Dances with Wolff - Max Verstappen

53.

Rylee's POV

I couldn't believe how messy this race was. It had so many collisions, red flags and phone calls to the race director.
It was a hard battle between Max and Lewis. Both of them wanted and needed this win so badly.

Max was driving slowly on the straight, I was confused. What was he doing? I guess Lewis was confused as well because he crashed into him. They were both cursing on the radio. My heart skipped a beat when I heard Toto slamming his headphones on the table.
I looked at him, trying not to roll my eyes. He needed to calm down a bit.

Max got a 5 second penalty and Lewis won the race. Everyone around me was cheering, I couldn't stand them anymore. I walked out of the garage.

I've never seen Max this beat up after a race. He was sweating, he looked tired and mad.
For the first time in a while I decided to watch the podium ceremony. Max just walked off half way through it. Most of the times he could fake a smile, but I guess not today. Christian walked away, probably going to find Max.

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I walked through the paddock, I was looking for a sweaty, angry Dutchman but instead I walked into a smiling Australian. "You really should watch were you're going" he laughed, putting his hand on my arm. I should stop walking into people. "I am sorry, I was actually looking for Max. Have you seen him?" He pointed to the media center. "Post race conference with the top three. Should be interesting if you ask me" he laughed and I forced a smile, nodding to thank him. "By the way.. You should be careful next time you kiss someone on a plane, you never know who might see" he winked at me as he walked away. He was referring to the flight to Qatar. He wasn't sleeping. I was happy the season was almost over, I was looking forward to being with Max without having to hide.

I walked in quietly in the conference room. I saw Max sitting next to Lewis.
He winked as he saw me walking in, I smiled a little and sat down quickly.
Most of the questions were focused on him and Lewis. Asking about Abu Dhabi, asking about the crash. I could see Max's face starting to heat up. "Can we just stop with all these fucking questions? Honestly we've answered these questions a million fucking times already, we will race hard but fair." The room went silent. All I could hear was a sigh coming from his PR manager. Yes sometimes it really sucked to do his PR.
I nodded at him smiling, I wanted him to know that I supported him.

The press conference finished soon after that and Max was the first one to walk out. I laughed a little when I saw his PR manager run after him. Poor girl. This must be a really difficult time to do his PR.

I looked at my phone. Max texted me to meet him behind of the Haas hospitality. It was an odd place to meet but I didn't question it too much.
I walked up to him, he was on his phone while leaning against the wall. "Hey are you okay?" He looked up at me smiling. He pulled me against his body, pressing his lips against mine. Our tongues played a little together and it ended with a few pecks on my lips. "Now I am" I smiled. I wanted to protect him from everyone putting pressure on him. I knew the pressure would be even more from now on.

Max and Lewis were level on points. The next and last race was going to decide everything. The winner would be the champion. The winner takes all.