Chaos on the F1 Grid

George woke up that morning, and for the first time in a long time he felt at peace. Today was the press conference that Eleanore had organised, the Sponsor meetings had gone exactly as Eleanore and Toto had planned – all of them committing to continue sponsoring Mercedes if/when George came out. He truly appreciated everything Eleanore had done for him – especially after what he had done to her. He wished that there was something he could do in return for all of her kindness, but he couldn't think of anything just yet. There were a few conversations he had to have before the press conference – one with Carmen, and one with his ex, Seychelle. That was going to be a tough one, as he wanted to tell the truth about everything, he didn't want a life of secrets anymore, but he couldn't be fully honest with Seychelle without outing Nyck and telling her how his brother had betrayed her. how they both had. How they had used her to hid their relationship. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that the entire plan had been Nyck's, and that he had masterminded everything – even talking to Seychelle about George for months to make her like him. At the time George hadn't given a thought to how it would hurt her, that what they were doing was so truly cruel, thinking only of their need to keep their secret hidden. They blamed the sport and the world for the situation they were in, never acknowledging that when it came to Seychelle – they had both been at fault, they had chosen to use another person for their own benefit. It would have been one thing to choose a stranger, but Nyck's own sister. Looking back on those days made George feel sick and disgusted with what he had participated in. had loving Nyck been worth using someone that way? At one time he had been convinced it was, but now he wasn't so sure – after all Nyck and he hadn't spoken since George told him that Eleanore knew.

Nyck had avoided George after their argument. George had been devastated when Nyck had made it clear that it was coming out or being with him, that if George were out to the world, he would lose the person he loved the most. It had been during a conversation with Toto and Eleanore that George had finally understood that Nyck's fear was about Nyck. It didn't mean that what they had wasn't real, or that Nyck didn't love George - but that while George was ready for this step, Nyck wasn't, and George couldn't drag him out with him.

As George walked towards Seychelle room, figuring it would be best to get the hardest conversation over with first, he knew it was early – 7am. But the press conference was scheduled for 10:00, and he still had to warn Carmen. He knocked on Seychelle door, and she opened it looking like she had rolled out of bed and through a gooseberry bush. He hair was matted and a mess.

Seychelle: Russell?? What are you doing here at 7am? We are long since past booty calls!

George: I need to talk to you, and when I am done you are going to hate me... please can I come in?

He watched as her face became serious, and she stepped out of the door frame, allowing him to walk into her room. George looked around at the pristine bedroom – so Seychelle. She herself was a mess, but her things were always perfectly organised. He took a seat on the sofa by the window, and wiped the sweat off his hands on his trousers. Seychelle sat on the bed looking concerned.

George: I have a press conference in a few hours, to announce something. It is going to be shocking for a lot of people, and I didn't want you to learn about it from the press...

Seychelle: are you dying??

George: no, though in a moment you may wish I was.

Seychelle: I could never wish that Russell!

George prayed that was true as he took in a deep breath, swallowed the lump in his throat, and looked up at Seychelle.

George: I am gay.