Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 154- Wrong Rear Wing

Riley had watched both free practice sessions. She heard whispers and comments that were intended to be hidden. She stood in the garage shivering as Max came back inside. Immediately as Max got out of the car Riley heard him throw complaints around. The drag while driving on the straights was not what he expected nor wanted. Riley stayed back, shivering in place while she talked to Gustav quietly, not paying Donatello any attention.

"Oh my god it's freezing" Riley said, holding her hands in-front of her as she walked towards Max. "I'm so cold"

"I'm fucking high" Max told her, walking out of the garage with Riley behind him. "The fucking weed around the tracks- if I got tested right now I would be high."

"Oh.."

"Are you okay?" He asked her, "It doesn't smell too bad in here"

"Yeah I'm fine" She nodded, continuing to shiver, "Just cold"

"Come here" Max said, sliding his arms over Riley's shoulder's, seeing her smirk before she walked into his chest.

"Oh how you've fallen right into my trap." She giggled, waddling backwards when Max tried walking. "I've got you wrapped right around my finger"

"Oh really?" He said, feeling Riley wrap her arms around his torso.

"Yeah" She mumbled, "But I'm down bad- so it doesn't really help my case"

"Hmm.."

"Max I have to tell you something" Riley pulled from him, looking over his shoulder to Christian. "I don't think I'm qualified to be the one who tells you, but I heard and I feel obligated to tell you now..."

"Okay." Max nodded, seeing a hesitance in Riley's eyes. "Okay."

"Red Bull doesn't have the right rear wing.." Riley told him, frowning when Max pulled his arms away from her. "Max, stop"

"What did you just say-"

"They... Red Bull doesn't have a rear wing that suits this track..."

"What the fuck" Max turned away from her, "What the FUCK."

"Babe"

"They practically threw the championship win away this weekend"

"You can still win.." She sighed, putting a hand on his back before dropping it back to her side. "If not this weekend next weekend"

"I wanted to win this weekend" Max pinched the bridge of his nose, "I needed to win this weekend for you"

"You don't have to win for me Max" Riley whispered, "Can you look at me-"

"No" Max looked down the hall to Christian. "This is such bullshit."

"You'll figure it out"

"I always have to figure it out"

~~~

Max had left Riley alone on Saturday. She was in their hotel room, staying updated on everything Max had been doing online. Riley wasn't purposely seeking out that information, but it was all over her feed. Her feed was never NOT Max related. Sometimes it was frustrating. She loved him, but it was a brief moment such as this one she could've used without him being showcased in-front of her.

"What-" Riley clicked on a twitter notification hesitantly. "Stop"

Riley took deep breaths, seeing a photo of Noah's signed letter on her screen. He confessed everything. She zoomed in, reading each and every word written, trying to process what was happening. Noah told everyone the truth. She knew it was going to come out. She just didn't know it would be this soon; so close to his death.