LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES. JUNE 2023.

After the race weekend in Canada, Jacob was on a flight that was taking him to Los Angeles airport. He had planned to stay with Jax for a bit who had just bought a home in Los Angeles and had also agreed to come pick him up. He waited with anticipation as his flight touched down at LAX, not because he was seeing Jax but more because of the fact this would be his first time seeing Olivia in person again for around half a year.

He was tentative when it came to her, he wasn't entirely sure where she stood, it was a difficult one to call. They had been talking regularly since they last saw each other, notably more in the last few months, but obviously they hadn't seen each other. Jacob knew part of him had feelings for Olivia but he wasn't sure how it was going to play out once he saw her again.

He was a realist, he knew that it wouldn't be a normal relationship. He knew that there would be struggles, he experienced it with his high school girlfriend. The distance killed, the time differences, the uncertainty of not knowing when you could both see each other. It was hard in his previous relationship, how would it be now? Especially with Olivia rising to stardom as a singer and the fact she was going on tour soon.

Nervousness and doubt continued to run through Jacob's mind as he collected his luggage and made his way to arrivals. It didn't take him long to spot Jax who had, in true Jax fashion, created a large sign with embarassing photos of a young Jacob Thompson with his name written next to him.

As soon as Jax made eye contact with Jake he smirked, Jacob rolled his eyes and walked over. "Bet you had fun making that."

"Course I did, did it embarrass you?"

Jacob laughed. "Made me laugh more than embarrass me."

Jax shrugged. "Worth a try. This way, your chariot awaits."

The two made their way to the exit and soon found Jax's car, it was a nice looking BMW in a matte black.

"Splashing out now are we?" Jacob commented as he got into the passenger seat of the car.

"You're not the only one who gets to drive nice cars." Jax replied, starting the engine and starting the drive back to his place.

"He's let the money get to him." Jacob mused.

It was no secret that Jaxon had money, being the NFL draft's first pick would've resulted in a ludicrous salary with an insane signing bonus.

"I won't," the Kenner replied, "I know what it's like to not have anything, it's just nice to be able to treat myself and my mum from time to time."

"I respect it man, I have so much respect for you."

Jax smiled before the boys began a conversation, both of them filling each other in on what had been happening since they last saw each other. Jacob hadn't seen Jax in such a long time but as soon as they started speaking again it was like they never left. Both of them were exchanging stories about their sporting careers.

"So how are you feeling about seeing Olivia?"

The question caught Jacob off guard. "Fine I guess...maybe a bit nervous. But that's usual isn't it."

"Oh you're down bad!" Jax exclaimed with a laugh.

"Shut up Jax! I'm not. We're just friends anyways. I don't even know if she feels the same way."

Jaxon continued teasing Jacob until they pulled up in a parking lot and parked the car. Jax was currently living in a high-end penthouse apartment but Jacob could definitely see him in a few years time, after accumulating more of his salary plus sponsorship deals, living in a more affluent area in a mansion.

They made their way to the top floor before Jax welcomed Jacob into his apartment. It was modern and simplistic, there was a guest room as well as Jax's room. It was all decorated very much Jax-like, he was more of a practical guy than one who cared for all the décor.

"Make yourself at home dude."

"Dude," Jacob laughed, "you're going back to your American roots."

The two exchanged a laugh before they began to chill. They began playing on Jax's PlayStation on his TV in the living room, simultaneously catching up.

It was much needed. Jax understood sometimes that Jacob wanted to switch off from the Formula One world and needed some time as a normal person. Jacob, from first-hand experience, knew how hard it was to be a professional athlete so also understood that Jax would cherish moments like this.

For both of them, it was nice to just get a break from the rest of their life even for a bit.

"What do you fancy for dinner?" Jacob asked after a period of time. "My treat."

Jax remained quiet and just then, as if on cue, there was a knock on Jax's door.

"I'll get it." Jacob said, getting up from the sofa and making his way towards the door. He opened the door and was pleasantly surprised by who was there.

"Soph!" Jacob exclaimed, pulling her in for a hug.

"Careful Jake! You're gonna make me drop the food!"

Jacob pulled away and looked at Sophie who had two bags in her hands. He gave her a sheepish smile before letting her place the food down.

"I brought us some takeout, we have some sushi tonight!"

Jax and Jake approved and helped Sophie set up the table.

"I even brought a bottle of wine." Sophie added, producing it from one of the bags.

Once the table had been set up, plates brought out and drinks poured, the three of them began their dinner filled with hearty conversation and good food. Sophie, since becoming based in LA, was a lot closer to Jax and therefore didn't turn down the invitation to come have dinner on Jake's first night in LA.

It was a pleasant evening and Jacob thoroughly enjoyed himself, getting the opportunity to see two of his best friends after a prolonged period of being away. It was reassuring to know that nothing had changed.

Liv :)

soooooo when we meeting up?

Sorry I've been a bit MIA the past couple days! Been spending time with Soph and Jax

that's alright! (: i'm glad u get to spend some time with them

Yeah me too, but I'm free today if you are?

sure sure what do u wanna do?

I don't mind, I'm sure I can convince Jax to let me drive his car...

coffee at this cute coffee shop i know?

Sounds good

pick me up in 15 (:

"Jax! I need your car!" Jacob shouted from the guest room.

Jax, who had just gotten out the shower, shouted back. "What for?"

"I want to go pick up Olivia so we can hang out!"

Jax appeared in the doorframe of the guest bedroom with a smirk. "Of course you can, but the back seats are off limits!"

Jacob groaned and chucked a pillow at Jax. "Shut the fuck up man!"

After quickly getting ready, Jacob jumped into Jax's car and began making his way to the address Olivia sent him. He arrived at her apartment not too far away from Jax's and dropped her a message that he was here. He stepped out the car and waited by the entrance for her to come down.

"Jake!" a voice shouted, causing Jake's neck to snap up from his phone.

He was engulfed by Olivia hugging him to which he tentatively hugged back, feeling himself go red slightly. Olivia was definitely much more of a physical touch person than Jake.

"How have you been Liv?" Jake asked with a smile, leading her to where the car was.

"I've been good thanks, how about you? Bet you're tired from all the travelling."

Jacob let out a chuckle. "I am, but I love it."

He opened the door for Olivia who joked that he was "such a gentleman" before getting in. Jake got in and started the ignition, the car automatically playing one of Olivia's songs.

"A fan now are we?" Olivia asked with a smirk.

Jake rolled his eyes before starting to drive off to the coffee shop Olivia suggested.

Once they arrived, they placed their orders and Jacob offered to pay. They sat down with their drinks and pastries before catching up with each other. Jacob was intrigued to hear about what Olivia had been getting up to and vice versa.

"When do you leave again?"

"End of this week." Jake answered and there was a tint of disappointment in his voice.

"That sucks...wonder when we can see each other again."

"You want to see me again huh?" Jacob teased.

It was now Olivia's turn to roll her eyes. "Shut up Jake, you know what I mean."

"Well, we do have the US Grand Prix later this year...October to be exact." Jake said. "Maybe you could come? It wouldn't be too interesting though...I'd just be sat around."

"I'd love to!" Olivia exclaimed. "I'll have to see if I'm free but if I can, I'll definitely be there!"

Jake smiled as the pair resumed their conversation. They got on in person as well as they did on messages and FaceTime and Jacob was filled with a dash of hope that they could actually be something there.

Before they knew it, it the coffee shop was closing at around 4pm and the two didn't want to end their day early. Olivia suggested walking around before getting dinner together and Jacob definitely wasn't going to say no.

At their dinner, they continued talking to each other and learning more about the other person. They had their similarities, they also had their differences. But what mattered the most was that they both really got along.

Once they had finished dinner, with Jacob offering to pay, they made their way back to the car but were stopped by fans. Firstly Olivia was approached and Jacob was on photographer duty, snapping a picture of Liv and her fan before they continued walking. They were later stopped again, with Jacob expecting it to be a fan of Olivia's, only for it to be people who wanted to take a picture with him.

He was flattered, he didn't realise how popular he had gotten despite only being a reserve driver this season. He supposed some people might've been following his career since the F2 or maybe even F3 days.

"I'm just a reserve driver, why would they even want a photo with me?" Jacob asked incredeously as they finally made their way to the car.

Olivia scoffed. "Because you're good looking, girls love an athlete who's good looking."

"Are you saying I'm good looking Liv?"

"No," Olivia said, blushing slightly, "I'm just saying those girls only wanted a photo with you because they think you're attractive."

"Jealous are we?"

"Shut up Jake."