SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

thirty.

"I could get used to this."

I looked over to him as he hummed, sipping on a cocktail. I'm not sure where he keeps getting them, but he always brings me another whenever he goes to replenish his, so I'm not complaining.

It had taken nearly two days to fly here, but we had made it to Bali nearly a week ago and we were having the time of our lives together. I was told, while we were on the plane, that we'd be spending two weeks here, nearly the entire summer break. Arthur also told me that he'd be flying back to Wilmington with me before heading back to Monaco, not wanting me to travel alone.

Thankfully, thoughts about the whole scandal I had been caught up in were few and far between while we were vacationing. Okay, well, they definitely swarmed my mind at night before I fell asleep – when I was alone. That was normal, had been since it all happened. Sleep was rare because of it, wondering why it all happened. But during the day, the relaxation that had been planned for me was when I didn't think about it as much. I was able to truly relax.

It seems that the Leclerc brothers, most likely with the help of Charlotte and Pascale, had planned everything. Arthur and I had been to the spa this morning and were currently laying out on the beach until we needed to head to dinner where we had reservations at some fancy place – at least that's what Arthur told me. I, apparently, wasn't allowed to know all of the details of our trip. I had to trust that what they had planned would be good.

"Were you made for Island life, Art?" I questioned and he nodded, a soft smile on his face as he relaxed in his seat.

My gaze averted to the notebook in my lap.

I had started writing a few songs over the past month or so, using them as an outlet for all of my feelings. But the one I was looking at now, I was nearly done writing. So much thought had been put into it. Songwriting was one of the only things that kept me from truly spiraling.

I tried not to tear up as I read over the lyrics again, thoughts about the past few months being explained in the song. I'm sure it could be a hit like So American has been, just a different perspective this time around.

"Another song?"

I glanced at Arthur, nodding at his question before handing him the notebook. The Leclerc boys and Ella were the only people I have ever let read my songs before they were finished. Out of everyone in my life, they were truly the most constant, people I've known the longest and were the closest to, so they got that privilege that no one else did.

After a few minutes, he handed the notebook back to me, sending me a smile/ "It's beautiful, Ri. What are you going to call it?"

I chewed my bottom lip, thinking for a moment before scribbling the word I had been thinking about calling it at the top of the page. "Wondering." My words were quiet.

"I'm excited to hear it."

I laughed, "You're excited to hear everything I write, Art."

He shrugged, "Well, I am your biggest fan." He reached over and gave my arm a comforting squeeze, eliciting a smile on my lips.

"Don't let Charlie hear you say that."

Arthur laughed, sitting up in his seat, "He can get over that."

I watched in wonder as he got up, setting his drink off to the side before turning to me. He took my notebook and drink and moved them off of me before extending a hand, confused, I put my hand in his. Arthur pulled me off of the chair I had been lounging, pulling me toward the water.

"Art, we're going out to dinner, I can't get in the ocean." I warned, resisting some as he tugged me down the beach.

He shook his head, "There's a thing called a shower."