SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA. JULY 2025.

"Something you have to tell us?" Jaxon asked Sophie one morning, the light making its way through the cabin windows.

Jake was sat at the kitchen island enjoying a cup of coffee whilst Jax approached Sophie, his phone shoved into her face.

Jake tilted his head to have a look and he recognised it to be a picture Sophie had posted on Instagram, only Jaxon seemed to be referring to the comments - or rather, a comment.

"What?" Sophie said innocently.

"So what happened to the bet you made? Where you would never date a co-star?" Jaxon asked.

Jake's ears perked up in interest. "You're dating a co-star? Which one?"

Sophie sighed exasperatedly, remembering the bold claim she had made. "We're not dating...we're just getting to know each other. His name's Austin."

"Austin Butler?" Jake commented.

"Well...yeah." Sophie said, busying herself by washing up some of the dishes.

"You owe Thierry a hundred pounds now." Jax said, hesitating slightly as he wasn't sure whether it was an appropriate topic to bring up or not.

"Yeah, sure, whatever, a bet's a bet, plus I owed him that ages ago," Sophie mumbled before changing the subject, "are you ready for today Jake?"

"Say what?" Jake asked, hearing the last part.

Sophie's cheeks went red ever so slightly. "I may have gotten with a co-star a while back..."

"And you didn't tell us?" Jax exclaimed.

Sophie shrugged. "It was too soon after I sent that message...I was embarrassed."

Jake laughed. "Who was it then?"

Jax was thinking for a second. "Who was your co-star at the time...that was near when Set It Up came out...no way!"

Sophie's eyes were glued to the ground.

"Glenn?" Jake exclaimed.

No response.

"Wow! Fair enough." Jax said. "Maybe you owe Thierry two hundred pounds."

"It was the night of the premiere," Sophie sighed before quickly changing the subject, "anyways Jake how are you feeling for today?"

Today marked the end of their cabin retreat and Jake's first session with a physiotherapist. It wasn't quite physical rehabilitation as his leg hadn't fully healed yet but it was just some small things that might speed up the healing process.

Once they had gathered all their belongings, they drove to the clinic which had agreed to take Jake on. The physical therapist, a kind woman named Emma, welcomed them warmly and led Jake through the initial assessments. The exercises were challenging, pushing his limits, but Jake gritted his teeth and persevered. Everything he did meant he was one step closer to getting back on track.

"I've got something that might lift your spirits," Sophie said after the session didn't go the way Jake hoped, "Liv's tour performance from last night. She wanted you to see it."

Jake's eyes lit up. "Let's watch it."

They settled on the couch, and Sophie played the video. Olivia's voice filled the room, her performance captivating and powerful. Jake felt both pride and longing as he watched her command the stage.

"She's incredible," Jake said, his eyes misty, "I miss her so much."

"I know you do," Sophie replied softly, "but she's out there living her dream, just like you're working towards yours. You both inspire each other."

Her tour had been going well, her initial anxiety about being away from Jake quickly disappeared when she got back to what she loved. Granted the energy wasn't there in the first couple shows but that didn't matter - she was still exceptional.

And as for Thierry, the last Jake had heard, Thierry had messaged Jax saying he had been flown back to Monaco to start his recovery back to being a driver. Jake couldn't help but feel bad - he hoped Thierry's father was taking it easy on him. The last thing Thierry needed was more family pressure.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA. AUGUST 2025.

A month since the crash had passed and Jake was feeling physically a bit better - although there were still issues he was facing. His broken leg and rib hadn't fully healed but the physiotherapist was definitely helping speed up the healing time for his leg. Jaxon and Sophie had left him after asking Jake around a hundred times whether he was sure it was ok.

"You're doing amazing, Jake," Olivia said softly on call with him one evening, "I can see how hard you're working."

Jake leaned his head back against his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. He had currently been residing in a rented AirBnB near both the hospital and where his physiotherapist was.

"Thanks. It's tough, but I have to keep pushing. I need to get back to racing."

Olivia nodded. "And you will. But remember, it's not just about the physical recovery. You need to heal emotionally too."

Jake sighed, knowing she was right. "Yeah, I know. It's just...hard. I keep replaying the crash in my head. And thinking about Thierry."

"Have you thought about talking to someone? An actual therapist, I mean." Olivia suggested gently.

Jake considered it. "I've thought about it. Maybe it's time I actually do it."

"I'm proud of you. You're stronger than you know. I love you so much."

"I love you too Liv."

The next day, Jake called a therapist who specialised in working with athletes. It was tough, but as he opened up about his fears and anxieties, he felt a weight lifting off his shoulders. Talking about the crash, his relationship with Thierry, and his future in racing helped him process his emotions and gain new perspectives. He found it productive and scheduled future video calls with the professional.

He was in a decent state, he still required crutches but he was feeling a lot more competent so the plan was the fly out to Seattle for Olivia's tour. Jake was feeling stronger, both physically and mentally. His session with the therapist helped him process his feelings about the crash and his relationship with Thierry. He began to see the possibility of forgiving Thierry, understanding that holding onto anger would only hinder his recovery.

The night before he was due to fly out to America, he received a call from his father.

"Hey bud, I've got some good news. McLaren wants to talk with you. I've been keeping them updated with your recovery and they want to have a chat. It's looking positive son."

Jake's heart raced. "That's great! When's the meeting?"

"Tomorrow. It's on Zoom. I'll send the link over."

"Thanks dad, appreciate you."

Jake hung up, feeling a surge of excitement. The meeting with McLaren was a crucial step towards his return to Formula One. There were times he was certain McLaren were just going to pull the rug from under him and drop him, but that was hopefully not the case.

Jake had been replaced by their reserve driver, an F2 driver Jake hadn't heard much of. Luckily for Jake, he was nothing special and posed very little threat to Jake's seat with McLaren.

The Thompson arrived early at the airport, finding a space in the luxury lounges to jump on a Zoom call before he was due to catch his flight to Olivia.

The meeting was filled with positive feedback and encouraging words. They were impressed with his determination and progress, and while they reiterated that he wouldn't be racing this season, they were optimistic about his return next year.

"We want you to take the rest of this season to fully recover," Zak said, "but come next season, we want you back in the driver's seat."

Jake nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "I won't let you down. I'll be ready."

Jake breathed a sigh of relief as the call ended, he was now heading on a flight with high spirits to see his girlfriend - it seemed like he was being compensated for everything bad that had happened to him because right now, nothing could dampen his mood.

Liv <3

i can't wait to see you! i've missed you so much. safe travels my love <3

Just about to board! I love you

The flight was long, but Jake's excitement kept him restless. He watched movies, listened to music, and occasionally glanced at his watch, counting down the hours until he would be reunited with Olivia. The anticipation was almost unbearable.

Finally, the plane touched down in San Francisco. Jake gathered his belongings and made his way through the airport, his heart pounding with excitement. He was still walking with a slight limp and required the use of crutches - although his physician told him it wouldn't be much longer if he continued with his therapy exercises.

As he exited the terminal, he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. Olivia stood there, looking as beautiful as ever, her eyes scanning the crowd until they locked onto his.

"Jake!" she called out, running towards him.

She would have normally jumped into his arms, but considering the context, she merely just wrapped her arms around him.

"Liv," he breathed, holding her tightly, "I've missed you so much."

She pulled back slightly, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. "I missed you too. I'm so glad you're here."

They shared a long, heartfelt kiss before finally breaking apart. Olivia looped her arm in between his and helped him as they made their way to the waiting car.

When they arrived at Olivia's hotel, she led him to her suite, which offered stunning views of the city below.

After giving some time for Jake to rest his leg, they spent the rest of the day exploring the city together. They tried to stay as discrete as possible but there would always be the odd fan that would recognise the two of them. They asked for photos politely and were respectful of Jake's recovery.

That evening, they returned to the hotel, and Olivia prepared for her show. Jake watched her as she prepared for what she knew best.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, as she finished her final preparations.

"A little," Olivia admitted, "but that's probably cause you're here and I want to impress you."

Jake chuckled, giving her a reassuring hug. "You never fail to impress me Liv. You're going to be amazing, babe. You always are."

The concert was held at a sold-out venue, and the atmosphere was electric. Jake would normally have watched from the general audience but due to his current condition, he opted for something a bit more secluded from the fans. Nevertheless, his heart still swelled with excitement as the lights dimmed and the music started. Olivia took the stage, her presence and her voice captivating.

Throughout the show, Jake was mesmerised. Olivia's performance was flawless, and the crowd's energy was infectious. He cheered and sang along, feeling connected with her despite the distance between the stage and him.

After the concert, Jake made his way backstage. The staff recognised him and let him through, guiding him to Olivia's dressing room. He knocked lightly before entering, finding her surrounded by flowers and gifts from adoring fans.

"You were amazing." Jake said, slowly walking over and giving her a kiss and a hug from the back.

Olivia looked up, her face lighting up with a tired but happy smile. "Thank you, Jake."

"Let's get out of here and rest up." Jake said, knowing how drained Olivia felt after these shows.

When they returned to the hotel room, Jake knew Olivia would be hungry and had ordered room service to their room with snacks for her to enjoy as she began to get unready from the day. They spent their evening relaxing in each others arms, something that Jacob had missed dearly. Just being with Olivia took his mind off from the fact he was going to be out of action for over half a year.

It was a tough pill to swallow, Jake did miss it already. But, he had realised that spending time with his loved ones was also important. Moreover, this break was making him more determined, even more than before, to prove everyone wrong and come back with a bang.

Jake's days on the tour with Olivia were a whirlwind of music, cities, and recovery. Each new city brought fresh excitement, and each concert was proof of Olivia's growing fame - solidifying her reputation as this generation's pop princess. Jake found himself in a new role, shifting from being known as Jake Thompson, the Formula One racer, to being recognised as Jake Thompson, Olivia's boyfriend. He didn't mind it though, it was nice to have the spotlight off him for once and he knew Olivia deserved every ounce of positive attention she got.

Their journey took them across the United States all the way to a new continent. This tour introduced Olivia's first concerts in Asia and Australia - meaning Jake would be able to return to his home city Melbourne. As Olivia's tour progressed, her performances only grew more electrifying, and her fan base continued to grow.

Each morning, Jake woke up early for his physical therapy sessions on video calls. As his body began to heal, it meant that he could work on regaining his strength again. His routine included a mix of strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and flexibility drills. The physical demands of racing had left him with a high level of fitness to regain, but his determination never wavered. With each passing day, he felt his body growing stronger and more capable.

Olivia often joined Jake during his workouts, offering encouragement and sometimes participating alongside him. They would go for runs in the parks of the cities they visited, or hit the hotel gyms together.

"You're getting faster," Olivia noted one morning as they jogged through the streets of Melbourne.

Jake chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "I have to keep up with my girlfriend."

Olivia laughed, giving him a playful nudge. "You're doing great, Jake. I'm so proud of you."

Olivia's shows in Melbourne meant that the two were staying in Jake's home. His parents were eager to properly meet and welcome Olivia, having heard so much about her. Her shows in Australia in October were the final ones she had planned and by this point, Jacob was close to being almost fully recovered - he was able to walk and run without using crutches and his rib was healed. His strength had improved significantly and he was now able to perform more intense workouts and had even started practicing light driving simulations to keep his reflexes sharp. The prospect of returning to Formula One was becoming more tangible, but for now, he was content being by Olivia's side.

He had spent some time with his parents, reconnecting and spending time with them. His mother looked after him endearingly whilst his father reassured him that Jake's current replacement driver wasn't making the same impact. It was unfortunate, McLaren were solid contenders for maybe even second in the Constructors' Championship but now they had fallen off. This season was set to be another dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

When she performed in Melbourne, at the Rod Laver Arena, Jake brought his parents - ready to show off his girlfriend to them. The three stood in the crowd and Jacob watched in awe. His mother looked at her son a couple times and her heart warmed seeing how in love he was with singer.

When Olivia introduced her song 'so american' Jake couldn't help but turn to his parents like a proud child showing off their work.

"This one's about me."

His parents chuckled as Olivia began, listening to every word and being captivated by their son's girlfriend's voice. As expected Olivia did not blow a kiss nor wink at Jake when she sang the lyric about it being hard to sleep because Jake's parents were there.

When the show was over, Jake and his parents waited for Olivia to meet them outside and both Marcus and Emmeline congratulated her.

Jake's mother gave her a hug. "You were amazing dear!"

Olivia blushed slightly. "Thank you Mrs Thompson."

"You can call me Emmeline darling."

Jake stood with a proud look on his face, seeing how well Olivia was getting along with his parents already. The group made their way back to Jake's house and they spent the evening in Jake's room.

"Your room is adorable!" Olivia teased, pointing to Jake's childhood posters on his walls. He had posters of all his racing idols, Aryton Senna and Sebastien Vettel were just a couple examples.

Jake smiled from his bed, beckoning Olivia to join him. Olivia made her way towards him and rested her head on Jake's shoulder. "It's been amazing having you here with me on tour."

Jake smiled, wrapping an arm around her. "It's been amazing for me too babe. I love supporting you and seeing you do what you're best at. I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished."

Olivia looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Jake kissed her gently. "Of course you could have. I couldn't have done all this without you."

"What do you mean?"

"This whole recovery thing," Jake sighed, "it would've been a million times harder without you, without Jax and Sophie."

Olivia nestled herself closer to Jake. "I was really scared when it happened, I hated it. I felt like I couldn't do anything and I thought I lost you."

"I know it's scary and I'm sorry you had to go through that," Jake responded genuinely, "the main thing is that I'm ok now."

"Yeah."

Olivia sighed, she knew the dangers of the sport but she also knew this is what Jake wanted to pursue so it would be selfish of her to voice her concerns. It was a hard thing to balance and Olivia never really had to think about it or deal with her worries properly before, the crash in Austria just brought to light her fears about her boyfriend and his career.

Jake snapped her out of her thoughts. "Are you ok Liv?"

She nodded with a soft smile. "Yeah I am, I'm going to sleep now though."

Jake gave her a kiss. "Goodnight pretty girl, I love you."

"Goodnight bubs, I love you more."