Just Him ❤

10. Mick.

Seb chucked his hold all down on the floor and looked around the large hotel suite. The heat of Mexico was going to take some getting used to after spending time at home in Switzerland. He flopped down on to the sofa. He wondered what was on Chloe's mind. The day Hannah had moved out they'd watched a couple of movies together and fallen asleep on the sofa. He'd woken with her in his arms again, she'd almost gone rigid when she woke up and preceded to tell him this couldn't keep happening. Since then, they'd remained their usually friendly selves with the usual piss taking and banter but she'd seemed a bit distant physically. On the flight over she had seemed to withdraw in to herself even more. He didn't know how to tell her he missed those comforting little touches she gave him. Chloe let herself in, saying nothing as she went through to her bedroom. Whenever Seb had a two bedroom suite she would be staying with him. She stopped at the bedroom's window gazing out over the city. Tomorrow she would be seeing Mick, Michael's son, she hadn't seen him since she left. He would only remind her of his father, the man she still missed desperately.
"Chloe." Seb's voice brought her back out of her thoughts. She turned to see he was standing in the doorway. "Are you ok? You've barely spoken since we got off the plane."

"Yeah I'm fine, just a bit tired that's all." She hoped that would be enough. It would be hard enough tomorrow without talking about it now.

"Oh, I was going to order food from room service, want anything?"

"Nah, I'm not really hungry. Do you mind if I just get some sleep?"

"Yeah sure." He was a little surprised she wanted to sleep already. It was only mid afternoon. He left the room and closed the door behind him.

                                ~*~

Chloe emerged from her bedroom the next morning feeling a little guilty. She'd hadn't left her room since yesterday afternoon. She walked quietly in to the small kitchen area to get a glass of water. Her mouth was dry already from the anxiety of seeing Mick. She hadn't seem him since 2014 when he'd just turned 15. Her last memory of him was of a teenage boy, devasted by his father's brain injury. She had, along with Sabine, been trying to cope with her own emotions as well as his.
"Hey, how are you feeling this morning?" Seb broke her out of thoughts as he walked out from his bedroom, "You were great company last night!" He tried to joke with her.

"Erm yeah sorry about that. I guess I must have been more tired than I thought." She gave him a small smile.

"I wish you'd tell me what's on your mind. I know there's something." He stepped closer to her. There was a knock at the door, breakfast had arrived.

"I'm fine, really." She walked away to open the door and let the waiter bring the trolley in.

                                 ~*~

They arrived at Mexico's amazing race circuit. The stadium area was all set up for practice to start on Friday. Today was a press day for all the drivers involved. Chloe had been in touch with Maria, Mick's press officer, arranging joint interviews for Team Germany as well as organizing a few for Seb himself. He would also be filming promotional clips for tv and websites. Seb couldn't help but eye Chloe's bum in her tight red skinny jeans. Today was her first day back in Ferrari uniform since 2006. She was having to wear it as he was having to wear his racesuit. It suited her well. They walked through in to the hospitality room and he began talking to David Coulthard, Seb introduced Chloe to him. She seemed to perk up a bit.
"Hey Seb." Mick joined them, giving Seb a quick hug and pat on the back.

"Good to see you Mick." Seb grinned, "I guess you know Chloe don't you?" He looked to his left to see Chloe's face fall.

"Hello Chloe. Good to see you, it's been a long time." He pulled her in for a hug.

"Mick." Was all she could manage to say, he looked so much like his father. She crumbled in front of everyone and fled, running outside gasping for breath, blinded by tears.

"What the fuck?!" Seb looked shocked, "I best go after....." He simply ran out after her. Great. First day at a race track and he had an emotional wreck on his hands. He stopped near the grandstands, then spotted her sitting a few rows up. He jumped over the barrier and ran up the steps to her. "Are you going to tell me what the fuck that was back there?" He sat down next to her. Her shoulders were shaking. He put an arm around her and she just fell in to his arms.

"I'm sorry!" She sobbed. Any annoyance he'd felt left him as she threw her arms around him.

"Just tell me what's wrong!" He was getting worried, he had a feeling Mick was something to do with it, "Is it Mick?" He gently removed her from his body, pulling back a bit to study her expression. He rubbed her arms gently with his hands. She nodded slowly.

"Every time I look at him I see Michael." She wiped under her eyes with her hands, "I thought I was ready to see Mick, but I wasn't." She sniffed, "I'm so sorry you've had to see me like this. Not very professional am I?"

"How close to Michael were you?" He was starting to wonder if she'd had feelings for him back when she worked for him. Her green eyes suddenly met with his. He wiped a tear from her face with his hand. His mind began to think all sorts.

"Very, he helped me through a difficult time." She really didn't want to go in to everything that happened.

"I didn't realise you were so close." His mind was racing, her reaction seemed extreme for a close friend, "Do you want to tell me about what happened?"

"I will Seb, but not today. I need to get used to seeing Mick again first."

"Chloe, I need to know you're not going to be like this everytime you see him." He knew it sounded a bit harsh, "I won't always have to time to deal with issues like this, not at work. I know that sounds harsh but when we get in to the season I'll need you on form all the time."

"I know." She rummaged in her rucksack for her make-up, "I'm sorry Seb. I'll try my hardest to keep things in check in future."

"I've got to head back, the photo shoot starts in ten minutes. Take a few minutes to finish your make up." He stroked her face again, stopping her momentarily from reapplying her concealer. He watched as she closed her eyes for a second as if she was savouring his touch. "I'll be in the hospitality room, you'll see where it's all set up." She opened her eyes and he found himself held by them again. She was beautiful, even though she'd been crying. He stood up and she watched as he walked back down the stairs, jumping back over the barrier. He disappeared from view. She put her hand on her face where his was only seconds ago, as if she could still feel his touch.