Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 48- Maneater

Arthur was waiting for Riley next to his car in a small parking lot down the street from the tracks. He was standing in one of the last parking spots open, trying to save it for her so she didn't have to drive down the block. Riley mouthed a small 'sorry' to him as she pulled into the spot. Arthur backed up onto the sidewalk. Riley rolled up her windows that were originally down before she turned off the car and got out.

"I'm so sorry that I'm late" Riley genuinely apologized while closing the door behind her. "It just slipped my mind. It won't happen again" She rushed out.

"Where were you?" He asked, he went upstairs after hanging up and knocked on Riley's door.

Daniel answered it and was immediately confused. Arthur asked him where Riley was and he choked up before saying she was still getting ready. Arthur knew she wasn't home. Daniel had thought that Riley was staying over at his house, he was wrong.

"I was at home" Riley said, "I slept in"

"Is something happening?" Arthur asked her, somewhat concerned. She was being secretive with him, and where he knew he fucked up he didn't think this would happen. He was shut out completely. For months Arthur was the only person Riley would let in, even when she was dating Liam. It was abrupt and new for her to kick him out of her life completely.

"No" She shook her head, keeping her hair over her shoulder to hide the faint hickeys that were on the right side of her neck. "It was a honest accident, I'll be on time tomorrow"

"You're acting different" He told her, looking her up and down, trying to figure out what about her has changed. "Daniel didn't know where you were"

"I just slept in" She repeated, sticking with the story she started.

"With someone else?" He asked. "I see it written all over your face Riley. You get flushed after you have sex, you still have that look in your eyes"

"Arthur can we just go watch the race" She asked him softly. Riley didn't plan on telling Arthur about her and Max, especially not today. Arthur would've left the tracks and went straight to his house. An argument would've broke out, maybe a fight; not one that Arthur would win.

It just wouldn't end well.

~~~

Riley walked throughout the paddocks infront of Arthur. His eyes were on her the whole time, trying to figure her out, what she was thinking. She was more confident in herself than she was yesterday. Last night she was on the verge of panic and tears. Now she held her head high with a bright smile on her face.

Riley decided to listen to Max, they had the rest of their lives. She just had to push through 15 more days. Riley was whispering quietly to Arthur about Magui showing up with Lando. She hadn't seen him yet but everyone was whispering around them.

"Do you think they're together?" Riley looked over her shoulder to ask Arthur. They were about to exit the paddocks and walk to the trackside.

"I don't know" Arthur shrugged, "It's kind of odd don't you think?"

"Yeah" Riley nodded, "She was hitting on you last season, looks like she's going to whoever's available"

"So I'm not available?" Arthur asked with a small smile.

"No you are" Riley reassured him, "She just won't know that until June"

"We'll see" He said, putting a hand on her back and walking outside with her.