Mathers Family Values

Chapter 6

Christmas morning led to exactly what Madelyn had assumed would happen. Malakai rushed into the room.

"Mom, Mave is freaking out," he said.

"About what?" she asked.

"I just saw on Analise's snapchat that she was with Jamison."

Madelyn's eyes widened. Marshall got up and went to check on his son.

"Mave," he said.

"I'm fine dad. She is just a hoe," the teen replied.

"Mave, I'm sorry bud."

Maverick shrugged. He was trying to ignore it rather than admit that it was bothering him. He got up and got ready to open gifts. Madelyn worried about her son but was thankful that the girl was no longer influencing her son. She posted a family message on Maverick's social media. Malakai snuck in a jab at the girl.

"Kai," Madelyn warned.

"What?" he grinned innocently at her.

She shook her head. The other kids arrived at the house. Hailie had big news for them all. She was expecting again. Cade ran around their house being chased by the older kids along with Ava. Marshall snuggled Caleb on the couch while the girls helped Madelyn with dinner. Nathan and his family showed up. It was a good time had by all. Maverick ignored everything that had happened with his girlfriend until Whitney asked about her.

"She is slutting it up with Jamison Michaels apparently," Maverick said.

"Mave," Marshall said.

The boy laughed but they knew it was because he was hurt. Whitney shook her head.

"You deserve better anyway," she told him.

"Dad, is the private school option still there?" he asked.

"If you want," Marshall replied.

Maverick nodded. Marshall nodded back to his son. They would enroll him after Christmas break. He was glad that he wouldn't have to deal with them anymore. It made his day a little better. Madelyn called everyone to the table.

Upon the return to school, Maverick got his electronics back. He settled into the new school quickly. His friends from the other school blew his phone up when he didn't return after break. Including Analise. She didn't leave him alone.

"My brother saw your Snapchat. I know you cheated and I'm done," he messaged her back.

He walked down the hall of the school that he was now in. His parents had cleaned out his locker from the other school.

"Hey you're Maverick Mathers right?" some kid asked.

"Yeah that's me," Maverick said.

"Names Bryce Harris."

Maverick shook the kids hand. He made friends quickly which made his mother happy. She worried about her kids all the time. Malakai had settled in almost as quickly which lessened the concern for the triplets.

It wasn't two weeks at the new school and Maverick had a girlfriend. Her name was Ella Anderson. She was a very sweet girl. He invited her over with some other friends on a weekend.

"Mom, this is Ella," Maverick said.

"Hi, sweetheart," Madelyn smiled.

"It's nice to meet you," the blonde teenage girl grinned.

"You as well."

Bryce had been around a lot since Maverick had met him and had already taken to calling his parents mom and dad. Madelyn and Marshall didn't even mind it. The boy came into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

"Hey mom," he grinned.

"Bryce," she chuckled.

The three teens made their way to the den. Ella was even nice to his siblings which was something Analise was not. She had constantly made fun of the triplets. In particular, Matthew had been a target because of his stutter. Ella showed way more patience with him.

"Mom, I really like her," Maverick said.

"Well don't screw it up then," Madelyn joked.

He rolled his eyes. Their doorbell rang. Myles opened it revealing some of Maverick's old friends.

"Mave," he yelled.

Maverick walked to the front door. He stopped dead when he saw who was at the door. Myles headed off to whatever he was up to. Marshall was gone for some promotion for the foundation.

"What are y'all doing here?" Maverick asked.

"We miss you man," Brock replied.

"I got people over but I guess y'all can join us."

They all headed to the den. Madelyn waited to see what would happen. She was working on something new for a business that she had begun after the triplets had started school. It was more of a hobby that had transferred over into a business.

Down in the den, Maverick sat down next to Ella. Analise and Calleigh were glaring at her. Brock and Bryce got along fairly well. Chris had obviously sided with the two girls. Ella looked at Maverick. He wasn't paying the two girls glaring any attention at all.

"Who are they?" she whispered in his ear.

"The dark haired girl was my girlfriend until she cheated over Christmas break," he admitted.

"And the other?"

"Just her sidekick."

Ella nodded. Maverick shook his head.

"You have nothing to be worried about. You are way better than either one of them, I promise," he said.

She smiled slightly.  Matthew came into the room and stopped for a second.

"Hey Matthew," Ella said.

He waved rather than actually say any words. He refused to talk with Calleigh and Analise around.

"What's up with him?" Ella asked as he left the room.

"The dummy?" Analise asked.

"He isn't dumb. It's just a stutter. A lot of kids have them."

Analise rolled her eyes. Ella shook her head.

"I see why Maverick dropped you," she said.

"Him drop me? Yeah right, I dropped him for someone better," Analise replied.

"Someone as trashy as you probably."

Analise's jaw dropped. Calleigh tried to step in to defend her friend.

"You little whore," she began.

"I don't see a mirror around so you must be talking to your little friend who finds it ok to cheat on people," Ella snapped, "cuz I know you aren't referring to me in that manner."

Maverick told the girls to leave. Analise stormed out of the house with Calleigh not far behind. Maverick just rolled his eyes.

"Th-th-th-thank you," Matthew said to Ella.

"It's nothing Matt. You are a better person than they will ever be," Ella replied.

The kids all lay down to watch a movie.