Way to the Glory [Max Verstappen]

Chapter 53 - Waves of connection

Flahback 23.10.2014 
I was standing at the edge of the paddock, watching as the mechanics worked tirelessly on the car. The roar of engines filled the air, and the smell of burning rubber lingered, mixing with the scent of gasoline. It was a chaotic symphony that I had grown used to over the years. I was proud of Charles and Arthur, but today I was here for someone else.

Max was there, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something more intense. I could see it in the way he moved, his focus razor-sharp. He was deep in conversation with one of his engineers, gesturing toward something on the car's monitor.

The last few months had been a whirlwind—race after race, the constant pressure of competition. But in the midst of all that chaos, Max and I had found moments of quiet, moments where it was just the two of us, away from the cameras and the noise. Moments where we were just Max and Angelica, not a racing driver and a little sister of his competitor.

I didn't want to interrupt, but he must have sensed me there because he turned around, a smile breaking through his concentrated expression.

"Hey, Angi," he said, stepping away from the car and coming over to me. "What are you doing here so early?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Wanted to wish you good luck before the race. And maybe steal some of your pre-race energy."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're always welcome to my energy, but you don't need it. You've got enough positivity for the both of us."

There was something in the way he said it, something in the way he looked at me that made my heart flutter. We'd been dancing around this feeling for a while now—this unspoken connection that neither of us had dared to address. But in that moment, under the harsh lights of the paddock, with the sound of engines roaring around us, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of us.

"Max," I started, not really sure where I was going with it, but feeling the need to say something—anything.

He stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine, and suddenly, the noise around us faded. It was just us, standing there in the middle of it all, like we were in our own bubble.

"Yeah?" he asked, his voice softer, more vulnerable than I'd ever heard it.

I swallowed, the words stuck in my throat. There were a million things I wanted to say, but all I managed was, "Be careful out there, okay?"

His smile turned gentle, and he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm. "Always am, Angi. You know that."

I nodded, my heart beating faster at the contact, at the closeness of him. I wasn't sure if he felt it too—the electricity that seemed to crackle in the air between us—but before I could find out, we were interrupted.

"Max, we need you over here!" one of the engineers called, snapping him back to reality.

He gave me an apologetic smile, his hand lingering for a moment longer before he pulled away. "Duty calls," he said with a wink, backing away toward the car.

I watched him go, my heart still racing. The moment was over, but the feeling lingered, the unspoken words hanging in the air between us. As I turned to leave, I couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be a right time for us—if we'd ever be able to say the things we both seemed too scared to admit.

The next morning brought with it a renewed sense of excitement and adventure. The sun rose over the turquoise waters, casting a golden glow on the island. I woke up early, eager to make the most of our time here.