I Care ~ Lando Norris

Chapter 21: Racing Hearts: Love, Triumph And Family Bonds

But just as we settled into the comforting silence, the bedroom door creaked open.

A flicker of panic crossed our faces as Oscar stepped into the room, a surprised expression on his face.

"Whoa, didn't mean to interrupt anything," Oscar said, his eyes widening with realization.

As I felt the weight of the unspoken secret hanging in the air, Oscar's surprise entrance added a comedic twist to the night. Caught in the act of our clandestine romance, Lando and I exchanged sheepish glances, realizing that our secret had unintentionally unraveled.

Oscar, with a mischievous grin, teased, "Well, well, looks like the secret's out. I knew something was up." Laughter erupted, and the tension dissipated into the night air, leaving us all in a shared moment of relief.

Amidst the laughter that filled the room, Lando and I exchanged quick glances, our eyes silently pleading with Oscar to understand the delicate nature of our newfound connection. As the trio sat on the bed, surrounded by the echoes of shared laughter, a sense of vulnerability lingered in the air.

Oscar, still grinning, raised an eyebrow teasingly. "So, spill it, you two. What's this secret love affair you've got going on?"

Lando and I exchanged a nervous glance, our laughter subsiding as we shared a silent conversation through our eyes. It was clear that Oscar, the ever-curious friend, wouldn't let this go without some answers.

"Oscar," Lando began, a playful smile masking the underlying tension, "you know how it is when you find someone special. Isabella and I, well, we thought we'd keep it on the down-low for now. It's still early, and we didn't want to make a big fuss."

I chimed in, my eyes reflecting sincerity. "Oscar, you're like family to us. We value your opinion, and we didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable or caught off guard. Can you promise to keep this between us for a little while longer?"

Sensing the genuine plea in our words, Oscar leaned back with a thoughtful expression. "Well, well, secret love affairs, huh? You guys know I'm all for some drama, but if you think it's best to keep it quiet, I'll respect that. Just don't let me become a character in your love story drama, okay?"

We chuckled, relieved by Oscar's understanding. Lando, ever the smooth talker, added with a wink, "Oscar, you're not just a character, you're the supporting actor in our blockbuster romance."

Oscar rolled his eyes playfully. "Great, I always wanted to be the supportive sidekick. But seriously, if this is what you two want, I'll keep it under wraps. Just promise me, no more secrets once things get serious."

As the banter continued, the atmosphere lightened, and Oscar took a dramatic bow, declaring himself the guardian of our clandestine love affair. We spent the rest of the evening immersed in laughter and shared stories, creating memories that intertwined with the delicate threads of our friendships.

•••

As the days passed and the excitement built up for the Saudi Arabia race week, the atmosphere in our tight-knit group remained charged with anticipation. Lando, Oscar, and I found ourselves engulfed in the whirlwind of events leading up to the race, yet the delicate dance of our newfound connection continued to evolve beneath the surface.

In the midst of preparations, there were moments when Lando and I, caught up in the thrill of the upcoming race and the success of 'Speed of the Heart', found ourselves a little too close for comfort. Oscar, with his keen sense of observation, started dropping subtle hints, reminding us of the need to maintain a balance between the intense world of racing and the subtleties of our secret romance.