Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 106- mad woman

Max dropped Riley's plan b off before his flight, still giving her enough time to take it and for it to work. But it was complete radio silence between them, Sloan continuously told Riley that she should be mad at Max still. How she shouldn't be so forgiving. It was overwhelming because now, Riley didn't know what to think. She was still mad at Max, she wanted to talk to him, to express her feelings on why she was hurt by this. Riley wanted to move past this. But Sloan was telling her not to.

With the constant fights between her and Sloan the past week, the manipulation that was mentally draining on Riley, she didn't know what to think. So when Max was expecting her to show up to his motorhome Friday night, and she didn't, confusion was struck. She promised him, and she broke it.

Riley was lying in bed, feeling sick to her stomach when she thought about going to the circuit. She barely looked alive. There were bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep and the constant crying. Her face was puffy from the dehydration she was feeling. Riley stopped caring for herself when she tried to tend to Sloan's needs. Which meant she hadn't been eating properly once again. And cigarettes. Riley was smoking every night before she went to bed, trying to relieve the stress that was on her shoulders.

"Can you stop being a pussy and get out of bed" Sloan poked Riley, they were going to be late for qualifying if they didn't leave now.

Riley didn't say anything, she stayed still inside Max's red bull hoodie, not wanting to show any sign of movement to Sloan. She held her breath entirely, hearing her huff as she walked across the room.

"You know this is un-fucking-believable" Sloan told her, knowing Riley was awake. "This is your boyfriend's home race and you're lying in bed still. Real mature move of you to miss it"

Silence. Not a word from Riley.

"I'm going to go" Sloan said, "You can stay here and cry like a little bitch if you want to, but I'm going to turn up"

"Bye" Riley said with a broken voice, reminding herself Sloan was amidst a withdrawal, and everything she was doing now would be worth it in the end. Riley reminded herself that Sloan didn't mean anything.

"God, fuck you Riley"

~~~

Riley skipped dinner with Max. She told him the pill made her feel sick. And he believed her. Max has seen the effects of the pill on Riley. Sometimes she lays in bed half the day, sometimes she throws up. Riley's body doesn't react well to it, but the pill does the job.

He offered to swing by her hotel after he had dinner with Jos, who was the only person in his family who ended up attending that weekend. But Riley said no. She needed her space right now. From everyone, Sloan, Arthur, Max. She couldn't do it right now.

But she kept her promise when she said she'd see Max before the race. Riley walked into Max garage entirely put together, but it was all a facade. She took nearly an hour long shower, shaving, washing her hair, ridding herself of the faint cigarette scent. She sprayed her signature perfume afterwards as well, taking an extra precaution just in case.

Riley was waiting in Max's garage quietly off to the side, not talking or making eye contact with anyone who walked past her. It seemed rude, especially when someone would say hello and she stayed quiet.

"How are you feeling" Max asked Riley, earning a very short and small hug from her, "Hm?"

"I've been better" Riley barely had her voice at this point, it was concerning Max.

"Did you want to talk about it yet" Max kept a hand on Riley's waist, feeling the death grip she had on his arm. It's like she thought that would be the last time he'd ever touch her.