“I get it.”
Room 1733
P2 in Mexico and Sam and Lucas try to blind Matthew with champagne during the driver’s first ever Formation 1 podium finish.
The nerdy little guy is bug-eyed and awestruck, staring between the two Red Boar drivers and his podium hat.
It’s good to bask in someone else’s enjoyment for once. Sam hasn’t looked at the podium with fresh eyes in a long time.
After press, he hums as he peels off his fireproofs. His own podium hat is long gone, tossed amongst the crew for them to deal with.
Sam doesn’t know what he'll do later, but he should make some sort of plan. Solitary hotel rooms aren’t helping the whole depression thing—he needs to get back out there and live again.
He’s been officially booted from the club chat, even though the fight was Rafael’s fault. Whatever, clubs are boring anyway. Besides, he can make new friends—he’s a friendly dude.
Maybe Matthew has some space left at whatever tabletop gaming troupe he’s obviously a part of.
Sam could eat alone at some restaurant, but that sounded depressing. Maybe Adam?—
No. That’s worse.
At this rate, he’ll just end up alone with his room service menu again.
When Sam had stormed out of Thomas’s suite in Monza, he hadn’t realized just how much of his life he was giving up. The sex, sure, but also their stupid race breakdowns, the late-night talks, the banter.
He misses the intimacy, misses having plans for the night, someone to sleep next to, someone to lean on, someone who is there with him to experience every weekend.
Sam misses Thomas and he hateshimself for it.
A knock and Lucas enters his driver's room without waiting for permission.
“Yeah?” Sam is still only half-dressed, but the German driver never cares.
Lucas opens his mouth, but seems to rethink what he was about to say. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, no, I’m fine.”
“Is that a yes? Or a no?”
Both.
“I’mfine.”
Lucas studies him for a moment before asking, “Are you like this because I am leaving?”
“No.” Sam’s had enough time to get over the new kid. Even if he still doesn’t like him. “Well, maybe a little bit.”
“So you are sad because of Thomas.”
Sam huffs in frustration and turns away to struggle with the rest of his clothes. “If itisabout Thomas, then I guess it doesn’t concern you.”
“Look, I do not want to see you like this.” Gee, thanks. “I only have a limited time before I leave. Is there something I can do to help?”
Sam’s still shirtless when he spins back to face the door. He doesn’t miss how Lucas’s eyes run over his body before popping back up to his face. For a split second Sam’s reminded of Thomas after their crash in Canada.
Is there anything I can do?
“Yeah.” It falls out of Sam’s mouth before he even realizes it.
