Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 39- Where were you in the morning?

Riley in fact woke up to an empty bed the next day. Max knew Riley had old t-shirts lying around in her wardrobe and dressers that he could wear. He was surprised to find one of his own from months ago. But he took it, put it on, and left before anyone in the house woke up. He didn't leave a message, of all things he could have done was leave and note, or text her. But he didn't.

Riley was walking through the paddocks with Ava and Sloan, trying not to think into Max just leaving in the morning. But she had just been cheated on. And she was moving on quickly. Riley had asked him to wake her up before he left, it was just surprising when he didn't.

Ava was skipping while holding Riley's hand, she was walking to hospitality just like Lando had texted her this morning. Sloan knew, Ava didn't. Ava loved surprises so Riley kept it really hush. Riley had made sure to tell Lando that Ava had a peanut allergy when he called her earlier asking what flavor cake Ava would want.

Riley walked into hospitality with Ava and Sloan, hearing Ava's tiny squeals when everyone inside started singing happy birthday. It was only Riley's close friends, Daniel, Lando, Charles, Oscar, Logan and Max. Riley avoided eye contact with him while Ava excitedly walked into the room seeing the cake placed on a table with 6 lit candles. Riley followed her, helping her hold her curls back when she blew out the candles. Just making sure she didn't accidentally set it on fire or get it in frosting.

"Can I have some?" Ava asked looking at Riley for permission.

"Yeah Ava I don't care" Riley shrugged, Daniel had already started cutting a slice for Ava.

News got out in the paddocks to different teams about what was happening, and more people slowly started arriving. Lando knew that was going to happen and made sure to get a large cake. They managed to keep the room secure and closed off to fans until they were done using it. Riley and Sloan would have hated if Ava got photographed and put all over the internet.

Riley stepped off to the side with Sloan, letting Ava socialize with everyone else. It stayed like that for a while, Max was trying to head to Riley but got caught up with Ava who wasn't letting him go. Riley glanced over every now and then, but was deep into conversation with Sloan. Ava got bored, and found herself wondering over to Logan. It wasn't until Sloan glanced behind Riley that she knew Max was approaching her.

"I'm gonna talk to Logan" Sloan said excusing herself.

"Wait" Riley said quietly, shaking her head subtly. But Sloan was already gone.

"Rye" Max said when he reached her, tapping her waist gently before she turned around. Riley looked disinterested at the moment.

"Did you find your way out alright?" Riley asked him, looking in his eyes. She put a hand on his abdomen when Max tried stepping closer, clearly not realizing this was a setting they couldn't be together in. "Stop"

Max sighed, and Riley looked away from him to the ground, feeling a burning sensation as his eyes stayed locked on her.

"Are you upset with me or something?" He asked her confusedly. Max knew Riley asked him to wake her up, he just didn't realize it would have an outcome like this if he hadn't.

"Just a little" Riley said honestly, "It's stupid though" She didn't know why it's upset her so much, it just did.

"I just didn't want to wake you up"

"It's fine Max" Riley told him, looking up at him and seeing the lack of belief he had in that statement. "It was just distasteful— I'm over it, it's fine."

"Are you positive?" Max asked worriedly, "I peppered a few kisses on you before I left."

"If I could I would kiss you right now to prove it" She told him, putting her hand on his when it went to her waist and slid it off, "But for obvious reaso-"