Chapter 9 – Richard #2
I hadn’t seen this question coming. Never, ever, considered that I could move positions, and I let the idea roll around in my head for a moment.
Yes, I would love to be more involved, and it would mean that I can spend more time with David, but I loved my current job.
Going out and finding new talent. Possibly, finding the next world champion.
“I like my job,” I say.
“And you’re damn good at it. Just look at Lars and David, and I think Otis is going to be phenomenal as well.”
“We might need to get him into a contract soon. I can see him being in demand at the end of this season. Let’s not give anyone the chance to steal him away.”
“Already on it. Otis won’t be going anywhere.”
“Talking of going anywhere, we still haven’t moved. The paddock is calling us, well you.” And I see the grimace on Vincent’s face.
“I know. Remind me, again, why we’re staying to celebrate your birthday here.”
“Vin, I’m celebrating my birthday here. Please, go spend time with Lars. I will have other birthdays.”
Vincent gives me a strange look, and I know that I’m starting to sound strange. That I’m protesting him not needing to be there too much. If I don’t back off soon, then he will start to get suspicious.
“I really don’t like the idea of you being on your own.”
“Let’s talk about it after the race.”
“Fine, but just so you know, I’m not going to back down over this.”
“I know.” And wonder how the hell I’m going to get Vincent not to stay.
Qualifying and the race had been spectacular, even if watching David race around the track caused my blood pressure to increase.
I thought the more time I spent watching him, the easier it would get.
I could see how in control that he was, but no.
I think with each race it was getting harder and I was finding it even more difficult to keep my emotions hidden.
But thankfully we were all back in the hotel.
David had already gone to bed, and I was waiting for Vincent and Lars to head to theirs before I made my way to David’s room.
When David had announced that he was heading to bed, I almost jumped out of my seat and said that I would join him, but I didn’t.
I just continued to sit there and sip a beer, wishing him goodnight.
“Vin, did you know that David is staying here a few extra days?” Lars asks, just as I take another sip of beer, causing me to splutter, and almost spit my beer all over Vincent’s face.
“Are you okay?” Vincent asks, giving me a look.
“Yeah, took too big of a sip,” I lie, and I think Vincent knows that I’m lying, too.
“No, when did he tell you this?” Vincent asks.
“After the race. I asked if he wanted to travel back with us and he said that he decided to stay for a few days. Think he said he had a flight booked for the end of the week.”
This wasn’t a lie. Both David and I were flying back on Wednesday. I didn’t think it would look too strange, us travelling together. We had booked seats on the flight that were nowhere near each other. Just to be on the safe side.
“Did you know David was staying?” Vincent asks over to me.
“Had no idea. To be honest I haven’t seen much of David. Otis has taken up most of my time this weekend. I was lucky enough to watch the race.”
“Otis’s race was good. Did you see it, Vin?” Lars asks, and I think I could lean over and kiss that man for distracting Vincent.
“Some of it. He’s doing well.”
Taking another sip of my beer, I wonder if enough time has passed for me to chase after David. I’m desperate to feel his body against my own. Have him kiss every inch of me; I need him to mark me again. The love bite faded so quickly, and the last one he gave me has almost gone.
“I was thinking,” Vincent pipes up. “That, on your birthday, we could get some breakfast, explore the city, and then maybe have a meal.”
“You want to explore the city, when you hate the heat?”
“Well, I thought we could go early in the morning and avoid it,” Vincent counters.
“Vin, if we wanted to explore the city and avoid the heat, we would need to leave the hotel at like seven in the morning.” Knowing that I cannot tell him again not to stay, I resign myself to the fact that I’m going to have to change my plans.
This was supposed to be time spent with David.
“But maybe we can find a tourist thing we can do that gives us an air-conditioned bus,” I add.
“Now that sounds like a good idea,” Vincent replies, smiling at me.
Both Vincent and I reach for our beers when Lars’s mobile starts ringing. He pulls it out of his pocket and his face takes on a worried expression.
“It’s Mum,” Lars says. “Excuse me.”
Lars answers the call, getting up from the table, the bar is quite loud, and I know that he would want to talk in private. There is a worried look on Vincent’s face as he stares in the direction that Lars just went.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, just his mom never calls after a race. It’s normally James.” And there is no mistaking the worry in his voice.
“I’m sure James is just busy.” Trying to ease his worry.
“No, there is something else. Normally James will send a text at the start of the practice sessions, just wishing Lars good luck, and then another once the race is finished. He didn’t this time. Lars has been worried.”
Lars walks back into the bar, and he looks like he’s just seen a ghost. Immediately, Vincent is out of his chair, rushing over to him, and helping him sit back in his chair.
“Lars, what’s happened?” Vincent asks.
“It’s Dad. He was in an accident,” Lars states, and my blood runs cold.
“Is James okay?” I ask, and from the way Lars is acting, I brace myself for bad news. I’m mentally already cancelling my flight and re-arranging everything to get back to the UK.
“Yeah,” Lars says, and the relief is instant. “He’s in the hospital.”
“When did it happen?” Vincent asks.
“Yesterday morning, UK time,” Lars replies.
“And they’re only telling you about it now?” I state. No wonder Lars is upset.
“Yeah, they waited to see what the hospital said, and then decided to let me race,” Lars adds before looking over to Vincent. “I need to get home.”
“Yeah,” Vincent agrees, before looking over to me. “I need to go with him.”
“Yes, of course,” I say and mentally kick myself for being pleased that James is in the hospital, which means that Vincent won’t be able to stay in Singapore with me.
“Do you need me to come back with you?” I ask.
“No,” Vincent confirms, “stay. But don’t spend your birthday alone, maybe meet up with David.”
“I’m sure that David will have better things to do than spend time with his boss,” I say over to Vincent.
“His boss, really.” Vincent smirks. “I thought I was his boss.”
“That, my friend, is a technicality.” I smile over to them, but I can see that they’re still worried, “Guys, get going. You need to get the next flight out of here, and please keep me updated on how James is doing.”
“Sorry,” Vincent says as he gets up from his chair.
“Vin, Lars and his family come first. James is your future father-in-law. Now get going.”
I wait five minutes after Lars and Vincent leave before I leave the bar myself. Excitement fills me as I head up to David’s room. I cannot wait to tell him the plans I have for us. These next few days are going to be one of the first times that David and I have the chance to be a couple.
The lift seems to take ages to get to David’s floor.
Stepping out on his floor, I’m careful to make sure none of the team members are hovering about.
Vincent and Lars’s room is on the floor above, so there’s no risk of seeing them.
Looking around, the corridor is empty, so I rush over to David’s door.
I have barely knocked before it opens, and I’m being pulled inside.
Arms wrap around me, and I don’t even get the chance to say hello before David’s lips are locked with mine. His tongue is sweeping into my mouth, and I can taste a hint of beer. Not sure if that’s from me or him, but I don’t care. I’m just relishing in having David in my arms again.
“Fuck, I missed you,” David breathes into my ear when he breaks the kiss.
“Me too,” I say back.
“Are you ready to start celebrating your birthday?” David asks, as he takes a step back.
“I have plans,” I tell him.
“Me too,” David adds, as he spins me around, and walks me over to the bed, pushing me down.
“Starting with you naked in my bed, screaming my name.”
And I couldn’t think of a better way to start my birthday celebration.