Are You Game?

Back in Genk

4AM and I'm here searching for the damn key.

"So early, and I can't find a damn key." I muttered to myself.

I picked up the sixth plant pot and finally found the key. I quickly opened the front door. Laptop bag in hand. I locked the front door and kicked off my shoes. Without thinking about what to do or where to sleep, I placed myself at the kitchen table, knowing the room of Blue. Started drawing, erasing, redoing until I heard a 'who are you?' and 'Alexis you made it.'

"Morning Jos." I smiled as I got up. "And I'm Alexis."
"Joanna." Her blue eyes bored into mine."
"When did you arrive?" Jos grabbed my hand and dragged me into the kitchen.
"Round 3:45am but it took me awhile to find the key." I chuckled as I helped him with breakfast.
"Have you slept at all?" I shook my head.
"You called me when I was finishing my project." I yawned and quickly fixed myself a cup of coffee.
"I'm sorry but I'm glad you're here." He smiled.
"Dad, why are the projects of my ex on our dinning table?" Max his morning voice caught me off guard.
"Cause I asked her to come over and do Blue Jaye's room." He gave me my coffee and pushed me into the room.
"Yo." I gave him a peace sign. "How have you been, this week?"
"It has been good." He stared at me, confused.
"I see." I nodded as his new girl tried to intimidate me. "Do you need the car anytime soon?"
"No, I'll let you know when I need it." He shook his head as Jos grabbed the stash of paper next to my tablet. "Got a lot of work?"
"It's not that much, just the usual 9 to 5." I took a sip of my coffee. "Next week I've got to look into a few flats, so if I'm lucky, you'll get the apartment back."
"You can stay there, no need to hurry." He smiled softly.
"Can't do that." I shook my head. "I'll get my stuff out of Monaco somewhere this autumn."
" 'Lexis, don't worry about it."

His girlfriend stood behind him, shooting daggers at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now.

"Oh I love this one!" Kelly pointed at a sketch.
"You've liked pretty much all of them, Kel." I yawned as my head rested on the table. "I will leave them with you, so you can pick out the one you like."

I got up and grabbed my laptop.

"Alex?" Max looked at me as I placed my laptop in its bag.
"Yes?"
"Can we talk, in the car?"
"Sure." I grabbed my suitcase before saying my goodbyes.

"So what's up?" I muttered.
"About the contract, I don't want to end it."
"You have a new girl and I don't want a fake relationship, I don't need that." I closed my eyes. "If you want a relationship with me, then just say so and we can try."

"I can't ditch Joanna."
"That'll be your problem, not mine." I started the car. "Have a great week and good luck at the next Grand Prix."
"Alex.."
"I'll contact you, when I'm out of the apartment." I stared at the steering wheel.

"Alexis?"
"Yes?"
"Did you see the race?"
"Seventh."
"Guess that's a yes..."
"At least you're in the points."
"I broke up with Joanna."
"Good for you."
"Do you have a day off tomorrow?"
"No, I don't."
"Alexis, please."
"Max, I really don't care right now." A young mother stared at me. "Look I'm at work, call me at 8."
"Lexi, can we do it now?"
"Call you at 8." And with that I hung up.

"Which Max was that?"
"Max.... De Boer." So I lied, who gives a rat's ass.
"Oh, he sounded like Max Verstappen, that formula one driver." She sighed.

"Max."
"Me." I laid on the couch. "What you want?"
"Look I called to ask if I could come round."
"It's your house."
"Good, cause I just arrived."
"You've got the key." I muttered and hung up.

I didn't need this, not right now. Closing my eyes as I heard him come in.

"Alexis?"
"Couch." I kept my eyes shut.
"I just wanted to talk."
"You knew I was working." I huffed. "Why are you here, Max?"
"Like I said, I don't want the contract to end."
"And I'm tired of the damn contact, Max." I opened my eyes. "If you want a relationship with me, just say so."
"I do but..."
"But what?"
"But I don't want a long distance relationship." He sighed, hand combing his hair before resting on the back of his neck.
"Then this ain't gonna work." I got off the couch. "You want something to drink?"
"A coke please.".. "Lexi?"
"Yes?" I opened the fridge and grabbed two cans of coke.
"Can't you quit the job?"
"Can't you quit yours?" I gave him his can as I passed him.
"I have a contract."
"I had a contract and stopped it to follow your contract." I cocked an eyebrow.
"Alex, please."
"Max, how is it fair that I have to keep quitting things that I enjoy doing?" I sighed as he opened the can.
"It's not."