SO AMERICAN | max verstappen

fortyfour.

"Maxie?"

He'd been headed toward the kitchen when I went to take a shower, washing off the sweat from the workout he'd had me partake in this morning. Lando and Ella had picked up Lili earlier, saying that they wanted a day with the young girl, leaving me and Max by our lonesome today. I'm mildly alarmed as to what Max could be doing because he's usually not the one in the kitchen most days.

"Still in the kitchen, Ri!" He called out, alerting me of his whereabouts so I could follow the sound of his voice.

I rounded the corner, seeing Max hunched over the stove cooking... something. I decided not to ask, landing on the decision of letting him explain whatever was going on.

"Quick question," I hummed, coming to a stop by his side.

He looked up from his concoction, raising his eyebrows as a signal for me to continue.

"Could you potentially get me two tickets and paddock passes for the COTA race? I know it's next weekend..."

Max furrowed his brows, turning off the stovetop and removing the pan. What the hell had he made? "I mean, yes, but what for?"

"My parents want to come to a race and for some reason they chose Austin."

I watched his eyes go wide and the pan nearly clattered against the countertop. "Oh, shit, yeah of course, I'll get everything organized for them."

I smiled, going up on my toes to kiss his cheek. "You're amazing, thank you!" He just nodded, turning back to the counter and opening a cabinet to get out two plates, dishing up whatever he'd made.

He set them both on the island, in the places we normally sat, before turning to get – I assume – silverware and beverages.

Why was he acting so weird?

"What's wrong with you?" I chuckled, going over and sitting down at my spot. Whatever this shit is better be good, I'm starving.

Max shook his head, taking his spot next to me. "Nothing, nothing." He was trying so hard to be nonchalant, even going as far as starting to eat his food.

"Max." I say, immediately not believing him.

He sighs, setting his fork down on his plate before turning his body to face me more. "I don't know, Ri. I know I've met your parents before, but we weren't officially dating at that point. This feels more real and for some reason, it's making me nervous."

Oh.

Now I get it.

He was trying to play off his nerves.

Why didn't I think that my parents coming to a Grand Prix wouldn't elicit some type of reaction? He hadn't seen them since we went up to Wilmington after the Miami GP. I don't even think we really liked each other at that point.

"I promise you'll be fine." I leaned over and lightly kissed him. "They already love you! I'm pretty sure Dad has watched every race since you met back in May because I get texts about your race results every time."

A smile appeared on his face, his mood was lifting and he was getting less nervous.

I laughed, pressing another kiss to his lips. "If it makes you feel any better, Ella asked Lando to do the same for her parents and he's nervous as fuck." This time I took a bite of the food Max had placed in front of me.

He let out a loud laugh, "That does make me feel better, thank you."

I stopped chewing midway through. What am I eating right now?