Chapter 21 – Otis #2
“I know, but us coming out is going to draw more attention than just you standing in the background of a photo,” I explain.
“Plus, we have Clive to deal with,” Jasper adds.
“Do you really think that he’s going to start something? They’ve been quiet the last few days.”
“I’m thinking that Clive is plotting something, and Marj is involved too. Or maybe it’s Marj doing the plotting, especially after Australia.”
“But why or how would she want to drag Clive into this?” I ask. “It makes no sense.”
“They’re both people from our past. People who can cause waves, that will generate headlines,” Jasper replies. “I will be glad to get home and maybe not come out until we have to leave for Belgium.”
“That does sound nice, but this break isn’t really a break. We’re going to have to go back to HQ. I will still have to work and train with Daniel. And you will have to train with Lars.”
“Thanks for bursting that bubble. I was looking forward to a break,” Jasper replies.
“I’m sure that Vincent will give us a few days off,” I venture.
“He better give you some.”
“Jasper, please, I’m okay. I know that it was scary to watch…” I start.
“Otis, that is an understatement. I have never felt like that before, ever. So helpless. I never want to feel that again,” Jasper says quietly.
“Jasper,” I start, but I’m not sure what I can say to that. How can I make it better? Because I can’t. Accidents happen. That is just a fact when going out with a racing driver.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Jasper adds. “I have been watching F1 long enough to understand that accidents happen. I’ve seen Lars and David have them. But watching you was different.”
“The cars’ safety features are better than ever. Look at today, I have walked away without a scratch,” I try to argue.
“Yet, the other driver had to go to the hospital,” Jasper counters.
“Look, Jasper. I’m not going to sugar coat this. I’m a racing driver. You knew this when you took me on. Me getting in accidents is going to happen. I’m going to try and not get into them, but sometimes, like today, that is out of my control.”
“Wow,” Jasper responds.
“I don’t want to hurt your feelings. I love you,” I say.
“You know there is a part of me that wants so badly to say to you that if you loved me, you would stop racing,” Jasper adds.
“And a part of me that would reply, if you love me, you will never ask that. But I know that you wouldn’t ask that.”
“I wouldn’t ask that,” Jasper confirms. “I know that you were born to race.”
“Not sure I would say that I am born to race,” I tell him, giving him a smile.
“Oh you were. I’ve seen it every time you’ve gotten out of the car after a race. Your whole demeanour shines. I couldn’t or wouldn’t take that away from you.”
“You know, this sweet side of you is kinda scary. Can you please take me home, tie me to your bed and dominate me?”
“Actually that would be our bed, and no fucking chance in hell are we going to do that tonight,” Jasper replies, and when I look over to him in the hope that he’s joking, his face is deadly serious.
“Sir, please?” I ask.
“No,” Jasper states, his voice taking on the edge that I love. “That is not going to work on me today.”
“You can’t help a man for trying,” I respond.
“Have I ever told you that you are an evil temptress?” Jasper adds as he gets up off the chair, leans over and seals his lips with mine.
When Jasper finally breaks the kiss, he leans back and whispers, “shall we go home?”
“Fuck, my mum,” I state.
“Those are not the words that I was hoping to hear,” Jasper replies, giving me a smile.
“No, we said that we would meet Mum at the hotel. We can’t go home,” I explain.
When Mum had agreed to come to Silverstone, we had offered for her to stay with us, that we would be travelling up on the day of the race, but she had decided that she would prefer to stay close to the track.
“Let’s go get her, and bring her back to the house,” Jasper replies, “I think that after today, she’s going to need her family around her.”
Twenty minutes later – after a lot of conversations with doctors, and Jasper confirming that if there are any changes in my behaviour, or if I complain of any headaches, I’m to be taken to the local hospital – I’m finally on the way to meet Mum.
I had called her to say that we’re on the way and to pack because we were taking her back to Jasper’s place.
She of course had tried to argue with us. Argued that we needed to spend time together alone, but I wasn’t having any of it. I think that deep down Mum knew this, as she didn’t argue with me too much.
As we get to the hotel, I spot the press all lingering outside and my heart sinks. That is not a good sign. Now, it could all be linked to my accident, them wanting to get a glimpse of me, but I don’t believe this.
“Jasper,” I call. “Look.”
“Fuck.”
“What do you want to do?” Jasper asks.
“I have no idea. We can’t go in together. Well, I don’t think we can,” I reply.
“We need to get you some security. You go in and I will follow. I’m sure that it’s you they want anyway,” Jasper replies, as he pulls out his phone and starts tapping the screen.
“Vincent, there is a horde of press outside the hotel. We came to get Lizzie and take her home.” He pauses for a few minutes and I wish that I could hear what Vincent is saying. “Thanks, Vincent.”
“And?” I push as Jasper hangs up the call.
“He’s going to send someone out. I’m going to go ahead and try and direct them in your direction,” Jasper states, “once inside, I’m going to organise a car.”
“Jasper...” But I’m not sure what I want or can say.
“It will be okay,” Jasper reassures me, as he walks towards the hotel.
But the moment the press sees Jasper, they race over to him, throwing questions at him that I can’t hear, but they seem to be extremely interested in him. They continue following him as he walks into the hotel.
A few minutes later the doors open, and all the press turn in that direction, eager to see who it is. They look almost disappointed when it’s a group of security guards, and they don’t even notice or seem to care that they’re coming in my direction.
“Otis,” One of the guards asks, coming over to me.
“Hi,” I reply.
“If you can come with me, we will flank you as you walk into the hotel.”
We all walk towards the hotel and the press turn to face me. There isn’t the frenzy that Jasper had to face just minutes ago, and it causes a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Otis, how are you feeling?” A reporter shouts, and I ignore him.
“What are your thoughts about the allegations that have come to light today about Jasper Knight?” another shouts.
That almost made me stop in my tracks. Allegations about Jasper. What the hell is that about? Have I missed something while I’ve been in the medical centre? Is this why the press was hounding Jasper and not paying attention to the race?
I manage to ignore all the press and push open the hotel door, and I look around the lobby for Mum and Jasper. I spot Mum in the corner by the reception desk, bags at her feet, and she looks to be checking out.
“Mum,” I say, rushing over to her, “Have you seen Jasper?”
“Marcus whipped him away the second he came in. Marcus didn’t look happy,” Mum replies.
“That isn’t good, Mum. Did you see the press when you came in?”
“Yeah, they ignored me completely,” Mum replies.
“They virtually did me too. But they hounded Jasper,” I tell Mum.
“Otis, Lizzie,” Marcus voices behind us, “Can you come with me?”
“Marcus what’s going on?” I ask. In all the months I have known Marcus, I have never seen him look this worried, or is it concerned? But I don’t like either.
“Best to explain when we are away from prying eyes and ears,” Marcus states, which just increases my worry. “Jasper and Kimber are in my room. Come with me.”
“Kimber?” I thought that Kimber was going to stay at the racetrack. Her being here doesn’t ease the growing tension in the pit of my stomach.
None of us talk while we head to Marcus’s room. I know in my case it’s worry. Needing to know what is going on. It feels like forever until Marcus is buzzing us into his room, and I see Jasper looking as white as a sheet.
“Jasper!” I exclaim, rushing over to him. “What’s wrong?”
“Clive,” is the only word he mutters.