Stay A While | DR3 | BOOK 2

14 - Comfort

cw: some light adult content

--

Zak clicked his tongue. "You've got a lot on your plate. I'm sympathetic to that. But, Alexa...

"He's made his choice clear. And we need someone now. Yesterday. Last week. We need a Team Principal."

--

Well, I knew one thing for sure; I couldn't let this all get in the way of tonight.

Just one night of not having to stress about anyone else, a few hours of peace. Something I hadn't had the past two-or-so weeks, the days having dragged on thanks to constant worry.

I'd bring it up to Daniel, eventually. This effects him as much as it does me. Maybe tonight. Maybe I'd give him the luxury of not knowing, until I had my opportunity to beat Carson down.

But as I shut the engine off in my Urus, planting the back of my head flat against the headrest and pushing my body down, as far as the leather would take it, I decided tonight was about us. Daniel and I.

I couldn't take too long down here in the garage, not if I didn't want Daniel to know something was up. More than the usual, tonight. All I needed was a few deep breaths in and out; to let reality sink in, the gravity of what Zak had proposed. How it would change everything if I said yes, a preposterous idea.

It was coming on more clearly now, the anger towards Carson for being so difficult. This was a clear opportunity for him to fast-track his career, as Zak said. And it was true. Wasn't that Carson's goal this whole time? Naturally wouldn't it be anyone's dream, working in F1? As a life-long race enthusiast?

The opportunity to call yourself a Team Principal. Fulfilling one role of only 20 in the world, right now, for a team with racing history. Heritage.

I puffed my cheeks in an exaggerated exhale while finally getting out of the car. This would not get in the way. Tonight was about Daniel and I.

"Daniel?" I emerged from the garage, calling out. From the sounds of it, he was upstairs. Checking the time on on the stove as I passed it I saw I wasn't at all late, despite stopping at the Tech Centre. Traffic swayed in my favor.

He had music playing lightly upstairs, the smell of body wash coasting through to my bedroom from the ensuite in a visible cloud of warm air. I crept forward slowly, hands pressed behind my back and my body leaned forward in anticipation.

A hand flew across my hand, my back pressed against the wall, stifling laughter. It was a scene of pure bliss; Daniel facing the mirror, singing along to the song playing. The lights sending beams glistening off his slightly damp, clean body. His towel tied lazily around his waist, leaving nearly nothing to the imagination.

I leaned a shoulder against the doorway. "You're a sight for sore eyes."

Daniel jumped slightly, clearly not expecting me. His expression quickly softened into an excited smile, turning and leaning on the counter, hands flexing against the hard marble. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," I glanced in satisfaction at the full sight ahead of me, biting my cheek and letting a smile spread across my lips. My temples thudded, confused and exhausted suddenly, the joy of seeing Daniel and being able to spend time with him interrupted by something dark.