SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

twentythree.

"How much did you bring with you?"

Max's laughter filled the home and I had to restrain myself from reacting to how much I liked how it sounded. I rarely ever heard Max's laugh when it was due to me, and if it sounded like this every time, I'd do anything to keep him from stopping.

"I had to move to Monaco for nearly a year, Max." I laughed along with him, folding and putting more clothes into one of my suitcases. "Obviously, I had to bring a lot."

It was early afternoon and we'd just finished lunch, our brief break in packing me up so I could move into his apartment with him and Lili. The feeling of it all was still weird. If you would've told 2021 Riley that she'd be living with Max Verstappen and wanting to, she would've laughed in your face.

Part of me still didn't believe he truly wanted me there with him, maybe only asking me for Lili's sake. The other part of me was hoping that he'd asked me to move in with him because he had realized what I had – I was starting to have feelings for him.

The thought of having feelings for Max scared me shitless, but I went with it. He probably didn't feel the same and as long as we were in a fake relationship I didn't need to worry about it. At the end of the season Max and I would part ways and that's when I would deal with my feelings, not now.

Right?

I shook off the thought and continued to pack, letting myself get lost in the music playing throughout the house and not consumed on the Dutchman not too far from me.

We'd dropped Lili off with Charles and Charlotte for the day so that she could have a fun day and we wouldn't have to be worried about her while packing. It was easier for us all – plus, Charles was beyond excited to learn that he'd get to spend time with his honorary niece for the day.

I glanced over at Max after a few minutes, noticing his surprisingly good mood. He'd only managed to secure 3rd place in the Monaco GP a few days before, the "loss" not really bothering him at all. From an outside perspective, most people thought that not winning a GP was the end of the world for Max, but seeing him here so carefree, I knew they were entirely wrong.

Sure, Max enjoyed winning, craved it actually, but it wasn't a disaster if he didn't. He'd just win the next one.

I pulled my gaze away from him, much to my dismay, and continued packing, ignoring my body's urge to move closer to him. I'm not even sure why I wanted to be near him, it wasn't like anything actually happened between us.

Well, that we can recall.

Ever since that night in the hospital, when I slept in Max's arms and had the most restful night of sleep I think I've ever had, I've been craving it. It didn't even make sense, because before that night, I never thought that I'd truly ever want to be close to him if it wasn't for comfort. It was like my body needed him every second of the day.

I jumped slightly at the feeling of Max's arm around my waist, turning me around. "Dance with me." He smiles.

Clearly, he thinks we deserve another break.

Who am I to deny the smiling Dutchman from a dance break?

I immediately gave in, dropping the clothes I had been holding and dancing with him. We danced together to whatever song was playing, smiling and laughing the whole time. Occasionally, parts of our body would touch and send chills down my spine. Part of me wanted to move away. Part of me couldn't help but move closer.

"Oh, shit." Max gasped, falling into me and knocking me over, both of us landing on my bed.

Thankfully it was right behind us.