Hidden Motives

Coffee

Once those thoughts left my head I headed downstairs. Adyline and Maddox were getting ready to leave so I assumed that Maddox had agreed to go. 

"You decided to come?" I asked him.

"Yeah, why not" he responded.

I smiled at him and followed Adyline out the door. 

When we got to the coffee shop I noticed Kailyn and Rene standing in front. It seemed like they were waiting for us. It was still early so the sun hadn't fully gone up yet, but the weather was nice. Just the right amount of cold breeze in the air. 

As we got closer to them I saw a familiar car. It was a black Ferrari and I knew exactly who it belonged to. It was Max. As in Max Payne. 

My thoughts took over and I became frightened. Maddox sensed my panic and squeezed my hand, "It will be ok" he said kindly.

His words calmed me and the tension eased. We got to the spot where Kailyn and Rene were standing and I didn't see Maddox. "Maybe it wasn't his car?" I thought.

"Hey Zara! I missed you! How are you?" Kailyn asked pulling me into a hug. 

"Hi! I am great haha how are you?" I responded.

"Great! Thanks." she laughed.

Then I turned to Rene who said, "Hey Zara! I actually have a surprise for you!"

I looked at him in slight confusion, but said, "Oh ok! I wasn't expecting any surprises!" 

Rene laughed before handing me a shoebox. "Here are the Mochas you wanted. Adyline told me your size so I thought, what better than to surprise her with them on her first day of college! Besides now you can change out of those 270's. These Mochas would look much better."

I laughed and said "Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Rene you are the best! This is so cool! I can't believe it!" 

Rene smiled and said, "Anything for a fellow shoe lover."

I smiled and we walked into the coffee shop. At this point I was so happy about the shoes I forgot about Max. That was until I saw him sitting at the corner booth of the shop. He made eye contact with me and didn't break it. I pulled my eyes away and looked at Adyline who squeezed my hand before saying, "I am so sorry, I wouldn't have asked you to come if I knew he was going to be here!"

"It's ok" I responded. I was kind of happy he was here. It didn't bother me to be close to him and I knew if there was any chance of him liking me Maddox's presence would make him jealous. That's when Maddox looked at me before heading over to Max's table. He couldn't blow his cover. "I'll take a dark coffee," he told me before walking away. 

I watched as he sat across from Max and they began to talk. Max looked irritated which made me smile for some reason. I ordered coffee for Maddox and me before joining Adyline who stood waiting. Kailyn and Rene joined us. After we all got our coffee Rene said "Let's go over to Max and Maddox."

 I froze and Adyline was about to change the subject but I interrupted her by saying, "That's a great idea! Let's go!" I don't know what compelled me to do this, but for some reason, I needed to see what was happening between Max and Maddox. Adyline looked at me concerned, but I maintained my confidence.

We walked over to the table and I handed Maddox his coffee, Max watched me as I did this and I knew he definitely suspected something between us. After all, it seemed odd that we started hanging out after barely talking the day at the theater.

"Hey Max." Adyline whispered.

"Hey" he responded.

"Woah what happened to you two lovebirds? That was awfully unlike you guys" Kailyn asked.

Rene nudged her in the side, but it was too late Adyline had already responded, "We...umm...actually he decided to break up with me."

"Oh..Um...I'm sorry" Kailyn responded awkwardly.

Max's face was blank and he remained silent. 

"Yeah..I better get going" I said. "I want to get a feel for the school."

 Maddox then spoke up "I'll come with you! I have a few books to pick up."

"Sounds good!" I responded.

"What the fuck" Max replied.

I turned back around and said "What?"

"What is up with you two. Are you guys a couple or something? Like seriously, cut the crap!" Max yelled.

"Bro? Are you good? She is going to campus and I was about to go anyway so why is there a problem?" Maddox questioned.

"There isn't any problem. You guys are just acting weird. Maddox do you like her or something? Come on bro we are best friends what's up?!" Max replied a bit irritated.

"You really need to stop acting so weird and nosy!" I said.

"Me! Weird hah" Max laughed. "You're the one who's probably fucking my best friend!"

"Woah what did you say! Why would I do that! And what does Maddox being your best friend have to do with anything!" I shouted.

"Oh my god Max I am so done with you!" Adyline screamed before storming out. Kailyn followed her. At this point, the whole coffee shop was listening to this chaos unfold.

"Max you need to calm down. No one is doing anything we are just going to school. There is no need for you to start assuming crazy things! Please calm down and stop making everything so difficult!" I pleaded.

Max seemed angry when looking at Maddox, but when he turned to me his face softened for a second before turning cold again. "Whatever you wish," he said before grabbing his keys and walking out. He kicked over the table on his way and spilled coffee all over the floor.

"He is going to be the end of me" I whispered under my breath while cleaning up his mess. Maddox helped me and after paying for some of the damage Max had caused, we left. There were about roughly 25 minutes until we had to be at school so we went on our way silently. None of us talked, but both of our minds were filled with thoughts of the events that had just occurred.