Fifth Light (Sebastian Vettel)

Chapter 28: Cut Off

The receptionist booked her in with an unusual look before handing over her room key. It had been the first hotel she'd come across. Nothing special, but a lot warmer than outside.

Once she reached the safety of her room, she walked over to the window and looked out, taking a deep breath. Her cheeks were extra cold where the tears had trailed down.

"Argh god," she groaned, hating this feeling. The more she thought about Hayley and Seb, the more her throat burned until it felt almost unbearable. He was supposed to be hers.

She sat on the window ledge and stared out for another hour solid. After a while, her mind had mostly gone blank and exhaustion quickly took over.

---

Seb walked through the streets hopelessly. He hadn't been able to find her in any direction. It was cold and late now, so he decided to head back to the team's hotel. Casey surely would be back there by now anyway, right?

He pulled his phone out for the 50th time, though instead of dialing Casey, he selected Evan.

"Yeah?" Evan said sharply, picking up almost right away.

"Is she there?"

"Nope."

"You'd tell me if she was right? Please? Even if she tells you not to. I have to know."

"I'd tell you, Seb. She's not here."

"Damn it. What the fuck do I do?" he exclaimed.

Evan's heart sunk for him a little. He'd seen the whole thing play out and his opinion at least, Seb hadn't asked for it to happen.

"I don't know man, just give her the night. I'm sure she'll call in the morning."

Seb sighed at the other end of the line, "I can't just leave her out here."

"You've got no choice Seb. She wants to be alone. Go back to your hotel. I'll call you as soon as I hear from her."

"Thanks," the German replied abruptly before hanging up.

Evan took a deep breath.

"Is he going fucking nuts?" Jacob asked from his side.

"Yeah, pretty much."

Jacob rested his head on Evan's shoulder and they looked down at his phone together.

"You didn't tell him you know where she is?" he asked quietly.

Evan tilted his chin to kiss his forehead, "Nah, I know she's safe. So we'll buy her some time."

They watched the little blue dot on the screen, currently residing in a hotel a few streets away on Evan's "Find My Friends" app. He was suddenly very grateful for the time he and Casey had set it up and then promptly forgotten about it.

---

Seb hailed a taxi and went back to the hotel, at a loss for what else to do and feeling completely miserable. He hated being cut off more than anything else. He'd already been missing Casey since Tuesday the week before and had been waiting for tonight ever since he'd said goodbye to her in Monaco. Now she wouldn't even pick up his calls.

He thought back to the time they'd had in Monaco. It had been the most exciting and happiest week he'd had in a very long time. They'd been together most nights, and had been given the all clear from Christian. Everything had been going in their favour. She'd made him so happy.

He pulled out his phone again, if she wouldn't pick up the calls, maybe she'd read his messages.

"Case please tell me where you are. I don't want anything to do with Hayley. I didn't know she was going to do that. I'm so sorry you had to see it. I love you and this fucking hurts. Please don't cut me off."