Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 113- misconceptions

Not a word came from Max after he left Riley's house. Nothing but a short text from him Friday evening when Daniel was getting ready to go onto his yacht. Party's weren't something that Max usually threw, but right now, he was bored and didn't see why he couldn't put the yacht to use. It wasn't until Daniel was already leaving that Riley received a text from Max. He was going to send one earlier in the day but it slipped his mind when he was running around the boat. He'd be lying if he said he didn't have some sense knocked into him when he stumbled upon Riley's engagement ring.

It brought tears to his eyes instantly, feeling like they were losing each other in a battle of pettiness that was currently one sided.

Riley took a long time getting ready purposely. She was fashionably late, showing up when the boat was already entirely full. Riley wasn't sure how Max knew all of these people, especially when he only talked to a select few. But, once news got out that he was hosting, everyone put on their best clothes and found his boat.

Riley didn't look for Max immediately, she needed a few drinks in her system before that. She was sliding past everyone, trying not to bump into anyone. Max wasn't pulling away from the dock tonight, there were too many people he didn't know on the boat for him to feel comfortable doing so. Riley noticed Jade and Nicolas in the distance, she was going to make her way around to them but felt Max slide his hand on her waist when he walked by her.

Riley almost smiled, but no words were shared once again. Half of Max expected Riley to follow him, when the other was more logical and knew that she wouldn't. Riley wasn't getting any signals from Max saying he was down bad and needed to talk to her immediately. So she continued her original journey and got a few shots from the upper deck. There was a small compartment full of liquor that no one but close friends were allowed to touch. Which still, and would forever include Riley.

She took a few shots right off the bat, and a extra one for good luck when she saw Arthur walking on the dock towards the yacht with his friends. It was only a matter of time until the shots caught up to her, which was good. She needed the liquid courage, Riley thought she was going to go through the whole night without talking to Max again. 

"Jesus Rye," Jade said, her and Nicolas came up to get her after they saw her. "You are going to feel that tomorrow"

"I want to feel it now" She said, pouring herself another shot, "It's just the price I'll have to pay then"

"Why don't you save some for the rest of us?" Nicolas laughed, not thinking Riley would have an actually answer until she flipped the bottle over.

"Riley's Whiskey" She read the words on the back of the bottle, "Everything in the cupboard has a name on it" She told them, "Don't take anything that doesn't have mine on it and please, for the love of god lock the cabinet when you're finished"

"Aye- Aye- Captain" Nicolas said, saluting Riley, not noticed the slight sadness that washed over her face.

Riley looked over the railing while Jade and Nicolas helped themselves, she was watching Max walk around with different people. He was talking to everyone but her and it started getting frustrating. He walked right past her and she didn't even get the usual 'You're stunning'.

He looked at her, keeping his eyes locked on hers until Riley turned to Jade. It wasn't like Max didn't know she was there. He was trying to make his rounds to her, getting his greetings with everyone else out of the way so he could put more focus on Riley.

"When did you meet Jennifer" Riley asked Jade, it was something she had been wanting ask her all week, but she was nervous.

"Oh." Jade knew at this moment that the secrets of her and Holden's relationship were out in the open at this point. "When I was in Miami for my photoshoot"