Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 123- Back On Podium

Riley knew what Daniel was doing when he pitted before the final lap, putting on a fresh pair of softs. She knew he was going for the fastest lap. Riley was fumbling with her own fingers, holding her breath as she prayed there wouldn't be a last minute crash. Max was in P2, this was his first podium since his home race. Sure he was finishing behind Lando, but Max was maintaining the championship lead.

Riley grabbed onto Gustav's shoulder and cheered after Max passed the checkered flag and Daniel robbed Lando of a Grand Slam. She shook his shoulder gently while he stood there as stiff as a stick. A few people had looked at Riley judgingly, but that didn't stop her from excitedly grabbing her camera to get photos of Max just as she told him she would.

Gustav followed behind Riley all the way down the pit lane. He pushed through the crowd behind her, watching the top of Riley's head as she stood at the front of the barricade. Riley yelled once to get Max's attention when he was standing next to his helmet that was put on a stand.

"Have you come to congratulate me?" Oscar asked while he was walking down the barricade.

"Sure!" Riley said, hugging him quickly before nearly immediately pulling away, gagging at the sweat like stench coming off of him. "You did good but-"

"Not good enough" Max finished her sentence, putting his hands on Oscar's shoulders to move him out of the way.

"Bye Oscar" Riley said, not hearing a response as he walked away. "Max!!" Her attention shifted again, "You did so fucking good, I watched every fucking second of it and you were perfect"

"Next time." Max told her, "Number 1"

"I believe it" She said loudly, feeling the same sickness with Max as she did Oscar. "In Austin"

"That win will be dedicated to you" He said, stealing a kiss that Riley pulled away from first.

"I'm getting overstimulated" She told him, sucking a deep breath in through her nose. "I just need you to take a small step back, but I'll talk to you a lot later too"

"I have to go do my interview now anyways" He told her, "I'll see you after media"

"Blow me a kiss up there" She smiled, while he walked away. "He's down bad."

"Are you sure it is him?" Gustav said, poking fun at Riley as she drooled over Max.

"Nope"

~~~

Riley was taken to a small area outside a few hours after the race had finished after she had asked a few people where to find Max. She knew media was over, and had yet to take a moment and really congratulate him after the podium ceremony. Max was telling Christian off while Riley was approaching, there was an argument over his contract and the court case. Christian was furious he lost Max as a driver and dropped the case. He left before Riley arrived, only after Max told him to go.

"Did you want to get in?" Max asked Riley when she was in ear shot, watching her eyes go wide immediately.

"Show some restraint" She whispered, kneeling down next to the tub with her camera around her neck.

"I was just noticing there's room for two" He played it off while Riley flicked the rubber duck floating in the water.

"You can't make those jokes in public" She whispered, hearing Max mock her, "Shhh. Save it for the bedroom"

"Or a plane..." Max said, "A boat- where's our next unusual location"

"There's not gonna be a next if you keep talking" She said, looking over her shoulder when she heard a camera go off. It was only the red bull photographer getting a photo of her with Max. "How long will you be in this?"