Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 85- Back In America

The flight to America was overly uncomfortable for both Max and Riley. She told him to leave the attitude behind, and he found it better to stay quiet throughout the majority of the flight. He sat separate from Riley, trying to cool off and get his thoughts in order. He in fact had a concussion, and Christian was trying to move forward and sue. Max wanted to just because it was Noah, but he didn't want to make Riley upset. But a name was given.

And emails were being sent.

Max and Riley were standing around in the air bnb that was being rented for them, Sloan, Susan, and surprisingly Tristen. Mike took care of the house when he found out Kevin's initial plans fell through. But Tristen needed somewhere to stay still, and whether not him and Riley were friends right now, they needed to put up with each other.

"Rye!" Susan walked into the kitchen to pop a bag of popcorn, "Love Island, Sloan's putting in on"

"I feel like I just binged every episode on the flight over" Riley laughed, getting out of the way, "I need Miguel to drop everyone in Casa Amour"

"No you just want Miguel" Susan joked, putting the popcorn in a microwave. "I'll take Rob"

"If anyone I'm taking Kenny," Riley leaned against the counter next to Max, "He's a sweetheart"

Max tuned out of their conversation and listened to the sound of popcorn popping. Riley tried putting her arm over Max, but felt him tense under her. She pinched the top of his ear and kissed his cheek before putting space between them again. Susan left the kitchen with two bowls full of popcorn, walking into the living room, that was right besides it.

"Are you coming to watch" She kept her hands to herself, no matter how much she wanted to fight for a connection with Max in this moment.

"I'm going to bed" He told her, "I'll see you up there"

"Mmm no" She shook her head, "I'm sorry your race was ruined and everyone's shitting on you for it but what you're not going to do is shut me out."

Riley was keeping herself inserted in Max's life whether or not he wanted it right now. And he did want it. He just wasn't expecting the sudden shift in his racing career. He didn't see an actual competitor showing up so soon.

"I'm not trying to push you out"

"Then don't drag this on" She told him, putting her arm around him again, Max held onto her waist, trying to block out the show that started playing in the background. It was all he heard on the plane and when Riley did talk to him, it was something about the show, the love triangles and drama unfolding. "I didn't do anything"

"Neither did I" Max said, "Lando dive bombed, and somehow I was the immature person"

"People are going to form their own opinions," Riley said, and Max already knew that. He hated it, but he knew it, they both did. "I think we can both agree on that"

"I didn't mean to start a feud with Lando"

"I think you just need to stop hitting people" She laughed, brushing her fingers through his hair, "I appreciate you getting Noah to back off, and Arthur, but" She sighed, not knowing what else to say, "I don't like how you told me you had shit to do and made me get a ride to the hotel myself"

"I'm sorry" He pressed a kiss to her collar bone, "I'll leave everything at the tracks"

"I just don't want your races to come between us"

And after she spoke so highly of him to Oscar.

"They won't" He mumbled against her skin, "I promise"