Off the Tracks

Chapter 20- I'm Falling Again

"Relax" Daniel said as Riley placed her bag onto her bed. She was tense the entire ride up the elevator after checking her phone.

"He texted me this morning, he said we need to talk" she reiterated, clearly stressed out.

"Did you respond?" he asked her while she shook her head.

"I didn't know what to say"

"Just keep your distance" he advised her, making it sound like it was that simple.

"I feel so bad though" she says, sitting down on one of the hotel rooms beds. "What if I tell him i'm not here" she proposes.

"Riles you can't do that" he said

"I know" she sighs laying down onto the bed. Daniel does the same on his, looking at the ceiling. Time passes as the two of them sit in silence, thinking to themselves.

"We're gonna need some ground rules" he said sitting back up to look at her.

"Which would be" she asked looking at him, sitting up slowly using her elbows to support her weight.

"Max is not allowed in here" he says

"Can't we just put a sock on the door knob and call it a day" she jokes. "I'm kidding"

"I refuse to walk in on you two" he says receiving a thrown pillow in his face.

"Don't be so crude" Riley yells at him while laughter fills the room.

~~~

It was Thursday, meaning that the infamous drivers dinner was that night, which Daniel was quickly trying to get ready for speaking that he was close to running late. Riley, already ready was dressed in a slim fitted black dress which was going to be paired with a blazer she stole from Max's closet before they left Monaco.  Passing time before they leave, Riley is on her bed going through a old leather journal that's been worn out over the past 3 years. She normally read one page a day, but with travelling that habit fell loose. She sat there trying to memorise and interpret the words on the pages, while admiring the old handwriting on them, remembering a time where it was once new. Sadly interupted when she hear a knock on the hotel door.

"I'll get it" she groans, placing the journal on the coffee table in between her and Daniel's beds but it staying partially opened. She walked towards the door, peering through the peephole before opening it. A smile appearing on her face as she sees Max standing outside, in a navy blue dress shirt and a pair of black slacks. Clearly attempting to stay on brand with Red bull. Opening the door fully, he greets her attempting to walk in but Riley puts a hand on his chest stopping him.

"Sorry, house rules, you're not allowed in the room." she says to him reiterating what Daniel has told her.

"Says who?" he asks her leaning in making her take a couple steps back ultimately letting him enter the room. Feeling a hand sneak on her waist as she continues to take steps backwards.

"Daniel" she says pushing him away, the two of them grinning evermore.

"Who's here" Daniel shouts through the bathroom door.

"Max" she shouts back walking further into the room plopping down on her bed. Daniel opening the bathroom door instantly.

"You're not allowed in here" he points at Max.

"You're joking" he says shocked, not realizing that Riley was being serious as she's laughing from the other room.

"I'm not" he says walking out of the bathroom, grabbing his shoes, and putting them on. Riley does the same grabbing a pair of black heels, while Max sits on her bed. His gaze goes to the journal placed on the nightstand, picking it up gently opening it for a brief moment, looking at the date placed at the top of the page in sloppy handwriting.