SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

thirtythree.

Max's POV

Oh, fuck.

Maybe I should pay more attention to where I'm going?

I'm pretty sure that's the fifth wall I've run into since being back at this damn hotel anyway. Christian is going to absolutely murder me tomorrow, he's got this rule about not drinking on race weekends, but I couldn't help it. Not when I've seen Riley around all weekend.

When Lili ran to her after FP1 yesterday I'm pretty sure I almost threw up.

Everything in me wanted to go talk to her, explain everything, but I knew I was the last person she wanted to see. It was all my fault anyway, why she was so sad, why everything went to shit.

Thankfully, Victoria picked Lili up last night to have a sleepover this weekend, so coming back late to my room drunk off of my ass held virtually no repercussions other than maybe a terrible hangover tomorrow for the race.

All I want to do right now is make things up to Riley, but seeing her with Arthur yesterday killed something in me. Had she gone to him for comfort and realized how much better off she is with him instead of me? They're closer in age, so I wouldn't blame her, and they've known each other for longer...

I'm not sure when I ended up back in my hotel room, but here I was and for some reason I couldn't stop myself from texting my father. The more I thought about what happened back in Silverstone, the more suspicious the interaction became. The girl kissed me outside in the view of the paparazzi and then just left. There's no way he's involved, right?

Are you in any way involved in the incident at Silverstone?

I hope he knows what I mean because I'm not sure how I even came up with a coherent question right now. My mind is swirling and I'm pretty sure I didn't even hit send.

The next few minutes went by agonizingly slow.

I'm pretty sure I almost threw my phone when it vibrated.

Jos: I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out. But, yes, I hired her to make it look like you cheated. I told you before how I didn't think that girl was right for you and you didn't listen when I told you to end it. Since you banned me from talking to her on my own, I had to take things into my own hands.

Holy fucking shit.

I sat up abruptly, nearly falling over from the headrush, but nonetheless. It wasn't me after all.

Before I even realize what I'm doing, I stumble out of bed and out the door to my hotel room. I think I remember the room number I'm going for.

Maybe.

It took me a few minutes but I made it, two floors down and 7th room on the right. Let's hope I got it right, otherwise this person is going to have a rude awakening.

My fist pounded on the door before I could even second guess what I was doing.

Oh, hell, I hope he hears me out.

The door pulls open and I almost smile I'm so relieved to see the Monegasque on the other side of it. He looks entirely confused and about ready to start a fight because I probably woke him up. I'm just proud that I remembered the room number he told me in passing.

He's been almost entirely ignoring me since Silverstone, Lando too. I can't blame them though. Riley is one of the most important people to them, and according to the world currently, I broke her heart.

"I didn't cheat on her, I swear. You gotta help me tell her... convince the others." It wasn't until my vision got blurry that I realized I was crying.

Fuck, I hate how emotional I get when I'm drunk.

Charles' eyes widen, he's probably concerned and shocked all at the same time.

His eyes glance back to the bed and I let mine follow. The sight of Charlotte curled up on the bed makes me feel guilty. I'm sure they were nearly asleep or something and now I'm just the drunk asshole that wakes people up to help him out after a realization.

"Uh," Charles raked a hand through his hair. "Sit down on the chair, I kind of want Art and Lando to hear this."

I nodded, stepping inside and walking over to the chair he had instructed me to sit in. Charlotte silently got out of bed, retrieving a bottle of water for me. She silently urged me to drink it, probably noticing how drunk I was.

Riley probably would've done the same.

Fuck, I miss her.

I'm not sure how much time passed before Arthur and Lando stumbled into the room, both clad in pajamas – how late is it? – but I do know that I've somehow managed to down 3 bottles of water and I'm starting to sober up some.

"This better be fucking good, because I was half asleep next to my girlfriend." Lando seethed.

Right. They're all annoyed with me.

Rightfully so,

"I didn't cheat on Riley." I blurted.

I winced when Lando pulled a face, but it was Arthur who spoke up.

"There's literally photo evidence."

A shaky sigh fell from my lips as I tugged on the ends of my hair. "You don't understand, I was set up. My Dad doesn't like Riley and he planned this."

It was Charles to speak up this time. "How are we supposed to believe you? You fucked up, Max." I was waiting for Charles to speak his mind. He was always the one Riley was closest to, so it made sense for him to stick up for her the most.

"I have proof."

I fumbled to get my phone from my pocket, unlocking it and navigating to my most recent conversation with my Dad before handing it over to the trio in front of me. As they read the short conversation, Charlotte handed me another bottle, obviously more concerned with getting me sober than anything else at the moment.

"He admitted to it." I started to explain as they passed the phone around. "The girl had just kissed me and left, so I got suspicious, but didn't do anything. Then after I saw Riley yesterday I finally texted him to ask. He fucking admitted that he planned the whole thing."

I'm pretty sure Lando screenshot it and sent it to himself from the looks of it. But his eyes eventually met mine. "And you swear to it?"

I nodded vigorously. "Of course! I would never even dream of cheating on her, you've gotta believe me! You all knew our situation, Canada was when it was finally real. Why would I willingly fuck up so soon after that?" Charlotte made a noise beside me.

Oh, fuck, I forgot she didn't know about mine and Riley's situation. I guess Charles will just have to fill her in on that later.

"Fuck, Max. Why does Jos hate Riley so much that he'd willingly give you bad press?" Charles asked, handing me my phone back after they'd all read the conversation.

Another shaky sigh.

"I don't know, but I do know I'd do fucking anything to get Riley to at least let me explain."

•

a short update
but you needed to know that
war is almost over