Dinner was a little awkward. Ricky talked and laughed a lot. And Fabio looks like he had a great time with him, but he was distant to me. He didn't look at me and didn't say much to me. I in return zoned out a little. The bad feeling in my gut only got worse. I didn't eat much, but I don't think they noticed. I assured them, they could have fun and I cleaned up the kitchen. I didn't mind it much. It took my mind off of things.
They were playing video games, which gave me an excuse to go to 'my' room.
Around ten I heard them coming up and I heard doors close. Not long after, I fell asleep.
You know after sleeping in the same bed with Fabio for three night, it's weird to wake up alone in the middle of the night.
I woke up from a bad dream, hurting people I love. I was sweating and having a tight feeling in my chest.
But I don't think I did anything more than tossing and turning. Atleast no one woke up because of me.
Taking a clean new nightgown, I walk across the hallway to the guest bathroom. Fabio has two bathrooms upstairs, one next to his room and one down the hall.
I lock the door before getting in the shower. I try to be as quiet and quick as possible, before going back to the room. Dressed in my new nightgown, I walk down the hall again, when a door opens. Not Fabio's door but Ricky's. He's barely awake, standing there in only boxers. His eyes grow big, looking me up and down.
"What are you doing awake at this time?", He asks softly.
"I had a bad dream, waking up sweating. So I took a quick shower. Sorry for waking you", I walk to the room slowly.
"Not a problem, you can wake me like this anytime", he winks before going in the bathroom.
I get into the room a little overwhelmed. Did he really just flirt with me? I softly close the door and turn around, almost getting a heart attack. Fabio is sitting on the edge of the bed in just his boxers.
"Shit, you scared me. Did I really woke up both of you?", I ask standing against the door.
"I was already awake. I heard you take a shower. Is Ricky awake as well?", He voice is a little deep and husky. I sends shivers down my spine.
"Yeah, ran into him in the hallway"
"Wearing that?", Fabio looks my up and down. I know it's a little short and revealing. But my shirt was all sweaty and I didn't really think I would see them both.
I nod, "I wasn't expecting to see you or him at this time of night", I blush, looking down. "Wait.. I can ask you the same judging question. You two walk around in boxers, like it's completely normal"
I get under the covers and lay my head back, staring at the ceiling.
"Sorry.. I'm just really tired. I won't walk around like this again in your house"
"That's not at all what I mean", he sighs, "I'll let you sleep"
He walks to the door and lingers a few seconds, before opening it.
"Fabio?", I try before he's out of the door.
"Yes?"
"What's going on?", I keep looking up, not looking at him. I hear the door close again and I almost think he left, it's quiet before he speaks.
"I don't really like the fact that one of my good friends saw you like that?", He questions.
"I mean since you came back this afternoon?", I clarify. "If you want me to leave, you can just tell me", I turn on my side to look at him.
"I don't want you to leave"
"You sure about that?", He looks frustrated and I don't know why.
He nods, sighing again.
"Okay"
He opens the door again and walks out.
Fabio's POV
She really is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. That nightgown looked really good on her. I can only think about taking it off of her.
I sigh again, talking my phone and calling Tom.
"Fabio? It's the middle of the night.. you okay?", I hear my best friends voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry for calling at this hour. I just really need to talk to you", I feel bad for waking him.
"And that can't wait? Is Julie okay?", I hear some noises in the background before it's quiet again.
"Yeah, I think she's slowly getting a bit better", I tell him, seeing her in better fitted clothes and smiling more feels good.
"Okay, so why are you calling?"
"I like her, bro", I sigh. I really do like her.
"Yeah, so?", Tom asks like it's nothing new.
"What do you mean, so?"
"Come on, you've kissed, slept in the same bed and you are crazy protective of her. I'm not stupid, I know you", Tom tells me. "So what's the problem?"
"I've asked her to be my girlfriend in the future. And she's hesitant. And now Ricky is here. And he thinks she's 'hot' ", I make air quotes although I know he can't see me. "And he says half the paddock is talking about the new hot physical therapist"
"Okay, so? My mind isn't really awake yet. Please explain", he talks slow, not fully alert yet. Maybe it was a bad idea to call him, but he's the only one who can help me.
"So what if one of the other riders makes a move on her? What if she likes one of them more? I mean she talks to all of them when she's working, sees them with barely any clothes on, she watches them race, she gets job offers from other riders and teams. She is one of the most beautiful girls out there. And there aren't a lot in the paddock", I'm frustrated and don't know what to do. "And if I tell her any of this I scare her off. She told me she isn't ready and doesn't even know if she can be in a relationship. And she is still so fragile, not eating much if she's feeling bad. So if I tell her, people are talking about her, she isn't going to react good"
"Okay, okay. This is a lot. I haven't talked to her much lately and this is all new information to me. You obviously know more than me. What is this with not eating?", He hasn't talked much? I thought they talked in Le Mans?
"She asked me to read her journal. She lost a lot of weight in the last months, apparently?", I tell/ ask him. "Yeah she was a lot more curvy"
"Well when she has stress, she doesn't eat. Sometimes she goes days without eating. In Jerez she almost fainted if it wasn't for Pecco. This afternoon I was more distant and at dinner she barely ate. She probably thinks I didn't notice but I saw", I explain.
Tom sighs, "this is not good"
"I know, but I keep a close eye. But it makes me hold back in what I tell her. And what if she changes her mind and takes Pecco's offer and moves to Italy? Or she moves to Belgium or the Netherlands? Then I only see her on the race weekends when I have an appointment at the clinica mobile. And even there, I'm not one of 'her' riders, but I'm with Matteo apparently"
"I don't know what offer from Pecco you're talking about, but she isn't moving yet. And if you want to be treated by Julie, that's not a problem", he speaks. "Don't forget she is at your house right now. She could be with her parents or she could be renting an apartment somewhere. But she wanted to come with you"
I nod, although he can't see me. He is right. But I'm still a little concerned.
"Look, I'm awake now and Math is doing some things with friends the next two days. So I'll get ready and drive up there. I'll keep her company and we'll talk. I haven't really talked to her in a long time. And I was able to get her shoes and bags back. So I think she wants them back soon as well"
"Wait really? How did you pull that off?"
"I maybe used you? Those new owners of the apartment need a signed cap from you", he cheeky tells me. "I hope you have an empty closet or room for all those bags and shoes"
"Not a problem"
"See you in the morning! Get some sleep and don't worry"
"Thank you", I tell him before ending the call.
I'm really glad Tom is coming here. Sometimes he is like my second older brother. He can be really caring and I love that about him. But the way he is with Julie, it's a different kind of bond. They really are brother and sister. And I think Tom would hurt me, if I hurt her.
I hear her door open again and I get out of bed opening mine. She's standing in front of my door, hand raised ready to knock.
"Oh um hey", her voice is soft.
"Hi, what are you doing here?", I ask a little confused.
"I heard some noise coming from here. So I wanted to see if you are okay. Were you watching Netflix or something?", she heard me talk? I hope she didn't hear what I was saying.
"Yeah, something like that. I actually just got up to ask if you wanted to join me?", I am a little nervous asking this. What if I'm going to fast. But I want her close.
"Join you watching Netflix?", she looks confused, it's so cute. Her curly hair is all over the place and I want to go through it with my hands.
"Sleeping in my bed?"
"Oh, yeah sure"
And that's how I have another good night rest, with Julie in my arms.