MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES. APRIL 2024.

Jacob tapped his foot anxiously as he made his way in a taxi to the Masonic Temple Theatre where Olivia was currently sound-checking for her concert in the evening. With the week he had in between races and the next race being in the USA, he was allowed to visit Olivia provided he was in Miami latest Wednesday the week of the race and he kept up his daily training regimen. It was no issue for Jake, he was a disciplined individual so not having his personal trainer there nagging him wouldn't cause him to skip out on becoming a better driver.

"We're here." the Uber driver announced as Jacob looked up and noticed that there were already a few loyal fans queuing up to get to the front of the standing section for Liv's concert.

"Do you mind driving round the back?" Jake asked politely, wanting to avoid the attention of the fans, fuelling the dating rumours that were still going around about him and Liv.

They weren't ready to properly launch their relationship yet, Jake wanted it to be as private as possible as they were going through a testing period - with Jake's season and Olivia's tour.

The driver made his way to the back and where there were security guards, Jake got out and thanked the driver. He made his way to the door and smiled at the guards that recognised him. They let him in and he placed his suitcase in a room before trying to find Olivia who was currently on stage.

She was in the middle of sound-checking one of her songs, 'good 4 u' to be precise and Jake followed the sound of the voice he adored dearly. He made his way to the wings where he could see Olivia, dressed casually in a top and joggers, singing into the mic. She had her eyes closed, pouring every ounce of emotion she had into her music. Jacob just momentarily stood and admired the girl who he found so mesmerising and beautiful in front of him.

"How does that sound?" Olivia asked her sound engineer.

"It's sounds amazing." Jake commented from the wings, causing Olivia to look around in confusion.

She could recognise that voice from anywhere, so looked around and when she finally made eye contact with her boyfriend, her face erupted into a gigantic grin as she placed her microphone down and ran towards Jake.

"Jake!" she exclaimed, jumping into his arms for a hug as he enveloped her tightly, her legs wrapped around him. He inhaled the all so comforting scent of his girlfriend and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"Hey pretty girl," Jake said softly, "I missed you."

Olivia felt her heart gush at the vocative. "I missed you too."

Jake was never a sappy person but it seemed like spending all that time around Olivia had made him a bit of a softie, he would never complain about it though. The singer brought out the best in him.

He placed her back on the ground gently before gently caressing her cheek, pulling her in for a gentle kiss. It had felt like an eternity since he had last seen her.

"You sound amazing, I'm so excited to see you perform."

Olivia blushed. "I'm really glad you're here Jake."

Jacob looked down at Olivia with a soft smile, his smile telling her that he felt the same.

"I thought I told you to meet me later!" Olivia added to which Jake chuckled.

"Got here early, thought I'd come surprise you! I think someone's put all my stuff in your dressing room."

"We'll move it onto the bus in a bit."

For the American leg of her tour, Olivia had been travelling on a tour bus and from what she had told Jacob, she was really enjoying it. It was spacious and she had no issue sleeping. Jake had been told there was space for him to travel with her to her shows in New York before he flew to Miami. For a few days, Jake would be living the popstar lifestyle.

Once sound check was finished, they made their way onto Olivia's tour bus where she gave him a quick tour before they sat down in what she called the 'living room'.

"How was your flight?"

"Long, but totally worth it." Jacob said, unable to stop smiling.

They spent the next few hours catching up and the surrounding area. Olivia introduced him to her bandmates and crew, who welcomed him warmly. They strolled through the streets of Michigan, stopping for coffee at a quaint café where they could sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

As they sipped their drinks, a group of fans spotted Olivia. They approached hesitantly, asking for autographs and selfies. Jacob hung back, happy to let Olivia enjoy her moment with her fans. However, it wasn't long before someone recognised him.

"Hey, aren't you Jake Thomspon? You race for McLaren?" a young girl asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Jacob smiled politely. "Yes, I am."

"Wait...oh my god!!! Are you two...you know...together?" another fan asked, her eyes darting between Jacob and Olivia.

Jacob felt awkward, glancing at Olivia, his eyes begging her to answer.

"He's a good friend of mine." she answered for him, as Jake breathed a sigh of relief.

The fans giggled, not believing the lie, and took a few more photos before wandering off, whispering excitedly among themselves.

As evening approached, the anticipation for Olivia's concert grew. Jake watched from the wings as the venue filled with excited fans. The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Olivia took the stage, her presence magnetic. She began with an upbeat number 'brutal', her voice effortlessly commanding the space.

Jacob marvelled at her performance, lost in the music and the energy of the crowd. Each song just showed how much talent she had, her connection with the audience undeniable. She moved seamlessly from high-energy anthems to soulful ballads, her voice conveying a variety of emotions. He was mesmerised, he was in awe of how someone so talented could be his.

As the final song ended and Olivia left the stage to thunderous applause, Jake knew this night would stay with him forever.

Backstage, Olivia ran into his arms, her face flushed with excitement and from the performance she had just put on. "So, what did you think?" she asked, breathless.

He kissed her forehead. "You were incredible, Liv. Absolutely incredible. God I'm so lucky."

She smiled and hugged him tightly, not needing words to show how much she appreciated him being there.

They made their way to her tour bus where the plan was they would drive overnight so when they both woke up, they'd be in New York. Jake was sceptical of the sleeping situation at first but he eventually grew comfortable, sleeping next to Olivia, his arms wrapped around her lovingly.

He woke up with his arms still around Liv, his face nestled in her hair so that he woke up to the scent of her shampoo which made him feel so at ease. When Olivia finally woke up, they had arrived at where they needed to be, for the night they would be in a hotel as they were staying in New York. They both got ready for the couple hours they had free before her sound-check.

After they checked in quickly they eagerly started their day of exploring. Stepping out into the bustling streets of Manhattan, they were immediately engulfed by the energy of the city. They strolled hand in hand, weaving through the crowds, their anonymity allowing them to enjoy the day like any other couple. Jacob donned a pair of shades and a cap, but not a McLaren one, hoping not to stick out. Neither were too worried, they were wearing subtle outfits and with the bustling streets of New York they were sure to blend in.

They started at Central Park, taking a relaxing and scenic walk along the winding paths, admiring the scenery.

They visited the Met, wandering through the vast halls and marvelling at the art collections. Liv's eyes lit up as they explored the exhibits, her passion for art as evident as her love for music. Jake found himself enchanted by her enthusiasm, her joy was infectious.

For lunch, they found a cosy little spot in Greenwich Village, tucked away from the main thoroughfares. They chatted over sandwiches and coffee, their conversation as always flowing effortlessly. They talked about everything and nothing - her tour, his races, their plans for the future.

"Hey, Jake, did you hear about the race car driver who drove his car into a bakery?" Olivia asked with a mischievious glint in her eye.

Jacob raised an eyebrow, intrigued, something like this he definitely would've heard of before. "No, what happened?"

"He ended up with a lot of doughnuts!" Olivia burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the café.

Jacob chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Fucking hell. I think that's the worst joke I've ever heard. Americans think they're so funny..."

Olivia grinned, leaning in closer to him. "Well, you know what they say, Jake. 'The couple that laughs together, stays together!'"

Jake couldn't help but let out a small smile. "You're so American, and that's not even a compliment."

In the evening, the venue was buzzing with excitement, fans eager to see Olivia take the stage. Jacob stayed backstage, watching as Olivia went through her pre-show rituals. She was focused, yet relaxed, a professional through and through.

When the lights dimmed and the first notes of the opening song filled the air, Jake found a spot in the wings where he could watch without being seen. It was just like the first time he had seen her perform, just as extraordinary, and he watched with pride and admiration as she moved through her setlist.

The concert ended with a rousing encore, the crowd's applause thunderous and unending. Liv took her final bow, her face radiant with joy and gratitude. Backstage, she found Jacob waiting for her, his eyes shining with pride.

"You were amazing." he said, pulling her into a tight embrace before giving her a passionate kiss.

Those words never failed to make Olivia feel ever so slightly weak in the knees and send butterflies rushing through her, the admiration that radiated from her boyfriend made her fall for him even more, the genuine support he had for her made her feel so complete.

The next morning, Jacob awoke to the soft hum of city traffic and the warm glow of morning light filtering through the hotel curtains. Today was Olivia's second concert in New York, but it also meant that tomorrow, he would have to leave for Miami for the Grand Prix.

He quietly got out of bed and started getting ready, careful not to wake her. The city awaited them, and he wanted to make the most of their remaining time together. As he finished dressing, Olivia stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

"Good morning." she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning," Jacob replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead, "ready for another adventure?"

She stretched and smiled, a little sadness in her eyes as she realised what tomorrow held. "Always."

They spent the morning exploring the city, grabbing breakfast at a famous deli and visiting some of New York's hidden gems. They walked through the bustling streets, blending in with tourists and locals.

By afternoon, they returned to the hotel so Olivia could prepare for her concert. Jacob could sense a different kind of energy from her today - part excitement, part anticipation, and a touch of melancholy. As she went through her sound check, he watched from a distance, admiring her as always.

Tonight's performance was even more powerful than the last. Olivia poured her heart into every song, her voice soaring with emotion. The audience responded with their cheers and applause echoing through the venue.

As always, Jacob congratulated her warmly after the show, his chest swelling with pride that the Olivia Rodrigo was his girlfriend.

They joined the rest of the band and crew for a celebratory dinner, but there was an unspoken understanding that tonight was different. Tomorrow, Jacob would be on a plane to Miami, and the reality of their demanding lives would set in once more.

Later that night, back in their hotel room, they lay together in the quiet, the city's noise a distant hum. Olivia rested her head on Jacob's chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his skin.

"Do you really have to go tomorrow?" she asked softly, knowing the answer but wishing for a different one.

Jacob sighed, kissing the top of her head. "I do. The Grand Prix is important, but I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise."

The night flashed past and before they knew it, Olivia was wishing him goodbye at the airport before she headed to Toronto.

"Good luck in Miami." Olivia said, she would miss him but knew his career was so important.

Jake gave her a kiss. "Thank you. And good luck with the rest of your tour, I'll be thinking of you all the time."

"Maybe not when you're racing around at high speeds, you should probably be thinking about the driving." Olivia joked.

Jake rolled his eyes playfully. "You're really going to ruin my heartfelt moment with that? Bloody hell why did I choose to date an American."

She grinned. "What can I say, I'm just so irresistible."

"You and Jax are the only two Americans I can tolerate."

He could see the tears glistening in her eyes and he had to fight hard to not show any emotion, it was hard, but it was necessary.

"I got you something," Jake continued, producing a small box from his pocket, "I went to get it whilst you were sound-checking."

"You didn't have to get me anything Jake!"

"I just wanted to commemorate the last few days."

He opened the box to produce a beautiful locket which had a subtle intricate pattern of both a music note and a checkered flag, representing the two of them. The locket also opened up and there was a tiny selfie the two took in Central Park.

"Jake...this is beautiful." Olivia gasped, her tears finally falling down her face.

Jake used his thumb to wipe the tears off Liv's face before gently putting the necklace on her. "I told the lady in the store our life story and she came up with this. She also suggested an inscribed note but that was a bit too extra for me."

Jake chuckled and Olivia giggled through her tears. "What would it have said."

Jacob recited the line the lady suggested to him. "No matter the distance, my heart races for you."

Olivia let out a soft laugh. "That's cute though!"

"No it's so cringe!" Jacob exclaimed. "You're so bloody American! You guys find everything adorable. Everyone would take the piss in England."

Olivia knew he was joking and it was just in his nature to think like that but she still shook her head disapprovingly. She had heard stories from him about his schoolboy days and honestly, British schoolboys sounded terrifying.

"I'll see you soon." Olivia said with a smile when it was finally time for them to leave each other. The two shared a hug and with one last kiss, Jacob walked through the gate, leaving Olivia behind.

The second she was out of his sight, he immediately was counting the days until he'd see her again.