Racing Hearts

33. Protective

The warm summer sun burns down on the paddock as we're back at the track, the first race after the summer break. It's the first time I'm seeing Lando again in weeks.

I spot him standing outside his driver's room, McLaren luckily let me inside. His cap pulled low, scrolling on his phone. My heart skips a beat like always but the moment he notices me walking toward him, his whole posture stiffens. His gaze flicks up, eyes cold.

Lando: Shouldn't you be with your great boyfriend?

He sighs annoyed, his voice laced with sarcasm. I freeze for a second, not expecting him to be like this.

Alison: What a welcome after three weeks...

I try to play it cool, forcing a small smile but deep down, it stings.

Lando: Not scared someone might see us together?

His eyes dart around the paddock, not even bothering to look at me properly. That's it. I cross my arms in front of my chest, narrowing my eyes.

Alison: Are you serious right now? Are you jealous again? We Facetimed every fucking day. I told you everything Lewis and I did.

I try to stay calm, but the frustration bubbles up in my voice. It's either Martin or Lewis, always something standing between us. Lando finally looks at me, his green eyes burning with something between anger and hurt.

Lando: What do you expect me to say? Did you even look at the pictures you uploaded?

I blink, caught off guard.

Alison: Oh... you mean the one where I pretend Lewis is actually you?

He clenches his jaw. He knows I'm right but still can't let it go. There's a long silence between us, only the distant noise of engines filling the air.

Lando: Do you even love me? For real?

My heart stops. Before I can even answer, the door behind him opens. I turn my head and there he is.

Martin.

Standing in the doorway like a fucking ghost from my past, arms crossed, judging gaze flicking between us. Of course he's here. Of course Lando didn't tell me... again. My stomach drops.

Martin: Who loves who, mate?

I swallow hard, turning back to Lando.

Disappointed.

Hurt.

Alison: He's here? You didn't tell me... again?

Lando's eyes widen.

Lando: Ally, I was going to—

Alison: No, Lando.

I take a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. Totally ignoring the fact Martin is with us.

Alison: I get it. He's more important than me. He always was, right? But don't ever fucking make a drama about Lewis and me again.

I spin on my heel, ready to walk away but Martin blocks the door like the idiot he is, arms still crossed.

Martin: Someone wants to explain to me what's going on?

I narrow my eyes at him, clenching my fists.

Alison: How about asking your best friend who fucks your ex?

His mouth falls open, but I don't wait for a reaction. I push him gently to the side, slipping past him, leaving both of them behind with the truth hanging heavy in the air. As I walk away, I can still hear them inside the room. I stop to listen.