Chapter Text
“Uh, is everything okay between you and Checo?” Rupert asked Max.
The Dutchman gave a flat smile. “Sure,” he said.
“Because he just walked in here and immediately turned around and left.”
“Yeah, I…saw that.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
“We’re okay.”
“That didn’t look okay.”
“No, it didn’t.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Thanks. No.”
“Maybe you should go after him.”
“Maybe.”
“Are you okay?”
“Nope.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah.”
“You look awful,”
“Thanks for noticing, cabron, I feel awful.”
Carlos looked at his friend. “Is everything okay?”
Checo took a sip of his long-tubbed bottle. “Nop.”
“Is this problem the same thing that Fer was upset about earlier?”
“Oh, Fernando was upset?” Checo scoffed.
“Okay, so it is the same problem. What, did the two of you get in a fight?”
“I lost before there ever was a fight.”
Carlos frowned at him. “Huh?”
Checo sighed wistfully.
“Cabron, what the fuck is going on?”
“Max is sleeping with Mark and Fernando. He’s their young, hot third.”
Carlos choked.
“Que!?”
Checo sniffled, feeling pathetic. “He’s dating them, Carlos! Them! And me…I never stood a chance. Fernando and Mark? Dilf city.”
Carlos slapped his back. “Wow,” he breathed. “He must have a lot of stamina.”
Checo buried his face in his hands.
“Is it recent?”
“I don’t know!” Checo rubbed his face. “It must be! I would have noticed.”
“Maybe you didn’t want to see it until too late.”
Checo scowled. “I can’t even be in the same room as him,” he said. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Why don’t you tell him how uou feel?” Carlos said, putting an arm around his shoulders. “Instead of ignoring him.”
Checo scoffed. “That won’t change anything,” he said. “Why would he give up Fernando and Mark for me?”
“Just tell him,” Carlos said. “He might surprise you.”
“Or he won’t. And our relationship will be ruined forever,” he said.
“You don’t think ignoring him will do that?”
Checo did not answer.
Charles didn’t expect Lewis to walk up to him in the paddock, much less kiss his cheek.
“Hey!” Lewis’ kiss was brief, but it left Charles’ cheek tingling.
“Um, hello,” Charles laughed nervously, looking around.
Lewis grabbed his arm as they kept walking. “Don’t worry, the cameras don’t have access here. The media won’t see,” he said cheekily.
Yes, but everyone else would. Already some team members were eyeing them curiously. But Charles couldn’t very well shake him off, could he?
“You look pretty today,” he said instead, trying to relax. “I like how you have your hair.”
It was piled up on a bun on top of his head, with a discreet red hair tie keeping it there.
Lewis blushed, leaning against him.
People were definitely staring now.
“How’s Leo?”
An easy topic. “He’s great,” Charles said. “But missing you.”
“I miss him,” Lewis said back.
“We’ll have to fix that,” Charles said as he put a hand on his waist, underneath his oversized shirt to feel his skin.
“I was thinking,” Lewis said. “If Ferrari doesn’t have anything planned for tonight we might go to dinner.”
“Ah, I have a gaming session with the guys,” Charles said, actually regretful.
“Oh, with other drivers?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I could come over and hang out,” Lewis said hesitantly.
Charles cringed inwardly. “If you like,” he said. “But they can get annoying.”
Lewis stopped them and laughed slightly. “Charlie, if you don’t want me there, just say it,” he nudged him. “I won’t mind.”
“Raincheck?” Charles smiled.
Lewis kissed his cheek. “Sounds good,” he said and stepped away, heading towards the Mercedes garage.
Charles indulged himself by staring at his ass as he walked.
“What was that about?” Alex approached him, smirking.
“Mate, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Charles rubbed his forehead. “He’s smitten!”
“You look pretty smitten yourself there, Charlie,” Alex teased.
Charles sighed. “I just don’t want to be cruel,” he said.
“Well,” Alex got serious. “The worst thing you could do is drag this along and let him think you liked him when you don’t,” he said. “So make a decision quickly.”
Charles sighed louder.
George eyed Lewis warily as they took some photos together for some press release or other. The man looked very cheerful and chipper, unnaturally so.
George knew why. Lewis thought he was dating Charles.
“You good, man?” Lewis looked at him, curious.
“Great,” George forced a smile. “You?”
Lewis smiled and nodded.
“You and Charles, huh?”
Lewis sideyed him. “Yeah, we’re going out,” he said, not completely able to hide his giddiness. “It’s new.”
“Fun!” George could have slapped himself. Should he tell Lewis? He had to, didn’t he?
“It is,” Lewis smiled down at the ground. “He’s very sweet, I think.”
“Of course,” George smiled thinly. He could not tell him. Lewis would think he was playing games. And besides, George didn’t know what Charles was playing at.
Maybe he did like Lewis. Lewis certainly liked him.