Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 87- Breaking down the door.

Riley was standing under Max's arm as the first dance was starting. She had one hand on his side, feeling his rubbing along her arm while she looked over their shoulders at Sloan who was having a heated conversation with Susan. Riley rolled her eyes, knowing she was the topic and Susan was just trying to put a lid on it.

"Riles" Max said quietly under the music that was playing.

"Hmm" She craned her head to look up at him, she re-angled her body so she was standing in-front of him, being able to communicate with him better.

"You should remodel JC's" Max told her, seeing the slight head shake she was giving, "You should"

"Kevin doesn't want me to" She said in a hushed whisper, "My mom said she doesn't have a opinion,"

"Because it's your restaurant" Max reminded her, "At the end of the day it comes down to pen and paper, you own the establishment- it's not Kevin's choice"

"Would it be rude?"

"I will back you every step of the way" Max promised her, "I'll help with everything if you don't have their support"

Riley looked in his eyes, hesitantly nodding. This was going to break trust with Kevin, but it was her place at the end of the day.

"Okay" She said softly, "I really just don't want Kev to be mad, or Susan- and Tristen" She looked at Tristen from across the room, "I feel like Tristen still needs it"

"Then leave JC's as it is," He said, "Keep it, and we'll open your cafe in Monaco separately"

"That's going to be way too much" Riley sighed, finding herself in Max's arms the longer they talked.

"We'll manage"

"We will?" Riley questioned, turning an eyebrow while Max kissed her forehead gently. "Are you trying to co-own"

"No but I want to help you" He made clear, "With whatever you need, if you need money, help planning, a shoulder to lean on, anything at all"

"I'll take your shoulder" She told him, "Stop offering your money to me, I have my own"

"I'm just putting it out there" He said, feeling Riley's head lift from his shoulder when Tristen walked closer.

"Can I steal her for a second?" Tristen asked Max who was about to say 'I'd rather you not' but Tristen started talking again. "Perfect, meet me overrrr.... there" He pointed to an empty table on the far left side of the building.

"Okay well," Riley looked up at Max after Tristen walked away, "It looks like I'll see you later" She said, sadly withdrawing herself from Max's body.

"We'll talk about the test later"

Riley nodded and followed the loose trail that Tristen left. Max's eyes followed Riley until Ava tugged on his hand. Tristen was standing in a corner waiting for Riley to pick up the pace. He knew he only had 3 minutes tops before someone else came looking for Riley.

"I made a mistake" Tristen started off strong when Riley was in ear shot. "I was being petty, and pissed that you moved to Monaco with Arthur and I'm sorry"

"What?" Riley was shocked they were having this conversation now and not at the house. "I didn't move with Arthur I moved with Daniel"

"But with him" He told her, "I'm upset that you were with Arthur"

"That I dated him-?" She asked confusedly, "Yeah I'm upset I wasted my time on him too, the fuck"

"No Riley-" Tristen didn't know how to put it, he didn't want to disrespect her relationship with Max, but he didn't want her to go too deep if he had a chance. "I didn't want you with him because I wanted to be"