Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 107- William.

Max tried to give Riley a little space on the jet. He sat in a different spot for the majority of the flight, getting his own thoughts in order regarding the race. Sloan sat at on one of the two couches in the back of the jet away from Riley, staying quiet while Riley was curled up in a ball, looking out the window until she fell asleep. Halfway through Riley ended up sitting with Max, taking the blanket Max kept on the jet for her and cuddled up next to him. It was somewhat relieving for the both of them. Knowing there were things to discuss but they were going to push through.

The Uber ride was entirely silent on their way to Riley's house. Sloan officially had a mental countdown in her mind of how much longer she had left. Riley had worries filling her head over Max, wondering if she was forgiving him too quickly. She just didn't want to break up. Riley didn't see another solution to their relationship other than pushing through. But the lie still bothered her.

Max wanted to follow Riley into her room after he put his bags in the guest room down the hall. But he knew better when Riley had explicitly said he would be sleeping in the guest room. Although after laying down for a few minutes, Riley had expected him to. So she got up herself, and headed down the hall to the room Max was staying in.

"Max" She whispered, pushing the door open a crack, "Max are you awake still?"

"Half" He groaned, practically holding the pillow as he laid on it. 

"Can I come in" She asked him, stepping into the room when he groaned again.

Riley sat on the edge of the bed without touching Max. She sat with her legs criss crossed over each other facing Max who had his eyes closed. He expected Riley to lay down next to him, but she just wasn't ready for that with him again yet. It would take time and a small push until she could get there.

"Are you tired?" Max mumbled barely coherently, lifting his eye lids slightly until they closed again.

"Yeah" She whispered, "I thought you were going to say goodnight though"

"I was giving you a little more space Riley" He shuffled in bed, sitting up in front of Riley, "That's what you want still right? Until Wednesday"

"Uh, yeah" She nodded, looking down at her hands. "I was thinking about stopping at JC's tomorrow"

"Yeah?" He said, "Did you want me to come or?"

"If you wanted to, yes" She told him, putting her hand on his shin. "After we go to my dads we can just stop by, maybe sit by the beach for a little bit"

"Sure" He almost waited Riley to get closer, but she didn't. "I don't bite, Rye"

"O-oh I know" She stuttered, "I just don't think I'm ready to get close to you in bed again yet..."

"Oh"

"Yeah.."

"That's alright" Max said, keeping a clean composure on the outside, hiding the piece of him that was hurt by that.

"Baby steps"

And maybe a few larger steps after that.

"I still have the intentions to propose to you Riley" Max just wanted Riley to know that his plans weren't changing.

"And I still intend to say yes" She told him, "But-"

"I lied, I know" Max wiped his hand over his face tiredly, "There's only so many times you can tell me"

"It's just-" She paused, looking away from him, "Never-mind" She started getting up from bed, "We'll talk on the plane"

"You're stuck with me in the sky for fourteen hours"