Resolving that I need to talk to Mabel in a more open, two-way conversation, I finish my meal and head to the hotel.
Passing her hotel room next door to mine fills my heart with joy, and a smile can’t stop forming on my face.
I really miss her.
Knowing her parents are in there and she is spending time with them, I continue to my room to settle in on the lounge for the night.
It doesn’t take long for me to glance to the other side of the lounge. The empty spot Mabel would sit in.
I allow myself to fall onto the lounge, face first. The material scratchy against my face.
Closing my eyes, I see Mabel’s face. I pick up my phone and type out a message to her:
Hey Gorgeous.
Hope everything’s going well with your parents.
Here if you need anything. x
26
Mabel
My parents arrived two days ago, and I am already counting down when they leave. I don’t know why they bothered to come. They have complained about the hotel, asked to only go to the track for half a day, but not Sunday when all the fans are there, and nitpicked everything about me from my hair, my love life, why do I want to travel around like this, down to my shoes. Stupidly, I arranged for a two-bedroom room, so I can’t even find solace in my own space.
We are sitting around the table having dinner, and their berating is endless. You’d think they would stop while they were eating, but no. They could complain under water.
“The hotel is so busy. You should have warned us,” my mother interjected.
“I have told you; all the teams try to stay at the same hotel to make it easier for travelling to the track together,” I reply.
“I didn’t think it would be this busy, though. We would have stayed at another hotel if we had known,” she continues.
“What do you want them to do? Stay in their hotel room and only leave to go to the track?” I press. This is a stupid conversation to break at, but I can feel myself getting there. Inormally let it go, but they are crossing a line now. Bringing people I care about into the conversation, who they have no idea about, into their negativity.
“Well, no, but some consideration for people not part of the hoopla would be nice,” my father adds in.
“They are just living their lives,” I give up. There is no talking compassion to them. My phone buzzes in my pocket and I am glad for the distraction.
Hey Gorgeous.
Hope everything’s going well with your parents.
Here if you need anything. x
I smile and use this opportunity to my advantage. “Sorry, that’s Rayna. I have to meet with her to get some last-minute things sorted for tomorrow’s media sessions.” I get up and pick up my laptop from the kitchen counter, slipping it into my laptop bag.
“What? It’s so late? Why do you have to go now? We’re having dinner,” my mother says, annoyed that things are being changed under her watch.
“Last minute change. These things happen, especially so late in the season and such a close championship.” I shrug, “Don’t wait up.” I know they won’t. They will have dinner, watch whatever show is annoying them for a bit, and then go to bed.
I exit the room and head straight next door and lightly tap my knuckles on the door.
Riley opens it and smiles as soon as his eyes hit mine. “Hey,” he says softly, “needed a break?”
“Yes,” I whine and walk into the room, setting my laptop bag down and turning to him for a kiss and a hug.
“Sorry you are having a crap time. How long were they here for again?” he asks as he rubs his hands down my back to soothe me.
