Love in thirds

7.2 Carlos & Marie

You know that you should talk to him about it, but you're a little bit too sad to do that now, so you'll just tell him after the race that you want to talk about something with him. It's Saturday now, and qualifying is done and you're on the afternoon shift when Carlos bursts through the doors of the hospitality, walking towards you quickly. "Please come to my driver's room because I need to talk to you" he says while motioning for the espresso he always has. You sigh, putting the cup under the machine, avoiding his pleading eyes. "Please Marie, I can't concentrate when we are like this. Just 5 minutes of your time guapa" he begs, and you nod after looking at him. He walks out before you follow him a little later when your colleague is back from her break. "I'll be back in a few, forgot something at the garage" she just raises her eyebrows before throwing a thumbs up, and you hurry to Carlos' drivers room.

"Hi" he breathes when you walk into the room. You see how his hands twitch because he wants to hold you, but he leaves them on his lap eventually. "Okay, I'm just going to guess why you're avoiding me, and then you can tell me if I'm right, okay?" you nod, shifting from one foot on the other. "Please sit down amore, you're making me nervous like this" you sit down on the other side of the couch, fiddling with your rings while waiting for Carlos to start talking. "I think you heard me tell my trainer that we're not dating, because you've been acting distant since that moment. You smiled at me when you walked into the room, but you ignored me when you walked out. Am I right?" you nod, letting go of a breath you were holding in.

"Okay, firstly, I'm sorry. I didn't know what to say, because we haven't labelled our relationship yet, and I freaked out. Secondly, I would like to talk to you after the race tomorrow, because I think it's time that we talk about this" he says while gesturing between you two, "I have some things that I need to get off my chest, even though they make me very nervous. I would like it if we're honest towards each other tomorrow." You nod, looking at him. He looks tired, and you miss the lights in his eyes. "I'm sorry that I told him that we're not dating, can we please act somewhat normal until we talk tomorrow? I don't like staying away from you" his voice sounds soft, and you swallow the lump in your throat.

"I think I overreacted a little bit, but I guess my insecurities about us just got the upper hand. I'm sorry I ignored you, and I would like to talk tomorrow. I think it's time that we come clean with some things." He smiles at you, blushing while nodding. You move a little closer to him, and he takes that as a sign to wrap his arms around you. He sighs, burying his face in your neck before pressing a soft kiss on your lips.

You're standing in front of Carlos' hotel room after he texted you that he ordered dinner and his room number. You knock on his door, fiddling with your rings while rehearsing in your head what you were planning on telling him. He opens the door 5 seconds later, as if he had been waiting behind it, wearing shorts and a white t shirt. He looks hot. 'Get your mind out of the gutter, we need to talk' you tell yourself sternly before smiling at him hesitantly and walking into his hotel room.

"Let's talk first, I think dinner will be here in 30 minutes or something" he says, sitting down on one of the lounges in his hotel room. You nod, sitting down next to him, without touching him. "Okay," he says, clearing his throat, "I've thought out what I wanted to say a thousand times but now I don't remember it" he chuckles nervously while scratching his neck. You giggle softly, and he looks at you with a smile. "Okay, I'll just start talking?" you nod, and he breaths in before starting.

"So, the last few months with you have been really amazing. I feel like I'm breaking down my walls around you constantly, I can be myself with you and I feel so happy around you. I've never felt this before, which is probably why it's so scary to me." He takes a deep breath, fiddling with his fingers while smiling shyly at you, "I really like you, but it's getting more than just liking you. I realised that when you became distant this weekend. I just wanted to tell you what I'd been up to, but you didn't react. It hurt me, even though I understand why you did it. I feel a bit stupid for not realising it sooner, if I'm honest, but yeah. I guess I'm not always a smooth operator." He chuckles before moving a little closer and grabbing your hands.

"Marie?" you hum, looking into his warm eyes. "I'm in love with you" his voice sounds soft and vulnerable, and you see the nerves in his eyes. You swallow, squeezing his hands before smiling at him. "I'm in love with you too. I've known it for a bit longer though, but I wanted to give you the time you needed. I realised this weekend that I'm more in love with you than I thought though. I've never felt that sad about a comment before" you giggle, looking at Carlos with stars in your eyes.

He leans in, kissing you softly before pulling you onto his lap, pressing you against his body. "I missed you" he mumbles, and you sigh contently. "Leaves me with one question though" he says, pushing you away a bit so he can look at your face. You cock your head sideways, a little confused. "Would you like to officially be mi amore?" you giggle, nodding your head before kissing him softly on the lips. "I'd love nothing more than that babe" you tell him before he kisses you again with a smile on his face.