Chapter 7 #2
“Oliver told me you were a Wentworth supporter, but he didn’t tell me why.”
“Oh god, what else did he tell you?” She looked up again, this time in embarrassment.
“I’m your favourite driver.” He grinned mischievously, not looking back at her because he knew this would elicit a reaction.
“I’m going to kill him. That’s so embarrassing!” Ingrid sat up, “I promise you, I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. I’m not a crazy fan.”
He kissed her, “I wish all my crazy fans were like you; it would make life much more enjoyable.”
“But how would you pick which crazy fan to sleep with each night?”
“No, there’s only one I want!” As he playfully wrestled her on the couch until they were making out like teenagers.
He had her.
???
Erik thought their little sojourn at his home had done the trick. They were packing up to leave for the airport. Both were flying to London.
“I really think we should be taking different flights. You know it will be different the minute we leave here.” She repeated for the hundredth time that day.
“It will be fine. I usually manage to sneak into London, even on a commercial flight.” He kissed her cheek.
Erik was right; he dropped her off at her flat without a hitch. He decided that he should stay at the hotel that evening so he could try to see Mark before they went to work. They agreed to meet at the hotel bar.
“Not with your lady friend tonight?” Mark asked.
“Not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on, you’re fucking the coach, aren’t you?” Mark snarled.
“So, what if I am?”
“You just have to have everything, don’t you? The looks, the hot coach, the family dynasty, the money, the friends…”
“Mark, I’m really not sure what you’re on about. Your family is wealthier than mine. You have no trouble getting girls, or guys for that matter. We’re all best friends. Plus, you have a championship, and I don’t.”
Erik was completely confused about where all this was coming from.
“I’m sorry, mate. You’re right. I’m being pathetic.” He took another gulp of his beer.
“What’s going on, Mark? We’re all worried about you.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just having a moment,” he said, then smiled. “So, tell me about the coach? In love with her?”
“We aren’t here to talk about her.” He brushed it off; the answer would have been yes. “Have you patched things up with Antoine?”
“Sort of. I spoke to him and apologised. He said the same as you, worried about me. Don’t need to be, old friend.”
Erik watched Mark finish his beer and order another one. Mark could drink, but they didn’t usually drink too much during the work week, and Mark already sounded tipsy before Erik arrived.
“I’ll speak to him too, if you need me to.”
“Always Erik to the rescue with Antoine.”
“Ok, mate, this isn’t productive, so I’m going to leave you. Try not to get too drunk, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Erik regretted his decision to stay at the hotel. The conversation with Mark had been pointless, and now he was missing out on the last night he could have spent with Ingrid for the next three weeks.
???
“Are you sure you won’t come to Bahrain with us?” Erik had her on video call with Antoine.
“Come on, Ingrid, I know you said just for the first three races, but this could just be for fun,” Antoine added.
“No thanks, I’m quite comfortable taking a break at home,” she said, shaking her head firmly.
“I don’t think we’re going to win this one, mon ami,” Antoine said to Erik.
“I think I know a way to convince her, but you don’t want to hear Ant.”
“Non merci.” They both laughed.
“It wouldn’t work anyway. Ant, I’ll speak to you at our scheduled time. Erik, we’ll chat when you’ve landed. Have a good flight!”
Once they were settled on their flight – commercial this time – Antoine asked Erik the question he still didn’t have an answer to.
“Have you made it official yet?”
“No, she thinks I need this time apart to be single and figure out if this is really what I want.”
“You don’t seem very single to me.”
“Exactly. She’s been saying this for about two months now, and I just keep falling deeper and deeper.”
“I’m lucky with Daniela because she gets this whole world, but it isn’t easy for normal people. Maybe give her time?”
“I’m trying. Just not sure what more to do to prove myself. I think she’s still worried about the negative attention it will put on you. But don’t worry about that; it’s my shit to deal with.”
He could see that Antoine looked worried, and he gave him a pat on the leg.