Forever and always

Chapter twenty-seven

Charles's pov:
September 2021

We arrived in the Netherlands straight from Spa, where last weekend's race had been nothing short of a disaster. Three laps under the safety car, a drenched track, and a frustrating weekend that left everyone with a sour taste. I'm hoping Zandvoort can offer something better—both on and off the track.

But my mind wasn't on the race. Not entirely.

Olivia had been unwell after Belgium. Dizzy. Nauseous. Complaining of stomach pain she tried to brush off with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. I know her too well by now. She's strong, stubborn as hell, but not invincible. And I hate this feeling—that there's something going on and I can't fix it.

"You good, mon amour?" I asked as we slid into the rental car outside the airport.

"For a hundredth time, Charles, I'm fine. I promise" she said, flashing me that small, deflecting grin that always hides more than it shows.

I didn't believe her, but I didn't press. Not yet. "Fine" I muttered and started the car.

We headed to Joe's house. Olivia liked staying there when she came to the Netherlands. Familiar walls, the comfort of Cooper's tail thumping against the floor, a kitchen that always smelled like coffee and toast. I liked it too. Better than some cold hotel suite. Jos was good company, surprisingly grounded for the father of Max Verstappen.

The drive was easy—laughter, little jokes, fingers brushing over the gearshift. But there was a quiet tension between us. Neither of us said it, but we were both thinking about last time. About the accident.

Even the same stretch of road felt heavy. Haunted.

We arrived safely. Jos greeted us by the door, and whitin minutes, we were catching up over coffee.

"If it's okay with you guys" Jos said after a while, "Max asked if he could come over tomorrow"

Olivia looked up. "Dad, it's your house. You don't have to ask"

"I know. But still... are you sure it won't be weird?"

She hesitated only a second. "We're good. Max and I talked. And honestly, the three of us need to talk. Probably overdue"

I nodded. It was time. She was right.

Jos gave me a small smile. "Maybe include your mother too"

Olivia gave a quiet laugh. "Yeah. Might as well have a family summit"

I'd only met Sophie once—in the hospital. We barely exchanged pleasantries. Still, the thought of everyone sitting down, no tension, no secrets... it sounded impossible. But good.

*the next day*

Max arrived around lunchtime. The last time I saw him outside the paddock, Olivia was unconscious in a hospital bed. And before that... well, let's just say the two of us had never exactly bonded over anything but our mutual dislike for each other.

"Hey Max" I said, trying not to sound awkward. Or defensive.

"Charles" he replied, and—surprisingly—smiled.

He hugged Jos and Olivia, and then we sat down for lunch. It was a big stiff. Some silences stretched too long. But we got through it. Afterward, Joe and Olivia took Cooper for a walk, leaving Max and me alone in the living room.

Great.

We sat across from each other—two guys who'd been rivals since karting, thrown together by love for the same woman.

Max cleared his throat. "Look, like I told Oli... I respect your relationship. I see how much you care about her. It's just... weird, y'know? You and me—enemies since day one"