The ranch is truly amazing. The place is wonderful and the people I spend my days with are really nice. Of course most of the VR46 academy were there, Valentino Rossi was there. But also his girlfriend, their little baby girl and some of the other girlfriends.
They are all so sweet. And that little baby girl made my heart melt.
Although it were great days, I'm happy to see Fabio again. It's Thursday evening already and I haven't seen him yet. We were both so busy today, we didn't have time.
But we are sleeping in the same bed tonight, so I'm looking forward to that.
The clinica mobile is extremely busy today and I don't know why. I've been doing checkups and treatments most of the day. My meetings all moved to this evening. Luckily I watched the races with Pecco, Marco, Luca and Franco at the ranch. So I only have a meeting with ducati about next year and my meeting with Jack and a meeting with Lin Jarvis.
*hey! It's gonna be late tonight. I still have a few meetings*
I text Fabio, as soon as I'm on my way to my first meeting. The meeting with Jack is first. And I know that won't take so long. But I'm afraid the Ducati meeting and Yamaha meeting will be both atleast an hour. If that's the case it will be around 10pm before I'm done.
*don't worry, Ma Chérie. You have your key, so I'll see you when you're done. Please wake me when I'm asleep? xF*
*but you need your sleep..*
*but I sleep better when you're in my arms*
*and it's been three nights without your body in my arms, so I missed it*
*so it's just my body then?*
*well.. there are parts of your body I can't wait to see and feel again*
I'm standing outside the Ducati garage now, with a blush on my cheeks..
*like?*
*hmm.. your lips. Can't wait to be kisses by those*
*your breasts. I want to see your nipples harden*
*your ass. Can't wait to grip it*
*and the sounds you make when I'm doing that.. it's the most sexy thing I've ever heard*
*hmm.. now I'm late for my meeting and all flustered.. maybe those things can happen tonight*
*just tell them you ran there. They won't know. Or you skip your meetings and come straight here.. you could help me with my problem..*
*yeah, I'll tell Lin I can't later, because I need to help his rider with a big problem..*
*big it is..*
I quickly walk into the garage, trying to let it seem like I was running there.
Jack didn't notice a thing and the meeting was over before it begun. I'm walking towards the Ducati hospitality when I notice another text from Fabio.
*your meeting with Lin is tomorrow after FP1*
He really is crazy. A grin makes it's way in my face when I reread his text.
*I don't want to know what you said to him. Give me 30 minutes and I'll be there. xx*
The meeting with Ducati didn't take that long. They just want some changes for next year regarding our agreement, but that's it.
So I'm on my way to the motorhome before I know it.
"Ma Chérie!", I hear a little surprised and enthusiastic voice as soon as I stepped inside and Fabio pulls me in a hug immediately.
"I missed you, Mon Amour", he tells me, pulling me even closer.
"Missed you too", I sigh content. It has been long days.
He pulls me towards his bedroom and closes the door. Laying down on his side, gesturing for me to lay down as well. He is already in joggers without a shirt. So I first change out of my jeans and polo shirt before laying down next to him.
"Busy day?", Fabio asks as soon as I lay down and close my eyes.
I hum. Too busy. With Matteo mostly as personal assistant of Marc, still, we are definitely short on therapists.
"I thought you didn't want to do too many treatments anymore?", Fabio probably looks concerned at me.
"I didn't, but with Matteo being the personal physical therapist of Marc, we miss a therapist. So someone got to do it", I sigh. "But I enjoyed it today. The only thing that's a little difficult is that a lot of Moto2 and Moto3 riders request me, because of you"
"What? Why?"
"Because you are the role model. If I'm good enough for you, they think I'm good enough for them. Or better for them than Marco", I open my eyes and smile at his surprised face.
"It's kind of cute.. but I'm glad when Matteo is back", I turn on my side to have a better look at Fabio and to make myself a little more comfortable. "What did you actually tell Lin?"
Fabio grins, "not much. Just that I missed you and wanted to see you for a few hours before this crazy weekend really starts"
I smile at his sweet words.
"Do you need anything for this weekend? You need to discuss some races? Or strategies? Or can I give you some treatments this weekend?"
Fabio shrugs, "I don't know. I know this will be a tough weekend. I feel like I'm losing control and I can't do anything about it", he sounds defeated.
"But you know it's not over yet.. And I know for a fact that you are the best rider on the grid. If your bike was as competitive as the Ducati, you would've been unbeatable"
"Pecco is doing an amazing job.."
"Yeah he is. But that's also because the combination is amazing. He can drive that Ducati like no one else. But I don't know how good he is on a less competitive bike right now. So your own talent is your advantage"
"Do you really think so?", Fabio looks unsure.
"Yes. Everybody talks about Marc's talent. But you are just as good. Maybe even better. I think you can still get even better and adapt better, than he can", I smile.
"I'm glad you still believe in me", he grimaces, before laying on his back. "I think we should go to sleep, it will be early tomorrow", he pulls me in his chest and sighs before kissing the top of my head.
And early it was. Just like the other days. Luckily I didn't have much meetings. And I only did Fabio's treatments, so I spent a lot of time watching around the track. I tried helping Fabio where I could. Fabio eventually qualified on P8, while Pecco got a grid penalty and started on P5. But Pecco was too strong today. He won, while Fabio finished in P5.
The whole box has gone quiet. They aren't applauding when Fabio gets off his bike. It feels weird. Fabio did the best he can, it's not his fault the bike is shit. Tom and I share a look, before we both start clapping. Luckily the rest joins in. Tom gives me a small smile in appreciation.
Tom and I have started talking. Only a little, but it's going okay. It's mostly about our day, the weather or Fabio. So just a bit of small talk, but it's better than the remarks from before.
Fabio walks in and sits down on his seat. He keeps his helmet on for a few more minutes. He really is disappointed..
When he finally takes it off, his eyes lock with mine and I feel a pang in my chest. He looks so disappointed and sad. He says a few words to his crew chief before walking towards his motorhome.
I let him go, giving him a few minutes.
Lin Jarvis walks towards me, a sad smile on his face.
"Julie, spend the day with him tomorrow. Take him to the beach or San Marino or something. He has to take his mind off of this before the test on Tuesday"
I nod, before walking towards the motorhome myself. Maybe I should give him a few more minutes, but I just want to hug him, hold him, tell him how proud I am.
Inside it's quiet, Fabio and Tom are not in the living room and not in Fabio's bedroom. I want to go back outside, when I hear the shower running. The door is unlocked and I slip inside. The sight in front of me is heartbreaking. Fabio is sitting under the shower, his head in his hands, his body slumped together.
I quickly get out of my clothes and get on my knees next to him, hugging him close to me.
Fabio is startled for a second, before relaxing in my arms.
"You did good. I'm very proud of you", I whisper in his ear. Fabio doesn't reply. We sit like this for a while. My knees are getting numb and I'm freezing. I'm only partly under the shower. But I don't really notice, I only want Fabio to be okay. To stop him from beating himself up.
Eventually there's a knock on the door and Tom's voice.
"Fabio, you need to go to your interviews soon, bro", he says through the closed door. Fabio doesn't answer.
"Are you okay? Do I need to come in?", Tom's voice gets a little concerned.
"Erm.. Tom? He's okay, he just needs a minute..", I say. I don't want him coming in here and seeing us, or me naked. But at the same time, I don't want him to think we are doing anything in here.
I turn off the shower and give Fabio a towel. He doesn't stand and he doesn't dry himself off. I wrap myself in a towel and open the door. Tom's waiting by the door.
"I don't know, he's just sitting there, not saying a word", I tell him, pointing at Fabio.
"I'll take care of it. You go get ready. I think you need to join him", Tom says, before stepping into the bathroom.
I change in some comfy clothes and pull my hair up in a bun. When I walk back towards the living room, Fabio is all ready for his interviews. He looks better, a little lighter, but he's still not saying a word or smiling.
Together with Maider we walk towards the media and Fabio starts his interviews. He suddenly looks so calm and collected, like nothing's wrong. He even smiles a little..
Interview after interview, he tells them the same story and they all ask the same questions. It takes forever, but it's finally over. Fabio looks exhausted, but he actually gives me a small smile. I give him a hug as soon as he's next to me.
"How about a relaxing massage when we get back to the motorhome? You deserve it", I softly whisper in his ear.
Fabio nods before taking my hand in his. Together we walk back towards the motorhome and Fabio immediately goes to the bedroom. I get a few towels and my massage oil before joining him.
He's in the side of the bed, his shirt is off but that's all.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you", he whispers softly. My heart breaks at his words.
I sit on my knees in front of him, gently lifting his head to get him to look at me. His eyes are so sad and disappointed.
"You didn't disappoint me. I'm very proud of you. I really am", I tell him.
"You should go and celebrate with Pecco. He's your friend", Fabio says, looking away.
"I'm not going anywhere"
"You should. I'm just a loser"
I'm getting a little frustrated with his self pity. And I don't like it when he pushes me away.
"You know Pecco is a very good friend. And I'm happy for him. But I'm your girlfriend, so I always want you to win. I'm your fan", I try to tell him.
"You should really just go"
"If that's what you really want.."
Fabio nods and that's my cue to leave. I stand and make my way out of here.
I really don't want to go, but I don't have a choice.
Outside I almost run into Tom.
"Where are you going?", he looks confused at me.
"He told me to leave. Keep an eye on him please", I tell him before continuing my walk.
"Where are you going?", He asks again. I just shrug, I really have no idea. Where can I go? A lumb forms itself in my throat.
I walk around for a long time, before eventually going to the clinica mobile and trying to sleep on my treatment table.