SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

twentynine.

"How are you holding up?"

Charles' voice flooded through my phone as I made my breakfast. Ella had gone into work before I woke up this morning, which wasn't really hard seeing as I've been waking up closer to lunchtime than 'normal' breakfast time.

"I mean, considering the circumstances, I'm doing pretty well." I shrugged as I poured pancake batter on the hot griddle, not caring that he couldn't see me.

"This song is a hit." He was referring to the one I had released earlier this month, the one about my now ex-boyfriend.

I sighed, "Yeah, I haven't listened to it since we were at the studio producing it."

"Too painful?"

"Mhmm."

There was a pause in our conversation, almost as if Charles were thinking about what he could switch topics to, knowing he had made me a tad uncomfortable.

"Did the boxes make it to you yet?"

I laughed, flipping the pancakes. "Considering you sent them over three weeks ago, I'd hope so."

At the sound of him scoffing, I could picture Charles rolling his eyes. "No need to be sassy, Ri." He was never a fan of my sassy attitude.

"Sorry, but yes, they arrived a few days after you sent them." I hummed, "Thanks for that, by the way."

I really did have the best friends. It didn't even matter that Taylor asked them to pack up my stuff for me, they would've done it out of the kindness of their hearts if I had asked them to. The Leclercs, Charlotte, and Lando were people I wanted to keep around for a while.

"Did we get everything?" I could hear stuff being moved on the other end of the call, he must also be doing something while he talked.

Charles had randomly called me this morning, actually waking me up. He did this occasionally, dating back years ago, I realized he was the type of friend that wanted to hear your voice when catching up with you, texting not being enough for him. I kind of liked that part of our friendship, it always brought a smile to my face whenever I'd receive a random phone call from Charles Leclerc.

"I think so. You sent one of his shirts, though."

"Shit, sorry."

My fingers toyed with the hem of the shirt I was wearing, the exact shirt I had just mentioned to Charles. It was the shirt he'd given me in Jeddah, the one with the '33' on it. I've had it for months.

"It's fine, it was practically mine at this point anyway." I wasn't even lying.

After moving into his apartment, I had given it back to him for a few days to wear, so it would smell like him again. Now, it was back in my possession and his scent was barely hanging on anymore. It gave me a tinge of pain, knowing this was essentially my last piece of him. And, no matter how mad and hurt I was by what he did, there was a part of me that didn't want to let go.

"I'm not sure if this is too soon to ask, but do you think you'll come to any more races this season? I was really enjoying having you there all the time. You can even stay in the Ferrari or Mclaren garages. Me and the others will make sure he doesn't come near you–"

I cut him off, knowing he was going to continue with his rambling if I didn't. "I was thinking about coming back after the break, traveling around with y'all because of the triple header."

"Really?" He sounded like he had perked up.

I nodded, forgetting he couldn't see my face. "Yeah." A somewhat shaky breath left my mouth, knowing that joining them for the races meant I'd at least see him at some point. "Especially since my birthday is in the middle of it. I feel like it wouldn't be a true birthday if I didn't spend it with a Leclerc."

Charles' laughter came through the phone. "I like the sound of that."

"Of course you do."

~~~~~~

August arrived quicker than I thought it would.

I've been in Wilmington for nearly an entire month now and it still felt strange. I feel like I left part of my life in Monaco. Which, in a sense, I did.

I was settling in for another simple day here at home, working on writing a few songs that my label wanted later this year, when there was a knock on the front door. Instantly, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I had literally just gotten back from dropping Ella off at the airport to go join Lando for summer break, and I'm pretty sure none of my other childhood friends were in town... I have no clue as to who could be on the other side of the wooden door.

Still, I got up, walking over and pulling it open, curious as to who could be on the other side. A small gasp left my mouth at who was standing there. "Art? What're you doing here?" I laughed in disbelief at the sight of the youngest Leclerc brother standing at my doorstep.

Arthur was just grinning down at me, a duffle bag slung over one shoulder and a suitcase at his feet. I reached up and hugged him before taking his suitcase and wheeling it into the house, him in tow.

He chuckled, his laughter identical to his brother's. "Charles and I agreed that we didn't want you to spend summer break alone since Ella was off on her own adventure."

It had gone without saying that everyone knew that August was going to be hard for me seeing as it would be the first time I would be left alone since shit hit the fan. I've been with Ella ever since it happened and now she was gone for the next few weeks.

"So, you decided to come crash at my place?"

His face wore the cheesiest smile, "Of course, I'm your favorite Leclerc brother. I know you're thrilled I'm here."

"That's a bold claim." I chuckled, raising an eyebrow at him, "We all know my favorite is Lorenzo."

Arthur held a hand on his chest, feigning hurt at my response. "You wound me, Ri." I laughed again, this time at his dramatics.  "And to think I booked you a surprise trip."

I paused, looking at him more seriously. A surprise trip? "What do you mean?"

I watched as Arthur set his bags down in the middle of the room, walking over and flopping down on the couch before continuing. "Exactly what I said, I booked you a surprise trip. Ok, with the help of my brothers and Charlotte, but still."

"Where are we going?" I questioned, sitting down next to him on the couch, looking at him intently.

"Do you not understand the meaning of the word surprise, Ri?"

I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "What do I need to pack and when do we leave?"

A smiled cracked on his face, "I'm glad spontaneous Riley still exists." I know for sure he's referencing the random adventures he and his brothers used to convince me to hop on a plane and join them for. Arthur got up, going to his duffle bag and digging out a crumbled sheet of paper, reaching over to hand it to me. "Charlotte made you a list."

How thoughtful.

I unfolded the paper, thankful it was still legible after being cramped in Arthur's duffle for hours upon end. After scanning it, I knew we had to be going somewhere tropical or similar since most of what Charlotte suggested was bikinis and sundresses.

I just wonder where.

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no max for a couple chapters
enjoy riley and arthur though