one of the walls to check up on her face. Never in her life had she had so many photos taken of her. She was looking okay. Some of the make-up had worn off around her nose, and she rubbed the area around her nostrils a little, trying to see if she could disguise her flush underneath the make-up that had managed to stay on. How the other wives and girlfriends managed it she had no idea. Jade sighed and resolved herself to ask Celeste, Hulkenberg's girlfriend for some tips the next time she saw her. she ran a hand through her dark hair and sighed again. She was exponentially lucky really. She was quite average looking, and yet, had managed to score herself a bloody celebrity boyfriend. She'd much rather he was out of the limelight, but there was very little she could do about that now, except duck or cover her face anytime a camera lens was pointed in her direction. She didn't desire for any unsavoury people finding her. And it would be easy for them to do that. Formula One was a highly publicised sport after all. Jade took a deep breath and headed out of the bathroom with luxury hand soap and hand lotion beside every sink. Her mind was set on the bar, alive with the thoughts of all the drinks they offered.

Dan gratefully accepted the bottled beer she handed over. She'd looked on the drink menu before ordering, and selected one from an Australian Brewery. She wasn't sure he'd noticed. He was too caught up with talking about his overtakes in the race to Tim from finance. She didn't think Tim from finance had any idea about the differential settings Daniel was harping on about, but Tim was listening in with rapt attention. Tim had looked over and flashed a small smile in her direction, and she'd returned it weekly. Dan's hand found hers and he gave it a small squeeze. Dan rook a pause to take a couple of breaths, and Jade quickly seized her opportunity to head back their shared hotel room and take off her make up and save her feet from her heels. Dan turned to look at her girlfriend, as she leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"I think I might head up,"

Dan's eyebrows knitted together, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired," Jade smiled at her boyfriend. "And my feet are killing me!"

Dan smiled back, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Can you wait like 10? So I can say bye?" He gestured with one hand to the still full bar.

"I'll just meet you up there, I'm sure I'll see everyone tomorrow morning," She pecked his cheek, and slid off the barstool to her feet, wobbling slightly in the stilettos she had on. She drained the last of her drink, and set it down on the table.

Dan frowned but watched her go. He sighed, "I guess that's my cue. Thanks, mate," Dan bid goodbye to Tim at their table, He did the rounds, carting his beverage around as he wished the rest of the team members dotted around the hotel bar a good night. He ended up taking close to an hour, thanking everyone for their well-wishes.

***

By the time Dan arrived in his and Jade's shared room, she was passed out in the bed, One of her feet sticking out under the covers. Dan smiled, and kissed her forehead, causing her to stir a little and nuzzle herself deeper into the pillow. Dan undressed, leaving his clothes on the floor by the bed, and hopped in next to her. the feel of the bed shifting slightly under his weight, work Jade from her light slumber, and she automatically moved over to cuddle into Dan's side. The feel of Jade's cheek on the skin connecting his shoulder to his chest was a comforting enough presence for him to fall asleep within minutes. But Dan was sure the alcohol he'd been drinking all evening had helped him drift off. 

***

Ooof, I'm so sorry this is shorter than usual. I'll try and make it up next week, but I'm finding this harder to write about...