A/N: The news of Adrian leaving Red Bull hurt, ngl. However, I do enjoy the buzz surrounding Miami, and congrats to Lando on winning his first GP. Also, I'm an FE enthusiast, which will be quite obvious in this chapter 👀 The longest chapter yet! Enjoy!
Lando's voice is echoing in his mind as Max's thumbs hover above the keyboard of his iPhone.
'Well, tell him then.'
Lando had sounded so sure yesterday. Max had been fully convinced to invite Charles to Padel. Now, he isn't too sure anymore.
Deciding against it, Max drops his phone on the desk, returning to his sim set-up. He still has time until Miami. A full week. It'd be fine.
-----
Come Friday, Max still hasn't talked to Charles. The Monegasque has been radio silent since their final talk in the Shanghai paddock. Max knows it's his move to make. After everything that has been said, he has to take the first step. Why doesn't he do so then?
Staring at his phone for the umpteenth time this week, he wills it to receive a message from the Ferrari driver.
As it rings, Max lunges for it, hoping the universe has heard him correctly.
"Mate! I haven't heard from you in ages," Max answers the caller, a grin making his cheeks ache.
"It's been hectic, man," Jake Dennis sighs. Max can fully picture the Briton rubbing his forehead in defeat.
Despite his dislike for Formula E, Max has been keeping tabs on the racing series, as several of his close friends take part in it. Sadly, none of them have been quite successful so far this season.
"Wanna talk about it?" Max asks, knowing Jake's answer will be negative.
"Not really, mate," he replies cheerfully. "However, I do need something else from you."
"What?"
"Come join me in the paddock! It's Monaco this weekend. We could hang out with Norman and Mitch. Even invite Stoff!"
Despite his preference to remain low-key during non-race weekends, Max feels like agreeing. He hasn't seen them in a long time, and maybe it'd do him good.
"Why not."
"Yes, mate! Come to my apartment tomorrow morning; I'll arrange everything." Max notes that he hasn't heard Jake this happy in a while.
-----
Not in the mood to deal with the media, Max is in full incognito mode, strolling after Jake and Norman through the E-Prix paddock.
Avalanche Andretti has arranged a special seat for the Dutchman, away from prying eyes, just the way he likes it. Jake's taking him there right now.
That's when Max hears him, halting in his step as he does.
"Bon chance, mec!"
Max would recognize that voice anywhere.
Walking into the nearest pitbox, Max finds himself surrounded by DS Penske colors and a few mechanics with raised eyebrows.
"Wrong turn," he states with a shrug. Max's ready to run for it when someone speaks up.
"Maat!"
"Stoff." Max pulls the Belgian in for a big hug. As they switch to their mother tongue, most mechanics leave, unable to understand a word of it anyway.
"I didn't know you'd come," Stoffel says, offering Max a seat in his driver's room.
"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision," the Dutchman admits, rubbing his neck. "Jake invited me."
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If Clarity's in Death, Then Why Won't This Die?
Romance"Max doesn't know what to say. His eyes draw over every inch of Charles's face. His green eyes with brown specks, the sweat dripping down his face, his lips curled in a small smile... "If only you saw yourself the way all of us do. The way I do." Ma...
