Chapter 2 - Jasper #2
“Fine, I will give you that. But go and put your big boy pants on and go to that party. See if you can bring a friend. Someone to keep you grounded. Go have some fun and forget about the past. Remember it’s called that for a reason.”
Kimber walks out of the kitchen, leaving me with my thoughts.
She is right, this situation is different than before.
This is very much one-sided feelings and I’m going to need to get over them.
There is no way that I can avoid Otis. I need to start facing him.
Pulling out my mobile, I scroll through my contacts till I hit Lars’s number.
“Jasper!” Lars’s voice sounds down the line, but I can hear the sounds of the party behind him.
“Is it still okay for me to come over?”
“What? Of course, no need to call and ask. The lads have been asking after you.”
“Well considering I have never been to your place, I needed to call, can you send me the address, and also I was wondering if I can bring a friend?”
Lars laughs down the line to me. “Shit, sorry Jasper, I forgot. I’ll send it over to you along with the keycode for the gate. The front door is unlocked so just come in, and of course you can bring a mate. More the merrier.”
“Thanks Lars. See you soon.”
Hanging up the call, I scroll through my contacts again. There is only one person I know that would love to go to an F1 party and would be free on short notice. Getting to his number, I hit call.
“Hey Jasper. What’s up?” comes a cheery voice.
“Hi Marcus, I was wondering if you wanted to meet up and come to a party with me?” I start.
“Oh, sorry mate. I’m busy this afternoon.”
“Are they plans you think you could cancel?” Which I know is rude to ask, but Marcus is the only friend I could face this party with.
“Maybe. Where is this party?”
“Vincent Montague’s house,” I reply, and wait for that information to sink in.
“As in Montague Racing?”
“Yep.”
“You’re shitting me, right? This is you playing some kind of sick joke. Like I know you work for him and everything,” Marcus adds, his voice getting more excited.
“Marcus. I am a hundred percent serious. Already okay’d it with Lars.”
“Lars Anderson?” Marcus mutters.
“Marcus, are you just going to repeat all the names I say?
“Jasper, give me two minutes.”
Marcus hangs up, leaving me chuckling. Marcus has watched F1 with me since we met a few years ago. It was great to finally have a friend who enjoyed the sport as much as me. He would always ask me how I got into the sport and yet I never got around to telling him that I dated David.
Two minutes later and my mobile starts ringing with Marcus’s name flashing on the screen and I swipe to answer it.
“Hi.”
“I’m all yours. What time are you getting me? What do I need to wear? If I bring a pen do you think I can get some autographs?”
“Marcus, do not bring a pen, that would be strange. And just wear jeans and a t-shirt. I will be with you in about twenty.”
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Marcus splutters.
“Marcus, if you are going to be a fanboy, then I’m not taking you. These are my work colleagues. I don’t need a reputation as the odd one.”
“Jasper, they have met you, right? They know you’re weird,” Marcus replies, “but I will try to calm down.”
“So not funny. Just behave. I’ll see you soon.”
Forty minutes later I’m pulling up in front of some massive wooden gates, and I think I hear Marcus say holy shit under his breath as I open my window and type in the code that Lars sent me. The gates swing open and we’re met with our first view of the house and a rather full driveway.
“Look at that,” Marcus says, his voice full of wonder.
“It’s impressive.”
“Impressive is not the word I would use,” Marcus states. “Montague Racing is one of the oldest teams in F1. That there is testament to Vincent’s career and what he has achieved over the years.”
“Would you like to go meet him, or are we going to stay in the car and just stare at his house?”
“Sorry Jasper. It’s just surreal. I can’t believe I’m here. I hoped that with you being on the team it might happen. But you know, I didn’t want to count my chickens,” Marcus trails off.
Opening my door, I get out of the car, slamming the door shut in the hope it will jolt Marcus to get moving, but it still takes him a few seconds to follow me. I walk over to the front door and push it open, and am greeted with the sound of music and laughter.
“Holy shit!” Marcus exclaims. “Is the entire team here?”
“Yeah, it’s a team party,” I reply.
“Jasper.” Hearing my name, I turn in the direction and see Lars striding towards me, a huge grin on his face.
“Hi Lars,” I reply, as I’m pulled into a hug and there is a hint of alcohol coming off him. Looks like the drinks have already been flowing.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Lars demands.
“I went to see Kimber,” I tell him.
“Please tell me it was just a social visit and you weren’t working?” Lars asks, and I could kill him. Marcus has no idea of the work I do or did at Kimber’s, but when I look over to Marcus to see what his reaction is, all I see is him staring at Lars.
“Social. She is still saying no.”
Lars was shocked to hear what I used to do as a living, but there is also a part of me that thinks he is intrigued, too. But I also know that he was impressed when he found out that I had still planned to work there.
“Can’t say that I’m not sorry to hear that,” Lars answers, and he finally seems to have spotted Marcus. “So this is your friend?”
“Yes, sorry.” I turn slightly to Marcus. “Marcus this is….” But I don’t finish my sentence,
“Lars Anderson. Rookie world champion,” Marcus states, sticking out his hand towards Lars.
“Lars, this is my friend, Marcus. Someone I’m starting to regret bringing,” I say.
“It’s okay,” Lars replies with a chuckle. “Nice to meet you Marcus, I’m guessing you’re a fan?”
“Yeah. Been following F1 since I was a kid,” Marcus adds.
“Well I hope you’re a Montague Racing fan otherwise you might be in for a tough afternoon,” Lars adds with a smile, and it finally seems to put Marcus at ease.
“He’s a Montague fan. Drove me insane with the history of the team on the way over here. I knew he loved F1. I didn’t know he was a super fan.”
“Jasper.” I hear Dave’s voice calling my name as he comes over to us, “Lars told me you weren’t coming.”
“Changed my mind,” I say.
“Dave, Jasper brought a friend,” Lars starts, and nods his head in Marcus’s direction.
“Jasper has other friends? Wonders never cease.” Dave holds out his hand to Marcus, “Hi, David Moore.”
It’s the first time that I’ve heard Dave saying this name, and I can’t help but smile, coz I can hear the pride in his voice as he says it, and I love seeing my friend this happy.
“Current world champion,” Marcus breathes.
“Yeah that’s me,” Dave replies.
“You changed your surname?” Marcus mutters.
“Marcus, didn’t you watch the press conference this morning?” I ask him.
“I had to record it,” Marcus replies, looking a little sheepish.
“Dave married Richard Moore after he became world champion, and he announced it today,” I explain.
“Oh wow. That is so cool. I have to admit that I loved when Lars and Vincent came out last year. Having gay representatives in this sport meant the world to me. Having two out gay drivers next season is so good.”
“I’m not driving next season,” Dave replies. “My injuries after the crash are stopping me.”
“Oh really. That sucks. You and Lars were phenomenal this season.”
“Jasper, I like him. Bring him to parties more often. Hell, what do you do for a living, maybe we can find you a job,” Dave says.
Marcus just stares at David for a minute, and I have to intervene. “Marcus, ignore Dave, he’s teasing you.”
“I am not,” Dave replies. “We need more people to boost my ego.”
“We seriously don’t,” I tell him.
“David, sorry, but has your seat been given to anyone yet?” Marcus asks.
“Yeah, Otis Young is taking my place,” Dave replies, and we are all surprised when Marcus starts laughing.
“Should I be concerned that my name causes such laughter?” Otis states.
And then there he is. Standing in front of me.
Looking just as stunning as he did this morning.
But there is a slight flush of pink to his cheeks from the drink.
And when he looks over to me, a smile spreads across his face.
And I’m lost, and I know that this man is not going to be easy to get over.