LOVE IN THE DARK | MAX VERSTAPPEN

Part 16

Max POV
I really thought Izzy would change her mind about coming to Lio's party but she didn't. I don't blame her but it's horrible coming to places just Noah and I. It doesn't feel right. Noah has had to have lots of persuasion to come here, the last time he came to a party he left heartbroken and that was all thanks to me. That won't happen ever again, I can bet my life on that.
We walk through the door and Noah literally has my hand in a death grip. We say hi to my Mum and Vic as we make our way into the living room.
"Don't leave me Daddy, stay with me, I want mama." I bend down and kiss the top of his head. "It's all good mate, I promise you, I won't be going anywhere. You'll have lots of fun honestly." He nods his head as he walks beside me still clutching onto my hand as P comes running over wrapping her arms around my legs. "Maxie, I didn't know you were coming. Hi Noah." Noah smiles and waves to P as he continues looking at the ground.
"Hi P, are you here with your mum or?" P nods as she points to Kelly who's making her way in our direction. She ruffles Noah's hair as Noah looks up at her with such disdain. He's definitely his mother's son. Jesus Christ.
"Hi Max, I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I'm here if you ever want to talk." She puts her hand on my arm as I pull it away bending down to pick up Noah.
"No need to be sorry, he got what was coming to him." I smile as I walk away placing Noah down at the table next to Luka. I love my nephews more than anything but I really can't wait for this day to be over.
I take a seat on the sofa as I watch Noah who is looking more relaxed whilst playing with Lio. My mum is helping Vic sort out games as I scroll through instagram to see Izzy has met up with Daniel. I can't believe I've lost my wife and my best mate because of that fucker I used to call dad. I honestly hate myself for how I've handled this whole situation. If I could go back in time I would in a heartbeat. I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Kelly who's uninvitedly sat herself beside me. If Noah sees this he will be straight back telling Izzy. I don't know why but he has a vendetta out against Kelly. Every time he sees her, straightaway a frown appears onto his face. Kelly turns to me as I put my phone back into my pocket.
"I'm sorry things never worked out between us Max, I wish they had. Things would have been so different." Jesus Christ, this is the last thing I need right now.
"Don't be sorry, I'm not. I'm glad it didn't work out because otherwise I would have never had the chance to marry my best friend. I wouldn't have been given the most amazing son, I'm so incredibly lucky that things have worked out the way that they have. I wouldn't change it for the world." Izzy and Noah are the best things that have ever happened to me. My life with Kelly is a distant memory. It's the past and it's staying that way. Before Kelly can reply Noah comes running over to me jumping onto my knee. Not all heroes wear capes. Thanks Noah for saving me from the awkwardness of this conversation.
"Daddy, I know what I want for my birthday I want one of those." He turns pointing to Vic's friend who's holding a tiny baby. "You want a baby? What for?" He looks at me with a puzzled look on his face. "I want a baby brother or a baby sister, I want one in that size please." I laugh as I sit him on my knee so he's facing me. Hoping to avert his eyes away from the baby, so it's out of sight, out of mind.
"That's not how it works mate, maybe choose something different. Something you really want." Kelly is sat watching our conversation with a disgruntled look on her face but I think it's more because of the fact that Noah keeps side eyeing her.
"I really want one of those. If you order it now will it be here in time? Where do babies come from?" Fuck me. Where's Izzy when you need her? "You have to order them from a shop but they take a long time to actually grow so they wont be here in time anyway. Have a car or something, maybe some Lego I don't know." He huffs as he folds his arms turning back to look at the baby. "Can't I just have that one? We can buy it from the lady can't we?" Jesus Christ this boy is going to get us arrested for kidnapping. My F1 career down the drain because my son has me out here offering cash for babies.
"No sorry Noah, maybe one day you can have a brother or sister just not right now." Your mum won't even look at me mate, let alone have another baby with me. I check my phone to see an email from my manager reminding me of the gala next weekend. Fucking hell. I forgot all about this. I can't even get Izzy out of going because the sponsors will be at my throat. Fuck me man, life is really kicking my ass at the minute. Probably well deserved but I'm dying out here.

Noah did literally throw me under the bus when we got home. Not once but twice. He told Izzy I said he could have a new baby brother or sister for his birthday and then he topped it off with saying how much he didn't like Kelly. Like mate I'm trying to win your mum back here and you're not helping. I'm joking he's three years old he just speaks his mind. Like any other child he has zero filter.

We're in Austria this weekend just me and Izzy for this gala with Red Bull. Izzy refused to travel with me and has refused to share a room with me. This is going fucking beautifully already. Although the whole room thing backfired because they booked us a room together. Izzy isn't happy and she's making it well known to me that she isn't.
"Why would they assume we're together when we could be brother and sister?" Fuck me. This is going to be a long weekend.
"Because everyone knows we're married I'm the number one driver for Red Bull they all know me and they know that you're my wife." She huffs and sits down on the bed, it's like looking at Noah when you tell him he can't have a sibling.
"We're making a pillow wall in between us then." I shake my head as I head into the bathroom to get ready. "What ever you want schatje." If she won't even share a bed with me properly what hope have I got?

I've been sat waiting for the last hour for Izzy to be ready, I'm very conscious that we're going to be late but I'm also very conscious that if I rush her she will go for my throat. I'm about to risk it and call her just as she appears in the doorway. Fuck me. She looks absolutely stunning. She has literally taken my breath away. I knew my wife was beautiful but this is on a whole different level. I'm going to need a strong Gin Tonic and an ice cold shower to get me through the night without wanting to take her home and fuck the life out of her.
"My eyes are up here Verstappen are you ready to go?" I nod my head because all of a sudden my mouth has gone completely dry and I can't seem to get the words out.
This is going to be a long hard night, fighting between wanting to let the world know that Izzy is still mine but also trying to keep a respectful distance because I don't want to ruin any small progress that we have made. Just know if any other man so much as looks in her direction tonight I will kill them. Fuck me. What is wrong with me? I've always been possessive of what's mine but when something isn't really mine anymore it intensifies even more. Let's hope and pray we can get through tonight unscathed. Jesus Christ.