Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 18- Lost in Japan

Riley was going to share a room with Daniel originally, but when she found out he invited Nicolas; mainly so she had someone to talk to. She bunked up with him. Which she asked Arthur if he was fine with beforehand, she didn't want to cause any problems. If Arthur didn't want her sharing a room with Nic and he found out, it would blow up like flames in her face.

They were both finished getting ready for grid dinner in Japan, which Riley thought would be interesting to see how Nic takes it all in. Having dinner with the driver's he watches on tv every week. Riley heard a knock on the door that put a small argument her and Nic were having on pause. Simply over who would be sleeping on the bed closest to the window.

Nicolas walked over to it opening up the door while Riley set her bag on the bed she wanted. Riley heard Nic start choking up slightly at the door, not really knowing what to say. She walked over quickly, grabbing her phone in the process.

"Max your hair!" Riley gasped, seeing his haircut that was rather short on the sides. "What did you do" She said, trying to hide both a laugh and a frown.

"I just cut it" He said, running his fingers through the top. "Do you not like it?"

"I've just never seen it this short" She told him. Nicolas cleared his throat, trying to get Riley's attention for an introduction. "Oh sorry" She said looking over at him, "Maxie this is Nicolas, and Nic this is Max"

"Well I knew who he was" Nic said holding out his hand that Max didn't want to take, but he did anyways.

"I didn't know who you were though, did I?" He asked shaking his hand.

"Guess not"

"Where's Daniel?" Riley asked Max, heading down the hallway with him and Nic who was both excited and nervous for that night.

"He's still getting ready"

"Should we wait for him?" She asked him, stopping in front of the elevator doors.

"No it's fine" He said, "I think he's going to ride over with Lando"

"Okay" She nodded, stepping into the elevator when the doors opened.

Nic was trying to figure out the dynamics between the two of them. Where he knew Riley was taken, he couldn't figure out if she liked Max or not. But the energy between the two of them was strong. He knew there was something there, whether it be from the past or present.

Riley was a little nervous being in the elevator with Max. She knew that she wasn't alone, Nic was there too so technically she wasn't doing anything wrong. It just felt like she was, Riley was counting on Daniel to be there because Max was Daniel's friend first before they dated. But he wasn't there, and now the awkward tension and chemistry was lingering in the air around them.

Max put a light hand on Riley's back when the elevator doors opened back up, motioning for her to walk out first. Nic's eyes glanced down to Max's hand almost feeling like he was intruding. Yet he was finding out more about the World Champion's life. It was interesting.

Riley almost cursed herself when she saw Kelsey waiting by the doors in the lobby. She slowed her steps, stepping away from Max more than she had before.

"Huh" Riley said amused, looking up at Max who was avoiding eye contact with her. "How lovely is that"

"Rye"

"Don't explain it to me," She said, not wanting to hear an explanation on why he picked her up when his girlfriend was waiting for him alone. "I have a boyfriend, remember"

"It's hard to forget Rye" He told her, watching her walk off with Nicolas.

Nic trailed closely to her, trying not to fall behind which was easy given how long his legs were. Riley saw Kelsey as they approached the doors. And Riley knew she shouldn't have said anything to her. But she was pissed, and with everything building up inside between her, Max and Arthur. A switch was flipped.