I know it’s a functional gift, but it’s something I have been muttering to myself the last few months. And he listened to my mutterings and did something so sweet. The words are there again, I just have to say them. Even if they aren’t those three exact words, I could say something akin to it. Something to tell him how much be means to me. How much I am enjoying spending this time with him.
I lean over and kiss him. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
“Let’s get some birthday food into you,” he offers.
Fleur organised a go-karting day and as everyone arrives in the lobby, it’s clear Riley shared it was my birthday and we are celebrating with go-karts. Fleur has organised a shuttle to take us all to the venue. Shelby, Nikki, and Dave also made it in time to come, too. I sit next to Fleur on the way there.
Leaning in closer to her to whisper, “I chickened out,” I confess to her quietly, but also looking around to make sure no one overhears me.
“What were you going to say?” she asks, low.
“I don’t even know. I ended up saying something like I like how things are at the moment and I don’t want anything to mess that up.”
“Right.”
“During sex.”
“Offt.”
“Then he gave me a really lovely and thoughtful, but too expensive, birthday gift this morning.”
“If you said you don’t want anything to mess it up, maybe wait until you’re ready to tell him how you feel? Or when you have the courage?”
“I’m going to have to,” I concede.
“Are your parents coming to see you for your birthday?” Fleur asks, helping my overthinking and changing the topic.
“Shockingly, yes. They realised I wasn’t flying home so they're coming to see me, but not for a few weeks. They were adamant they weren’t coming to me at the start of the season. I guess I should actually ask if they want track passes. Doubtful,” I reply and smile at Fleur.
“They are that unsupportive?” Fleur questions.
“Mm-hmm, that unsupportive. Everything I do is criticised,” I offer, “But hey, let’s not talk about that. Thanks so much for organising this. It’s going to be an amazing day, as always!”
“My pleasure! I love these days out with everyone,” Fleur replies.
After an hour, we arrive. The complex is massive and has both indoor and outdoor options. From the greeting everyone gets from the staff, they have been here before.
“You must be the birthday girl!” A man in his late twenties with scruffy, red hair and the complex’s uniform on sticks out his hand.
“Yup, I’m Mabel.” I accept his hand with a firm shake.
“Welcome! I am Gabe, and I get roped into keeping these maniacs in line every time they come here.” He shoots a wicked smile to them all and they coyly laugh. “Hopefully, things stay in some sort of control today.” Everyonewoosand claps as we walk towards the indoor portion of the complex.
Gabe takes us through the mandatory speeches and procedures, and then we're let loose on track for a few hours in a thrilling day of fun and competitiveness. By the end of it, we are well and truly spent after the day. Weak conversation and murmurs fill the shuttle bus back to the hotel.
Riley and I sit together at the back of the bus, both exhausted and talking minimally.
“Thanks for today,” I start, tilting my head to look at him. “It was really fun.”
“I didn’t do anything. Fleur is the master at organising these days out,” he offers, smiling at me as his blue eyes finding mine.
“Yeah, but I know you told her it was my birthday.” I smile back at him and slip my hand into his that hangs low near our knees.
“Can’t have you getting away without celebrating with us. We’re a family here.” He looks around and lifts our entwined hands to his mouth and kisses the back of mine softly andquietly, winking at me. My heart skips a beat and I squeeze his hand.
I rest my head on his shoulder as we discuss what we’re getting for room service, and he runs his fingers up my arm absentmindedly until we arrive at the hotel and we all pile out.
“Successful day out, Fleur,” Cole praises. Otto stretches his legs after being cooped up in the bus with us.
