Chapter 17 – Otis #2
There was a part of me that hoped that maybe Marj would deny it, but she just stands there looking at me. Not correcting me. How could I have got her so wrong?
“Marj, don’t do anything stupid,” Mum says.
“I’m not. I’m looking out for me,” Marj replies.
“Some things never change,” I snap. “But this,” and I point to her and me, “is never going to happen. You dumping me was the best thing to ever happen.”
“I’m not going to give this up. I have already gained almost a hundred thousand followers this morning,” Marj adds.
“Marj, please don’t make me get lawyers involved. I don’t want to drag your name through the mud,” I say.
“You don’t, but I will,” Mum says.
“Mum please,” I say over to her.
“Otis, I have no idea what has gotten into you. You were never like this when we dated,” Marj replies.
“I didn’t see you for what you were then. Now I have seen the light,” I retort, and Marj has the audacity to laugh.
“Oh come on,” Marj starts.
“Marj.” And this time it’s Jasper talking, and I’d recognise that tone of voice anywhere.
“And who the fuck are you?” Marj says, looking him up and down, and then her eyes go wide. “Oh you’re that ex of David’s. Jasper, isn’t it? Well this has nothing to do with you.”
“Otis is my friend so it has everything to do with me,” Jasper almost snarls back.
“You’re gay, right? Do you fancy Otis? Is that what this is about? Do you think by standing up to me it will magically get Otis in your bed? Because that is not going to happen.”
Oh how wrong you are Marj, and God I wish I could tell her that, but I’m not giving her the satisfaction of knowing that. Plus, in the first place, she would go to the papers and try to twist what Jasper and I have to make it out as if it were wrong.
“Marj, I’m asking you nicely. Drop this getting back together shit and leave me alone,” I say.
“Otis, come on. We were good together. Imagine the press we could get. The deals,” Marj adds.
“Are you for fucking real? You are seriously standing there thinking about the publicity we could get. Yeah, no. That is not happening. I am making my own headlines. I don’t need you.”
“In that case, I will just have to go down as the spurned girlfriend. I will destroy your image,” Marj threatens.
“Are you trying to blackmail me?” I ask.
“Not at all. Just stating the truth,” Marj retorts.
“Marj, if you say anything to the papers, you will be hearing from my lawyers,” I tell her, but she doesn’t seem that phased by it at all.
“We’ll see. Take care, Otis.” And Marj turns and leaves the room.
“Fuck!” And then there are arms wrapped around me, holding me tight.
“I’ve got you,” Jasper whispers, and I feel him place a kiss on the side of my head.
“Thank you,” I say, as I wrap my arms around him.
“Otis.” Mum’s voice sounds gently behind me, and I turn my head to face her, not wanting Jasper to let me go. “Marj isn’t going to drop this.”
“I know,” I say. “I think I need to go public.”
Jasper is suddenly pushing me back, looking at me. “What?”
“It’s the only way I can see her going away, but then I also think she will milk this for all its worth,” I tell him. “I have no idea what to do.”
“Hang on.” Jasper pulls out his phone and I hear him tell the person on the other end of the call where we are and to bring the boys.
“Boys?” I question.
“Reinforcements,” Jasper adds. “Now, the employee is going to be back any second. Game face on. Do what you do best, charm the pants off these people and then we can discuss Marj.”
“Have I told you today, just how much I love you?” I say.
“No. But I can think of some ways later,” Jasper replies, giving me a smile.
“Jasper,” Mum says. “His mum is standing here.”
“Tell me you weren’t thinking the same thing. That you were wondering how sore his arse was going to be in the morning.”
Mum pretends to be shocked, for maybe a nano second before she bursts out laughing.
“Touché,” Mum says. “Oh Otis, I like Jasper.”
“I do too,” I say, squeezing him harder.
At that moment there is a knock and Jasper and I jump apart just as the door opens, and about five employees walk in. Smiles plastered on their faces, each of them holding Montague Racing paraphernalia in their hands.
I push all thoughts of Marj out of my mind and do what Jasper said and enjoy the time with these employees.
I loved talking to them about racing. What it was like out on the racetrack.
How different it was, going from the F2 car to the F1.
But what I liked the most, was that not a single one of them asked about my love life.
Finally, when everything had been signed, they all left, thanking me for my time.
“You enjoyed that, didn’t you?” Jasper asks, coming over to me.
“Yeah. After that run in with Marj I needed it,” I say.
“I know.”
“I can’t believe Marj was like that. She was never like that when we dated,” I tell Jasper.
“Because when you dated, she thought you were her key to fame. She needed to keep you sweet, and not show her true colours,” Jasper adds.
“Otis,” Mum says, coming over to us. “I knew that she was power hungry, but even I’m surprised.”
A knock on the door has us all turning in that direction. “Looks like reinforcements have arrived,” Jasper says. “In here, guys.”
The door opens and David, Lars and Marcus walk in. “You called, and we have arrived. Want to tell us what is going on?” David announces as he walks in.
“My ex,” I tell them.
“Why did I have a feeling you were going to say that?” Marcus adds.
“Otis,” Mum says, and I see her looking around at my friends.
“Sorry, Mum. Let me introduce you to the guys,” I say, and Mum takes a step forward. “This is David, he’s married to Richard,” I start.
“Oh yes, I watched your press conference last year. How are you doing?” Mum says over to David.
“I’m doing well, thank you…” David starts and looks over to me.
“Lizzie,” I say.
“Hi Lizzie, I’m Lars,” Lars states, coming forward.
“Oh yes, you’re engaged to Vincent,” Mum says.
“Your mum pays attention to the team,” David says.
“Well I knew that Otis would be joining at some point, so I needed to pay attention,” Mum replies.
“Otis,” Marcus pipes up. “What’s going on with this ex of yours?”
“She was at the hotel when we got back from the press. I took a picture with her so I could get inside, but then she basically told me that if we don’t get back together she is going to ruin me.”
“She said what?” David exclaims. “Is she fucking crazy?”
“I have no idea. She wants fame and sees me as the best opportunity to get that,” I tell them.
“There is no way we are going to let that happen?” Lars adds. “You need to talk to Vincent.”
“Otis says we should come out,” Jasper voices. “What do you think? You have kept your boyfriends a secret.”
“David might be best to answer that one. He had more press intrusion than me,” Lars adds, “The press I had to deal with was just about my driving.”
“Did you like that?” I ask Lars.
“It was tough. There was a part of me that wanted to tell the world about Vincent, that I was gay, but I also liked just being known as a great driver.”
“I will have to admit that me coming out as being in a relationship, helped to take some of the heat off me,” David says, “But I wasn’t the shiny new toy like you. You’re handsome, and a great driver. The press is going to love that.”
“How about I come out as being in a relationship, but it’s new and I want to keep it a secret? That at the moment I just want to concentrate on my driving,” I venture.
“That could work, but I think that the press would just start digging more. Wanting to know who this mysterious person is,” Marcus says.
“Look,” Jasper starts, “this might not be ideal. Let’s see what she does next. At the moment she only has one new photo. We need evidence. But I also think we need advice from lawyers.”
“Vincent had already started working on the case when I went to see him earlier. We need to see where the press takes the photo from today,” Marcus adds.
“And we need to make sure that she doesn’t get into the paddock or near the hotel,” David adds.
“And I will need you to make sure that you keep Otis safe,” Jasper adds. “I need to make sure Lizzie gets home safe. I won’t be able to get back till Japan.”
I want to complain. I want to tell him that he can’t leave me again. That I need him close by more than anything, but I also love that he’s taking care of Mum. The fact that Mum trusted Jasper enough to get on a plane, just makes me love him more.
“I will make sure he’s safe,” Marcus replies with a smile.
“Marcus,” Jasper warns. “Stop it.”
“What’s going on?” Lizzie asks.
“Marcus thinks it’s funny to try and steal Otis from me,” Jasper says.
“Marcus,” Mum says, in the tone of voice only a mum can use. “Otis is Jasper’s. You do anything to spoil that, and I swear you won’t be able to sit down for a week, or do anything else. Do you understand me?”
All of us burst out laughing, as Marcus sheepishly says, “Yes, Lizzie.”