Sitting In Traffic

Chapter 159- Unfunny Jokes

Riley had been glued to Max's side from the moment they landed in Qatar. She was a lot more cheerful this time around. Maybe it was that Max already won the championship, maybe it was the pregnancy, or maybe it was that the season was only two races away from being finished. Then she was home in Monaco with Max until the season started again.

Riley had Max's hand swinging in her's as they walked through the parking lot towards a restaurant they were spending their weekly grid dinner at. She had a vibrant smile on her face, allowing Max to pull her close to him while they spoke to each-other through giggles. It faded slightly when Max began to compose himself as they neared a group of drivers by the door.

"I'm going to talk with Lando" Max told Riley as they entered the dining room that was rented out for the grid that night. "Are you coming?"

"No I think I'll mingle" Riley told him, that's what everyone was doing as the end of season feeling started to sink in. "I see Bella over there- I might say hi"

"Okay well- we'll regroup"

Max and Riley parted ways but his eyes followed her. He looked away once he saw Riley in fact engage in a conversation with Bella, starting it off with a shared hug they were both happy to give. Max started making his way though the crowd at that point, trying not to bump into anyone but someone else wasn't paying attention.

"Shit man," Max looked at George, he continued walking away and spoke over his shoulder. "You walk like you drive"

It wasn't often the drivers conversed a whole lot before grid dinner. But tonight it went on a bit longer. Perhaps a bit too long for Riley's liking. She started to feel like she was holding Bella up more than having a conversation, but that was just in her head, it was a moment where she was overthinking. Riley was watching Bella's eyes, reminding herself to make eye contact but continued on thinking she was making too much, so then she started nodding every now and then, but that made the rest of her body feel stiff.

Riley looked across the room to Max, trying to find a way to calm her anxiety. She saw Max and Lando having a conversation with each-other that was fairly hushed but filled with laughter and excitement. Lando was animatedly talking, throwing his hands around in front of him with a huge grin on his face. Max was responding with a beaming smile, raising a hand to his forehead before clapping Lando on the back which turned into a hug.

"I'm glad they still get on after everything this year" Riley said to Bella, not looking away because she'd have to pry her eyes off of Max.

"Yeah..." Bella agreed, looking at the boys with Riley, "What is Lando on about? Look at him!"

"Maybe they're planning some sim racing over the winter?" Riley suggested softly, trying to take a few subtle breaths to settle her nerves. "I've never seen Max that excited over anything else" She admitted, "Doesn't Lando's brother make sim rigs?"

"He does, yeah." Bella nodded, "It's either that or they've found out that Pirelli have new tire compounds for next year" She chuckled looking at Riley when they both managed to take their eyes away from Max and Lando. "That's Lando's favorite thing, more than me. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if I found him in bed with a fresh tire."

"Oh my god" Riley laughed, "Normally I have to give Max a quick flash to get him off the sim- I fear if I found him in bed with a tire it'd be game over for me!"

"Why are they like this?"

"Who knows! Max actu-"

"Rye" She felt Charles tap her shoulder but her heart nearly plummeted at the familiarities between his and Arthur's voice. Bella said a quick goodbye once he arrived which Riley vaguely understood.