SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

seventeen.

"And, here we are!"

The sight of my childhood home brought such joy to my heart. It had been a while since I had been back here.

Lili unbuckled herself and stood up from her seat, "This is your Mommy and Daddy's house?"

"Yes, ma'am! I grew up here, I think you'll even sleep in my old room." I smiled at her through the rearview mirror. "Are you ready to spend a few days with them?"

The young girl just cheered, waiting for me to get out of the car and collect her. I helped her jump down to her feet and held onto her hand, walking her up the short driveway and toward the front porch.

Max walked up next to me, Lili's suitcase and other belongings in tow. "Are you sure they're fine keeping her?"

"Relax, Max." I spoke, hooking my arm through one of his as we walked up the few steps that led to the porch. "My parents love little kids, they were texting me this morning about how excited they were to take care of her."

He seemed to relax at my words, reaching up and knocking on the wooden door. With how fast my mother swung the door open, she must've been waiting right on the other side.

"You're here!" she smiled brightly, leaning forward and hugging me as best as she could.

"Hi, Mom."

My mother, Dana, pulled away from our hug and switched her gaze to find Max's. "Max! So great to finally meet you in person, Ronnie and I have been so excited to meet you." Ronnie was my Dad.

Max looked down at me with raised eyebrows, only eliciting a laugh from me. "They watch every race, mainly because Charles is like a son to them, but now also because I'm dating one of them."

He seemed to be satisfied with my answer.

Dad stepped through the doorway, crouching down in front of Lili. "You must be our Lili girl."

"I am!" She giggled, beaming at him.

"You ready to have a fun few days with us?" Dad questioned, picking her up and sitting her on his hip.

I don't think I've ever seen a bigger smile on Lili's face before than the one her face currently wore as she smiled at my Dad. "Yes!" Dad then disappeared into the house with her, obviously completely content with his new little companion.

Mom laughed at his antics, looking back at Max again, "Bring her stuff in, give us a run-down on anything we need to know, and then you two head out for your long weekend of fun!"

~~~~~~

It was nearing dinner time by the time that everyone had settled into the beach house. The sound of everyone's voices filling the place made me happier than ever.

This place had been a safe haven for Ella and me growing up, somewhere we spent the majority of our childhood. So, getting to spend time here with some of my favorite people was like a dream come true.

I remember our vacations in Monaco, ones that far out-ranked any to this house, and how I would spend hours telling the Leclerc boys about how it was my favorite place on Earth. I think it was because it always felt like every problem in my life melted away when I was here. Now, getting to finally show Charles this place was like my two worlds colliding at last.

"You couldn't share a room with Ella?" Max questioned, pulling me from my thoughts.

We all retreated to our rooms to get ready for dinner tonight. Ella and I decided to take them to one of our favorite restaurants for our first night here, ending the night at our favorite ice cream place.

"Oh, and have you share with Lando? And let Danny, Charlotte, and Carlos know the truth about our relationship? I quipped with a raised eyebrow, pulling out a sundress from my suitcase.

His face fell, "Right. Guess we can just make a pillow barrier or something?"

"Max." I laughed, walking over closer to him, playfully putting my hand on his chest. "We have shared a bed before."

Memories from that morning flashed in my mind again. I still had no clue if we had actually hooked up that night or not, but all I know is that the way I thought of him definitely changed after.

"We both know that was unintentional," Max murmured, visibly uncomfortable.

With another laugh, I walked out of the room, deciding to get dressed in the bathroom. Upon entering, I saw that Ella was already inside getting ready. She sent me a small smile, knowing that I was in here for the same reasons – neither of us was comfortable getting changed in front of our roomies.

After closing the door behind me, I immediately changed into my dress, the material sitting perfectly against my skin. I think one of my past flings gifted me this.

A text came through on my phone while I was doing my makeup. Ella took this as her cue to check it for me, something she usually did when my hands were occupied when I got a notification.

"Taylor G. says, 'two things: make sure you go somewhere public on this little vacay of yours and don't forget about writing your song, your label wants it by the beginning of July."

I groaned, that was only a month and a half away. "I forgot about the song."

"What song?" Ella queried, applying another coat of mascara."

I put the final touches on my makeup before responding. "I feel like I've told you before, but I have to write a love song as part of this contract." She nodded, remembering me mentioning it a while ago.

This was stupid.

No part of me wanted to write a love song, it was so far out of my normality of songs. I just wasn't a love song girly.

But alas, if that's what the label thinks will get me more listeners and ultimately more revenue, then that's what needs to be done.

Ella and I parted ways, retreating back to our bedrooms. Upon entering mine, I saw a fully dressed Max, sitting on the edge of the bed with his phone in his hands.

"Mark says we have to be more showy in public," he announces as I close the door.

I laughed, how convenient. "So, they're both onto us, huh? Taylor texted me while I was getting ready."

His eyes drifted up to mine, "Guess so." And then he grew quiet, his eyes falling from mine and instead dragging over my body.

Suddenly, I got rather self-conscious. Why was he looking at me like that? Sure, I've had plenty of guys stare at my body before, but Max doing it felt weird.

His eyes stayed on my body for a few more seconds before eventually shifting back up to meet mine, his cheeks flushing red upon noticing that I'd caught him staring. Fortunately for him, I chose to not address it.

"Taylor reminded me that I still have to write that love song."

A smirk fell on Max's lips, and drastic change from his previous expression. "The one about me?"

I laughed, stepping closer to him. "Yes, that one." I flicked his forehead, "Probably gonna be something about me being American and you laughing at me or whatever."

Max laughed this time, standing up and walking over to me, his hand holding the small of my back as he ushered me out of the room. I guess it's time to go. "Dinner time, Miss America."

I laughed in response to the nickname. "That's a new one."

Maybe Max isn't as bad as I thought he was.

•

should i write a lando fic?👀