Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 34- Talking

Max and Riley didn't talk much in the car. He drove them both to a beach that was entirely empty. There wasn't any awkward air between them, but there was very minimal tension. Neither of them knew what to say, and Riley didn't know how to explain what was happening between her and Arthur to him.

Riley was carrying her shoes in hand when they walked along the sand, finding a place close to the water to sit down. There was about a foot of space between them initially as they sat down next to each other. Riley closed that gap. She moved closer to Max, sitting directly next to him as she looked out at the water.

"You punched him" Riley said, looking over at Max when he laughed.

"I only got a few in" He told her, "Lorenzo and Charles came to his rescue"

"It's a shame" Riley told him, "He could've used a broken nose or something"

"He got a busted lip" He said, which Riley had already knew. She saw it was Arthur came over that night. "But, he also has you still?" He asked Riley confusedly.

"No" Riley said quietly, turning to look at him, "He definitely does not"

"The flowers though," Max said, "'My favorites', and you had lunch with him, the necklace"

"I had lunch with him because his brother wanted me to do PR" Riley explained, "There's events I would like to be at for myself, and I can't show up without him. And we can't just cancel everything all together without being unprofessional"

"So you're putting up with his bullshit?" Max asked, looking at her finally.

"I only have to talk to him at these events and then it's complete radio silence" She said quietly, "It's just until the end of May"

"So I have to wait until June"

"Well," Riley paused, not knowing how ready she was to jump into something with Max. She knew she wanted to be with him, she was just terrified to open up to someone again. "I don't know if you wanted there to be space between me and Arthur's relationship before me and you dive into one"

"Riley I don't really care, we could get together right now and I'd be fine with it" Max told her. Riley sighed, looking over Max's shoulder and leaning against it slightly.

"Max I just need you to know it's hard for me to open up about stuff" Riley mumbled against his shoulder before she pulled away from him. "Especially after what just happened, my trust is..."

"I won't rush you" Max said, "Like I said, when you're ready, I am too"

"If we do, I mean Max we would have to be so secretive about it" Riley said, "This whole thing could backfire on me, and then the cheating scandal would be flipped"

"I still think you could go to these events without doing this with him" Max told her, moving away from the water when it neared them. Riley moved back with him, not wanting to leave his side yet.

"I just don't want people pulling me apart again" She said quietly, "The photos of me are resurfacing an-"

"I don't want to change your mind" Max cut her off, "If this is what you want to do, then do it"

"I don't want you to be upset though" She told him. Riley didn't want Max to think that this was an excuse to be close to Arthur still, because it wasn't. Riley didn't want to be anywhere near him. It seemed like a okay option. Maybe she was too quick on making the decision, but the contract was signed already. She was legally bound.