LOVE IN THE DARK | MAX VERSTAPPEN

Part 15

I would rather chop my own hands off than have to spend any time in Monaco. This whole apartment that once held so many amazing memories, now only fills me with dread and sheer anxiety. Max kicked me out of our home and quickly removed any memory of me even being there. He took down our wedding photos, he packed my things into the spare bedroom and took off his wedding ring. He removed me from his life like I meant nothing. He didn't trust me, he didn't even give me a chance to explain. His family turned their back on me. Hence why Luka's birthday party was incredibly awkward and not one person came to speak to us. Also another reason why I'm refusing to go today, I'd rather not have any awkward interactions and I doubt they'd want to see me either. I've just got their Dad and Grandad arrested so I'm sure they're not my biggest fan.
Max has taken Noah on his own, which leaves me with some time to kill. Obviously there's only one person who I'd rather spend my time with right now and it's the one person I haven't even had chance to see or talk too since this whole situation blew up. The fact that this even happened in the first place still blows my mind. I send Danny a text praying that he's free, because spending another minute in this apartment might have me putting leads onto the cats and taking them for a walk like some crazy cat lady. I'm lonely and company is company.

I meet Danny at the coffee place down the street, we used to always meet here before I had Noah and even just after Noah was born. I miss the old times when things weren't so fucked up.
"Come here, I've missed ya. Isn't it nice being able to meet up again without being accused of being a home wrecker and a cheat." Danny pulls me into a hug, whilst grinning at me but I can still see the hurt in his eyes.
"You're telling me, me and Noah have really missed you. Speaking of Noah he won't be happy that I've seen you without him. He's got a thing for randomly singing country songs at the minute, mainly when he's supposed to be going to sleep. I'd be right in thinking, that I've got you to thank for that." Danny smiles a proper Danny Ric smile "Ahh that's my boy, we sang a bit of country last time we were in the car. He loves it but listen I need to apologise to you." I look at him confused because he has no reason to apologise to me. "This has been playing on my mind for weeks and it's all I can think about. I should have told Max as soon as you told me, about Jos wishing you were dead. I didn't take it seriously and I should have done. Max has let you down but I have to." I fight the urge to grab hold of his hand, either that or shake him by the shoulders  "Absolutely not. You haven't let me down at all, this is on no one but Jos and partly on Max. I really need you to not hold this against Max, because he needs you now more than ever." Danny remains silent for a minute before running his hands through his hair. "It's hard, Max is one of my best mates but I watched him treat you like shit for a while. He neglected you even before all this stuff came about. I just hope he sees what's in front of him now. I won't hold it against him but I will be putting him straight if I have to." We really are lucky to have Danny in our lives. He's one of a kind. "Thank you, I just need to know he has someone there for him, he doesn't really have me anymore and I've just whipped his dad away from him so I do worry about him." Danny shakes his head as he looks at his phone. "He really doesn't know how lucky he is to have you, I'm so proud of how you've stood up to Jos. Don't ever feel guilty about that. However on another note I think I'm about to ruin your day." Jesus Christ. If anything else happens in my life I will be finding the nearest bridge to somersault off. (I'm joking)
"What is it? If it's going to tip me over the edge I don't want to know." He laughs as he shows me his phone. "You both have to attend this Red Bull event don't you? You signed the contract. You can't get out of it. I got out of going because I'm not a part of Red Bull anymore. A gala with Max as your date, how are you going to survive that one?" Fuck my life. I forgot all about that. "I'm not part of Red Bull anymore. I wasn't in the first place I just got put as his plus one." Danny grabs my hand and holds it in the air. "That ring right there is your key to the invite. You're a Verstappen, I'm sorry to say but you're gonna have to suck it up." I pull my hand away and roll my eyes. "It's one night and I'm sure we can be civil and get through an hour together. It's just going to be incredibly awkward. You can go in my place is you want? I'll buy you a wig and I'll even get you a dress." Danny starts laughing but I'm not joking. Playing happy families when we're far from it is my idea of hell. That and seeing Max in a suit is the devil in itself. Fighting the urge to be mad at someone who looks as good as he does in a suit is going to be pure torture.
I spend the next hour talking with Danny before I head back to the apartment in time to meet Max and Noah.

Daniel Ricciardo

danielricciardo: Reunited 🤝 sippin on business. @izzyverstappen

Liked by izzyverstappen, landonorris, maxverstappen1 & 1,224,567 others

izzyverstappen: Missed you! 🫶
landonorris: My invite get lost did it? 🖕
dannyxricx3fans: Nice to see you back together fuck em all.
F1gossip: Proving the haters wrong.
maxverstappenfan33: The woman who single-handedly took down Jos Verstappen 😮‍💨
User235: Pair of home recker 2gether have a nice life 🥰
izzyverstappen: @user235 Learn how to spell properly. It's actually 'home wreckers.' Have a nice life 🥰

I arrive back at Max's apartment to be greeted by Noah chasing Jimmy down the hallway.
"Noah don't chase the cats that's not nice." He grins at me before running at me wrapping his arms around my neck.
"Hi Mama, you were right, Lio's party was fun and Daddy said I can have a baby brother or sister for my birthday." A what now? I look at Max who's just appeared in the doorway.
"That's not what I said mate, I said you can't just order them in straight away. They take 9 months to actually grow but they're out of stock anyway I've just checked." I laugh as Noah huffs and glares at Max. "Well how do you get a baby in mamas tummy anyway?" Max rolls his eyes as he  ruffles Noah's hair. "Don't ask I've had this all afternoon. Noah, I've already explained this to you, chose something else mate please I'm begging you." I laugh and put Noah down as he runs off into the living room.
"He's strong willed isn't he? Was he good for you?" Max nods his head as he gets his phone out of his pocket. "Yeah he was good, he was quiet at first, he wouldn't leave my side but he soon warmed up. Anyway I'm sure you've forgotten and I understand but we have this gala next weekend. I've tried to get you out of going but I just can't because of the sponsors. They're saying it won't look good turning up without my wife. I'm sorry." I shrug my shoulders as I head into the living room to get Noah ready to go home. "It's fine, it is what is it I suppose. I'm sure we can play happy families for one night. What was it you said to me a couple of weeks ago? I'm good at convincing people so it shouldn't be hard." Oops I know that was a low blow but I'm still hurt by what he's done and part of me is still holding on tight onto that grudge that I have.
Max looks down and doesn't say a word he just nods his head. I carry on putting Noah's coat on as Noah looks up at me.
"Mama, I know I have to be kind but I still don't like Kelly, she kept talking to Daddy all the time and I don't like it. She touched my hair." Max's eyes dart to mine as I nod my head and grab my bag.
"It's not what you think, she asked about my dad and I gave a short answer that's all it was." I grab Noah's hand as we head towards the door. "It's fine, what you say or do has nothing to do with me anymore. Noah say thank you and bye to Daddy."
What Max says or does has absolutely everything to do with me I'm just too stubborn to admit it. Next week I'm going to show Max exactly what he's missing. I know how to push his buttons and boy am I going to push them.