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He had gone fairly easy on Leclerc, but didn't intend to go as easy on Russell regardless of his wife laughing and shaking her head at him. "What? It's my prerogative." He tapped the screen and leaned back in the deck chair ready to enjoy himself thoroughly.
George looked at his screen and frowned. Why in the bloody hell was Gianpiero Lambiase calling him? Not even a text. He was calling him. The instinct was to let the call go to messages because… well just because. But then his brain concocted a scenario where Max’s condition had deteriorated and for some reason Charles wasn’t able to call him. He gestured to his sister and mum before taking the stairs two at a time so he could take the call in private. “Yes? This is George Russell.” Maybe this was some sort of mistaken call. Surely there was someone at Red Bull with the same surname as himself. It was fairly common.
“Hello, George Russell. This is Gianpiero Lambiase. I have something important to discuss with you.” Some of the humor has ebbed because there are very serious reasons for this conversation as well.
“Shouldn’t you be speaking with Mercedes management? I can’t imagine whatever you have to say is appropriate through private channels.” He rolls his eyes at himself. Regardless of whether Max ever chose to tell this man anything about them, he is important to his boyfriend. Very important. He really shouldn’t be an asshole to him.
“This isn’t business. It is private so I think private channels are the exact appropriate channels.” GP could of course carry on and lay all of his chips on the table, but he was going to let the other man wriggle for just a little bit. Max has explained things a little and has made it clear that he’s in love with Russell, but GP still needs time to accept that considering all of the things he’s taken offense to on Max’s behalf over the years. Qatar 2024 is forever a sore spot for him. But Max loves him. Max loves him. Alright, alright. Not too much wriggling.
“P..private… in what way?” George’s heart was thumping almost painfully in his chest. Jesus, was their proverbial cat out of the bag? Would GP tell anyone else? Surely not. The man was dead loyal to Max. But it was possible he could expose George without staining Max. But no, no, Max would never allow that and his friend would know that about him. But still…
GP took a moment to form his thoughts and could actually hear Russell’s breath speed up over the line. “I can hear you panicking all the way from here. I should let you dangle a bit longer, but for Max’s sake I’m going to let bygones be bygones. He told me about you, Charles, and him.”
“He… he… wait when? Why? He told you, but he…” He couldn’t help the bit of upset from leaching into his voice. Why didn’t Max tell him he was going to do that first? It wasn’t fair for him to be upset because they’d each left who they were going to tell up to each individual. However, Charles had told them before he told his family. Why hadn’t Max told them? How was he even well enough to be doing this right now? Ah, well exactly. He wasn’t well. This was because he was still sick and making poor decisions. Why hadn’t Charles stopped him then? Or maybe it was because he’d literally dropped the L word on them like a bomb and fucked off to England.
“Ummm… you alright there mate?” GP really could hear him panicking or perhaps just overthinking. “He called me earlier. Apparently something happened recently that has assured him that this is going to be a more permanent thing and he wanted to share it with me. We’re…” Now it was his turn to be at a loss for words. “close. I care very much for Max. We’re family. Chosen family. That boy is special to me and mine, yeah?” He looked over to his wife who smiled warmly and nodded. Max had fitted himself into their hearts and would always have the protection that afforded him. “So… is it going to be a permanent thing?” That’s the crux of the thing, wasn’t it? Max had decided that Russell was going to be sticking around which would make it hurt more if it didn’t work out.
“Yes, yes of course. I’m fine.” He could only assume that the ‘something’ that happened recently was him telling Max he loved him. No words adjacent to love. No beating around the bush with coded language. He’d just said I love you and for Max that had been enough to tell his ‘big brother’ about his secret affair with two men… two competitors. No, not even an affair. Life. They had a life together. A secret life that was built on something he’d always been too afraid to put a proper name to before. “Yes. I want it to be. I… I love him and I want to be there for as long as he will have me.”
GP laughed. “He doesn’t let go of people. Like ever really. He latches on and will be loyal forever. You get that right? He’ll always ‘have’ you. Once he loves you, he always loves you. Even if you have to leave. Just ask Daniel.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “He said he’s happy. That you two make him happy. All I wanted you to know is that as long as he’s happy, I’m happy for you three. However…” He let the thought hang in the air.
“Daniel?” George coughed to hide the squeak in his voice. Max had been with Daniel? Would there ever be a time that he stopped being surprised by his boyfriend. “But Daniel is…” What? Straight? Older? Not him or Charles? It was probably that last one that had him stopping short. It was always immensely funny to him that someone who didn’t like sharing ended up in a polyamorous relationship. He didn’t do things the easy way. Never had. “However?”
GP couldn’t help the smirk even as his wife swatted his arm. Would do Russell good to be a bit jealous. Obviously he was beyond biased, but in his opinion anyone would be lucky to have his little brother love them. However he wasn’t going to lie about this. “Wasn’t like that. Max was still a teenager.” He left it at that since it wasn’t his story to tell. “All I’m saying is that if you think there will be a day when Max will not want you, you’re wrong. So if you’re not in it for the full race, you should figure out a way to end it sooner rather than later. Because I won’t stand for him being hurt. If he stops being happy I will be very cross.”
“I don’t want to end anything! Good Lord.” He dragged a hand down his face. “I get why you’re doing this. I really do, Mr. Lambiase, but I love Max and Charles. We love each other and we’re figuring things out.” Then it clicked. This was a ‘If you hurt him, I’ll hurt you’ sort of thing. He’d never had anyone give him one of those. He had a brief moment to wonder if anyone would do that for him if he told them about Max and Charles. “I understand. You need to make sure I won’t hurt him.”
“Exactly. He’s been hurt enough and I’ve always told myself I wouldn’t let it happen again on my watch.”
“Well, I’m not going to. And if anyone does, you and I will be on the same team GP.”
That was exactly what he needed to hear. He needed to know that there was someone willing to be a guard dog. Because, for all the world believed in Mad Max - the thug of F1, the truth was altogether different. Max was so damn soft off the track. Soft, but complicated. “He’s going to test you. He can’t help it. Not even sure he knows he’s doing it.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s the piss water,” he said, nodding his head at Charles’ insight.
“Ummm… excuse me?” Maybe he’d pushed the younger man too far because suddenly he wasn’t making sense or worse he was finding out things about Max that he truly, truly didn’t want to know.
George chuckled, glad to have unsettled Gianpiero even if just for a moment. “Nothing, just an analogy Charles told me.” He arched an eyebrow suddenly thinking of something. “You can ask him about it when you have a lovely conversation like this with him.”
GP wasn’t going to tell him that he’d already done that and probably gone a lot easier on him for reasons that didn’t need to be examined. “Maybe I will. Maybe I’ll do it in person.”
George choked on a laugh. “Good Lord. You don’t do things by halves, do you mate.” He is both amused and terrified by the idea. Of course it would be fine because Charles would charm GP just like he charmed everyone. “Maybe we should have you and your wife over for dinner soon,” he said with a cheeky grin.
Sassy bastard. Two could play at that game. “That would be lovely. Especially if there will be some of Pascale Leclerc’s barbagiuan.”
“Of course there will be. That's how Charles tricks him into eating.”
“He's not eating? Bloody hell. He's too focused on weight this year. “ The two of them went back and forth discussing Max's wellbeing and his inability to care for it himself. This was good. They had some things they could bond over. Namely British manners and… Max Verstappen. GP couldn’t deny that he still had mixed feelings about George Russell, though perhaps that had a bit to do with the Mercedes of it all. If he could find ways to bond over their shared affection for a wounded, ridiculous, loving, frustrating Dutchman, well he might just build some sort of friendship with the man. “He told me he had another ear infection?”
George sighed and clicked his tongue, in an unconscious impersonation of Charles’ little audio tick. “Why didn’t we know about all these ear infections he’s been having? He never told us. How many are we talking about here?”
Gianpiero chuckled lightly. “Best get used to it. He doesn’t have a healthy relationship to pain or discomfort. He didn’t not tell you. He just didn’t think it was something that needed telling. So don’t be too cross with him. Listen this is…” He was quiet for a while. A long while.
“GP?”
“This is complicated for a lot of reasons. He’s been getting ear infections since 2021. Probably two to three a year. I thought it was getting better, but I guess not. Alright, fucking hell, alright. I’m going to send you some medical records. Show them to this doctor you’ve found. Max seems to like him so maybe he’ll be honest with him. However, if you tell Jos Verstappen or Red Bull that you have them and that you got them from me, I will deny it.” He looked over at his wife, but she was smiling and nodding her head. Of course she’d never made a secret of her disdain for what had been done. “You can tell Max of course, but you’ll be stirring up a hornets nest if you tell anyone else. Do you understand?”
“Good Lord, what are you talking about? You sound like some sort of James Bond or something.” He wanted to write this off as ridiculous, make it a joke, but how could he. “Fine. Fine. If it’s important for his doctor to know then obviously we need it. He seemed much better when I left if that helps you feel better.”
“James Bond? I always thought of myself as more of a Jason Bourne.” He couldn’t help laughing. Apparently Russell did have a sense of humor. He’d need that for life with Max. “Alright. I’m going to have dinner with my wife. I’m not going to say I ever expected this whole situation, but he said he’s happy so you have my blessing. Just take care of him, yeah?”
George didn’t respond at first. The acceptance from this man felt large. It filled up his chest and made him look toward the door. Maybe he could tell his family. It would be alright. If Gianpiero Lambiase, a man who spent his entire career in the macho world of motorsport could accept it his family certainly would. “I will. I know it’s not the way most people do things, but we take care of each other. Always.”
“Good. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. You’re part of the family now.” He chuckled again. “Go enjoy your time with your family and try not to overthink this conversation.” He ended the call and looked over at Eloisa. “Well that’s done,” he said, shaking his head. “Never a dull moment with Max is there?” She laughed and informed him that he wouldn’t have it any other way. “No, no I wouldn’t.”
Not overthinking the conversation was easier said than done. There was too much to think about. Telling his family. Good Lord, coming out to his family. Going home to his lovers, his boyfriends and really talking about everything that had happened since the beginning of the summer break. Dealing with Max’s health situation. How did you not overthink when you had so much slamming around in your brain. Luckily he could hear his niece and nephew running around downstairs There would be plenty of time on the plane ride home to deal with all of it. Funnily enough thinking about seeing his boyfriends again in a couple of days was enough to sooth the worries. When you had each other nothing was impossible.