In the Spotlight (Max Verstappen - Book Two)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Warning: I am running out of pre-written chapters so be aware that we may get to the point in a weeks time or so where I can't upload because I have nothing to upload. I'm at a bit of a block again...so yeah! Plus now no laptop...but oh well :)
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"Ah shit, Senna get back here," I call out as we walk into the studio and he does exactly what I expected, running straight over to Max. I pause as I see him turn around and smile, leaning down to stroke the puppy.

I'd already done three interviews this morning and was relieved to be getting this out of the way on the Wednesday before I have more media on Thursday and despite having still not spoken to Max since the breakup, I really hoped that he was on the same page as me in terms of keeping things looking fine on the surface level. I was also dealing with a Netflix camera crew following me around all weekend as I thought they were likely also doing with Max because it was Red Bull's home GP...not that they ever didn't really follow me around.

I'm stuck in my place as I see the scene in front of me and my heart gets stuck in my throat, only getting dislodged when Liv lightly taps my elbow to keep me moving and I follow her over to Sydney to get the low down on the video that we are filming, keeping one eye on Max and Senna as I listen getting caught out when I finally hear what the video is. "You want us to do a lie detector?" I ask incredulously and rather loudly which I realise when I see Max's head snap up, his eyes meeting mine and I see instantly how tired he looks.

We both look like shit and I put in the effort today. He must have been tired too as he clearly hadn't pieced together that Senna being here meant that I was here as well, which was obvious from the surprise on his face. I gulp as I find myself unable to do anything, barely remembering to breathe as he is stuck similar to me.

"Yes, it'll be simple enough. Pierre and Daniel are on their way, you'll take it in turns to ask each other questions and we will just do the lie detector. Extra twist for the fans," Sydney says and I just shake my head before nodding and sighing. I look at Max once more who has gone back to playing with Senna and mentally give myself a pep talk before walking over to them, only faltering in my step when Max stands up in response to me getting next to him, Senna sitting obediently in-between us staring with his big brown eyes.

"He went to your trailer yesterday," I say stiffly in an effort to break the ice and bite on my lip as I look around the room of people who are watching us closely, as though they can tell the vibe is off. "Look, we need to be fine, no change," I say, reaching out to touch his arm softly with my hand and watching as his eyes just look at my hand as though my touch is alien. My stomach flips and I remove my hand quickly, opting to lean down to give Senna a quick pat.

"Of course, PR training up the wazoo for the last eight almost nine years, I know how to act," Max snaps and I sigh as I stand up, looking for any warmth in his face but finding none.

"Of course you do but we have never been PR polite, we've been close," I say quietly as my eyes dart around the room as I see people look at us and so I pull a fake smile onto my face. "Not for me or you but the team and the fans."

Max mimics me as he glances around the room before plastering a similarly fake smile on his face. "Of course," he says pulling me into a hug much to my surprise causing me to let out a little yelp. "Hug me back Carter," he says quietly and I do as he says, wrapping my hands around his waist and finding myself almost too comfortable as I breathe him in. It might have only been two weeks but I had missed him so much and being in his arms once again, feeling his head resting on mine as we both took in a couple of breaths caused me both pain and peace.

I don't know how long we stay like that but when we pull away upon hearing the familiar laughs of Daniel and Pierre I see Liv giving me a worried look which suggests that we were there for too long. The only comfort I found in that was that Max held me tightly the entire time. His voice might be cold but his touch still produced fire across my body.