SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

fortytwo.

"I've never been to Japan before."

The caramel macchiato I was currently drinking was hitting the spot more than I thought it was. Maybe I should get coffee in the paddock more often?

"Didn't you go on a world tour?" Arthur mused from his spot beside me at the table outside of Mclaren hospitality. He'd joined for the Japan GP and I'd somehow convinced him to come visit Ella and Lando at Mclaren in between FP3 and Quali.

I nodded, taking another sip, "We couldn't get a Japan show secured." And another sip, because this drink is too good. "I'm hopeful for my next tour, though. Every artist I've talked to said that shows in Japan are unreal."

"Next tour?" Lando asked the question i'm sure all three of them were wondering.

I did just drop the "t" word out of nowhere.

I chuckled, a smile tugging at my lips. "I meant to keep that secret, but Taylor said if I can get an album done by Christmas there might be a tour next year."

Ella screamed.

I'm not sure why I expected anything different.

Lando and Arthur both smiled and gave short congratulations. Their reactions more subdued than the one of my best friend. I'm pretty sure she nearly spilled her coffee – I think that's why Lando grabbed it from her.

"You're kidding? How long have you known?" Ella reached out and took one of my hands in hers.

"A couple of weeks, actually." I knew Ella wasn't going to be all that happy that I hid this from her. "I only told Max."

She was quiet for a couple of seconds before continuing. "I'm thrilled and ignoring the fact you told your boyfriend before you told me." I think those few seconds she was quiet was when she realized that there might start being times when Max might find out things before she does.

I smiled at her, glad she wasn't all that mad at me. "You're still my number one, don't worry."

"Good, because I'm not afraid to fight for that spot."

There's my Ella.

She abruptly turned to face her boyfriend, "You know you're my number two, right?"

"I do." Lando spoke, letting out a loud laugh.

Ella patted his cheek, leaning in to kiss him quickly. "Good, because otherwise, this would've been awkward."

We all burst into a fit of laughter at their interaction. Lando and Ella's dynamic never ceases to amaze me. They're the strangest couple, but they work so well.

Arthur had just begun telling another story, about something, I'm not sure – I stopped listening – when a small voice caught all of our attention.

"Mommy!"

There's only one person in this paddock who's voice sounds like that.

I furrowed my brows, the four of us turning toward where the voice came from. Sure enough, Lili Verstappen was trudging through the paddock, dragging her father by the hand behind her.

Confused, I got up from my seat, leaving the cup of coffee on the table. "What's wrong, Liefje?" I questioned the young girl, dropping down on one knee to get more on her level.

Max was meant to be getting himself ready for Quali which was set to start within the hour – Lando claimed that getting coffee with his girlfriend and friends was helping him get ready. On the other hand, Max usually kept to himself before a session, needing the solitude to get in the mindset. So, him being here, at Mclaren, didn't make sense.