14. Out of Action

                                    

                                          
Her ankle wasn't broken but the hospital had advised her to stay off of it for the next week or two, which ruled her out of attending the Monaco Grand Prix. She was gutted. She had to watch the Spanish Grand Prix from her hotel room. 
Seb and Lance did their best but it just wasn't meant to be their weekend. Seb finished in ninth and Lance tenth. Seb had texted her straight after the race, asking how she was, and apologising for not giving her a better race to watch. 
She messaged back saying her ankle was painful but she was ok. Regarding the race, she just told him he'd have to make up for it in Monaco.  
                                       ***
On the Monday morning Joel called round to take her case and equipment down to the mini bus for her. She started the slow journey down on her crutches. Finally exiting the elevator, she started moving across the lobby.
"Hey, I heard you had a fall," a voice popped up behind her.
She turned around as quick as her ankle would let her, smiling when she saw the ever-grinning Australian.
"Daniel, hey. Yeah, I'm clumsy. Luckily nothing's broken, although I'm going to have to take a rain check for Monaco. Hopefully be back for Baku."
"Shit, that sucks. Well, I gotta shoot, got to get my lift. Hope it heals fast. You take care."  He leant forward and kissed her cheek. Which is when Seb emerged from the elevator. 
Lottie saw him stop and glare. He was obviously putting two and two together and making five. If looks could kill. She tried to hobble over to him to explain that it was all innocent but he had disappeared by the time she reached where he had been. 
Oh well, she thought. If he wanted to be immature about it.  She headed out to the minibus. Joel lifted her up and she slid into the seat next to Sophie. She took her phone out and tapped out a message.
Lottie: Hey grumpy. Saw you jumping to conclusions. Nothing's going on. Just Dan being Dan. 
Her phone soon beeped with a response. 
Sebastian: Not my concern. Your life. You made it clear you don't want me. Just be careful. Dan's a player.
She started to type a response but deleted it half way through. Let him be a jerk. See if she's cared.
                                    ***
Lottie grabbed a bag of tortilla chips and hobbled into the lounge ready for the Monaco Grand Prix. Her ankle was feeling much better and she was looking forward to getting back to work at Baku. 
The Aston Martin drivers were starting in seventh and eight. Fingers crossed they would get a good result. The car was improving gradually. It was coming. She stuffed a chip into her mouth as Crofty shouted "It's lights out and away we go!" 
                                    ***
"YES!!" she shouted, punching the air as Sebastian crossed the line in fourth place, just two seconds off a podium. Lance finished in seventh. What a great result for the team. She wished she was there sharing it with them. Forgetting that she wasn't on speaking terms with Seb, she grabbed her phone and sent him a text, even though she knew he wouldn't see it until much later.
Lottie:  Well done you ! Great race, great result xx
After she sent it she put her phone down and went to prepare some dinner.  When she came back in she noticed that, surprisingly, he had replied already.
Sebastian: Thank you. Not as good as your boyfriend but I'll take it.
Why did he have to spoil things?  Was there any need to refer to Daniel as her boyfriend. Dan was just being Dan when he'd kissed her cheek. It was just a friendly peck. Why was Sebastian being so childish about it? If he wanted to be like that, then let him.  She wasn't going to stop being friends with Daniel just because Seb couldn't control his pathetic, immature behaviour. She picked up her phone and tapped out another text.
Lottie:  Hey Daniel. Well done on your podium. Hope you enjoyed your shoey! Thought Lando was gonna puke. 🤮 xx
He answered basically straight away.
Daniel: Hey thanks Lottie. How's your ankle? X
Lottie: It's getting there thanks. Be back in Baku. X
Daniel: Good to hear. Maybe a certain German will be in a better mood once you're back. Good job my head is attached or I might have lost it. X
Lottie: Know the feeling. You know it's your fault right?
Daniel: What do you mean? X
Lottie: He saw you kiss me on the cheek in Barcelona. Got a right bee in his bonnet over it. He's pissed at me still X
Daniel: Really? He'll get over it.  Gotta go now honey, see you in Baku yeah? X
Lottie: Yeah, see you around X
Lottie put the phone down. Why on earth couldn't she fancy Daniel? she thought, for what felt like the hundredth time. At least he actually sounded pleased to hear from her.  
Her phone began to ring. She answered it without looking to see who was calling.
"Hello?"
"Hey Hopalong. Did you watch?"
"Joel! Of course I did. Great result."
"We're missing you!" she heard Sophie shout in the background. 
"Especially someone that's been grumpy as hell."
"If you're talking about who I think you're talking about then don't even go there Barnes." 
" Oh it's like that is it?"
"Ask him." 
" I would rather talk about Baku.  Sophie's birthday, party time! You in?"
"I'm in. What's the plan?"
"Clubbing. Lots of drinks. Bad hangovers."
"Count me in. "
"Good, good. It's gonna be epic."  Lottie laughed. She couldnt wait to get back. She missed them all so much. Yes, even that stroppy, pig headed German. 
She remembered how his lips had felt against hers. Just that kiss had set her on fire. She still stood by what she had said though. They would be bad for each other.  It really would be the worst idea ever. Wouldn't it?