LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES. AUGUST 2024.

As planned, Jacob made his way once the summer break started to LA where he was staying with Liv but making sure he saw Sophie and Jax as much as he could. Both their schedules were hectic, Jax was in full force preparations for a new NFL season and Sophie's schedule was filled with acting commitments. They were both dedicated individuals and very career-orientated but it didn't mean that they wouldn't make time for each other. The first person Jacob saw was Jaxon and they both met up for a brief lunch.

Thierry joined them for a couple weeks, staying at Jax's place, and the four of them managed to meet up. It had been a long time since they had been able to do anything like that.

"My dad has gotten into talks with Ferrari," Thierry announced at the table when the four of them were out at a high-end restaurant for a catch up meal, "he spoke to people he knew who spoke to Fred who said they were definitely interested."

"Hell yeah!" Jaxon exclaimed. "Good shit."

"Well done Thi." Sophie said warmly.

"See, despite being in that car you can still show them what talent you have," Jacob commenting, "it's good for you that your dad knows people."

Thierry nodded. "But if I go to Ferrari, my dad expects me to stay there. It's kind of a family thing..."

"What's wrong with that?" Sophie asked.

"Well I guess I've always wanted to be teammates with Jake," Thierry shrugged, "but he's a McLaren guy through and through."

Jake looked at Thierry. "It would be nice to be teammates and win together but I think you should take it. Everyone wants to race for Ferrari. And to be picked out by them so young just shows how much faith they have in you."

"Or how much faith they have in my dad," Thierry mumbled, "it's pressure you know."

"You don't crack under pressure though." Jaxon commented.

Thierry agreed and he came to the conclusion that since the opportunity was there, he would be foolish to pass up on it. Plus, Jake reassured him that no one knew what the future held and maybe they could be teammates one day.

Truth be told, Jake had his reservations about being in a team with Thierry. It was hard to be best friends with your teammate as they were also your biggest rival. He was definitely close with Lando right now but there was always a tiny sense of resentment every time he had to let Lando pass as he was deemed the more experienced driver.

As the meal progressed, so did the conversation and Jaxon told them all next about his blossoming relationship with Hailee Steinfeld, an actress and singer.

"You two have a type." Sophie commented, referring to Jaxon and Jake.

The two boys smirked and gave each other a fist bump.

"She was at one of the games as she was in LA for something, said hi and we've just been talking ever since. We're not together together, just hanging out and seeing how things go."

"What about you two? Any love interests?" Jacob asked the other two who both shook his head.

"Both too focused on your career I reckon." Jax said to which they both nodded.

"Just haven't met anybody yet, and I don't believe in falling for your co-star that you play a romantic relationship with. How do you know what's real and what's acting?" Sophie commented.

Thierry chuckled. "Watch you just jinx yourself and do that..."

Sophie huffed. "I'll give you a hundred pounds if you're right."

Thierry extended his hand. "Deal."

The dinner continued pleasantly and the four of them enjoyed each other's company massively. Despite them not seeing each other often, it was undeniable the bond the group had and the massive part they each played on their lives.

"Do you want to go on a road trip?" Olivia asked randomly one night they were both laying in bed together.

"Hm?" Jacob mumbled, he had half dozed off.

"A road trip, down the West Coast, wouldn't that be fun?"

Jacob tilted his head to face his girlfriend. "Anything's fun with you."

"Awww you're sappy."

"Fuck's sake!" Jacob exclaimed jokingly. "Your American-ness has rubbed off on me!"

"That's not a bad thing though is it?" Olivia replied, giving the brown-haired boy a peck.

"Depends, probably is if Thierry or Jaxon ever found out I was like this."

"You boys and your egos." Olivia said, shaking her head.

"But yes, a road trip sounds good. We can take your car? I'll drive?"

Olivia nodded. "Let's leave tomorrow!"

"Spontaneous."

"It's fun though isn't it, isn't this how you want to be spending your month off?"

Jacob smiled. "I suppose so, as long as I get my daily workouts in it's not that big of a deal."

It was settled, the couple were heading on a spontaneous road trip down the West Coast where they could just exist and be a normal couple before reality came crashing down and Olivia would have to finish her album and Jake would have to head to Netherlands for the fifteenth race of the season.

Jake was up early the next morning, packing a small duffel bag with essentials for their impromptu road trip down the coast.

"Ready for an adventure?" he asked, a playful glint in his eye as he zipped up the bag.

Olivia grinned, her excitement matching his. "Absolutely. Let's hit the road!"

With the car packed and their spirits high, they set off from Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean glistening in the distance. Their first stop was Malibu, a place where Olivia had negative memories and Jake was determined to replace those negative ones with more positive ones.

The drive along the Pacific Coast Highway was breath-taking, the ocean stretching out endlessly to their left. They rolled down the windows, letting the salty breeze whip through their hair as they sang along to their favourite songs.

"Never took you as a big fan of my music." Olivia commented after Jake perfectly recited every lyric of 'brutal' by Olivia.

"You're my girlfriend, I know all of your songs."

That made Olivia blush and smile to herself as they continued their drive.

Arriving in Malibu, they found a quaint beachside café that served homemade ice cream. Jake brought Olivia to a balcony table before speaking to the staff at the place, putting in his personalised request.

It was no secret that she had memories of previous relationships here but Jacob was intent on changing that around, Malibu could be a place of happiness not a place filled with bitter memories.

When the plate arrived, it was a plate with strawberry ice-cream and toppings plus a messaged drizzled in chocolate sauce that read 'Congratulations Olivia'.

"For you album, for your tour, just for everything to be honest." Jake explained.

"This is adorable!" Olivia commented, taking her phone out and snapping a picture.

Jacob gave her a smile. "I know what this place means to you, I just wanted to try my best to make some new, happier memories."

"Thank you Jake, I love it and I love you." Olivia said, the words flowing effortlessly out her mouth before she could even comprehend what she said.

When she realised, her face became shocked. "Oh wow...that's embarassing for me..."

Jacob grinned at Olivia. "I love you too Liv."

They hadn't said it in the eight months they had been together but it was definitely on their mind for some time. Jacob just never knew when to say it because they were separated for most of the time they were together.

Olivia's cheek turned pink and she couldn't help but smile, it was out there in the open now. The eight letters that held so much meaning to both of them.

"Hold still," Jake said, pulling his phone out to take a picture, "you look beautiful."

Olivia blushed, her cheeks crimson red. "Stop it, you're embarrassing me."

"Never." he replied, leaning in to kiss her lightly. As he pulled back, he noticed the delicate necklace she was wearing - the one he had bought her in New York.

"Look you idiot!" Olivia exclaimed after they had kissed. "You've got ice cream on your top now!"

"So worth it though."

Back in the car, they continued their journey down the coast. They visited charming seaside towns, explored hidden coves, and took countless photos together, capturing memories of their adventure.

In the mornings Olivia began accompanying Jacob on his daily runs to stay in shape. Despite having a break from the races, it was crucial he wasn't slacking. The season was far from over.

In one small town, they stumbled upon a local festival, complete with live music and food stalls. They were able to browse anonymously and spent that afternoon listening to live music and eating good food.

As they drove further south, the drives felt like nothing, the conversation flowing as easily as the miles beneath the wheels of the car.

One evening, they found themselves at a secluded beach, far from the usual tourist spots. They spread out a blanket on the sand, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

Olivia rested her head on Jake's shoulder, feeling a deep sense of contentment. "This is perfect." she whispered.

Jake wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "It really is. I'm glad we did this."

They sat in comfortable silence, the sound of the waves providing a soothing soundtrack. The stars began to appear, twinkling against the darkening sky.

After a while, Jake could see that Olivia was shivering slightly so he took off his hoodie (obviously a McLaren one) and handed it to her. "Put it on Liv, you're gonna freeze."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me." Jake smiled, watching Olivia throw the hoodie over her head and put it on.

She looked at Jacob with momentarily confusion as he admired her, she looked even better in his clothes. "What? Is there something on my face?"

Jake shook his head. "No, I just think you look really pretty wearing my clothes."

Olivia smiled and blushed before laying in Jake's arms as they enjoyed the peaceful bliss together.

Later, as they made their way to a nearby inn, Olivia fell asleep in the passenger seat, her head resting against the window. Jake glanced over, a smile playing on his lips. He drove carefully, not wanting to disturb her peaceful slumber.

Arriving at the inn, Jake gently woke Olivia. They checked in and made their way to their room, exhausted but happy. The room was charming, with a balcony overlooking the ocean.

They sat outside for a while, sipping on hot cocoa and talking about their day. Olivia leaned against Jake, feeling the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart.

"Thank you for this," she said softly, "for everything."

Jake kissed the top of her head. "Anything for you, Liv."

As they finally crawled into bed, the sound of the ocean lulling them to sleep, this trip had been perfect. They could just enjoy being a couple with no restraints from their career. A glimpse of a dreamland before they were thrashed back into reality.

AUSTIN, UNITED STATES. OCTOBER 2024.

It had been around a couple months since Jake had last seen Olivia so it was an understatement to say he was excited for Liv to be here at this Grand Prix. Despite calling almost every day, it could never come close to being with each other in person.

They met at the airport where Jake picked her up and the excitement of the upcoming race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas buzzed between them. Her presence always seemed to amplify the energy around him.

They arrived at the track, and Olivia's paddock pass - which was now becoming a more regular thing - allowed her to move freely within the McLaren garage. The team welcomed her warmly, and it wasn't long before people started noticing her. Members of the public who were trying to get pictures with their favourite drivers noticed the presence of the famous singer.

The stands were filled with cheering fans as qualifying began. Jake felt the familiar surge of adrenaline as he strapped into his car. Olivia watched from the garage, her eyes glued to the screen displaying his lap times.

He pushed hard and eventually secured P4 for the sprint race.

"You were amazing!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him when Jake returned to the garage.

"Thanks, Liv." he replied, hugging her tightly.

Saturday's sprint race was a thrilling spectacle. Jake started from fourth but quickly found his rhythm, overtaking two cars and moving up to second place. The crowd roared as he crossed the finish line, securing his career-high P2 in the sprint.

There was no time for celebrating, for this Grand Prix there would be another qualifying for the race itself tomorrow. Using the momentum he had gained from the sprint race, he was able to secure P2. His first time starting in the front row.

Olivia, undoubtedly, was esctatic for him and the two celebrated quietly in the evening, away from the prying eyes of the media.

Sunday dawned bright and clear. The Circuit of the Americas was ready to go as Jake prepared for the race. He was approached for an interview before the race where he was confident and eager.

"I'm starting from P2 today," he said, "my first start on the front row. My goal is to turn this into another podium, maybe even a win. We've got a strong car and a great strategy. I'm ready to give it my all."

The race started well, with Jake maintaining his position off the line and settling into a good rhythm. Olivia watched intently from the garage, her heart racing with every lap. She felt nervous at every turn and every high speed straight, she knew the dangers of the sport and knew that in any moment everything could change.

Around the halfway mark, a call came through on Jake's radio that changed the dynamic of the race. The team wanted him to switch positions with Lando, believing Lando had a better chance of catching up to Verstappen. Jake felt a surge of frustration but followed the team's orders, letting Lando pass.

"I can do it Rick." Jake protested into his radio.

"Lando has fresher tyres, it's a team order Jake."

Despite his best efforts, Jake's race didn't go as planned. He finished fourth, while Lando secured a podium. Jake's frustration was there as he climbed out of the car and headed back to the garage.

The media swarmed him, eager for comments about the race and the position switch. Jake kept his responses neutral, not wanting to spark controversy.

"It was a tough race," he said, carefully choosing his words, "we had a strong car, but sometimes you have to make decisions for the team. I'm a team player, I believe this is a team sport and I won't go against team orders."

Olivia was waiting for him in the garage, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy. She pulled him into a quiet corner, away from the prying eyes of the media and team.

"I'm so proud of you, Jake," she said softly, her hand resting on his arm, "you did everything you could. Don't let this get you down."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just frustrating, you know? I felt like I could have done more. I feel like they just see me as this rookie."

"I know," Olivia replied, squeezing his arm, "but you're a team player, and that's important too. There will be other races, other chances. You're only at the beginning of your career. And no matter what, I'm always here for you."

Her words were a remedy to his frustration. He smiled, leaning in to kiss her gently. "Thank you, Liv. You always know how to make me feel better."