When in Vegas - lestappen - Max x Charles

16. Les

TW: MENTION OF ABUSE/ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

Max pov

ITS LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO!

I hit the acceleration. I was starting P3 it was necessary to have a good start. I was able to overtake Carlos on turn one. RedBull has been great this year so keeping pace is not too difficult, neither is keeping Carlos behind me. Charles will be another story.

As much as I want to see him win, I can't hand him my race.

I start trying to overtake, it takes me a couple try's but finally I pass Charles. P1 let's keep it that way.

The rest of the race I keep my position losing it a couple times to Charles but I always managed to gain it back. It was beautiful and fun. Ultimately I was the one who crossed the checkered flag first. Charles comes in 2 seconds behind me.

I pull in my car and get out. I jump into my team that's on the side waiting for me. I'm getting so many congratulations. With Christian patting my head and telling me I did a good job. Under my helmet I'm smiling like a mad man.

I retreat for my team's embrace and walk over to my love. Charlie already has his helmet off he looks stunning. His cheeks are a soft rosie red and he has some very messy hair.

He sticks out his hand for me to shake, but I pull him in and give him a hug.

"Congratulations mijn liefde, I can't wait to congratulate you behind closed doors." I whisper in his ear as I pull away.

I can tell he's blushing a bit but you can't really tell due to his exhaustion.

Smiling I go congratulate Checo who came in third. I'm really happy with today's outcome and I can't wait to share that with Charles.

We make it to the cool down room, where it's conveniently showing the moment I hugged Charlie and then it switches back to the race.

Checo sees and looks at me smirking. Dumb Daniel must have told him something.

Checo doesn't talk much but he does watch us maxsplain and lecerify with a happy expression.

Finally we are called up to the podium. My national anthem plays, once it's over I immediately pop my champagne and spray Charles and Checo in one go.

They decide to gang up on me, spraying me at the same time. I let out a laugh, having the time of my life. Our bottles are starting to run low, so we take our trophy's and wave to the crowd as we walk off.

I scan the crowd as I wave. Unfortunately I see someone I never wanted to see again. Kelly.

My mood immediately turns sour. I head back to my garage, receiving more congratulations. Christian pulls me aside.

"Max, son what's wrong?" He looks really concerned. I guess I wasn't hiding it that well.

"Kelly, she's here." I quietly let out as I look at the floor.

"Don't worry, Max. She won't get anywhere near you." He gives me a hug and sends me to my drivers room.

I open the door to find Charles sitting on my couch. I'm already in a better mood.

"Baby." I let out at almost a whisper. Charles comes running up to hug me. I close my door and bask in his warm embrace.

I start to cry. Everything was starting to pile up. My shit with my dad and then seeing Kelly. I couldn't hold it together anymore.

"Shhhhh, what's wrong Maxie?"
He cuddles me while running his hand through my hair. Attempting to calm me down.

"It's Kelly, she's here." I let out another sob. I just want to back to the hotel.

No one really knows how our relationship ended. I had told the press it was a mutual agreement but it wasn't.

She had verbally abused me and had tried to get physical a couple times.

I looked up at Charlie. He had concern written all over his face. He continued to hug me tight not saying a word, waiting patiently for me to say something.

I'm finally able to compose myself enough to be able to say something.

"She, she used to verbally abuse me." I say softly holding back tears again. Not looking up at Charles.

"Is there more Max? That's not the whole truth is it?" He gently rubs my back, trying to be as soft as possible.

I let out a sigh.

"She tried to get physical a few times." I let out a strangled cry. I clutch him like a life line.

Charles knows about how I've struggled with abuse for most of my life. He knew my father used to hit me when we were younger. He could never do much but he always tried to make it better like any 12 year old could.

We stay hugging for what seems like eternity. But we are interrupted by a knock. I wipe my tears and let go of Charles to go answer it.

Fortunately it's Christian. He gives me a smile and another hug.

"She won't be near you. She's ban from several garages so hopefully you won't see her. And I was able to shorten press." Christian lets me go and says goodbye. I close the door and go back to hugging Charlie.

"Let's go back to the hotel mon chéri." We interlock our hands and leave before press. He knows that we will get in trouble but we couldn't care less.

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