Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 95- Surprise!

It was a surprise. Riley would've felt bad for not turning up to one of Max's home races. So Sunday morning, without giving Max any notice; she bought a plane ticket a flew out. The race started while Riley was finishing her rounds in customs. She only brought a very small bag with her, it had two changes of clothes, just in case Max did decide to stay the night again and not fly straight out to Monaco.

She got to the circuit as fast as she could. It was difficult to get inside, she didn't have a pass and had to rely on people recognizing her. For the most part they did and let her right through. There was only one security guard that gave her a hard time, which she appreciated, she was using her privilege and broke a few rules. He was only doing his job. But ultimately Riley made it into the paddocks.

When she walked into Max's garage she asked someone in passing what Max's drivers room code was. Once she had it she put her bag down inside next to Max's. She took a deep breath knowing Sophia Kumpen and Jos Verstappen were outside. Being late in her mind wasn't the best first impression, but then again, Riley wasn't going to go in the first place. Sophia noticed when Riley was coming and gasped excitedly. She had been waiting far over a year now to meet her and the time finally came around.

"Max told me you were not coming!" Sophia exclaimed quietly, greeting Riley with a hug and bright smile she returned.

"It's a surprise" Riley said, feeling a small squeeze she was given, "He doesn't know I'm here"

"I'm sure he will be over joyed to see you" She said, pulling away from the hug.

"I think he'll be caught off guard just a bit" Riley laughed, looking towards Jos who held his hand out for Riley to shake.

"It's a good thing you showed up after the start then" Jos said with a small laugh while shaking Riley's hand.

"My flight ended up getting delayed" She said, retracting her hand. Riley saw a girl a few years  older than Ava hiding behind Jos, who she recognized as one of Max's younger sisters Blue Jaye. She gave her a small wave, not wanting to push conversation with her when she was very clearly shy. "I would've used the jet, but then Max would've known" She told Jos, who Riley didn't necessarily like. She didn't know him but she's heard stories, he made her nervous. But, she tried her best to keep a smile on her face, being respectful to the both of them because in a year's time more or less they would both be considered family.

More, or less.

Riley ended up standing between Blue Jaye and Sophia as they watched the race. It was lap 31 and the replay of Oscar's small incident in the pit was shown on the screen. Sophia was making small comments to Riley every now and then through the race, not necessarily about Max, but things Max has told her about Riley. She made Riley feel a lot more welcome than his Grandmother did weeks ago.

"I hope this doesn't mean you and Max won't be visiting over break anymore"

"Oh no we will" Riley promised Sophia, "I'm not sure the exact dates, but Max made it sound like he planned to go 2 weeks before the season starts again"

"That's what he mentioned on Friday" Sophia said, Max hadn't stopped going on about Riley.

He brought her up whenever there was room, he had nothing but good things to say. There was a lot of talk about the ring he was getting for her, how he only needed her band size before he could have it made. Everything else was handled. Sophia proposed a harder question to Max after that was all in the open. 'How are you going to propose'. It wasn't something he'd had the chance to give much thought, but now with the season nearly on break he was dedicating a lot of his time to figuring that out.