SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

twelve.

"I think something is wrong with Daddy."

I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked down at the young girl. Lili was supposed to be in Max's driver's room with him, why had she come to get me?

"What do you mean, Lil?" I questioned, squatting down so I was closer to eye level for her.

She threw her hands out to her sides, "He is walking around his room and won't talk to me."

Hmm.

This was strange.

Stranger than Max essentially ignoring me over the small break between Australia and Imola. He'd kept to himself other than the few times Lili begged to see me or when either of our managers demanded a public outing. He'd barely told me when our flight here was, making me nearly miss it.

I stood up, taking Lili's hand and determined to get to the bottom of Max's strange behavior. She walked with me as I took her to one of the Red Bull employees that was standing off to the side. "Excuse me." I spoke kindly, wanting to get the woman's attention.

She turned to face me quickly, probably recognizing my voice. "Hi, yes, what can I do for you?"

"Do you mind walking Lili over to the Ferrari garage? I'll text Charles to be expecting her." The woman quickly nodded, taking hold of Lili's hand. I leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to the small girl's cheek, reminding her to behave for 'Uncle Charlie.'

I did what I promised and texted Charles to which he responded quickly. He didn't even ask why I was asking him to babysit, instead just happy that he got to spend time with his honorary niece.

I nervously rubbed my hands together, not knowing what to expect as I made my way to where Max was. Who knows what's going on?

Upon reaching the room, I quietly entered, not bothering to knock. He wouldn't have responded to me anyway, so walking in uninvited was the only way to go. Sure enough, he was doing what Lili had described – pacing the room and not talking.

What had gotten into him?

"Lili came to find me, said you weren't talking to her." I made him aware of my presence.

No response.

"Is everything okay, Max?" Another question.

No response, again.

I know he knows I'm in here.

With a bit of frustration and concern, I stepped in his path, the man halting upon seeing me in his way. The expression on his face was one I couldn't decipher and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

"Hey, talk to me."

He shook his head, "It's nothing."

"Max." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Okay, fine," He let out a shaky breath, only sending my nerves spiraling. "I'm nervous. I've DNFed two of the three races so far and my record is scaring me."

Oh, thank god that's it.

I mean, not that that is nothing, but this can be solved quickly. Nothing major.

My nerves settled, knowing that our lives weren't about to turn catastrophic. "You're fucking Max Verstappen, are you not?"

His eyebrows furrowed at my question. "Yes?" I let out a laugh as I grabbed hold of his biceps.

I forgot how much I suck at giving advice.

"I overheard someone telling you earlier that they believe they've finally fixed all of the issues. Now, get your ass out there and win today like you always do. Okay?"