After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

36. Race Against Time

Seb tried in vain to find Lottie all day but could find her nowhere. Matt from Social Media had been doing her usual job. He hoped she was ok. He just wanted to tell her he still loved her. He couldn't text her or call as he had broken his phone. Maybe she had one of her headaches? Yes, she'd be back tomorrow surely. But she wasn't. Now he was getting concerned.

He decided he would ask Joel. He could have asked Sophie but to be honest, she was scary. She was so fiercely protective of her friends. He saw Joel leaving the garage. He quickly slipped out and followed him.
"Joel!" he called. The blonde mechanic stopped and waited for Seb to catch up.

"Where's Lottie Joel? Is she OK?" Joel raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why ask me? If you hadn't have been a dick you'd know the answer to that." Joel didn't mince his words. Sophie had told him what had happened and he was pissed off with Seb.

"I know I've been a dick. I want to make it up to her but how can I if she won't talk to me. I broke my phone so I can't ring her. Please can you tell her to come and see me tonight?"

"No."

"Joel, please. Come on."

"I can't because she's not here."

"What? Where is she?"

"Right now I'd say she was just about landing in England." Seb's heart nearly burst out of his chest. He really had driven her away.

"She's left me? She's gone?" He felt like his world was collapsing.

"Seb, no. It's not you. It's her dad. He's had a heart attack. It's not good. He's alive but having heart surgery."

"Oh my God. Is she OK? Why didn't she tell me?"

"She was in a bit of a state. Seb, she just wanted to get home as soon as she could. She didn't have time to go arguing with you again."

"I'll fly to her as soon as I've raced."

"Seb. I wouldn't. I think the best thing you could do for her at the moment is to stay away from her. She needs to concentrate on her dad, not on trying to fix your relationship."

"But she'll need me."

"Seriously Seb, back off, " Joel snapped. " She doesn't need your bullshit. What she needs is someone who is there for her 100%, not you and your petty jealousy." Seb was shocked that Joel had spoken to him like that. He was usually the most easy going person around.

"Joel, I love her."

"Yeah well, you haven't been acting like it. If you really do then let her be. Just wait until her dad is better. Or at least out of danger."  Seb nodded.  He'd got the message loud and clear.  She ddin't need him.  Screw her then.  He'd concentrate on what really mattered.  The race.

***

Lottie all but ran into the hospital.  She made her way to the ward where her dad was.  She went up to the nurses' desk. 

"I'm looking for my dad.  Martin Lawson."  The nurse pointed her in the right direction.  She found his room and tapped on the door.

"Come in," came her stepmother's voice.  She opened it and saw her dad propped up in bed, reading the newspaper.  His face lit up when he saw her.

"Lottie, darling. What are you doing here?  Shouldn't you be in Mexico?"

"I called her Martin.  She deserved to know."

"Yes Dad, I got the first flight I could.  How are you feeling?"

"I'm ok. I feel fine now.  What about Sebastian?  Shouldn't you be supporting him?"

"Nevermind that Dad.  You are what's important at this moment it time.  You'll always be my number one man."

"My girl. I am so proud of you."

"And I'm proud of you Dad," she said, sitting on the edge of his bed and taking his hand in hers. 

"I'll give you two some time alone.  I'll pop and have a coffee in the cafe," Lindsay said, slipping out of the door.

"So," Martin said.  "How is Sebastian?  That was quite the win in Austin."  Lottie sighed.  Where did she start?

"Sebastian and I are taking a break. There's a few things we need to talk about but don't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine."  She was far from sure but didn't want her dad worrying himself about it.

"I hope so sweetheart. I just want you to be happy."

"I am Daddy, you just concentrate on getting better."

"Yes, I will.  I want to meet Sebastian at last. I want him to sign my cap.  Remember the cap that Mark Webber gave you to give me."  She nodded. 
"Pass me my ipad will you love? It's time to watch the qualifying." 

Lottie did as he asked and she moved to sit in the chair next to the bed so she could watch with him.  Her heart skipped a beat as the camera zoomed in on a close up of Seb sat in Honey Ryder, his piercing blue eyes staring out of his helmet.  How she loved those eyes. 

He was fourth quickest in Q1. Then in Q2 he only just managed to scrape through in tenth after a yellow flag ruined his second flying lap.  She kept her fingers crossed for him in Q3.  He was in eighth place going into the final seconds.  He crossed the line just before the chequered flag fell.  He put in a stormer of a lap and qualified on the front row in second place. 

She smiled and nodded, proud of him.

"Well, that was lucky," said her dad. "He left that late."

"He did," she agreed.  Lindsay had returned by now and Martin decided he wanted a sleep as was feeling weary.  Lottie headed home, promising she would see him the nexr day and they would watch the race together. 

As she entered her living room she spotted Seb's suit jacket hanging on the back of the sofa.  He still hadn't took that damn thing home.  She picked it up and held it to her face.  She could still smell him on it.  She felt all her emotions rising up inside her.  She tried to hold them back but the tears spilt out. She really missed him. 

Yes, she was mad as hell at him but she loved him so much. She really hoped that one day they could fix their relationship but right now, at this moment in time, she had to concentrate on her dad. She hoped Seb would understand. 

She took out her phone and dialled his number, desperate to hear his voice, but it went straight to voicemail.  She tried several more times throughout the next hour but every time it went to voicemail. He hadnt even tried to call her.  Maybe he really had meant it. Maybe they were over for good.