Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 47- Close to you

Riley was driving to Max's apartment after Arthur dropped her off. She went inside her buildings lobby and waited for him to drive away until she got into her car and headed for Max. She was driving with the cars hood up and tears streaming down her face. She felt terrible about having to be with Arthur all of the time. Riley wanted Max to know she was all in with him.

Riley parked her car in his driveway next to his. She got out quickly, closing her door behind her. Riley wiped all tears from her face as she approached Max's front door. She took a deep breath and knocked on his door. She waited for a few minutes without hearing a sound, so she rang his door bell. Max opened the door almost instantly after, standing in-front of Riley with nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants on.

"Hi" Riley said with an exhale. "Sorry I should've asked if I could come over but," She shrugged not having an excuse. "I just wanted to talk to you"

"Are you staying the night?" Max asked, opening the door for her to walk inside.

"I don't have to if you'd rather not" Riley told him, putting her arms around his shoulders. Riley's back was placed against the door when Max closed it. His lips were on hers, taking hold of the moment alone Riley provided when coming over. Riley pressed her body against his, following him off the door when he tried backing away.

"Can I get you anything?" Max asked quietly when Riley's lips left his. His hands were on Riley's still dressed up hips, feeling Riley hug him close. "Rye"

"I just want to talk" She shook her head. Riley slowly stepped away from Max, feeling his hand squeeze her hip before she walked away. His hand kept scrunching and un-scrunching her dress when he double checked the front doors lock.

"About what?" He asked her whilst following her into the living room that had very minimal changes since she was last there.

"About Arthur" She said exasperated. Riley plopped down on the couch, waiting for Max to sit next to her before she continued.

"What about him?" He stayed standing, thinking Riley was choosing Arthur again instead.

"I just feel terrible that you have to sit here and watch me with him everyday" She said, feeling the air get caught in her throat. Max sat down next to her, putting his arm on the couch behind her. "I shouldn't have agreed to do this with him before talking to you"

"Riley it's fine" He told her, seeing a gloss covering her eyes that was reflecting the moonlight. "Rye."

"It's not" Her voice broke, "I don't like doing this"

"We have 16 days left" He told her, "Barley two more weeks"

"It's too much" She shook her head quickly, "I just want to be with you and I hate hiding this from Daniel"

"You can be with me in 2 weeks" He said when Riley moved closer to him, resting her arm over his shoulder. "You're thinking too much about him, just remind yourself what's in it for you"

"I just don't want you to think I'm leading you on" She said quietly, taking small breaths so she didn't cry in-front of him.

"Riley you're not" He pecked her lips once. "We have the rest of our lives to be together, push through these two weeks and get your connections. I know that. I'm not being led on."

"Ok" She whispered putting her forehead against his. Riley didn't want Max to promise they had the rest of their lives together when they didn't know that. He could realize he's tired of her next week and that statement not be true. Riley didn't want a broken promise. "Two weeks is so long"

"Try nine months" Max joked, looking to Riley and seeing an instant sadness in her. 9 months was the amount of time they spent apart. Max spent 9 months waiting for Riley to come back. Within those nine months Riley had dated 2 other people and lost a life long partner. Josie.