THIRTEEN

Song of the Chapter: Celestial by Ed Sheeran

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Lando's POV

"We're doing what exactly tonight?" Daniel asks me, as I'm standing in front of him with five VIP tickets to Aimee's concert. This is probably the most stupid idea I've had in a while.

"We're going to watch Aimee perform." I tell him in all seriousness.

"And why do I have to go and join your booty call exactly?"

"It is not a booty call." I say, "And Max, George and Charles are coming too. Just come. I got five tickets and Carlos ditched me."

"Fine." Daniel sighs. "But I choose where we have dinner."

I agree with Daniel, he probably knows the best restaurants in the area anyway. I mean the guy lives for America, Texas even more.

"Lando, can you please explain to us why we're going to Max' neighbours concert. And why you're the one with VIP tickets?" Charles asks as we're driving to Dallas, all of them still bugging me on why we're going to the concert.

"For the same reason you fly home as many times as you can, when Charlotte's not with you." Daniel answers a smile on his face. This guy really can't keep a secret.

"I told you this isn't a booty call." I defend myself.

"Oh, what else would you call this then?" Max says defending Daniel, making everyone laugh at my expense.

"I don't know. Going to support a friend?!" I snap.

"You're totally into her." George says poking my side.

"Am not." I defend myself.

"No need to defend yourself Lan." Charles chuckles. "We've all been there."

"Fine." I huff. "I like her, but all we've done is speak over the phone. There's nothing more really."

***

We pull up to the arena, taking the side entrance to the floor as Ava had explained to me. It was a way to not have to interact with fans that much. Just so we could really have a night out, without having to many interruptions.

Turns out Daniel really knew a good barbecue place nearby, and we made it just in time for the concert to start.

Aimee takes the stage welcoming everyone to the concert, her appearance bright as always.

"Mate, she's really good at this." Charles says to me, as we're watching her perform. Many of us humming along to her songs, most of them well known by now.

I have to hold back a bit, I can't admit that I've been listening to her on repeat for the last few weeks. The lyrics to her songs stuck in my head.

Aimee then sits down on a chair in the middle of the stage, starting one of her slower songs. She seems to notice us for the first time right then and there. A smile appearing on her face as we make eye contact. I can feel the butterflies going through my body.

I'm really falling for this girl.

Once the concert is finished, Ava rushes to us, motioning to follow her backstage.

"This is her dressing room, but she has to do a small meet & greet first." Ava explains walking into a huge dressing room. It's enormous compared to our drivers rooms.

"So what are you planning on doing when she walks in here?" Max asks a sly grin on his face.

"I honestly have no idea." I say scratching the back of my neck. I hadn't thought about this at all.

"Well think fast, because she's coming our way." George says, he's standing close to the door, probably having Aimee in his sight already.

"Hi everyone," Aimee says walking into her dressing room, greeting the five of us. "I don't think we've properly met." She says walking to George, Daniel and Charles and introducing herself.

"My house is still fine?" Aimee asks as she greets Max as well.

"It was when I left Monaco yesterday." He says.

"Good, and congrats on the title." She says, giving him a hug. It's then that I feel something I haven't felt in a very long time. I was jealous.

"So we're gonna leave you guys alone," Daniel announces, pulling Max with him and leaving the dressing room with George and Charles as well.

"So," I say, not really sure what to say.

"So?" Aimee says a small smile on her face.

"I hadn't really thought past the point of being in the arena and watching you perform." I admit sheepishly.

"So you're my stalker now?" She asks with a light chuckle.

"Might as well be. But I think I wouldn't be here if I was really stalking you." I say a smile playing on my face.

"What brings you here then?" Aimee asks, pouring some hot water into a tea glass.

"I wanted to support a friend." I say referring to the excuse I used with the guys earlier.

"That's really nice of you all to come all the way here." Aimee says, but I can tell something's bothering her anyway. I decide not to push it though, because we don't really have that much time together. I just really don't want to ruin the little time we have.

"I did it with all the pleasure in the world. I really enjoyed the concert." I tell Aimee, before she opens her arms for a hug.

"I'm happy you liked it." She says once we let go of each other, a small blush on her cheeks.

"So you're sure I cannot persuade you to come visit the race on Sunday?" I ask her again, I know there's no concert then. However she might have other plans.

"I'm so sorry, Lan. It's a travel day this Sunday." Aimee says, an apologetic look on her face.

"Don't worry, we can still text and call right?" I say, hoping she's been enjoying that as much as I am.

"We definitely can." Aimee says smiling.

We then walk out of the dressing room, the four boys I got here with still waiting in the hallway accompanied by Ava. The seven of us make our way to the arena exit. Loads of fans still there, hoping to get a glance of Aimee. I can see Aimee tense next to me.

"I'm not up for fans." She says to Ava. "I'm tired." Ava immediately switches to the great manager she is, motioning for the driver to get the car as close to the exit as possible. And I know it's time for me and the boys to make our way back to Austin, knowing we all have media duties to attend in the morning.

"It was nice meeting you Aimee," Charles says a sly smirk on his face. I can feel my body tensing, I'm sure he's just being nice. But I can't even handle some other guy being nice to Aimee for once.

Daniel, George and Max say good bye to Aimee too, making their way to our car slowly. It's only Aimee and me, waiting on the inside of the building.

"When will you be back in Monaco?" I ask her, genuinely interested as I'd love to spend some more time with her.

"End of January," Aimee says a sad look already on her face. "That's when tour and everything is done."

I sigh, I was hoping it'd be a bit earlier. I'm leaving again for testing in the end of February. This is gonna be harder than I'd anticipated, but I'm not letting her know. "Great, we'll be there at the same time, for like a month." I chuckle.

"I'm looking forward to it." Aimee says, before I open my arms for another hug. I'd love for her to stay in my arms much longer. Her body fits with mine perfectly, the electricity racing through my body even with a hug is something I've never experienced before.

***

"When were you going to tell me, you've been talking to Aimee pretty much 24/7 since she left for her tour?" Daniel asks as we're walking around the paddock on Thursday.

"I don't know, maybe when I knew what this was labeled." I say looking at the ground.

"So what is this?" Daniel asks genuinely.

"I'm not sure. I like her that's for certain. But I don't think she likes me." I tell him, our conversation however gets interrupted by Charles, Max and George.

"We need to have a game plan." Max says sternly.

"For what?" I ask, not knowing what they're talking about.

"For the media. Pics of us at the concert got people going crazy. They're rumouring you guys are together." Max says pointing to me. "As you were the last two to exit the building."

I sigh, the media always finds a way to come up with some kind of story. "Shit." Is all I can say.

"Let's just say she invited you because you're her neighbour. And you convinced the four of us to join." George suggests, and we're all quick to agree that it might be our best option.

"I'll go and tell Aimee, so she can stick with it as well." I say reaching for my phone.

"Does she know, you're the one who got us the tickets?" Daniel says and that's when I realise how terrible this idea is. I'll blow my whole cover.

_______________________________Edited 3-11-2023