SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

thirteen.

"Why did you ignore me back in Monaco?"

I'm honestly not sure why I chose now to ask the question, considering the fact we were in the car on the way to celebrate Max's win in Imola.

He glanced over at me for a second, confusion consuming his features. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, after our date with Charles and Charlotte you only acknowledged my existence when Lili or our managers demanded it."

I also don't know why I'm so bothered by this.

"Didn't think we needed to spend time together since we aren't exactly friends, Ri, sorry." He spoke so nonchalantly.

Max and these damn nicknames.

Before I could even overthink his response or come up with one of my own, he stopped the car in front of the club, throwing it into park before getting out. He walked over to my door, opening it for me before tossing the keys to the valet. His hand slipped into mine, ensuring our image as a happy couple carried on.

I need a fucking drink.

~~~~~~

I wish Max would've told me that I'd be the only wag in attendance because I would've stayed back and had a movie night with Lili.

Lando and Charles being here and the fact that I was so drunk I probably won't even remember tonight when I wake up were the only saving graces of the night out. As soon as we joined the others in the private area of the club, Max abandoned me to talk to George, Lewis, and Carlos. Apparently, one of them had reserved the area for us. It included private seating and a private bar, the only thing we had to share with the general public was the dance floor.

I'm not sure what number drink anyone was on, but we were all definitely drunk. It made for an interesting time to say the least.

When Charles left me and Lando to go speak with the other drivers, I seriously considered abandoning the secluded area and venturing off to the dance floor. Max certainly wouldn't notice my absence. Unfortunately, however, memories from Jeddah flashed in my mind and I decided that going off on my own was not the way to go.

"He's ignoring you, isn't he?" Lando questioned, his mouth next to my ear as he spoke.

He was standing very close.

I stumbled, grabbing his bicep to steady myself, his arm wrapping around my waist at the same time. "Sure is. I have an amazing boyfriend, don't I?" I hiccuped.

We both laugh, knowing the truth behind my question. I'm glad that Taylor and Mark let me include Lando, Charles, Arthur, and Ella in on the whole deal. I don't think I'd be able to properly function if I had to keep my fake relationship a secret.

Part of me wishes the relationship with Max wasn't a thing. Sure, it is doing wonders for my public image, but I'm not a relationship girl. I don't think I ever have been. Sure, I'd love to settle down one day and get married, start a family even – but I'm 21. I don't want a serious relationship. I want to have fun.

"Do you want his attention?" Lando's question sounded somewhat suggestive.

I also don't know why so many questions were being asked.

I shrugged in response at first, feeling the alcohol course through my veins as I downed a shot. I'm not sure when I picked it up, but I'm not going to think too hard about it. Alcohol is alcohol.

"I don't know... He's been ignoring me since Australia basically, I kind of just want to go ahead to America and be with Ella until Miami." I definitely wasn't lying there.