Let Me Fall (M/L,Mature) A/N 5/30/06 (WIP)

This is the place where fics that have not been updated in the past three months will be moved until the author asks a mod to move them back to an active board.

Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, truelovepooh, Forum Moderators

User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Let Me Fall (M/L,Mature) A/N 5/30/06 (WIP)

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

Title: Let Me Fall
Authors: Sweetbrowneyes a.k.a Tiffany
Category: M/L
Rating: MATURE
Disclaimer: Nothing is in my possession
Summary: Best friends since birth, Max and Liz deal with their growing attraction for each other during their last year of high school. Through breakups and makeups, can they find true love with each other?
A/N: I know, another best friend fic. But I love these things and I hope you do too. On a serious note, there's going to be interracial dating and some racial slurs later on so I'm warning now. If you're easily offened then this isn't the fic for you.

Image
Banner by Tanya (Behrsgirl77) Too late to change. :lol: It's goregous.


<center>Chapter 1</center>

Liz rolled her eyes as Brett’s hands leisurely wandered over her stomach, his fingers playing dangerously at the low cut neckline of her dress.

“Brett…” She bit back a groan of annoyance when his hands rested on her breasts. Again.

She had no idea why she had let him talk her into coming out here, in the backseat of his Mustang, when she knew that “talking” was the last thing on his mind.

“Brett, slow down.” She pushed at his chest, hoping to stop his busy lips against her neck. She had lost count on how many times she had told him that she wasn’t ready to go this far yet.

Grasping at his shoulders, she forcibly pushed all of his 210 pounds to the floor with a low grunt.

Ignoring his curses of pain, Liz smoothed the front of her dress, shooting him irritated glares in the process. “Did I not just tell you I wasn’t ready for that?”

He emitted a snort as he pushed himself off the floor. “I didn’t think you were serious.”

She let out a disbelieving chuckle. “Excuse me?”

He ran a lone finger down her bare arm, his green eyes twinkling in mischief. “Come on Lizzie. You know what everyone’s saying…”

“No. What are they saying?” She crossed her arms over her chest, looking on expectantly.

“You know…” he drawled as he nudged her with his elbow. She arched her brow quizzically, while Brett grinned erratically, wondering if she really was that naïve. “About... doing… it.” He was inching closer as he finished, waiting until Liz finally got what he was implying.

She leaned away from him in disgust when she realized, knowing that if she was going to go all the way with somebody Brett was the last person she’d do it with.

“What? But we haven’t done… it. Why would people just assume…”

“Lizzie, people talk. Whenever two people get together they automatically assume that there’s something going on.”

She frowned, her brown gaze suspicious as he snaked his arm around her shoulders. “What does it matter Liz? We can’t let them go on thinking that nothing’s happening. I have a rep.” His eyes still twinkling, he looked at her expectantly.

“Your rep!” she shrieked. She couldn’t believe his gall. “Brett, what about what I want?! I thought you cared about me.”

“I do baby. But… if you love me then you’d trust me enough to do this with me.”

Her jaw slackened, her brain not quite sure that she caught what he’d said right.

“Love! Who said anything about love? I just barely put up with you and you…,” She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She wasn’t about to go through this over him. “Just forget it. I wouldn’t put it past you to spread the rumors about us supposedly sleeping together,” she said as she searched the floor for her shoes.

His eyes dropped guiltily. “Baby, I…”

His sorry excuse for an apology was cut short when her hand caught the side of his face. “We are so completely through.”

With that, she grabbed her heels and purse and crawled out of the car, ignoring his pathetic pleading as she padded across the parking lot in her stockings in search of the only person who could give her comfort.
*********

Max had never in his life wanted to hit a girl as much as he wanted to smack his girlfriend now. Or better yet… his ex girlfriend.

He had tolerated her for weeks only to find out that she had been cheating the whole time. If it hadn’t been for the one too many cups of spiked punch and a slip of the tongue he would’ve never known.

He couldn’t put his finger on why he was so shocked that she had cheated. He had heard that she got around before they started dating. And once the initial shock wore off, Max actually felt relived. He had been looking for a way out of her clingy claws and now he got it. He could focus on the one girl he‘d had his eye on for awhile.

Max wandered back into the gym. Homecoming was in full swing now and despite the fact that he had broken up with his girlfriend, it hadn’t turned out that bad.

He spotted Michael and Maria, looking a little too cozy at their table. Smirking at the picture they made, Max made his way over and rudely stepped between them.

“Hey guys. How’s it going?” Amused by Maria’s attempt to act as if nothing was going on, he ignored Michael’s annoyed glare and pulled up a seat.

“Hey Max. What happened to Jessica? I thought you two were dancing?” Maria queried as she smoothed back her hair. It was obvious that she and Michael were up to something, but Max decided not to question it right now.

His face twisted in a dour expression. “We were but…”

“Oh please tell me you broke up with that hag.”

“I did,” he quickly held up his hand, stopping the onslaught of questions he knew Maria was about to spew. “But I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

Michael grunted as he fiddled with the tie the girls made him wear. It looked out of place on him. “’Bout damn time Max. Did you know she was cheating?”

“How’d you know?”

He shrugged. “I saw her with Stephen Hunter in the boys’ bathroom a while ago. You left with her before I could tell you. Sorry man.” He clapped a heavy hand over Max’s shoulder in sympathy.

Not wanting to talk of his former girlfriend, Max glanced around the stuffy room, looking for the familiar faces of his other friends. “Where’s everyone?”

Michael shrugged, a look of complete boredom overcoming his features. “Tess is with Alex and the DJ and Liz went somewhere with Brett.”

Max opened his mouth to churn out a nasty remark about Brett Nelson, but the sight of his best friend stomping towards him, her heels in hand stopped him short. He blew out a sigh of relief. He hated it when she was around Brett. He didn’t like the way he treated her and in his eyes, Liz deserved better.

“Hey where’s lover boy?” He received a grunt in response before she grabbed his hand and dragged him through the crowd. He followed her without complaint as she pulled him into the hallway.

She turned and faced him. “What?”

Max shrugged. “What do you mean ‘what’? You pulled me out here.”

“I know.” She ran a hand through her hair, disturbing the bouncy curls Tess spent an hour doing.

It was then that he noticed the haphazard way she wore her dress, her disheveled hair and makeup and the distressed look on her face.

It didn’t take him long to draw his own conclusion.

“Did that bastard do something to you? I’ll fucking kill him. Where is he?” Liz smiled as he growled. Although he could be annoying with his overprotective ways, it was nice knowing that he always had her back.

“Max, will you stop being a macho man for a second? You can bash Brett’s face in later.”

“Promise?” When her eyes welled up with tears, he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her close, cursing her pathetic excuse of a boyfriend all the while singing his praise for finally screwing up. By the looks of Liz, Brett was finally long gone and Max couldn’t be happier.

“I’ll take you home.”

Liz nodded and let him guide the way. And she wondered why she couldn’t find a guy that treated her like Max did.
***********

“I see London. I see France. I see Liz’s pretty red underpants.”

Squealing in horror, Liz scrambled off the ragged ladder embedded in the tree’s bark and frantically tugged at the hem of her short dress.

“Max, you are a complete ass!” Her little fists beat at his arms as he buckled in laughter.

“What?” He managed to get a hold of his hands, halting her attack on his bicep. “It was your idea to come out here. Plus it’s not everyday I get to see a pretty girl’s thong.”

He received a glare and sharp shove in response. “You stand ten feet back until I’m fully inside the tree house Max Evans or I swear…”

“You’ll rip my balls off. I know, I know.” He rolled his eyes in mock boredom. He had been threatened with that statement for so long that it didn’t scare him nearly as much as it used to. Even so, he obediently stepped back and let her climb in peace.

She started her ascend to the elaborate tree house, perched in two levels in the tree’s sturdy branches. She remembered when the tree house was first built when they were five. Then, to her and Max, it was their escape.

“Where’s your parents Max?”

Max sighed, his arms folding impatiently across his chest. “Dad’s gone to some thing in Albuquerque and Mom so trustingly left me all alone and is visiting Aunt Olivia.”

She cursed when she heard the distinct sound of her dress tearing and stopped halfway up to assess the damage. She’d have to get Maria to sew it before her mother saw it.

While waiting for her to climb the tree, Max headed into the garage. Figuring he and Liz would need something to drown their sorrows, he got a few bottles of beer from the small refrigerator his father thought was hidden from him.

When he returned, Liz was still pouting over the tear in her dress. His patience gone, Max cupped her butt in his hands and pushed her up the rest of the way. “Jesus, Liz. I forgot how much of a wussy girl you are.”

“Yeah Max,” she spat as she righted herself, “The fact that I have on a dress and heels in no way inhibits my tree climbing ability.”

Max ignored her sarcasm and started up the ladder. “When was the last time we came up here?” she asked as he handed her a beer.

Max shrugged as she glanced around the small room; everything was as he had left it. He smiled when he saw his Spiderman sleeping bag lying in the corner next to Liz’s Barbie one. Again he wondered how he ever became best friends with a girl.

“Oh! Look what I found!” She squealed and held up a dusty container of Legos. “I haven’t seen these in years.”

Max rolled his eyes as she dumped the container’s entire contents onto the floor.

“Stop looking at me like I’m crazy,” she laughed as she began to construct a tower. “You know you want to play,” she taunted as she dangled a Lego in his face. Max snorted, though he popped open his beer and began to create his own building anyway.

They worked together effortlessly in silence and before long they both had a light buzz as they finished building with the last of the Legos.

“Aren’t you gonna tell me what happened with pretty boy?” Max had been waiting patiently, knowing that she’d tell him when she was ready, but he couldn’t wait to find out if the bastard was done screwing over his best friend.

Liz tossed her head back and gulped down another mouthful of her drink. “He keeps pressuring me for sex and I’m just not ready for that. I broke up with him.”

“Good,” Max hiccupped. Looking to increase his buzz, he opened another bottle. “He’s no good and you shouldna been with him in the first place Liz.”

Liz poked her finger through the hole in her dress and downed another gulp. “I know, but I just… he was so cute and I didn’t know he was such an asshole.”

Max bobbed his head in a shaky nod. “Yes, but this is like the fiftieth time that you two called it quits. He’s no good for you. Just like Jessica was no good for me.”

“Was?” She perked up. “You two broke up?”

He shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about that right now.”

Though she was excited that he was finally free from that witch, Liz nodded. She’d get the details later.

“We’re talking about you now.” He hiccupped, spit out a spurt of laughter, and then knocked back another swig.

Her soft giggle filled the room as she turned to face him. “You’re drunk,” she snickered, her own glazed eyes sparkling in mirth.

He tugged on his tie, loosening the knot. “I am not.”

She squinted in suspicion. “Say aluminum.”

His mouth formed a small “o” as he frowned in concentration. “Alu… alumin… alunamin.” At his proud grin, she burst into laughter.

“You’re drunk.”

His eyes drifted from her face, down her smooth neck to the small amount of cleavage she was showing. He frowned. “When did you get boobs?”

Her head dropped until her nose was practically buried in her chest. “I’ve had them since I was eleven.”

“I don’t remember you getting em.”

“You’ve known me since birth, you shoulda noticed them.”

“How have I known you since birth?” he snorted. “That’s impossible. Do you actually remember the exact day you were born and met me?”

She pouted as she tried to remember. “No.”

“Well then… Hey. What do they feel like?”

She frowned, having to squint to see him clearly. “What?”

“Your boobs. What do they feel like?” He stared at her in utter fascination and watched as she cupped herself in her hands. He mimicked her movements against his own chest.

“I dunno. They feel like boobs.” Max nodded, satisfied with her answer as he continued to feel his chest.

“Max?”

“Hmm?”

“How does your penis feel?”

His gaze dropped to the junction of his thighs and he smiled goofily. “Hard.”

Snickering, she stared at the tent in his pants. “I never thought of you with a penis ‘afore.”

“You will in a minute,” he muttered.

He crawled towards her, knocking over the towers they worked so hard on. Liz squealed in horror. “Max! Look at what you did!”

He looked, but then continued to move towards her, not stopping until his lips met hers. Caught by surprise, she stiffened in his embrace, only melting when he stroked her lips as he kissed her thoroughly.

“That’s nice.” He smiled goofily as he caressed her soft cheek. He was pleased that he’d accomplished something he’d wanted to do for the longest time.

“I’m a… I’m through with Brett.” She leaned into his touch. “He’s… do you know he spread rumors about us? He was going around telling people that we were having sex. Which um... which isn’t true. We’re no longer together... you know.”

“He doesn’t deserve you Liz,” he declared. “You two could never have what you and I could. You should’ve been with me all along.”

She nodded though she couldn’t concentrate on a single thing beside his lips. She was overjoyed when he cupped her cheeks and leaned in, this time swiping his tongue against her bottom lip to which Liz eagerly responded.

Something ignited between them and she found herself crawling into his lap, her arms slipping around his neck while his snaked around her waist. There were no long talks, no irrational denial. They both just felt and for that moment, it felt right.

“That was very nice,” he panted.

She agreed, closing her eyes a she leaned her forehead against his. “Question is, will you remember this in the morning?”

“If not, we could always do a repeat.”

Their smiles were bright, both ex boyfriend and girlfriend far from mind.

“I agree.”

TBC………?
Last edited by sweetbrowneyes on Tue May 30, 2006 10:40 am, edited 14 times in total.
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

Wow! Um, thanks for all the feedback. I didn't think this would get this much of a response. I'm glad you guys are enjoying this and I should be back Sunday with a new part. Thanks again and enjoy! :wink:

<center>Chapter 2</center>

“This is bullshit.”

“Tell me about it.” Liz snorted as she tore into another dusty box, squealing as something crawled out of it.

Max scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “You are such a girl,” he groaned, taking over the box she had just abandoned.

“I would hope that I am,” she retorted.

After waking to an angry, red-faced Diane they were forced to sit through a thirty minute lecture about the dangers of underage drinking. Max and Liz were set free with a sentence of two weeks grounding time and orders to clean the Evans' house from top to bottom, starting with the attic. And when they were done, they were to start on the Parker’s home.

“Did I forget to congratulate the star quarterback on his homecoming victory against South Roswell?” she teased, laughing when Max grinned proudly.

He bowed gracefully, his features twisting in a haughty expression. “I thank you.”

She squealed, stomping her feet excitedly as she tugged on his arm. “Oh Maxie, can I have your autograph?” she sighed, batting her lashes.

He laughed and pushed her away. “Shut up.”

“So,” Liz started as she pushed open the small window to let some frah air in. “What happened with you and Jessica last night?”

“Sweet!” Max muttered when he pulled out his old paddle ball. It had mysteriously disappeared when he was ten, after his mother got annoyed when all he would do was play with it.

“Why do you think something happened between us?” he asked, only half involved in the conversation as he concentrated on trying to keep the ball going longer than one time. “I used to be good at this.”

“Because otherwise, you wouldn’t have left with me last night.” She scoffed in disgust of Max’s girlfriend. “Jessica would’ve been all bitchy about it.” Liz hated her with a passion. Max didn’t belong with her at all and if anyone knew who Max should and shouldn’t be with, it was Liz. She knew him inside and out.

Offended, he stopped the paddle ball and tossed her an incredulous look. “What? I would’ve still left with you even if Jessica and I were still together.”

“Aha! So you admit that something happened.”

“Yeah, but…” he sighed, knowing that she’d just tricked him.

“So what happened?”

He shrugged and continued with his paddle balling. “I found out she was cheating.”

Liz said nothing and Max grew suspicious. “What?”

An evil little smile curled her lips and Max stepped back, tossing the paddle ball to the floor. “Liz,” he warned. “Whatever you’re thinking…”

Liz waved him off. “I’m not going to do anything.” Other than bash the bitch’s face in.

“Liz, stay out of it,” he commanded, knowing that she was already plotting.

Her smile remained and Max got a little unnerved. “Max, I promise you that you won’t see me lay a finger on her.”

“Nice try. I don’t want any sneak attacks either.”

Her smile finally falling, Liz pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine,” she huffed. “But can’t I just hit her once?”

Max chuckled. “No Liz.”

“Fine, but if I can’t smack Jessica around, then you have to stay away from Brett.”

“Aw Liz,” he whined, “That’s so not fair!” He had already planned when he was going to confront the bastard.

“It’s totally fair Max. Promise me,” she demanded. He pouted when she gave him a stern look.

“Fine.”

“Good. Now let’s finish this so I can relax before my precious weekend is up.”
*********

It was past two before the duo made it across the street to the Parker’s and both were dust covered and grumpy.

They made it to the Parker’s attic, groaning at all dust, cobwebs and forgotten object that had been thrown up there years ago. “This is all your fault,” Liz growled, shoving him as she passed him by.

“What? Me?” he sputtered before he could come up with a response. “This isn’t your first time drinking. I didn’t shove the beer down your throat.”

“Yeah but if you hadn’t brought it…”

“I was just trying to soften the blow of your break-up,” he said.

“Yeah well, I appreciate that. But we’ve broken up so many times before. I’m kinda used to it now.”

Max ducked his head and busied himself with the box of old clothes he’d opened. They were going to have to make a trip to the Salvation Army.

He wondered if she remembered what happened between them last night. It had been a long time coming for Max and he could still feel her soft lips against his.

“So you guys are officially over though right?” He cleared his throat, trying to calm himself and not sound so anxious. “I mean… the guy’s an ass Liz.”

Liz huffed. “Max, you are way too protective. Guys are afraid to ask me, Tess and Maria out cause they know they have to deal with you first. You’re like a second father.”

“Damn straight! And those jerks don’t mess with you do they?”

“Max, you are impossible.”

He raised his hands in a show of compromise. “Okay, fine. Name one guy you’ve gone out with that you’ve really liked. You know those natural sparks you feel when you’re with someone… can you honestly tell me that any of those guys made you feel that way?”

Liz didn’t even have to think. Every guy she had gone out with were either jerks or Liz was completely uninterested. If she really admitted it to herself, there was only one guy that had really induced those feelings in her and up until last night, she thought he was off limits to her.

Max smiled when she failed to answer. Mission accomplished. “Can’t think of any huh?”

“So what,” she pouted.

“That’s because I’m the only guy that can make you see stars.” His comment caught her off guard and she stood, mouth hanging open as he chuckled in amusement. She couldn’t tell if he was just playing with her or if he was serious.

“Admit it Parker,” he continued, stepping over some boxes to get to her. “I can make your knees buckle.”

She caught the sparkle in his eye and decided to play along. “You wish.”

“I don’t wish,” he voiced. “I do. We’ve got the sparks Liz. Don’t you remember our very first kiss?”
**********

Max came to the playground, his eyes quickly scanning over the crowd of hyper kids until he found his target. She was dressed in blue over-alls and her pigtails flowed behind her as she slid down the slide. It was her favorite and he knew because she just happened to be his best friend.

At nine, it wasn’t exactly considered cool to be best friends with a girl, but Max couldn't care less. Much to his surprise, girls could actually be fun sometimes. He considered her to be one of the boys.

She spotted him and smiled eagerly, waving him over to join her fun. “Hi Max. What took you so long to get here?” she asked, suspiciously eyeing his hands that were hidden behind his back.

He shrugged, nervously shifting from foot to foot. “I had something to do.”

“What’ya got behind your back?”

“Nothing,” he said innocently.

“Max I wanna see!” she whined.

Max rolled his eyes. Girls could be such cry babies some times. “Fine but we have to go over here.”

Taking her hand, he dragged her over to a quieter area, stopping under a tree. “Can I see now?” When he shook his head, she stomped her foot. “Why not? I’m your best friend and best friends don’t keep secrets from each other.”

“I know that.”

“Then show me,” she ordered, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You have to kiss me first.”

“Huh?”

Max ducked his head, suddenly feeling atypically shy. “Michael kissed Vicky Pasley yesterday and he said that I couldn’t get a girl to kiss me if I had a bafillion dollars.”

“Oh.” She was quiet for a moment, pondering his request before she spoke again. “Why should I kiss you?”

“Because my mom said that my first kiss should be with someone I think is special. And when someone asks me who my first kiss was with, I want to say it was with someone I really care about.”

She smiled. “And that’s me?” she asked in a small voice. “Max, that’s sweet.”

He smiled and showed her the yellow daisy he had hidden behind his back. “Liz Parker, will you be my first kiss?”

She nodded eagerly. Max puckered his lips like Michael had showed him and closed his eyes, prompting Liz to do the same. Their lips joined for a brief moment before Max jumped away, a blush warming his cheeks as he scratched his ear.

“So,” she brushed a strand of her hair back. “Does this mean we’re boyfriend and girlfriend now?”

He gave her a funny look. “Are you crazy?! I don’t like girls yet.” He shoved the flower in her hand and ran off to play.

Liz shrugged, placed he flower in her hair and ran after him
.
**********

“Yeah,” she snorted, “That was romantic,” she drawled sarcastically.

“Hey! I was nine, give me a break.”

“Okay. It was sweet Max. You were cute,” she said, well aware that he was inching closer to her. She had no idea what was happening between them, but she wasn’t going to be the one to stop it.

These feelings she had for him hadn’t developed over night. It wasn’t until her sixteenth birthday when she was on one of her many break ups with Brett. Max had taken her out to the desert with a picnic basket full of food and they had stayed up until dawn talking. She couldn’t talk to anyone like she could talk to Max.

“I still think I’m cute. Quite handsome if I do say so myself.”

“Eh… You’re alright,” she teased.

He came to a stop in front of her, his hands resting on her hips. He had wanted to do this since their junior prom. They had gone together and since that night, Max saw her differently. Suddenly, his best friend was a beautiful young woman and she was perfect for him.

“Is this going to be a repeat of last night?”

Max froze. “You remember that?”

Liz sighed. “Max when you’re best friend of sixteen years makes out with you, you tend to remember it.”

His eyes probing, he slipped his arms completely around her waist, judging her reaction. “Well, since you didn’t bring it up I figured… I figured you either didn’t remember or that you didn’t want to talk about it.”

She smiled. “Oh I remember it.”

She laughed when he wiggled his eye brows. “Max! We’re supposed to be cleaning.”

“Come on,” he prodded, tightening his hold on her when she tried to wiggle away. “It was good stuff right?”

She scrunched her nose, deciding to play with him a little. “I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘good stuff’.”

“What are you implying Parker?”

“All I’m saying is that I may or may not have had better.”

His eyes narrowed and he waved it off as he stepped back and continued to clean. She could tell he was insulted. “Whatever. I rocked your world.”

“You wish.”

“I left you quivering with want and need for my sexual lovin.”

She laughed. “Get over yourself.”

They worked together in silence, sending knowing smiles every now and again. He watched as she bent over to gather a stack of old magazines. She purposely wiggled her bottom, giggling when she heard him curse. Whatever this new relationship between them was, it was going to be fun.

“Fuck,” he muttered. He strode towards her, taking her around her waist.

“Max!” she squealed as he dipped her and nibbled on her neck. “Stop!” she giggled.

“What’s going on up here?” Their playfulness ceased when Nancy stuck her head in the door. She took in the scene before her and fought against her smile. Nancy Parker and Diane Evans had been best friends since high school and they had been dying to see their kids get together.

“Nothing,” they answered in unison, their eyes wide at being caught fooling around.

“Well just so you know, you two are cooking dinner.” She turned to leave, hearing their groans and moans behind her.
**********

“I got it!” Liz yelled as she reached for the phone. She picked up the cordless phone and returned to join Max in the kitchen where they were cooking dinner.

“Hello?”

“Hi babe.”

“What do you want Brett?” she sighed, picking at her nails in boredom. Why didn’t she ever realize how annoying he was?

She caught Max’s attention and he stopped his motions of cutting some potatos.

“I was just calling to see how you were doing.”

“Look, Brett if you’re going to bullshit then I’m going to hang up. I’m not even supposed to have phone calls right now.”

“Hang up on his ass,” Max urged, nodding eagerly.

Liz smiled, liking the idea as Brett rambled on about how he was sorry. He was always sorry and yet he’s still an ass.

Pressing the ‘Talk’ button she cut him off in the middle of his rant. Feeling relieved, she laughed as Max cheered, clapping proudly.

“Finally you’ve seen the light!” He gave her a slight smile and busied himself with the potatoes. “Now you and I are free to get together.”

She looked for any type of hint that he was kidding, but found none. “If I were with you, I’d never treat you that way Liz. You deserve better.”

She was shaken and warmed by his words. “Max, where is all this coming from?”

His arms were around her within seconds and his lips upon hers. She melted against him, responding to his caress and tilted her head, wanting to get deeper. Instead, she was hit with cool air as he pulled away.

Her eyes fluttered open and she found herself staring into the eyes of her amused best friend.

“Tell me that wasn’t good stuff,” he challenged.

Not waiting for her response, he returned to his potatoes, a secret smile permanently intact.

TBC…….

Happy Thanksgiving!! See you Sunday :wink:
Last edited by sweetbrowneyes on Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

Okay guys. Here's the new part. Thanks for all the feedback and your comments. I hope you enjoy! :wink:

<center>Chapter 3</center>

Liz absently flipped through the channels, finding nothing remotely interesting on. The empty space where the phone used to be and the absence of her computer monitor haunted her and after only one day of being grounded, she was ready to tear her hair out.

“Hey babe!” Max burst into her room, wearing a bright smile and a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Max! You don’t just burst into a woman’s room like that,” she growled when he, without invitation, sprawled himself across her bed beside her.

“Why? Because you could’ve been naked.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“You are such a guy,” she laughed. “Why are you over here anyway? We’ve only been grounded a day and you’re already breaking the rules.”

He shrugged. “I heard there was this outrageously attractive guy that wants to take you out on the Saturday that our grounding ends.”

His playful mood contagious, her expression turned to one of mock surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah. See something happened during the weekend and he realized he was wasting his time with former significant others that he’d been with and the one he really wanted was right under his nose.”

She nodded in understanding while the butterflies in her stomach went rampage. “Ah. I see. And does this guy have a name?”

He narrowed his eyes secretively. “Possibly.”

“So what does this outrageously gorgeous guy have in mind for a date?”

He causally threw his arm across her shoulders. “He was thinking maybe a simple dinner and movie.”

“Sounds nice.”

“So what do you say?”

“Sure, but only if his ears are normal sized.”

She laughed at his hurt expression. He was sensitive about his ears, or at least it was just that Liz knew how to get to him.

“I’ll have you know that these ears are quite a distinguishing and sought-after quality. I… Liz!” He sulked when she burst into laughter, clutching her sides as she doubled over.

“Sought-after? Who in the world would want those?” she ribbed.

“People who want to be distinguished,” he pouted.

“Oh man,” she chuckled, letting the last of her laughter sputter out. “Did you come over to entertain me, cause you’re doing a good job.”

He shrugged, snatching the remote out of her hands. “Hey!”

“My mom kicked me out of the house because she said I was bothering her,” he explained as he held the remote out of her reach as she tried to snatch it back.

“So she sent you over here to bother us?” She punched his bicep when he refused to hand over the remote.

“Excuse me? Am I no longer welcome?”

“No,” she sulked.

“I thought we were all like family,” he protested.

She smiled devilishly. “We are,” she agreed. “You’re just not included.”

He snorted in mock offence. “Do you know how deeply that hurts me Liz?”

“Okay fine. Give me the remote and you can be a distant cousin.”

He frowned in thought for a moment before shaking his head in rejection. “Naw that’s okay.” He tossed the remote away, inciting a shriek from Liz when he rolled over so that she was trapped beneath him. “You can’t make out with cousins.” He smiled, thrilled when she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I mean you can, but…”

“Eww.” They laughed together before he closed the gap between them. She let one last excited giggle escape before their lips met, touching softly in an engaging caress.

His hands slipped down her sides, coming to rest on the curve of her hips. He deepened the kiss, swallowing her moan as her fingers dug into his scalp, pulling at the thick brown locks. It was surreal that she was here like this with him. She knew everything there was to know about Max and vice versa. But being here like this… it was different. It was new territory for both of them. It was exhilarating and she couldn’t wait to see where it would take them.

“Liz.” He ignored what her whimper of protest did to him as he pulled away. Her lips were swollen and there was a glazed look in her eyes. His eyes traveled to the tempting skin of her neck and he couldn’t help but take a bite.

“Max!” she giggled.

“I just want on nibble on you for awhile.”

She titled her head and closed her eyes, deciding to let him have free reign. “Max, are you sure that this is wise to get involved so soon after we both just got out of relationships.”

Without fully turning his attention away from her creamy flesh, he answered her in a husky tone. “Liz I’ve been waiting for this for a long time… since junior prom.” He kissed his way up her jaw while his hands wandered over his waist. He smiled when she let out a soft laugh, knowing that she was ticklish there.

“But,” he stopped his ministrations to regard her seriously, “If you’re not sure than I understand. Otherwise, I don’t want to wait to be with you.”

She smiled, without a doubt in her mind.

Instead of answering, she pushed him on his back and stretched on top of him. His large arms kept her in place as she took control and pressed her lips to his. His response was immediate and the two were soon locked in deep kiss.

Joined in a tight embrace, of caressing hands and zealous kisses, the two almost missed the sound of the door opening. On a knee jerk reaction, they sprung apart, both moving to opposite ends of the room.

During his act of trying to calm himself, Max found himself faced with Liz’s step-dad as he took in the scene. Max and Liz’s unkempt hair, the wrinkled clothes and the slight hint of lipstick on Max’s face was a dead give away as to what they were up too.

“Max, what are you doing over here?” Jeff asked, having trouble hiding his amusement.

Max decided to play it cool. Mr. Parker was a pretty cool guy. He began dating Nancy when Liz was four, some months after Liz’s biological father ran out on them. He was always friendly to Max. Max just didn’t know how he was going to act now that he was dating his daughter.

“My mom kicked me out. So I’m grounded over here now.”

Liz fidgeted in the corner, desperately trying to smooth down her shirt while Max, despite of his disarrayed appearance seemed cool and calm.

Jeff couldn’t wait to tell Nancy what they had been up to. While most mothers wouldn’t be too fond of finding boys in their daughter’s bed, Nancy would be border line ecstatic.

“What are you two up to in here?” He couldn’t help but play with them a little. It was about time that got together anyway.

“Nothing,” they answered with practiced unison, wearing the same innocent looks they wore ever since they were little and had done something they weren’t supposed to be doing.

“Really?” he queried, “Unless Max here has decided that he’s going to start wearing makeup then, I’d say that something was going on.”

“It’s the latest trend Mr. P,” Max answered coolly. “You know, helps us guys get in touch with our feminine sides.”

Liz snorted from her side of the room, earning her a glare from Max.

Jeff shook his head. “Liz don’t you have a match in a little while. Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

Liz glanced at her clock while Max collapsed onto her bed and began idly flipping through the channels.

“The match doesn’t start for another half hour, but some of us were going to get there early to warm up.” She dug into her dresser drawer and pulled out some shorts and a t-shirt to play in.

Jeff nodded, satisfied with her answer and left the two alone.

“Max, you’re taking me right?” She received a grunt in response.

Max watched her move about her room, picking up several tennis balls and her racket and shoving them into her bag. “Liz, you do know that tennis doesn’t start until spring.”

She shot him an annoyed look before returning to her business. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t still play during off season. Beside, my coach recommended that I join this club so that I can hone my skills.”

He snorted, flipping off the TV. “Hone your skills? What are you trying to be the next Sharpoka?”

She emitted a spurt of laughter. “Sharapova?”

“Whatever. She’s hot anyway. Oh,” he exclaimed as she rolled onto his back, folding his hands behind his head. “Serena. Now she’s got ass and her sister’s got the arms and legs. Oh! And what’s that one chick’s name that does the splits… Kim something.”

She rolled his eyes at his antics. “Is that the only reason you remember their names?”

“It’s not like I actually watch the matches because I like the sport,” he deadpanned. “Oh!! How can I forget about sweet Anna. Oh Anna Kournikova. How I love thee …Ow!!” He rubbed his chest were Liz smacked his chest.

“We’ve been together for what… three minutes and you’re already making me want to hurt you.”

Properly chastised, he pouted as she pulled him to his feet.

“Let’s go lover boy.” Lacing his fingers with hers, he let her pull him out of her room. “Mom, Dad! We’re leaving!” she yelled, though Nancy and Jeff were just around the corner in the kitchen.

“Okay sweetie, we’ll see you up there later.” In answering she heard the front door close and watched through the kitchen window as Max and Liz made their way across the street to Max’s jeep. Their clasped hands didn’t go unnoticed by her and she smiled happily as she watched Max help her daughter into his jeep before closing the door for her.

She squealed, ignoring the strange look she got from her husband over the top of his newspaper. She waited until the teens pulled off until she dashed to the phone.

“Diane! Did you see?!”

An excited squeal sounded over the line. “Yeah. Isn’t it beautiful?” Diane answered.

“Looks like we’ve got a wedding tot plan…”

“Nan, they’re just seniors in high school. They’ve got a long way before they get to that,” Jeff intervened, though he hid his pleased smile behind his newspaper.
*********

Max snatched up a bag of Fritos from the vending machine and headed back to the tennis courts. Once they had arrived at the Roswell Racquet Club, Liz had been swept away to meet with her new doubles partner. Liz had previously played singles only because there weren’t enough girls wanting to play doubles. But apparently, a new girl joined the club and she and Liz hit it off and eventually became partners.

He had been here for about a fifteen minutes, watching Liz practice. The matches were about to start soon.

“There he is.” Max looked up to find his girlfriend heading towards him with a girl, who he assumed was her partner, trailing behind her.

“Leah, this is my boyfriend Max…” Max caught Liz’s eye and they both grinned at his new title. “Max, this is Leah, my new doubles partner.”

“Hi,” she said smiling, sticking out her hand for him to take.

Max smiled in return, grasping her hand in his. “Hi Are you new here? I’ve never seen you around.”

He was sure he’d noticed her if he had. Not only was she black and the majority of Roswell’s population was either white or Hispanic, but because she was beautiful.

She was quite slight, her slenderness could rival with Liz’s really. Her skin was light chocolate, almost a caramel complexion and her hair, which was slightly darker than Liz’s, bounced around her in curly waves. Through the small curls, peered two deep, twinkling, brown eyes, that could hold their own next to Liz’s.

“My family just moved here from California,” she answered, shyly tucking a curl behind her ear.

“Liz!” They all turned to see Liz’s coach motioning her over.

“I’ll be right back.” Max waited until Liz was out of sight before he motioned for Leah to sit beside him.

“So, why, out of all places, did you guys move to Roswell?”

She fiddled with the silver cross that hung from her neck as she let out a laugh. “I know. This place’s pretty boring.”

“Hey!” he said in mock-offence.

“Sorry,” she giggled, blushing slightly. “I didn’t mean it as an insult, but you’ve got to admit that there’s not much to do here.”

“Well maybe that’s cause you haven’t have the right people to show you a good time,” he answered smoothly.

She shrugged. “Possibly. My grandpa has a firm here and my dad just graduated from law school and offered him a job.”

“So you go to West Roswell?”

“Yeah. Monday’s my first day as a junior.”

“My friend Tess is a junior as well. The rest of us are all seniors. She bows down to us,” he joked.

“I’ll be sure to mention that when I meet her,” she teased.

His eyes wide, Max swallowed thickly. “Uh… Um I would just keep that between us.” She smiled in agreement.

Max watched as she gathered her curls, pushing them out of her face as a gust of wind blew by.

“This hair,” she growled to herself.

Max smiled, finding her cute as she struggled to maintain the ringlets, finally giving up and throwing it into a ponytail.

“Well, welcome.”

“Thanks Max.”

Liz returned, looking as pale as a ghost. “Come on Leah. The other team is here.”

Leah stood, throwing a timid smile at Max. “It was nice meeting you Max.”

“You too.” She walked off, leaving Max standing with a frantic Liz.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, pulling her against his chest. “Nervous?” When she nodded, Max chuckled. They were playing another club from across town who were supposed to be some of the best players around.

“Liz, you’re always nervous before a match but end up kicking their asses anyway.” That earned him a smile. “Now go. I’ll be sitting right here watching.”

“Thanks Max.” She gave him a long smooch, leaving him grinning before she ran off to join Leah.
*********

“Max!” He turned away from the courts to see his friends heading towards him. “Where were you all weekend?” Michael asked him as he and Max knocked fists.

“Yeah man,” Alex added, knocking his fist with Max also. “What’s up with your phone?”

“My Mom took my phone away. I’m grounded for two weeks.”

“Why? What’d you do?” Tess asked. It was then that Max noticed the guy she was holding to and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He’d have to see what that was about later.

“Liz and I got caught drinking. So we’re both grounded for two weeks.”

“Tough shit,” Michael grumbled. “Guess what?” he grinned suddenly. The usual glower that seemed to always adorn his features had disappeared and if Max didn’t know any better, he’d say that Michael Guerin was actually cheesing.

“Maria and I hooked up yesterday,” Michael whispered candidly.

Max jaw dropped. He had known something was going on between them, but he didn’t actually think they would get together.

“Maria? As in Maria of Maria Deluca?” Alex gasped.

Michael smiled proudly. “Yep. We didn’t… you know. But we… you know.”

Max nodded and clamped a hand on his shoulder. “So how’d you do it?”

“Well, she’s wanted me for the longest time," he bragged, "So after the dance, I took her home and all that shit. One thing led to another and…”

“And what Michael,” Maria growled from behind him.

Max laughed as Michael got a beating from Maria. Michael fumbled around for an apology, but was too slow and was hit with every dirty name in the book.

Before long, Liz’s parents had showed up and the matches started. Liz looked into the stands, catching his eye before she waved. He sent a wink and thumbs up for good luck in return.

“Hey, who’s her partner?” Alex asked, gesturing to the court.

“Her name’s Leah. She’s new here,” Max answered.

“She’s hot,” his eyes following Leah as she moved around the court. “Does she go to our school?”

Michael laughed. “You couldn’t get a black chick Alex. They don’t go for guys like us.”

Max frowned. “Why wouldn’t she?”

“Get real Max. Have you seen any of the two black girls that go to our school intermixing with us?”

“That doesn’t mean ir couldn’t happen. Besides, we don’t know what they do when we’re not at school.”

Alex smirked. “She is hot though.”

Max, on the other hand, turned his attention to the guy Tess was with. He recognized him as Nathan Stevens. He was a senior and running back for the football team. He was a pretty cool guy, but he heard how he talked about girls and Max just wanted to make sure he was going to treat Tess right.

He glance back at the court. Liz and Leah were ahead by two games in the first set and they were now in change over. Max took the opportunity to pull Nathan aside.

“Max!” Tess hissed as Max ushered her boyfriend towards the club building. “What are you doing?”

“I just want to talk to him,” he said innocently.

“Max,” she warned, her blue eyes piercing.

“Tess, don’t worry if he passes, I’ll bring him back safely. Anyone who dates my girls has to go through me first.” Ignoring her calls of protest, Max walked towards an unsuspecting Nathan and guided him into the club building.

TBC……..

Hopefully I'll be back Wednesday.
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

Enjoy! :D

<center>Chapter 4</center>

“Where is your friend at?”

Liz whipped around to find a fuming Tess, impatiently tapping her costly stilettos against the linoleum floor.

Liz rolled her eyes. It was barely seven thirty in the morning and he was already in trouble. “What’d he do now?”

“He said something to Nathan and now he won’t even speak to me,” she growled, her piercing blue eyes searching the crowded halls for Max’s familiar face.

Liz shrugged, her sympathy going out to her. She knew how Max was. Ever since her first boyfriend in the seventh grade brought her to tears, as by sitting with Sara Conners during lunch, Max had become very protective over the women in his life especially when it came to dating. They all knew he meant well and they loved him for it though at times, they could do without his prodding.

“Tess you know how Max is. He just doesn’t want to see you hurt.”

Tess sighed. “Yeah well I can take care of myself. I’m going to kill him when I see him.”

“Oh that’s lovely,” she responded, well used to that threat towards Max by now. “Tess you remember Leah right? From our match?”

Quickly dropping her livid veneer, she smiled sweetly at the girl who had been standing quietly beside Liz’s locker. “Yeah. How’s your first day going?”

Leah shrugged and gestured nonchalantly to the activity in the hall. “As good as school can go I guess.”

“I hear you. So I heard you're from California. What part are you from?”

“Culver City.”

“That’s close to Los Angeles right?”

“Yeah, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverley Hills…”

Tess’ eyes brightened in interest. “Beverley Hills?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh girl, you are my new best friend.” Tess pulled Leah to the side, and talked on about how wonderful the shopping was in Beverley Hills. Tess was the glamour girl of the group, always talking about how she wanted to be a model and move to New York. The guys often teased her that she was too short to model, but she knew what she wanted and with her parents' money, she was sure she could get there.

While Leah and Tess chattered away, Liz stuffed her books into her locker.

“Liz!” Liz smiled at her other blonde friend as she approached, looking frantic as she barraled down the hall. Liz braced herself. “Where were you all weekend?” she queried. “I tried talking to after your match and your parents whisked you away! What the hell happened to your phone? I couldn’t get an answer. And what happened with you and Brett on Friday? I want details.”

Liz couldn’t stop her thoughts from floating back to what happened between she and Max over the weekend and a soft, warm smile spread across her lips.

Maria looked on suspiciously. “What’s with the look?”

Liz slammed her locker shut with a smile and leaned against it. “Brett and I broke up.”

“I figured that.” She snorted as if it were an everyday occurrence.

“Again?” Tess intervened, her Hollywood talk obviously over.

“Who’s Brett?” Leah asked.

“Just a jerk that Liz finally got rid of,” Maria answered proudly.

“This time it’s permanent,” Liz giggled.

Leah smiled, Liz’s bubbling happiness rubbing off on her. “So what happened?”

“During homecoming, we went out to his car and I found out he was spreading rumors about us sleeping together.”

“Please tell me you hit him,” Maria groaned.

Liz smiled triumphantly. “I did. I broke it off and then Max took me home and we had a little bit to drink. His mom caught us and now we’re both grounded for two weeks. No phone calls, no nothing.”

Tess frowned. “Okay so you seem way too happy to just have broken up with your boyfriend. Something else happened.”

“Max and I are together,” she beamed, laughing at her friend’s squeals.

“I’m so happy for you,” Maria shrieked. “I’ve been waiting since the third grade for this.”

“Maria…”

“Oh! I didn’t even get you guys anything. You need a toaster?”

“Maria, we’re not getting married…”

“Yeah. Not now,” Tess snorted. “I’m happy for you Liz, really, but I’m going to have to murder him.” Her eyes lifted to someone behind Liz before they narrowed angrily.

Max’s strapping arms wound around Liz’s small waist and he smiled when she easily leaned back against him.

Their friends looked on, amazed at how easily they slipped into the role of boyfriend and girlfriend.

“Murder who?” Max murmured against Liz’s neck, where he peppered a few light kisses. He fully intended to pull her into the eraser room in minute and was in the process of whispering his intentions in her ear before he was interrupted by a heated blonde.

“You, you asshole!” she growled. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

Shocked and confused, Max frowned at the short girl. “What’d I do?”

“Let’s go and let Tess rip him a new one in peace,” Liz suggested, guiding Maria and Leah away.

“But what about the eraser room?” Pouting in disappointment when Liz ignored him, Max watched her go, his eyes lingering on her bare legs.

“You did something to Nathan. Now he won’t even talk to me.”

Max managed to tear his gaze away from Liz and focus his attention on Tess. “Really? That’s great. I’ve done my job then.”

“No dumbnuts. It’s not your job to decide who I do and don’t talk to too,” she said as she poked his chest. “I already have a father who insists on interrogating every single boyfriend I have.”

“But…”

“Do I go around threatening those floozies that you date?!”

“No. But…”

“You’re supposed to be my friend, not my body guard.” She sighed, shaking her head, knowing it was impossible for her to stay mad at him for long, especially when he looked at her with those puppy dog eyes. Besides, she knew he meant well.

“Look, I know you just want to protect me, but let me decide whether the guys I go out with are jerks or not. Okay?”

He nodded. “Okay. I’m sorry.”

“Good. Now I’m going to go find Nathan.”

“But Tess…”

“Max, do you see these shoes?" She pointed to her new heels. "Aren’t they cute?” Max cringed when she flashed a sweet smile. Something was up.

“I don’t know,” Max sighed. “They look like hooker heels.”

She pointed a perfectly polished finger, menacingly in his direction. “Unless you want them up your ass, I suggest you stay out of my love life.”

With that, she left a speechless Max standing alone, wondering how painful that's be.
**********

Max rushed into the courtyard, quickly scanning the large area until his eyes rested on his girlfriend. He’d been itching to get his hands on her all day and now he had a clear chance.

She smiled when she saw him, crooking a finger, beckoning towards her. Saying a quick hello to everyone at the table, he took Liz into his arms.

“How about we head into the eraser room?”

She batted her lashes playfully, smiling candidly. “What ever for?”

His smoldering look said it all. “There’s some... things I need to discuss with you in private,” he muttered, his lips coming dangerously close to hers.

They both were oblivious to the moans and groans coming from the table.

Excitement bubbled in her chest and her eyes sparkled with happiness. She couldn’t believe this was the same Max she’d been best friends with for so long. But oddly enough, it felt right. “Okay.”

Without another word, she grabbed her backpack and let Max drag her away.

Leah curiously watched Max and Liz scurry back into the school. “What’s the eraser room?” she asked.

Maria smirked. “It’s where they clean the erasers but couples go in there and well... you know.”

“They do the horizontal tango,” Michael elaborated.

Leah blushed, regretting that she asked. “Oh.”

“Michael!” Tess scolded. “Leah, people just go in there and make out. No one has sex in there.” Michael snorted in protest, but otherwise kept his mouth shut when he caught sight of Maria and Tess’ glare.

“You know Leah,” Alex started, “I’d be happy to give you a tour of the eraser room if you want,” he offered, flashing a charming smile.

Leah rolled her eyes as the rest of the table erupted in laughter.
********

Liz stumbled behind him as Max practically dragged her down the hall. She figured she could get used to Max being this crazy about her and she couldn’t wait to get him alone to show him exactly what he did to her in return.

Max banked a sharp left around a corner, colliding with someone with a smaller stature. He skidded to a stop, his arms snaking out in hopes of preventing a fall.

“You should’ve just let her fall Max,” Liz snarled when she realized who the person was. “She’s already brain dead. I’m sure a little knock on a head wouldn’t do much harm.” She narrowed her brown eyes at Max’s ex, already wanting to punch in her nose though she hadn’t utter one word yet.

“Liz, how good to see you again,” she greeted sweetly, fluttering her lashes as Max released her from his hold. “How’s Brett doing?”

Liz snorted. “I wouldn’t know.”

Max sighed, knowing this could get out of hand quickly. “Look Jessica, Liz and I were in the middle of something so…”

“Oh don’t worry, I won’t waste your time…”

“Too late for that,” Liz muttered.

Jessica ignored her and instead focused her attention at Max. She looked at him from beneath her lashes and thrust her chest in his direction, hoping to get a reaction from him.

“Max I just wanted to apologize for what happened during homecoming. I had a little too much to drink and Stephen kept coming on to me. I never meant to hurt you.”

Her full lips poked out in a dramatic pout and Max’s features softened. Max was a romantic at heart and had a soft spot for women. He was easily deceived by women, hence his horrendous past with ex-girlfriends. He needed as much protecting, if not more than the girls he was trying to protect.

His acceptance to her apology, however, never made it passed his lips when Liz stepped in front og him, ready to fight.

“Look you plastic bitch, don’t try and play that innocent shit. It’s not going to fly here.”

“Liz,” Max warned, grabbing her arm when she stepped closer.

“It’s none of your business,” Jessica retorted. “Was anyone inviting you into this conversation?”

“I invited myself the second you started sprouting all that bullshit. You’re only sorry because you got caught. You would’ve spread you’re legs for anyone if Max hadn't of found out you were cheating.”

“You little bitch.”

“Okay.” Max intervened, grabbing Liz by the waist and pulling her away as she coiled her fist back to take a swing. He carried her cursing and shouting down the hall and into the eraser room thankful that the hall was nearly empty and witnesses were scarce.

Max locked the door behind him and turned only to be met with a red faced Liz. “Max, what’d you do that for?”

“Liz you can’t just take a swing at her. She was apologizing.”

“Max, you couldn’t see through that? That was not genuine. An apology is not genuine when you have to shove your breasts in someone’s face to get accepted,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I just wanted one hit,” she muttered.

“Liz, she was just apologizing. What’s the harm in that?”

Liz shook her head. “Max, you’re blind to women. We have you wrapped around our finger.”

Max huffed. “You do not!”

Liz crossed her arms in a challenge. “Max, did I, or did I not use to and still can get you to do anything.”

“No,” he denied defensively.

“You lie,” she spat. “You’re just as vulnerable with women as you think me, Maria and Tess are with men.”

“I’m a man damn it!” he growled as if she'd thought anything otherwise. “Men aren’t vulnerable,” he claimed as he puffed out his chest.

Liz rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I saved your life just now,” she teased. “She wanted to get in your pants.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “You are my heroine,” he sighed, imitating a female’s voice.

“Max, I’m trying to be mad. Leave me alone,” she whined.

He ran his lip over her jaw as his hands dipped to her hips. “Do you know how sexy you are defending my honor?”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Stop trying to sweet talk me and kiss me you idiot.”

He saluted, happy to comply with her command. “Yes maam.”

“So easy to control. Men are weak,” she giggled, shrieking when he pinched her butt. “A little frisky are we?”

“Shut up,” he laughed.
*************

Max pulled into his driveway and cut off the engine. “I'll see you tomorrow,” he said.

“I’d say that I’ll call you, but we’re still in prison,” she sighed, gesturing to her house across the street.

Max leaned across the seat and kissed her gently. Liz had other plans when he tried to pull away and she tilted her head to deepen the kiss, running her tongue across his lip. He smiled, knowing what she was up to.

He reached across the seat and dragged her onto his lap. “I can’t believe we waited seventeen years to do this,” she giggled.

He moaned in agreement as he held the back of her head, wanting to go deeper and taste the warmth of her mouth. They continued on, until Liz leaned up against the horn, the loud beep causing them to spring apart.

Panting and flushed, they burst into laughter wondering how they could get so carried away.

“We should go before our parents come out here and find us,” she suggested.

Max nodded, settling for one more kiss before he opened the door and let her slide out. He watched her cross the street and disappear inside her house before he the did the same.

The sounds of an argument somewhere in the house immediately greeted him as he stepped into the house. The voices were muffled behind closed doors, but he could faintly hear his mother crying. Frowning, he opened the front door once more before slamming it shut.

The argument stopped and Max yelled out. “Mom, dad I’m home!”

He stepped into the hallway just in time to see his father storming out of the bedroom, stalking pass Max as if he wasn’t even there.

“Mom?” Max walked into his parents room, hoping to resolve, or at least offer whatever comfort he could for whatever had happened. Max’s parents wouldn’t exactly be considered the picture perfect couple. They were complete opposites, his mom quiet and down to earth, and his father loud and irrational. Max often wondered why they stayed together.

The front door slammed and his frown deepened. “Mom what’s wrong?” he asked.

Diane offered her son a small smile as she tried to hide her tears. “Nothing sweetie. I'm fine.”

Knowing his mom wouldn't confide in him about what happened, Max nodded and retreated to the confines of his room.

TBC…….

I'll be back Sunday :wink:
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

A/N: Hey all. Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it because this story is a little more personal than all my others.

Now on the first post I had a warning about racial slurs and all that. There's not any in this parts, but it does address some race issues a little. What may not be offensive to some may be offensive to others. I just want to cover my bases.

Anyway, on with the part and I hope you enjoy.


<center>Chapter 5</center>

Max watched her with a smile, his lips curling up every time she ran for the ball. She let out a small grunt every time she struck the ball and being that he was a guy, his eyes floated from her determined features to her bouncing chest, licking his lips in appreciation. Yep, his best friend was definitely gifted.

But he couldn’t help but glance at her partner. Leah was wearing a short skirt. One that rode up when she ran and her brown skin glistened with sweat underneath the bright lights. It wasn’t a crime to check out his girlfriend’s friend, was it?

Since Liz didn’t have a car of her own, Max was appointed her official driver. Not that he minded. He liked to watch her and Leah practice and he marveled at how well they worked together on the court.

Max wasn’t as much of a tennis fan as Liz was, but he’d been forced to watch enough matches to know a little bit about it and as much as he didn’t want to admit it, he’d grown to like it.

He watched her hit a controlled forehand crosscourt into the open alley. Their opponent ran it down, hitting it straight to Leah who was positioned up at net and with reflexes Max could only wish to have, sliced a tidy drop shot.

“Thank God you came to town,” Liz laughed as she and Leah hit racquets in a point well won. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Leah smiled, unable to hide her modesty. “Thanks. Um I’m going to take a break. I need water,” she told the other three girls.

“Alright. We’ll just hit then,” Liz said, looking to her two opponents for agreement. When they nodded, Leah smiled in gratitude and ran towards her bag on the bleachers.

Max smiled as she approached, his lips curling upward even further when she blushed and gave him a little wave. He was intrigued by her shyness. He had never known anyone as shy as her and she didn’t at all fit his description of what he thought she’d be. She wasn't the typical 'black girl.'

He didn’t know what that said about him, but he’d never really interacted with anyone outside his own race. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to. It was just the way things were, Roswell lacked the diversity and with the little bit they had, people pretty much stayed with their own kind.

Max slid from the top of the bleachers to sit beside her.

“Hey.”

She smiled after she swallowed a mouthful of water. The team had moved to the indoor courts considering that Roswell was starting to get cool in November and with the bright lights overhead, it almost felt like they were still in the New Mexico sun. “Hey Max.”

“You two look great out there. Liz is a great singles player, but when she plays doubles…”

“Yeah she’s great,” she said with genuine admiration for her partner. “I wish I had her serve.”

“Yours is pretty good too,” he replied.

She hid her blush in her towel as she wiped her face. “Thanks.” She tossed the towel over her shoulder before turning to him. “Do you play? I know you’re an athlete. You play football, right?”

“Yeah. Quarterback. I play basketball too. But tennis isn’t really my thing.” She laughed when he scrunched his nose in disgust. “It’s so technical. And you have to be so courteous. I’d want to bash my opponent face in with my racquet if I lost and I doubt that’s legal in tennis.”

She frowned as if she were thinking. “No I think don’t think that’s allowed.”

“Yeah well…How long have you been playing?”

She seemed surprised that he was interested, sputtering before she answered. “Oh… um since I was about five. My parents played and I used to run into the middle of the court because I wanted to join. After I got hit with a few balls, they figured they’d teach me to play so I could at least avoid getting hit.”

Max laughed as she shoved his shoulder in embarrassment. “My little brother, he’s four, he’s doing the same thing. My parents want him to go pro.”

“What about you? Going pro I mean.”

She shrugged as she pulled a loose curl behind her ear. “I don’t think I’m good enough for that. And I wouldn’t want to be famous. I like my privacy too much for that.”

“I'm sure you could make it if you wanted. And you’d make all that money,” he reasoned.

“Yeah, but what’s money compared to having a life where you can spend time with your family without having paparazzi all in your face. I’d imagine that those players don’t get much time to be home and relax with all the traveling they do.”

Max nodded, studying her she watched her teammates practice. She was just as small and delicate as Liz, but she seemed more so considering how timid she was, trying not to call attention to herself. Whereas Liz was bold and outgoing, thinking she could take on anyone who came her way, including him, though she did beat him in a wrestling match once that he refused to acknowledge.

“What?” Leah wondered when she caught him staring. Unnerved, she leaned away suspiciously.

He shrugged. “Nothing…”

“Oh. Do I smell? Cause I’ve been running around for like an hour now and…”

He laughed. “No. You don’t smell.” She smiled. “I was just thinking that… that you’re not at all what I thought you’d be like.”

Max gulped when she fully turned towards him and raised an expectant brow. “What’d you think I’d be like?”

He shrugged worried that he’d offended her and hoping to play it off. “I was thinking that you’d be like…all about hip hop, feisty, loud, aggressive…”

Ghetto?” she supplied.

He missed the amused twinkle in her eye when he ducked his head. It was Max’s turn to blush. He rubbed the back of his neck as his ears turned red. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” He cursed to himself, wondering how he got himself in this mess.
“You thought I’d be a hoochie?”

His eyes widened. “No! Not at all I just… I uh…”

But her laughter caught him by surprise and he frowned in confusion. “What?”

“Max,” she breathed as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Oh man.”

“What?” He chuckled in nervous confusion. Maybe he hadn’t screwed up.

“Max, I was just playing with you.”

He sighed, and rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans. “Oh.”

“Contrary to popular belief, not every black person is the same.”

He nodded. “I know that. I just… you’re African American…”

“Max, you can say black. I’m not going to rip your head off,” she giggled.

“Right. You’re black so I assumed… I guess I shouldn’t have assumed anything huh?”

She smiled at his sheepish look. “No. But I guess when you don’t have anything but stereotypes to go on you tend to believe that they’re true. They’re just labels because I know for a fact that if those stereotypes defined what I’m supposed to be then I don’t think I’d be accepted as a black woman.”

He nodded in understanding. “If the stereotypes about Roswell were true then I’d be out hunting aliens right now.”

Her laugh made him smile and he wondered if there was anything about her that wasn’t adorable. “I guess we can learn a lot from each other.”

He nodded in agreement. “I guess so.”
*********

“Liz, I’m so excited for you,” Maria squealed. “You and Max are finally going out on a date.”

“This should go down in history,” Tess added. Liz laughed, and shook her head only to be scolded by Maria who was busy styling her long tresses. Tess worked on her makeup while Leah picked out her outfit. It was their way of initiating her into their little group by having her help Liz get ready for her date.

“What’s Max’s favorite color on you?” Leah asked.

Liz shrugged and stifled a laugh. “It doesn’t matter. Max is a guy. He’s most likely color blind. He couldn’t match an outfit if his life depended on him.”

“He’s not that bad is he?”

“His mom still has to buy his clothes and tell him what goes with what. Just don’t tell him I told you guys. He’d kill me.”

Max was waiting in the Parker’s living room by seven, chatting with an excited Nancy and cranky Jeff. Jeff knew Max and he knew that he’d take care of his little girl, but ever since he walked into Nancy and Liz’s life, he felt obligated to make up for what Liz’s biological father lacked. He wanted to protect her from any and everything and if that was from some horny teenager, than so be it.

“This is so exciting,” Nancy squealed. “Where’s your mother?”

“She’s at home looking for her camera. She’ll be here in a minute.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea. I’ll go take some pictures of Liz getting ready and then I’ll be back down.” She scurried off, practically skipping down the hall.

Max rolled his eyes. He didn’t see what the big deal was. It wasn’t like he and Liz had never gone out together before and they’ve both been on plenty of dates. What was so special about this one?

“Do we need to have the talk Max?” Jeff said as he slipped into the overstuffed chair across from Max.

“No Mr. P.”

He narrowed his eyes warily. “So I don’t need to threaten you? You know the rules?”

“Frontward, backwards and upside down. Scouts honor, sir.” He held up two fingers and placed a hand over his heart.

“You were never in boy scouts.”

Max shrugged. “I wanted to be. So that counts for something don’t it?”

Before long, Diane arrived, camera in hand and lights flashed as a disgruntled Liz made her way down the hall.

“Mo-om,” she whined, “Stop. It’s just a date and we’re just going to a movie.”

Max smiled when he caught sight of her. Her hair was flowing around in her crinkles and she was wearing just a touch of make-up with red lipstick covering her full lips. He was sure that it’d be smeared over him sometime later. She wore simple hip hugger jeans and a red sweater with three quarter length sleeves.

She reached him, beaming brightly. He sported simple blue jeans and a burgundy shirt. He had his leather jacket slung over his arm as he smiled down at her.

“Nice outfit Mrs. E,” Liz called, snickering when Max glared at her.

“Okay, you two. Get close and smile,” Nancy directed. Though they moaned and groaned, Max and Liz did what they were told, taking pictures before everyone piled in for one group picture.

When Diane and Nancy stopped taking pictures to reload, Max and Liz took the opportunity to make a mad dash for the door and soon they were barreling out of the driveway.

They arrived at the theater and both groaned at the long line to the ticket booth. Max, wanting to be a perfect gentleman, opened her door for her and helped her out.

“Thank you kind sir,” she giggled.

“No worries. Anything for a beautiful lady.”

The line wrapped around the building which wasn’t unusual for Roswell seeing that going to the movies was about the only thing to do.

“This is going to be awhile,” he snorted.

“Didn’t I tell you to preorder the tickets? But did you listen…. Nooooo.” She rolled her eyes in annoyance, but cuddled against his side when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Don’t start Liz. We’ll sound like an old married couple,” he chuckled.

She lifted her head from his chest to regard him. “Speaking of which, how’s everything with your parents?”

“Did you just call my mom old?” He laughed when she rolled her eyes. “Wait until I tell her. She’ll be so mad at you…”

She gasped at his audacity. “Max, you wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh would I?” he challenged, wiggling his eyebrows. “Come one Liz, you know me better than that.”

“Yeah and I know you’ll squeal like a pig.” Max nodded proudly. “You tell her and I’ll tell her that you’re the one who stole her favorite black pumps.”

“You wouldn’t?”

She smirked. “Come on Evans, you know me better than that. What you needed with high heeled shoes is still lost on me.”

“Hey! We were doing a commercial about birth control in public speaking and I had to be a woman,” he defended. “It’s not my fault they were stolen.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t have to take her favorites either.”

Max shrugged. “Black shoes are black shoes. They all look the same to me.”

“Can we get back to the topic at hand?”

Max sighed and pulled her close once more. “Dad’s sleeping in the guest room now. Things are tense, but it’s nothing unusual. You know.”

Liz nodded. Liz was the only one Max spilled his frustrations about his parents to. Every couple has its problems, but the Evans’ were a mixed pair and fought like cats and dogs. She knew the toll it took on Max and she could only comfort him when he needed it.

“I have no idea what they’re fighting about now. Neither will talk about it so…” He shrugged it away, wanting to just forget about it.

Liz glanced at the people in front of them. They hadn’t moved a bit. “Hey, why don’t we go to a drive in instead,” she suggested, hoping to divert his attention.

“Oh, that means more privacy.” He leaned down for a kiss, smiling when she melted into him. “Let’s go.”

He pulled her out of the line and they raced to his jeep. Minutes later, they were at the drive in, both eyeing the backseat and knowing that whatever movie they were seeing was insignificant.

“So,” he started, clapping his hands together as she leaned out the window to grab the speaker. She attached it to the window and turned to him with a big smile. “Should I just throw you in the backseat and start making out now or wait until the movie starts?”

“Horny ass…”

“What?” He shrugged innocently. “You know you want to.”

“Just go get me some popcorn loverboy.” His smirk dropped to a pout as she pushed shoulder. He hissed at her before huffily climbed out of the jeep. Liz smiled at his antics. She loved teasing him. It was just too easy.

Max weaved through the cluster of cars while trying to balance a large popcorn, one jumbo drink, nachos with cheese, and skittles.

The previews started just as he returned to the jeep. Liz had climbed into the backseat and let the retractable seats down and spread a blanket over the floor.

“Did you get the starburst?” she asked.

He groaned. “I kinda forgot.”

She frowned, propping her hands on her tiny waist. “You know I can’t watch a movie without my starburst. What is wrong with you?”

“I wasn’t planning on watching the movie,” he muttered.

“Max! Go get them.”

“But Liz I th…”

“Max!”

“Fine.” She snickered into her hand as he dragged himself out of the jeep only to return a few seconds later.

“Max what…”

“Liz you have got to see this.” Ignoring her protests, he pulled her outside.

“Max what are you…Oh my God,” she gasped as she stared across the lot, right through the windshield of a red Jetta. Maria and Michael, in the middle of a heavy make out session, were quite visible. “He’s just sucking the face right off her,” she marveled aloud.

Although Maria and Michael thought they kept their relationship a secret, everyone who knew them knew about it. It was as plain as day and now Max and Liz had evidence right in front of them.

Max slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her back into the jeep. “Why don’t we follow their lead?” Max suggested.

She sighed in mock annoyance while he laid her down and hovered above her, her starburst far from mind. “Is that all you think about?”

“Basically.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond. His lips lazily rubbed over hers in a fluid caress. The butterflies in his stomach went wild at the taste of her cherry lipstick.

As they continued, the intensity grew and they both moaned as they went deeper. Her tongue stroked his, tasting all of him and loving every second of it, only breaking apart to breathe in precious air before diving in again.
*********

The movie had ended two hours ago. Now the couple walked hand in hand through the annual carnival in Dexter. It was a thirty minute drive back to Roswell and since it was getting late, they decided to stay over in a motel.

Liz stood outside the men’s restroom, clutching the teddy bear Max won for her and waited for him to reappear so they could leave.

“Liz.”

Liz turned her gaze from the lit Ferris wheel to find Kyle Valenti standing beside her, smiling uncertainly.

“Hey Kyle,” she greeted warmly. “What are you doing out here?”

“My girlfriend wanted to come,” he said as he gestured to the ladies restroom across from them. “What about you?”

She smiled sweetly. “Max and I are on our first date.”

Kyle was a sweet guy. In fact, he was one of the very few good guys that Liz had dated just before she got together with Brett. He was on the football team with Max though Max would sooner give up his X-Box than hang out with Kyle Valenti. At first, Liz couldn’t understand Max’s hatred for Kyle, but in light of the events that happened over the last few weeks, Liz understood.

Max was jealous of Kyle.

She almost snickered at the thought.

“So I heard you and Cynthia went to homecoming together.” She wiggled her eyebrows and bumped him with her shoulder. He laughed at her antics and shook his head.

“Yeah. She’s nice but…”

“She’s not me,” she finished, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she playfully batted her lashes.

“Exactly,” he replied, sighing wistfully, though she thought he was kidding. “I don’t know how I go on without you Liz. I don’t know how my heart beats without you.” He dramatically placed his hands over his heart, causing Liz to giggle.

“So… you and Brett?”

“Yeah. We… hey wait a second.”

“What?” he questioned innocently.

She narrowed her eyes to dangerous slits. “What are you up to? You sound suspicious.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing,” he said honestly. “I was just wondering what finally made you two call it quits.”

“You mean you haven’t heard,” she asked in surprise.

“Heard what?”

“That Brett and I were supposedly sleeping together,” she clarified, rolling her eyes at the statement. She’d wasted so much time on him.

“Yeah I heard about that. I don’t know… it seemed a little far fetched to me.”

Liz threw her hands in the air. “No wonder I’ve been getting looks from the football team. They all think I’m some kind of whore.”

Kyle smiled in sympathy and threw his arm around her shoulders. “No we don’t Liz. Brett’s an asshole and most of the guys know that at least half of what he says is a lie.”

“Yeah well...”

“Liz?” Max growled low in his throat, watching as Kyle released his girlfriend.

Liz sighed. She would never understand his possessiveness. “We have to go. I’ll talk to you later Kyle.”

“Sure thing. Bye Evans.” Kyle threw a smug smile Max’s way, laughing when he flipped him the bird.

“Max, you are so ridiculous! What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I don’t like him.”

“Stop being so jealous,” she laughed.

“I am not,” he pouted.

“Mmhm.”

“Liz!”

“Aw poor baby. You want me to make it feel better?”

“Yeah, but we’ll have to wait until we get to the motel room for that.”

She squealed when he hoisted her over his shoulder and jogged the rest of the way to his jeep.

TBC……...

See ya Wednesday. :wink:
Last edited by sweetbrowneyes on Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

Hey all. Thanks for the feedback. I'm just dropping this and the new part off.

Image

For the character portrayals...

Favorite Supporting Portrayal of Maria Deluca- All His Fault
Best Villain- David in Against All Odds

Thanks to everyone who nominated. It reall means a lot.

Now on to the new part. Enjoy!

<center>Chapter 6</center>

Liz sucked in a breath as her back hit the door and Max’s hard chest collided with her softer one. Her head tilted back as his lips strayed down her neck, roamed over her collarbone before moving up to nip at her ear.

She giggled when she felt a vibration against her hip. But it took awhile for the daze she was in to clear before she realized that it was her phone and not Max’s wandering hands.

“Max, my phone’s ringing.”

He diverted her hand as it was making its way to her pocket and brought it up to his lips. “Ignore it,” he whispered in her ear.

She shivered, struggling to come up with a coherent response as he blew in her ear. She managed a soft, non-threatening, “Stop,” before he pulled her towards one of the two full sized beds.

“Max, what if it’s my parents?” she reasoned as he laid her down and hovered above her. His eyes were sparkling with mischief and she wondered if she could handle whatever he was thinking about doing.

Max ignored her comment and concentrated to her swollen lips.

Knowing that if he kissed her, she wouldn’t be able to turn her attention to anything else, she tried, “What if it’s my father?”

That killed the mood in an instant. With a frustrated grunt, he rolled away, grumbling under his breath. “Answer it. He already thinks I’m a little on the slow side wearing lipstick and all.”

She giggled. “He was figuring that before he caught you with the makeup Max,” she teased, squealing when he pinched her side.

“Hello?”

“Liz, what took you so long to answer?”

Liz smirked at Max and he put on a pained expression. Her father was going to kill him for corrupting his daughter.

“I was using the bathroom Dad. What’s up?” Max rolled his eyes at how easily the lie slipped from her lips as he headed into the bathroom.

Jeff grunted. “Remember that little talk we had…”

“Dad!" She whined, cringing as she remembered the awkward sex talk she had with her father some months back.

“Even though you’ve know Max for years, the rules still apply…”

“Jeff!” Nancy exclaimed in the background, “Quit hassling the girl.”

“Yeah Dad, quit hassling the girl,” Liz added, smiling when she heard him huff over the line. There was a short shuffl, before Nancy’s voice sounded over the receiver.

“Sweetie, did you and Max find a place okay?”

Liz smiled. She loved that her mother trusted her enough to be responsible. It wasn’t that Jeff didn’t, he was just more of a worry wart and he tended to overreact especially when it came to boys. “Yeah Mom. We just got in.”

“Great. You two have fun now okay?”

“No!” Liz heard Jeff exclaimed in the background. “No. You do know what 'Fun' for teenagers mean these days don’t you? It’s just their first date.”

Liz sighed. Between her dad and Max’s protective natures, Liz wondered how she ever was able to do anything with them around.

“Jeff this is Max and Liz we’re talking about,” she scolded. “Liz, be careful okay. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay Mom.”

“Love you sweetie.”

“Love you too.” She ended the call just as Jeff went on another rampage. Liz laughed it off knowing that her mother would take care of it and calm him down.

She kicked off her shoes and flipped on the small TV mounted on the wall.

“Is everything okay?” Max asked when he came out of the bathroom.

“Yeah. Dad’s freakin out, so you’re going to have to do some damage control.” She smiled, when he squirmed uncomfortably. “You know, bring me back unscathed, unharmed and un-pregnant.”

He laughed as he settled beside her, unable to not take her into his arms. “I think I can do that.”

“Good.”

Their lips touched softly, caressing lightly. They both intended it to be short and sweet and neither knew how it happened but soon they were under the sheets, tangled in an impassioned embrace.

Sure they had made out before, plenty of times but not without interruption. Now, this was different, they were alone, no disruptions to stop their intensity. Hands were caressing places never touched before as their most intimate places bumped together in their struggle to get as close as possible.

It was a long time before either one wanted to let go for precious air. Liz leaned her forehead against his, as they panted. “Take your shirt off Max.”

He silently complied, lifting up while her fingers worked on the buttons. She sucked in a breath at the sight of him. She had seen him shirtless countless times, but not in this light. Not when they were so close to making a huge leap in their once innocent relationship.

His shirt was haphazardly thrown to the floor as his lips eagerly returned to hers. His tongue met its mate as they fought for dominance, this time Liz coming on top. She stretched across his smooth chest, feeling his muscles tense beneath her teasing fingers.

His lips curled into a smile as his eyes fell shut. Her lips traveled over his neck and down his chest until her hands reached their destination at the bulge in his jeans. His eyes flew open in shock and he grabbed her hands and halted her actions.

Her eyes were wide and dazed, quickly filling with confusion. “What?”

“We need to stop Liz. What are we doing here?”

Realizing where her hands were, she quickly rolled off him. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. I liked what you were doing... it’s just that…”

“You’re not ready.” He nodded and she smiled, relieved that he was able to stop them before they went too far because as much as she liked being this way with Max, she wasn’t ready to do that either.

“And I know you’re not either Liz.”

She moved to cuddle against him, but was firmly pushed away. “What?”

“Let me calm down a bit before you get too close.” She giggled at his pained look. “Let’s wait awhile before we do all that.”

“Yeah. But I… I think I want you to be my first Max.”

He grinned and hoped he had enough control not to take her now as he pulled her close. “I want you to be mine too. Just…”

“Not right now,” she finished.

“Yeah. But…”

She raised her brow expectantly. “There’s a but?”

“Yes. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t fool around.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

She laughed. “You’re insatiable.”

He leaned in, his eyes serious. “Only for you,” he mumbled before their lips met once more.
************

It wasn’t until ten the next morning that Liz stirred. Disoriented, it took her a moment to realize where she was and what the heaviness around her waist was.

Max was still deep in sleep, his heavy breathing and soft snores muffled against the thickness of her hair. Knowing Max, he wouldn’t be up for another two hours and she decided she’d freshen up while she was waiting.

Her cell phone sprang to life as soon as she returned from the bathroom. She glanced at Max, who was still dead to his surroundings and rolled her eyes. Anything short of a nuclear bomb wouldn’t wake him.

“Hello?”

“Hey Liz. It’s Kyle.”

“I kinda figure that,” she quipped. “What’s up?”

“Well,” he drawled. “After we ran into each other last night, I got to thinking about all the fun we used to have.”

Liz smiled as she climbed back into bed and leaned against the headboard. “Yeah we had some good times.”

“I know. And I was thinking that just because we broke up, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be friends right?”

“Right. We are friends Kyle.”

“Good.” She could hear the smile in his voice and she unknowingly smiled herself. “So I was thinking that if you didn’t have any plans today we could go do something. I mean just hang out you know.”

“I’d really like that Kyle. But Max and I are still in Dexter and I have tennis practice and the club later so I won’t have time today.”

“Oh. Some other time then?” he asked hopefully.

“Sure thing.” She said distractedly as Max stirred, rolling over with a grunt before he settled back into sleep.

“Okay…. And Liz?”

“Yeah Kyle?”

“If you ever get tired of Evans, look me up.”

Taken aback, she hesitated in coming back with a response and by the time she got over the shock, she was met with the dial tone.
*********

Max sat at the top bleacher where he always sat, pad and paper in hand. He occasionally glanced at his girlfriend and friend practicing, but kept his attention to the paper in front of him.

He and Liz had been together for almost a month now. If was possible, they had grown closer, learning new things about the other as they fell deeper into their new relationship.

Now her birthday was just a week away and Max was desperate to come up with something to do for her. Now that they were together, he felt that his gift to her should be something different, should mean something different. But for the life of him he couldn't think of a damn thing.

He looked up and spotted Leah making her way towards him. He slid to the bottom of the bleachers and waited for her to reach him.

“Hey Max. You never miss a day do you?” she laughed.

“Nope,” he grinned. “That’s me. Loyal Max.”

She grabbed her water bottle and took a long gulp. “Well good. I admire that.”

“Thanks.”

“So,” she started as she wiped her heated face with her towel. “What were you concentrating on so hard up there?”

“Liz’s birthday. I’m trying to think of something to get her.”

“I could help if you want,” she offered, shrugging as if it were no big deal. “I’ve gotten to know Liz well and I’m sure I can help.”

“Oh you don’t have to Leah.”

“No. It’s okay Max. I love to shop. I am a girl…”

“Really?” he gasped dramatically. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Funny Max,” she deadpanned.

“I try.” He smiled. “How about we go tonight? She’s got a paper to write so I know she’ll be too occupied to be nosy about where I’m going.”

“Okay. You can come and pick me up around five.”

“Great. Thanks for this Leah. I really appreciate it. I owe you one.”

She dipped her head, seemingly contemplating something before she regarded him again. “Well actually, you could repay me by doing answering something for me.”

He frowned. “What’s that?”

She blushed, twisting her fingers nervously and Max wondered what was going on. “Well, you and I have gotten to know each other pretty well. We’ve bonded I guess.”

“Yeah we have,” he agreed happily.

“And… Well let me put it this way…there’s this guy that I like…”

He nodded, urging her to go on. “Okay…”

“But, don’t know if he likes me. I mean what if he blows me off… I mean, not that I think he’s that type of guy… but what if just laughs in my face? What if the very thought of being with me makes him sick and…”

“Leah,” Max chuckled, “You’re rambling.”

“Right.”

Max smiled, his eyes dancing in amusement. “Does this guy have a name?”

“Yeah…” She nodded eagerly as she continued to nervously twist her fingers.

“Well,” he urged, leaning forward in anticipation. “Who is it?”

“Oh… uh… Alex.”

Max leaned back in shock. “Alex?”

“Alex.” She nodded, letting out a nervous giggle.

“Oh.”

He glanced at Liz, catching her eye, she waved and he sent her a wink in return, immediately feeling guilty. He was such an asshole. He couldn’t believe how greedy he was.

Here he already had a brilliant, gorgeous girlfriend who he adored to no ends and he was pouting because another girl wasn’t interested in him. As Liz said, he was being such a guy.

“Do you think he likes me Max?” she asked in a small voice that reminded him of a little girl.

“Alex definitely likes you,” he replied.

She lit up like a Christmas tree, excitedly grabbing onto his arm. “You think?”

He laughed and wondered how anyone could not like her. “Yes. He flirts with you all the time. I’m surprised you haven’t picked up on it.”

“Yeah, I’m not really good at that,” she admitted bashfully.

“You should talk to him.”

“Thanks Max. I’d hug you but I’m all sweaty.”

“No problem.” He smiled, and watched her as she grabbed her racquet and head back to the court.
**********

Max stepped into the silent house and kicked the door closed behind him. He had just dropped Leah off after finding the perfect gift for Liz. Now, he was starving and craving the taste of his mother’s cooking.

He trekked into the kitchen, disappointed when there was no hot food waiting for him. His stomach growled and he peered into the fridge, finding nothing greatly appetizing.

Thwarted and hungry, Max started down the hall to his parents room in hopes of persuading his mom to cook him dinner.

Deciding to use the guilt trip, he knocked softly on her door. “Mom, your favoritiest son is starving to death and hoping that his mother would cook him some food.” He pushed the door open, but the sight that met him was nothing he could’ve ever predicted.

There in his parent’s bed was his father in the arms of a woman that wasn’t his mother.

TBC………

Sunday :wink:
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

I'm late, but I'm in before midnight. :lol: :roll: Enjoy!

<center>Chapter 7</center>

Liz sighed with relief as she hit print on her computer and watched as her paper slid crisp and finished out of the printer. She carefully slid the freshly printed papers into a folder and tucked the folder in her book bag.

She felt a large weight left from her shoulders. Now she had the weekend free to enjoy her birthday with her friends and family. But most of all, Max.

Her lips curled into a smile just as a light tap on her window broke the silence of the room. Speak of the devil, she thought as she sauntered towards the window and undid the latch.

“Hi,” she breathed, watching his muscles in fascination as he effortlessly pulled himself into her room. “How Romeo of you,” she giggled.

“I just wanted to see my Juliet,” he replied, pulling her flush against him.

She frowned. She could read him like a book and she could tell that something was going on. “Is everything okay?”

His smile miserably failed her test and she knew he was hiding something. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”

She searched his carefully guarded eyes. Besides that, the fact that he came through her window and hadn’t barged through the front door, disturbing her family at this late hour like he usually did was her first clue.

“You just seem…”

“I’m fine Liz,” he assured her, moving towards her bed. He immediately reached for the remote and flicked on the TV.

Not convinced, she let it go, knowing that when he was ready, he’d tell her what was wrong.

“Well, Juliet is glad you came. I just finished my paper which means I’m all yours to shower with gifts for my birthday.”

He couldn’t help but smile when she beamed up at him. “I don’t know about all that but I do have plans for you.”

The door creaked open before she could prod and beg him to tell her what his plans were.

“Lizzie who are you…Oh hi Max.”

“Hey Mrs. P. I just came over to have a quickie with Liz and then I’ll be on my way.” He dropped a kiss on top of her head for emphasis.

Nancy rolled her eyes. “Ha. Funny. Tell the truth before I have to hurt you,” she said, holding up her spatula threateningly.

“We’re just hanging out mom,” Liz answered before Max could say anything else stupid.

“Are you sleeping over?”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

“Hey!” Liz exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at him. “You didn’t ask me if you could sleep over.”

“Why do I have to ask you?”

“Because you’ll be sleeping in my room and it’s up to me whether I want you here or not.”

“And that decision depends upon…”

“…you telling me what your plans are for me tomorrow,” she said, smiling slyly.

Max snorted in mock offence and pushed her out of his arms. “I’m welcome here regardless. Aren’t I Mrs. P?”

“Um… uh so Liz, what are you going to do for you birthday tomorrow?”

“That’s low Mrs. P.” he said, pouting when she and Liz laughed.

“You know I’m joking Max.”

“I wasn’t,” Liz muttered, ignoring Max’s death glares.

“You’re always welcome here.” Max smiled and stuck his tongue out at Liz. “So long as you sleep on the floor.”

“But it’s so warm and comfy up here and its dark, and lonely down there. I thought you loved me.” He added a pout, hoping he’d get through to her.

“Floor Max.”

“Seventeen years were all for nothing. Don’t you trust me anymore?”

“I did before you started dating my daughter.”

“Mrs. P…”

“Floor.” She gave him one last stern look before leaving them alone.

“Max?” she asked some three hours later. They had been alternating between making out and watching movies. Now they both lay half asleep beneath Liz’s thick comforter.

“Hmm,” he mumbled, shifting so that his head rested on her shoulder.

“My parents will kill you if they find you in my bed.”

“I’ll get up early and move to the floor.”

She nodded and buried her fingers in his dark hair. “Max?”

“Mmm.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?”

He groaned and rolled onto his back, throwing an arm over his eyes.

“I’m going to have a new brother or sister.”

Liz frowned. “Is that what’s got you acting so weird. You’re mom’s pregnant?”

“No. But my dad’s mistress is.”

It took her awhile before she processed what he’d said and when she finally did, she was left in shock. “W-What?”

“You know why my mom has been going to visit my aunt in Las Cruces so much lately? It’s because she knows and she can’t stand to be around him. He’s been seeing her for a year and now the bitch is three months pregnant.”

“Oh Max,” she breathed, pushing her immediate anger for Phillip Evans aside to comfort Max. “I’m so sorry.”

“Apparently my parents are filing for divorce and he’s getting married to her.”

“Max…” He turned his back to her when she reached out to him. She bit her lip, her heart breaking when she heard him sniffle.

“Will you turn out the lights?”

She did as he asked, flicking off the small lamp beside the bed and bathing the room in darkness.

He didn’t like her seeing him cry, especially over an asshole like his father. There were some things he wished he could hide, even from Liz. But as much as he hated to admit it, Philip Evans was the only one who could get to him like this.

“He hated us so much that he had to go and start a whole new family.”

Max and his father never really had a great relationship. The reason may lie in the fact that Max had always been so protective of his mother and hearing his parents arguing, often times his father initiating the tiffs when he was intoxicated. It had only served to deepen his dislike for his father.

“Max, come here.”

He turned, rolling into her arms, his hands covering his eyes as he pressed his face to her neck.

She held him, comforting him as he wept softly in her embrace.
*********

“Did I ruin your birthday?”

Liz shook her head and leaned over the picnic basket to kiss his awaiting lips. “No.”

“I’m sorry about last night Liz I just…”

“Max, you don’t have to apologize. You know you can always come to me when you need someone to talk to.”

He smiled and wondered how he got so lucky to have her. He held out his hand for her to take while she did and eagerly scooted around so that she was sitting between his legs.

He had brought her out to a small park, a rare area of greenery out in the middle of the desert and set up a picnic a little ways from the small creek that ran through the park.

Ever since he started to drive, it somehow had become a tradition for them to have a picnic on her birthday.

“Have you spoken to either of your parents today?” She leaned her head back against his chest and gently patted his knee.

“My mom is still in Las Cruces. She won’t be back until Sunday night. But she said to tell you happy birthday and she got you and gift. And no I’m not telling you what it is.”

“Damn you,” she growled.

He smiled and pressed his lips to her temple. “I haven’t seen my dad since last night and I really don’t care to.”

She nodded, and let it go, knowing he didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“So do you want part one of your gift now?”

She squealed in excitement causing Max to laugh. He retrieved her gift from his car and returned to her side, pulling her into his lap.

“Happy birthday baby.”

He handed her a single red rose and a small box and watched with joy as her eyes lit up when she pulled out the gold charm bracelet. Leah had told him that Liz was eyeing it when they had gone shopping. It was the first thing he’d picked up when they went shopping the day before.

“Max it’s beautiful,” she cooed, leaning up to kiss him in gratitude. “You’ve never gotten me anything like this when we were just friends. I should have gotten you to be my boyfriend along time ago.”

He chuckled and buried his nose in her hair. “It’s nice to know that I’m wanted.”

Liz laughed a she turned in his arms, ready to give him a proper kiss.

Later, after dropping his car off, the two walked hand in hand under the streetlamps of Roswell. The streets were practically deserted except for a few strollers out for an evening walk.

“I’ve had the best birthday Max,” she said as she leaned her head against his arm. “I love spending the day with you. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Me either. But…”

She frowned. “There’s a but?”

“There’s always a but Liz.” He pinched her backside, earning a sharp punch from her. “But…” he laughed. “There’s still part two.”

“Part two,” she wondered aloud. Suddenly, he stopped walking and gestured to the building in front of her. “The Crashdown?”

His wink had her melting and it was all she could do to follow him as he pulled her through the doors. “What is this? Do the Whitman’s know we’re here?”

“Surprise!”

Startled, she jumped, covering her mouth with her hands as she stifled a yelp.

Soon, she was surrounded by her friends and family. She sought Max out and he sent her a triumphant smile at being able to keep it from her.

Her party went off without a hitch. After the gifts were passed out and the cake was cut, the adults left the teens to do their own thing. Needless to say, Michael took the opportunity to bring out the booze to which Michael, Max, Alex and Kyle guzzled down greedily.

By the end of the night, Liz was dragging a very drunk Max out of the café. “Alex, tell your parents I said thanks again for letting us use the café.”

Intoxicated himself, Alex just waved her away and slumped into Leah’s waiting arms.

“Tess, will you take us home?”

The blond nodded, kissed her boyfriend goodbye and lead them to her SUV.

“I swear if you puke on my seats Max, you’re dead,” Tess warned.

“You can buy new ones,” he retorted.
***********

“Max, you are such a jerk,” Liz hissed once they were safely in her room.

“I am,” he agreed drunkenly. “I’ma complete jerk. But that’s okay Liz cause all that matters is that you hada good bifday.” H sprawled across her bed, a soft smile gracing his lips.

Liz smiled. He was such a cute drunk. “I did have a good birthday.”

“Good. But I saw you eyeing Valenti all night.”

She decided to play innocent. “What are you talking about?”

“I bet he’s as small as my pinky,” he muttered. “Wanna see mine?”

She rolled her eyes. “Would you just stop being so jealous of him? Okay, yes Kyle and I dated… millions of years ago. But …Max, what are you doing?!” she shrieked when he reached inside his pants. “Are you listening to me?”

He nodded though he seemed to be concentrating on the bulge in his pants. “You are so disgusting.”

“I’m so horny right now,” he slurred as he started to undo his jeans. “You’re so hot Liz.”

“Max Evans if you ever do that in my presence…”

He pouted. “But Liz…”

“No! Get your hands out of your pants now!”

Looking like a scolded puppy, he obediently pulled his hand out of his pants.

She sighed in mock exasperation and got up to change into her pajamas. “Liz.”

“What?” she said not turning from her task.

“I’m an asshole.”

She laughed and left the room to change. When she returned he was clad in only his boxers and a t-shirt.

“Wanna know why I’ma asshole?” he slurred.

“Why?” she asked as she slid into bed next to him.

“Cause… I have a crush on Leah.”

“You have a crush on Leah?” she reiterated slowly.

He nodded, pouting in guilt. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.”

“Max.”

“I’m horrible. I’ma asshole Liz.”

She sighed and climbed into bed next to him. “You’re not an asshole Max. You can’t control who you like,” she said, failing to admit her own little crush she had on Kyle. Knowing how jealous he got, she chose to keep quiet.

“I have a crush on Leah when you’re the one I’m in love with.”

She stopped, frozen by his words. It took awhile to get her mouth to work again. “You… what?” She smiled as she gazed down at her inebriated boyfriend. “You’re in love with me?”

Still sulking, he nodded. “Are you in love with me too?”

She nodded eagerly, elated and cupping his face. “I am.”

He smiled as if he’d found the cure for cancer. “Good.”

“I love you,” she mumbled against his lips.

“I love you too.”

TBC………...

Wednesday :wink:
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

New part! After about a billion years. I’m actually nervous about posting again. :? I hope it doesn’t suck lol… Enjoy! :wink:

<center>Chapter 8</center>

Normally, the delicious smell of breakfast in the morning was more than welcome to Max. But as he rolled over, his stomach flipped and he immediately felt nauseous and he had no doubt it was due to the amount of alcohol he’d consumed the night before.

Grasping his head in pain, he sat up, noticing his best friend still asleep beside him. He climbed out of bed, wincing against the morning light streaming in through the window as he staggered into the hallway, intent on making a run for the bathroom.

He felt better after he emptied his stomach and he worked on washing the smell of alcohol off him. The last thing he needed was to be grounded again for drinking.

He wandered into the kitchen, finding Nancy flipping pancakes as she watched the morning news on the small TV on the counter.

“Morning Mrs. P,” he greeted as he slide into the nearest seat.

“Good morning Max. Where’s your partner in crime?”

“Still snoring her head off.”

She glanced at him out the corner of her eye and Max knew he was in trouble for something. “You know I got up early this morning and decided to check in on my baby girl and guess what… or should I say who I found in her bed.”

“Who?” he asked, feigning innocence.

“Max…”

“You never had a problem with me sleeping over before,” he argued, throwing in a pout that he knew she couldn’t resist.

She sighed as she turned off the fire under the pancakes. “Well, now that you and Liz are dating…”

“I’d never disrespect you and Mr. P like that,” he said honestly.

“And I know that Max. I trust you and Liz to be responsible,” she admitted. “But…”

Max winced, knowing that this was going to be another one of those talks. His mother had given him one a few years ago and it was just as embarrassing now as it was then.

“I know it’s kind of cliché to say this, Max but, sex really does complicate things if you and your partner aren’t mature enough to deal with it. And I know you kids are growing up in a different time than I did, but sex is still a serious issue and it’s not something to be taken lightly.”

“I know that Mrs. P.”

“Good, because whether you’re with Liz or someone else, make sure you know what you’re doing and please, please…”

“I know Mrs. P,” he assured her with a small smile. “I’ll be careful.”

“You’re a good kid, Max.” She warmly patted his cheek before she stood to finish breakfast.

He and Liz weren’t even ready for that step yet and he wasn’t too sure that they would be any time soon, especially when he couldn’t keep his wandering eyes away from another beautiful girl.

But as much as Max admired another girl, he’d never dream of betraying a girlfriend of his; let alone his best friend especially after what his cheating father was putting them through.

“Thinking pretty hard there aren’t you?” Nancy teased when she noticed his pensive frown.

A slight twitch of his lips was the only sort of resemblance to a smile that he could muster as his thoughts were still with his family’s problems.

“Are you okay?” He nodded as he picked at the stack of pancakes she had just placed before him. He was feeling nauseous again and the last thing he wanted was to eat. “Did you and Liz have a fight or something?”

“No. It has nothing to do with Liz.”

“Ah,” she concluded, “So there is something wrong. Tell me. You know I’m a good listener,” she smiled fondly, brushing back his hair as she would her own daughter when she was upset. She and Jeff considered Max to be very much part of their family and treated him as their own son.

“It’s just… Do you know why my Mom has been acting so strange lately?”

Nancy bit her lip, not wanting to tell the teen anything that her best friend didn’t want him to know. “Why? Do you think you know?”

“I know all about what my Dad is doing.”

From the sad look in her eyes, Max knew that she had already known.

“Max, it’s got nothing to do with you. Your parents haven’t been happy for a long time…”

Max held up his hand to stop her. He really wasn’t in the mood for an inspirational talk right now. “I know all that. But it still hurts.”

“I’m sorry, Max.”

He nodded his thanks before he pushed away from the table. “I’m headed back to bed. Can I crash here for a few days? I don’t think I can handle going home right now.”

“Of course sweetheart. You’re always welcome here.”

Liz was still dead to the world when he returned to her room. Max crawled under the sheets and buried his face in the cool pillow. He drifted off to sleep in no time.
**********

Liz stepped into the Crashdown and immediately spotted her friends sitting in the corner booth at the back of the restaurant. She waved at Alex, who was manning the counter and Mr. Whitman who was standing behind the register as she passed.

Liz had woken to Max still asleep beside her. She had tried to wake him up but after having him growl at her a few times, she got the hint.

“Oh my God! What is this?” Tess shrieked as Liz slid into the booth. “Do my eyes deceive me or is Liz Parker here without her right hand man on a Sunday?”

Liz rolled her eyes at her friend overly dramatic show. Liz and Max always spent their Sundays together, no matter what ever since they were young. It was only on rare occasion they weren’t joined at the hip on a Sunday.

“Max had a little too much to drink last night so I thought I’d let him sleep in.”

That and the fact that she was still trying to process what Max had told her the night before. She thought about Max’s crush on Leah after he’d passed out and she hadn’t realized how much it bothered her until she really thought about it. Regardless of her own crush on Kyle and the fact that Max told her he was in love with her, she couldn’t help but feel jealous. Can you really be in love with someone even though you have a crush on someone else?

“You and me are going to have a talk later,” Maria said.

Liz nodded. She should’ve known that Maria would know something was up.

Alex soon joined the small group and quickly caught Liz’s attention when he pulled Leah close and pressed his lips against her temple. “This is interesting,” she said, smiling at the couple. It was no secret that Alex had a thing for Leah and Liz wondered why every guy seemed to be caught up in her.

Not that she and Liz weren’t good friends. Liz had nothing against the younger girl, but she had managed to capture her boyfriend and her friend’s attention and she hadn’t been in town but a month. What ever her secret, Liz wanted to be let in on it.

As Liz studied her friend, she realized what the guys saw in her. She was beautiful nonetheless, incredibly sweet, albeit shy but all around friendly with a quirky sense of humor. She hated to think it, but she figured Leah’s dark skin tone was a contributing factor too. There wasn’t much variety in Roswell and Leah was a nice change of pace.

“When did this happen?” she asked, gesturing to the cuddling couple.

“I told her that I had a thing for her Friday night,” Alex explained, “And we got together after you guys left the party yesterday.”

Leah ducked her head as a blush darkened her coffee colored cheeks. “It’s been the happiest eight-teen hours of my life,” he whispered against her.

“Awww,” the girls at the table sighed.

“Aren’t they cute?” Maria cooed.

It was then that Liz noticed how close Maria and Michael were sitting. “And what’s going on here?” Tess laughed, noticing the couple too. “You two finally decided to come out of hiding?”

Knowing they were caught, Michael pulled his girl closer and against the jeers of his friends, planted a wet kiss on her lips for show. He had been waiting to do that in public for a long time now. “It was her idea. She didn’t want to be seen sucking face with a hardass jock,” he laughed.

“It wasn’t that,” she quickly denied. “I just wanted you all to myself for awhile before everyone got in our business.”

“That and Michael didn’t want anyone to see how Maria turned him into a softy,” Alex teased. His comment earned him a harsh glare and the middle finger from Michael to which Alex just laughed off.

“Liz?”

Liz twisted in her seat to find a grinning Kyle standing beside their booth. She found herself returning his smile. “Hey Kyle.”

“Hey. Hi guys,” he greeted the rest of the group. He was greeted warmly, though Maria kept a suspicious eye on him as he asked Liz out for a walk. To her surprise, Liz eagerly agreed and the two were out the door before she could say anything.

“I’m surprised you aren’t with Evans today,” Kyle started as they stepped out onto the busy sidewalk. “Today is Sunday isn’t it?”

Liz laughed. “Yeah, but this Sunday is an exception I guess.”

“With him hogging you all the time, I’ll take any time with you that I can get.”

Liz sighed. As much as she liked him, she knew what he was trying to do and she wasn’t about to betray Max like that. “Kyle…”

He held his heads up in surrender. “I know. I know you’re with Evans. He’s been rubbing it in my face for a month now. But we’re friends right?” At her nod, his smile widened. “Well friends should spend time together. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“No. I guess not.”

“Good.” He smiled and stuffed his hands deep into his pockets.

“So, now that we’ve established that we’re friends, I have a bone to pick with you,” she said, teasingly narrowing her eyes.

“What’d I do?”

Friends are supposed to respond to their friends invite to their birthday party,” she growled, jabbing her finger against his bicep. “Friends are also supposed to get each other birthday gifts, which I received none from one Mr. Kyle Valenti.”

“Um… about that…”

“Oh is that stuttering I hear?” she teased. “So what’s your excuse?”

He shrugged as if it were no big deal. “I knew Evans was going to be there and I thought that if I showed up… I just didn’t want our beef to interrupt your birthday.”

Liz nodded, a small smile tugging on her lips as she studied him. He really was a sweet guy. A bit of a jock, but a sweet jock. “Well thank you for your consideration,” she laughed as she looped her arm through his.

“That’s me. Considerate Kyle.”

“Where are we going by the way?” she asked.

Again he shrugged, the corners of his lips tugging upward as if he didn’t have a care in the world. And to him, as long as he was with her, he didn’t.

“To the park I guess,” he answered. He scratched behind his ear, a move that distinctively reminded her of Max when he was either thinking or nervous. These two had more in common than they thought.

Liz laughed at the thought. “I seriously don’t know why you and Max don’t get along. You two have so much in common.”

“Well,” he drawled. “I guess we do have a lot in common. More than you’re aware of.”

Liz was aware of his eyes locked on her and it didn’t take long to figure out what that meant. Both Max and Kyle had feelings for her and unnoted to them, both of their feelings were recuperated.

“But right now,” his arm slipped around her waist and he fought back a yell of triumph when she didn’t pull away. “Evans has something that I want.”

“Which is?” she dumbly asked, absorbed by his scent. She wondered what soap he used.

“I think you can figure that one out, Liz.”

Liz expelled a gasping breath. What was she doing out here with him when she had a perfectly good boyfriend back at home? The guilt rose as she and Kyle fell into step and she leaned into his sturdy body as they came upon the park entrance.

She stepped away, ashamed at having led him on. “Look Kyle… I…”

“I know Liz,” he chuckled. “Look I don’t want to confuse you or cause trouble between you and Evans, but I just think that you should know how I feel. Because I think you feel the same.”

Her protest sounded phony even to her ears. “What? Kyle, no. Max and I, we… I love him.”

Again he smirked; cool as a cucumber as if he knew exactly what was going on in her mind. “Okay. But how much of that is true love?”

Liz frowned, choosing to act as if she had no idea what he was talking about. But she knew and the truth smacked her so hard it almost knocked her down. How much of her love for Max and his for her was true love and how much of it was just the love of best friends?

For seventeen years she and Max had been closer than any two friends could get. It was only natural to love him. How could she not? But could she have mistaken that for being in love with him?

“So, despite not showing up to your party, I have a gift for you.”

Liz smiled, glad for the change in subject. “What is it?”

He dug into his pocket and when his hand resurfaced, he produced a necklace with a seashell cut into a shape of a heart dangling from the end.

“Remember before we started fourth grade and we all went to summer camp? You and I were partnered up on that treasure hunt but you wanted to visit the lake. So we wandered off and played on the beach. When we got back, the hunt was over and Max and Alex had won and I was mad because they got those new basketballs… the one with all the colors.”

She smiled at the memory. “And I gave you this seashell I found since I made you miss the hunt. I can’t believe you kept it.”

“Yeah well…”

“Thank you, Kyle.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug and kissed his cheek. “Happy birthday, Liz.”

TBC……
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

I know you guys are worried but Dreamer insurance is being offered. And I’d advise you to hold on to it tightly throughout the story, starting with this part. I’m a die hard dreamer, and I get queasy with UC fics myself but I wanted to try something different with this story. I hope you all decide to stick with this, but if not, I understand.

Enjoy! :wink:

<center>Chapter 9</center>

Reaching from beneath the warmth of her sheets, Liz hit the snooze button on her alarm and settled back into her pillow. She could hear Max’s faint snoring from where he slept on the cot her father had made for him on the other side of the room.

After Liz returned home from the Crashdown, she ran into Max who was leaving to grab a few clothes from his house. He found both of his parents waiting for him in the living room. From what Max told her, they confirmed that Phillip would be moving in with his new girlfriend, although she wasn’t so new since Phillip had been seeing her for over a year.

Max was devastated and he and Liz had stayed up most of the night talking. Now Liz was bone tired, increasing her hatred for Monday mornings.

The alarm buzzed again five minutes later. Groaning, she chucked a pillow across the room at Max before she rolled out of bed. “Max, time to get up.”

“Go without me,” he mumbled into his pillow.

“No,” she laughed, yanking the sheets from his grip. “You’re my ride.”

She pecked his puckered lips in a sweet kiss and laughingly danced out of his grasp when he tried to pull her in for more.

“Let’s get ready before we’re late.”

“You mean like we are every other day,” he laughed.

“Exactly.”

“I call the bathroom first,” he yelled, already jumping out of the cot. In a rush, he grabbed his clothes on the way to the door.

Liz pouted. “What happened to ladies first?” she whined. “I thought that was set in stone rule.”

“Oh that was overturned when you used all the hot water and had me showering in icicles the last time,” he retorted over his shoulder.

Liz laughed, rolling her eyes when she heard the bathroom door shut.

After breakfast, the two climbed into Max’s jeep and sped off towards school. It was an unseasonably warm November day and Liz had opted to just wear her West Roswell sweatshirt.

Noticing the pensive look on her best friend’s face, Liz turned down the blaring radio and turned to face him.

“You’ve been really quiet,” she noted with a gentle smile. “You okay?”

He smiled, though she could immediately tell something was on his mind. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”

“About what?”

He brought their clasped hands up to his lips and lightly kissed her knuckles. “Us.”

“Me too,” she sighed.

“Yeah?”

She nodded, squeezing his fingers gently. She hadn’t had the valor to talk to Max about their recent situation; that being her growing feelings for Kyle Valenti, his so called enemy. She had no idea how he would react when she did, though she could expect that she had some leeway since he had confessed his own crush on Leah, to which he hadn’t brought up since the night of her party.

Regardless, they needed to talk. “Do you think that we could go somewhere after school to talk?” she asked as he whipped the jeep into a parking spot at the far back of the school.

“I have basketball practice. Coach wants to start early this year. We can go afterwards.”

The two grabbed their things and made the trek across the parking lot hand in hand.

“I seriously don’t understand why you won’t pay for the parking permit so you can park closer,” she complained.

“I’m not paying twenty-five dollars for that thing? It’s ridiculous!”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Max it’s like a five mile walk from that spot.”

“You need the exercise,” he retorted to which he was immediately smacked for saying.

“I can’t believe you just said that to me!” she growled over his hiss of pain.

“I didn’t mean it like that. Jeez!” he laughed, rubbing the sore spot on his arm. “I meant to get in shape for tennis. You have that big tournament coming up don’t you?”

“Yeah, but you could’ve said in a nicer way,” she pouted. “Besides, I’m not the one who’s let myself go.” She patted his stomach for emphasis, though there was nothing but hard abs underneath.

He stopped just within the doors of the school and looked at her as if she had completely lost her mind. “What are you talking about? I’m in the best shape of my life.”

She smirked, knowing that she got to him. “You keep telling yourself that, Max,” she sung as she danced away from him.

“Okay, maybe you’re right,” he said as she followed her towards her locker through the throng of students. “But just you wait until I get into college. I’ll be ripped and you’ll be wishing you never doubted me.”

Liz couldn’t help but laugh when he proceeded to flex for her. She couldn’t help but enjoy the show either, as did plenty of other girls in the hallway watching.

“Stop before you make every girl in here pass out.”

His smile was bright. Too bright if you asked Liz and she knew she just led a helping hand in inflating that ego of his. “Its good right?” he shoved his muscled bicep in her face as she tried to concentrate on getting the books she’d need out of her locker. “Kiss it.”

“Max! I am not…”

“You know you want to. This luscious piece of flesh…”

“Okay, is it me or have all the guys gone crazy?” Maria queried as she and Tess walked towards the couple. “Max, is making out with his bicep, Michael is sweet talking his hair…”

“So,” Max said. “It makes it grow.”

Michael and Max knocked fists in show of male unity. “Thank you! At least someone understands.”

Maria rolled her eyes before turning to Liz. There was actually a specific reason she and Tess had come over. “We have to talk to you girl. So, if you guys would just give us a moment…”

Both boys blinked in confusion, waiting for Maria to

“She means leave you jerk offs!” Tess growled, when they made no move to leave them be.

Both Michael and Max jumped into action, ignoring the girls’ comments about their density. “I’ll see you later?” Max said, and much to Maria and Tess’ protests, he took his sweet time wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.

She smiled, letting herself be enveloped in him as he leaned in. “Of course.”

Max waited for Michael to finish kissing on Maria before the two trotted off.

“So, what’s up guys?”

“Where’d you get the necklace Liz?” Maria asked, fingering the chain that was practically hidden by Liz’s sweatshirt. Liz silently cursed Maria.

“A friend gave it to me,” she answered causally.

“And this friend wouldn’t happen to be named Kyle would it?”

“Okay, enough with this tactful shit! What the hell is going on with you and Kyle?” Tess blurted out, waving her pretty manicured hands in the air.

“What are you talking about? Nothing’s going on…” Liz was interrupted however by Maria’s snort.

Dodging Tess’ waving hands, Maria stepped in front of the hyper girl. “Liz, I saw the way you were looking at him when he showed up at the Crashdown the other day. What’s going on with you two?”

Biting her lip, Liz knew she was caught. Were her feelings for Kyle that obvious? And if they were, if Max could tell, she knew the results of that would be disastrous.

“I promise you that nothing is going on with us. But…”

“But what?” Tess shrieked, bouncing in her heels as she eagerly waited for Liz to spill. Though she couldn’t quite wait the two seconds it took Liz to open her mouth and respond. So she took matters into her own hands. “He still has the hots for you, doesn’t he? I knew it! That boy has it bad for you. Then why the hell did you two break up before?”

Shaking her head at her friend, Liz calmly answered her, amused at how Tess and Maria loved to hear about Liz’s love life. “Yes, he still likes me. And we broke up the first time because I thought I had a chance with Max when he broke up with that Jennifer chick.”

“And?” Maria urged. “I’m guessing from that 2000 watt smile you were sporting yesterday, you still like him too.”

Cringing and feeling terribly guilty, Liz nodded. Tess erupted into a roar as soon as she did. “I knew it!! God, I’m like a freakin genius.” She turned to Maria, sporting a wide smile. “Didn’t I tell you? What are you going to do, Liz?”

“I haven’t really figured it out yet.” She let out a pitiful sigh, hoping it would help ease some of her confusion. “I really like Kyle. I mean, he’s sweet, funny, nice…”

“Goregous,” Maria added, to which Tess agreed to.

“Yeah. But so is Max. He’s my best friend. Oh! Did you know that he has a crush on Leah though?”

If Liz wasn’t she confused, she wouldn’t laughed at how low both girls’ jaws dropped. “What?!”

“And you’re not jealous?” Tess yelped. “Girl, I’d have blown a gasket by now.”

“We know,” Maria quipped dryly.

“Of course I’m jealous. But I can’t necessarily be mad since I have this thing with Kyle and…”

“Okay. So, how do you even know this?”

“Max told me when he got drunk at my party. I don’t think he remembers it though. He told me that he was in love with me, but… I’m not sure that he really meant it.”

“He had to,” Maria reasoned. “Max is not the kind of guy that would just throw that around like that.”

“Yeah, but he was drunk and I’m not sure if he was confusing loving me as a best friend and being in love with me.”

“Why would you think that?” Tess asked.

She spotted the subject of their conversation just down the hall, his varsity jacket always on his back. He was gorgeous, built like a great athlete. He was her best friend’s enemy, but she couldn’t help but be attracted.

“Because that’s what I did.”

She and Max definitely had to talk.
************

Liz stepped to the side as a group of jocks came barreling out of the locker room, most of them still wet from their showers. She ignored the few catcalls she heard and instead turned her attention Kyle who was headed right for her.

He smiled when he caught her eye. “Waiting for me, beautiful?”

“No. But keep calling me beautiful and I’ll lie and say I was,” she giggled.

He causally leaned against the wall behind him and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “So Liz, you have any plans for tomorrow?”

“No. Why?”

He shrugged. “I was thinking you and I could do something…”

“Kyle, how many times…”

“I know,” he laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. “I mean just as friends. If I can’t have you the way I want you, then I’d at least like to be friends.”

“I don’t know Kyle…” She momentarily lot of train of thought when he took her hand. “Max…”

“What about Max?” Liz whipped around, not surprised to see a fuming Max. She jerked her hand from Kyle’s grasp as the two boys exchanged glares.

“Evans.”

“Valenti.” The only civility the boys could manage was a stiff nod. Liz often wondered how they were able to play on the same football and basketball team with the animosity between them.

“Ready Liz?” Max intentionally pulled Liz against him, throwing Kyle a smile of triumph over her head.

“Yeah. Um… I’ll see you later Kyle.”

Kyle simply smiled as Max dragged Liz away. “Sure. I’ll call you about our date tomorrow.”

Max’s arm around Liz’s waist tightened and Liz quickened her pace, praying that Max kept his mouth shut and continued down the hall.

“It’s not a date,” she explained. “He just wanted to hang out.”

“Fucking Valenti,” Max growled under his breath.

The ride out to the desert was quiet, both lost in their own thoughts. Max wondered what Liz wanted to talk about. It was obvious that she had something on her mind. He had seen that crease in her forehead many times before.

“You’re going to short circuit your brain thinking that hard.” She shot him a disapproving look as he pulled the jeep to a stop. “So. You wanted to talk?”

“Yeah.” She cleared her throat, wishing he wasn’t her best friend and she could just do away with him. Instead, she decided to just jump head first into it.

She took off her seat belt, turned towards him and pulled her feet onto the seat. “Max, do you remember anything from the night you got drunk at my party?”

Max frowned, wondering what that had to do with anything. “Not really. Why?” His eyes widened as he came to his own conclusion before Liz could open her mouth. “I didn’t try to moon the neighbor’s dog again, did I?” he groaned.

“No,” she smiled, remembering that night quite clearing. “Okay, so I guess you don’t remember telling me that you have a crush on Leah.”

“What? Liz I…”

“Max, if it’s true, I’m not going to get mad. I just…”

“Liz…” Trying to come up with a good excuse to stop the inevitable was impossible. He had never lied to Liz before and he wasn’t about to start now. It wasn’t fair to either of them to keep this going on. “It’s true. I’m sorry, Liz.”

She nodded, not realizing him admitting it was going to hurt as much as it did. “So then when you said that you were in love with me then I’m guessing that wasn’t true.”

“I don’t… No. I don’t think…” He stuttered, trying to come up with an explanation. Sure he cared for Liz. And yeah, he loved her, but he didn’t think he was in love with her. So, then why did he say it?

“I love you as a friend Liz. You know that. But…”

“You’re not in love with me,” she finished.

He turned towards her, studying her with narrowed eyes. “You’re… not in love with me are you?”

“Oh. God no!”

He recoiled at her outburst. “Liz!”

She laughed at his pout. “I didn’t mean it like that… I just think that we confused what we feel for each other for something else.” She frowned at how that sounded. “That didn’t come out right.”

He smiled, understanding her completely like a best friend would. “No I get it.”

Silence enveloped then for a few moments before Liz spoke up again. “Max?”

“Yeah?”

“I have another confession.”

He nodded. “You like Valenti?”

If he wasn’t so busy keeping his anger in check, he would have laughed at the expression on her face. “How the hell did you know that?”

“I guess I’ve always kind of known that you still had a thing for him, but didn’t want to admit it. But when I saw you two today, there was no denying it.”

“Oh.”

“And the extremely guilty look on your face kinda gave it away too,” he pointed out.

“Max, I’m sorry. I don’t know how it happened.” When he only nodded, Liz grew suspicious. She expected a huge explosion of jealousy and all she got was a nod. “You’re taking this really well. What’s gotten into you?”

“I have a crush on someone else too. I’d be a hypocrite if I went crazy on you,” he admitted albeit through clinched teeth. It took him all that he had to keep himself in check. He concentrated on gripping the steering wheel, his knuckles turning a ghostly white as he tried to get a handle on his jealousy.

“Max, I don’t think this is going to work,” she sighed. “I mean we hooked up hours after we both got out of relationships. We just jumped into this thing and look where we are.”

“Yeah. But…hypothetically speaking,” he wondered, shooting her a sideways glance. “Can you see yourself in love… with me?”

She expelled a long breath, at a lost on how to answer. But the more she thought about it, the more she could see it. She could see her and Max happy and in love with a great marriage and it scared the hell out of her. She was no where near ready for that.

“Yeah. I can.”

He let out a painful sigh. “Me too,” he groaned. “This just got a hell of a lot more complicated.”

Silence feel over then once more as they tried to come to terms with their relationship.

“People fall out of love,” Max blurted out suddenly. “Look what’s happening with my parents. I’d never want to hurt you like that Liz. And if we both have feelings for other people then…”

“Maybe we’re not ready for this relationship. Maybe it was never meant to be,” she finished.

“You’re my best friend Liz. I don’t want to lose that over this. I’m not ready to put our friendship on the line.”

She nodded, agreeing whole-heartedly. “Do you know how many friendships die because they get involved and it doesn’t work out? I don’t want that to happen to us. As much as I hate to admit it… and I swear if you gloat about this I’ll kick your ass… but I need you Max.”

“You’re my backbone,” he admitted honestly.

She smiled brightly. “You’re mine.”

Max wondered if it was possible to be relieved and feel dread all at the same time. “So this means no more making out?” he teased.

“Yeah,” she laughed. “Sorry buddy.” She patted his shoulder in mock sympathy.

“I know you’re going to miss my earth shattering kisses.”

She snorted. “Yeah right.”

“Our moms are going to be so disappointed.”

“Yeah.” Her smile weakened as they fell into silence, both wondering if they had resolved the issue or just made the biggest mistake of their lives.

TBC…….
Image
Be at Peace MJ
User avatar
sweetbrowneyes
Addicted Roswellian
Posts: 304
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 9:07 am
Location: The gloved one (Michigan)
Contact:

Post by sweetbrowneyes »

Hey everyone. Sorry for the wait, but I haven't had any time to sit down and write. But I finally finished the part so I hope you enjoy. :wink:

<center>Chapter 10</center>

Max rolled onto his back with a grunt, slowly coming awake as his cell phone rung constantly by his bedside.

His eyes still blurry with sleep, he reached for his phone and flipped it open. Quickly reading the new message and realizing who it was from, Max cursed, tossed his phone across the room and rolled back over. He was snoring again within seconds.

It was Diane who found an irritated Liz standing on the other side of her front door. She smiled and stepped aside to let the girl she considered a daughter into her home.

Noticing her look, Diane couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’d he do now?”

“He’s supposed to be my ride to tennis practice. Mrs. E, do I have your permission to murder your son?” she asked seriously.

“I’m sorry dear,” Diane laughed. “But he’s all I have now so you’ll have to find another way to torture him.”

Liz’s frown dissolved into a sympathetic smile. “How are you doing by the way?”

A shadow passed over the older woman’s features and Liz tried to tame her anger for Phillip Evans. “Better since Max came home a last week.” She smiled and turned Liz in the direction of her son’s room. “Don’t you worry abut me. I’m a strong ol’ gal. I’ll get by. Besides, in a little while you’ll be calling me Mrs. W.” After the divorce is finalized in a few months she’d go back to her maiden name. Diane Winchester. “It’s got a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Unexpectedly, Liz turned, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug. Liz had been close with the Evans family since she was born and it felt like her own family was falling apart. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sweetie. You go in there and rip my son a new one,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “For me.”

Liz laughed and mocked saluted. “With pleasure.”

Liz pushed open Max’s door, not surprised to find him still curled under his sheets, dead asleep.

Dropping her bag, Liz stalked to his side. She grabbed his bicep and pinched as hard as she could. He awoke with a tortured scream and Liz smiled with satisfaction.

“Liz what the hell is wrong with you?” he screeched in an uncharacteristically high tone. Liz didn’t bother to her hide amusement at his pain. “You know I bruise easily,” he whined.

“Oh you do not,” she scoffed, glancing at the clock. She was so late for practice. “Come on Max!”

His gaze still hazy from sleep, he pulled the sheets up to his chin and rolled over, fully intending on falling back to sleep whether Liz wanted to leave or not. “You can stand there all you want, but I’m going back to sleep. It’s too early for this.”

Now fuming, Liz ripped the sheets from his grasp, revealing his bare chest and boxers. Even though the two had broken up a couple of weeks ago, she couldn’t deny that the attraction was still there. It had always been there, but it was deeply hidden. But neither of them thought that the obvious attraction was enough reason to be in a relationship especially when they both had feelings for other people.

Though it had been awkward at first, eventually the two best friends feel back into their easy friendship and was just as close as they ever were.

“Hey lazy, its one o’clock, and you were supposed to take me to tennis practice a half hour ago. Our big tournament is a couple of weeks and…”

He cursed as he sprung out of bed and promptly ran about his room. He completely forgot. Liz simply stood to the side, watching with amusement as he frantically gathered his things.

While she waited, Liz spotted his cell phone lying across the room. She scooped it up and unabashedly flipped it open and went through his messages. “What’s your phone doing all the way over here?”

Without missing a beat as he shimmied into his jeans, he answered, “I threw it.”

She gestured wildly with her hands when he failed to explain anything more. “Why is there a text from Jessica on here?” she queried as she eyed the message from his ex.

He shrugged it off. “She’s been calling me ever since she found out that I was single again. It’s no big deal.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously as he hid his guilty face in his shirt as he pulled it over his head. “Max,” she warned.

“What?” he said with an innocent smile.

“Max you know how weak you are. I swear if you’re even thinking of getting back with that wench…”

“I’m not, okay.” He groaned as he stuffed his feet into his shoes. “Aren’t I allowed to talk to other people?”

“No,” she answered quickly. “Because I know how you are. All she has to do is flutter her lashes and you’ll be in her web again. Besides, I thought you liked Leah. She is the girl you left me for,” she teased.

“Excuse me,” he gasped. “You are not the victim in this relationship. Do you know how many nights I stayed up crying over you?”

“Zero.”

Max laughed as he grabbed his keys and the two headed out of his room. He’d have to come back after he dropped Liz off to brush his teeth and freshen up.

“That’s because my pain is internal Liz,” he teased. “Mom, we’re leaving,” he announced to his mother who was busy chatting on the phone in the kitchen.

Diane clamped her hand over the phone’s mouth piece. “Okay. Be careful!”

“We will!” They called in unison.

Diane watched as the two headed out of the house, playfully arguing back and forth. She and Nancy had been crushed when they learned that the two had broken up. They were so perfect for each other and it seemed that the mothers were more enthusiastic about their relationship then Max and Liz were. Call it intuition, but she knew that eventually they would find each other.

They were still so young and some experience with other people would do them good. She didn’t want them going down the same road she went with her future ex-husband. She knew that it would take time before they realized the heart stopping love that could develop between them was already within reach.

Outside, Liz tossed her bag into the back seat before climbing in the jeep. “So why are you even talking to Jessica?”

“I mean it’s not like there’s anyone else. I can’t necessarily make a move on Leah when she’s with Alex, I couldn’t do that to him.”

She glanced at him out the corner of her eye. “So what are you going to do?”

He shrugged. “There’s nothing I can do. Just watch them be happy while I’m in misery.”

Grabbing his hand in a supportive gesture, Liz smiled sadly.

Max smiled, grateful for his friendship in Liz. If he was completely honest with himself, he could admit that he did miss being with Liz. After dating for two months, it had taken him awhile to get used to the fact that he could no longer kiss her or hold her like he wanted. But he had growing feelings for someone else and he didn’t want that to ruin the friendship he cherished the most.

After arriving over forty-five minutes late and apologizing profusely, Liz joined Leah on the court while Max left, only to return later freshly showered and properly fed.

During their break, Liz headed over to speak with their coach about their upcoming tournament as Leah strode towards Max, enticing a wide smile out of him.

“Hey.”

“Hi Max.” She smiled as she reached for her water bottle. “You impress me,” she said as she took a seat next to him. “You’re here for every practice. Not many guys are willing to give up any time to watch their friends practice. You’re almost as dedicated as some of the players,” she laughed.

He shrugged as if it were nothing “Yeah, well Liz would do me bodily harm if I were anything less than loyal. I mean she’s small but she can get quite violent if she wanted to.”

She smiled and his stomach flipped. “Still, I think it’s sweet that you’re so loyal to her.”

“I’m not here to support just her you know,” he added, throwing her a smile. She ducked her head as she fiddled with her water bottle and he cursed Alex for getting to her before he did.

“So,” she started, obviously wanting to change the subject. “How’s your mom doing?”

Max scratched behind his ear, a little unnerved that everyone now knew what was going on in his home life. Usually Liz was the only who knew. “Better, she’s handling it pretty well and it kinda makes me think she knew about his affair way in advance.”

“I’m sorry, Max.” Her eyes genuinely compassionate, he found immediate comfort.

“It sucks, but we’re still living so…” he shrugged as if it were no biggy though he couldn’t deny how much it hurt.

“I know how you feel,” she sipped from her bottle and leaned back against the bleachers, her gaze landing across the tennis courts. “My parents divorced when I was nine. My little brother and I have different mothers. My um… my biological Mom was an alcoholic and had a gambling problem. She just threw my Dad and me aside while she went out and gambled all night.”

Max cleared his throat, hoping it didn’t crack. “My father never was there for me. He started another family and got his mistress pregnant so… yeah I know how you feel when you say it feels like she threw you aside.”

She wrapped her arm around his, seeking solace as well as giving it. “So do you ever talk to her?... Your mom I mean?”

Her eyes downcast, she brushed a single curl behind her ear. “She died when I was twelve. She got behind the wheel drunk after having lost one hundred thousand dollars that she didn’t have.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugged. “Shit happens.”

His eyes shot to hers. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you curse,” he teased. “I didn’t think you had it in you Leah.” He jabbed hr lightly with his elbow, trying to lighten the dark mood that had fallen over them.

“I have a dark side,” she claimed.

“Really,” he challenged, his eye brows raised. She was just too sweet to have a dark side.

“Yes,” she said defiantly. “Just last week I drank milk right from the carton.”

Max gasped as if she had committed a crime. “Wow! I didn’t know you were so rough. I’m not sure I’m safe around you.”

She laughed as she punched his arm. “Shut up.”

“Leah!” Both turned to find Liz waving her over and their coach looking less than pleased that she was chatting with Max and not thinking about their big tournament.

“I guess I’d better go.”

Max nodded, watching with dread as she stood and headed towards Liz and Coach Roberts.

At the last minute, she turned around, flashing him a shy smile. “Hey Max?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you uh… do you want to come over tonight? I mean hang out and watch a few movies?”

She looked so hopeful and Max’s heart raced. “Sure,” he answered excitedly. “How’s eight sound?”

“Great.” She smiled once more before running towards Liz and Coach Roberts. It took a long time before Max could wipe the goofy grin off his face.
************

Liz gave herself the once over in her full length mirror, pleased with her jeans and dark sweater. She wore light makeup and her hair was slightly curled, just the way Kyle liked it.

She smiled at her reflection before she glanced at the clock. He’d be there to pick her up for their date. They had gone out once before. He had asked her as soon as he found out that she and Max had broken up and without the guilt of cheating on Max weighing her down, Liz eagerly accepted.

“Am I that easy to get over?” a deep voice sounded behind her. Liz whirled around to find Max leaning against her door frame, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Like you’ve spent your time pining for me while you’re straining your neck to catch a glimpse of Leah.” She retorted as she turned her attention back to her reflection. He had been in a sour mood since she had let it slip that she had a date with Kyle. She just didn’t understand why they couldn’t get along.

“What ever are you talking about?” He said as he threw himself onto her bed. He bounced against the pillows and immediately reached for the remote.

“Max you follow her every move. It’s almost kind of stalker-ish the way you watch her.”

“Oh look whose talking. I can’t believe you’re going out with that asshole.”

She chose to ignore him and instead finished putting the final touches on her makeup.

“I thought you were going over Leah’s tonight.” She noticed the sudden uncertain look on his face and sighed. “What is it?”

He sat up and flipped on her TV. “You don’t think what I’m doing is wrong, do you? I mean, we’re just hanging out, but I can’t help but feel like I’m going behind Alex’s back. I mean, it’s like hanging out with Maria, or Tess or you… there shouldn’t be anything different about this. There’s nothing wrong with watching a few movies…”

“Max, you’re rambling,” she laughed. When he buried his face in her pillow with a loud groan, she sat beside him, comfortingly rubbing his back. “Max, you’re a great friend, with a big heart. I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt Alex. And yes, if you over there without certain expectations, then this will be no different than you hanging out with me or anyone else.”

Comforted by her assurance, Max managed a small smile. “Now, how do I look?” Liz stood and twirled before him, showing off her outfit.

“Valenti doesn’t deserve you,” he grumbled.

“Well, get over it, because I think he does and that’s all that matters.” With that, she stuck her tongue out at him before she flounced out of her room.
************

Max raised his hand to the door, but stopped mid-knock. As an afterthought, he ran his fingers through his unruly locks before rapping on the door. He waited eagerly, fidgeting with the bag of movies and snacks that he’d brought.

Moments later, the door swung open and he was looking straight at Leah’s smiling face. “Hey Max, I’m glad you made it.”

“Yeah um…” Clearing his throat, he held up the bag he’d brought. “I brought some movies and snacks.”

“Great. Um… my parents went out for the night and my little brother is upstairs asleep so the house is pretty much ours,” she said as she wrapped her arm around his and pulled him through the large oak door. His guilt deepened as she looked up at him from behind the tight curls falling over her eyes. As much as he wished that she were his, it couldn’t happen. He couldn’t do that to his friend. He wasn’t going to be like his father.

Reluctantly, he started to pull his arm from her grasp, but before he could, another body stepped out from the kitchen, blocking their path to the living room.

Tess huffed, pushing her blond curls out of her face. “Leah, Alex burned the popcorn,” she growled, “again. Do you have anymore?”

Leah rolled her eyes. Alex had burned two bags already. “There should be another bag in the cabinet above the sink.”

Tess smiled. “Thanks. Hey Max.” Max’s greeting was unheard over Tess’ loud shriek when she spotted the bag in his hand. “Oh! Are those Cheetos?!” Snatching the bag from Max’s hand, she scampered back into the kitchen

Once she disappeared, Max turned back to Leah. “Um… what’s she doing here?”

Confused by his surprised look, Leah frowned. “Its movie night,” she clarified. “I called Maria, Michael and Alex too. Liz is on a date so…”

Feeling his heart drop in disappointment and his guilt rising to an all time high for even considering that Leah wanted to cheat on Alex, Max masked his features and put on a knowing smile. “Right. Movie night,” he muttered.

“Maria wanted to start a new tradition since this is the last year you seniors will be with us. I volunteered my house first. Didn’t she tell you?”

“Yeah,” he laughed lamely. “I just had a brain fart for a second.”

“Why wouldn’t she be here?” she laughed.

Max scrambled to come up with a quick lie. “I just thought she had a date tonight,” he said. “She mentioned something earlier.”

Her wide grin returned and Max melted. He was starting to realize that he was useless against her smile.

She tugged on his hand, pulling him into the living room where their friends were already seated. “Come on. We’re watching the ‘40 Year Old Virgin’ first.”

“That’s my favorite movie.”

“I know,” she said secretly with a wink.

Soon, Alex and Tess joined the small group in the living room and the movie began. While Alex and Leah cuddled on the sofa across from him, Max tried to enjoy himself. He laughed at the appropriate moments to mask his emotions, all the while, thanking God that Liz wasn’t here. Because she would be the only one to see his heart breaking through his façade.

TBC……
Image
Be at Peace MJ
Locked