Hidden Motives

First Night

Max smiled at me before interlocking his hand with mine. "Let's get you home."

"No talking" I said. "I'm, still mad at you"

He laughed and we walked to the Walsh house.

Upon arriving I hugged him goodbye and carefully went up the steps. I reached for the door and realized I hadn't brought the keys. Then I rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Max noticed my distress and said, "Do you know if anyone's home?"

"Adyline should be, but Dave and Mary are out looking for Maddox still. Why isn't Adyline answering?" I replied.

Max sighed and said "She's either not home and out venting her anger somewhere else, or she locked herself in her room and is throwing a tantrum. Either way, I think it's best if you stay at my place for the night. It wouldn't be good for you to be around her right now, and your drunk. I don't want you two to argue. We can drop by in the morning to get your stuff. Sound good?"

I thought about it for a second. I didn't want him to treat me like a child, but on second thought I would be around him. I would be safe and maybe we would get to know each other better. Besides we would just drop by to get my worksheets before the lecture tomorrow morning like he said. Everything would work out. "Sounds good" I replied before going back to the bottom of the steps.

Max smiled at me and we headed to his house.

After about 15 minutes of walking, we reached a gate. It wasn't the same large house as before but was instead a little smaller and cozier.

Upon walking inside Max said "This is my place. Umm if you want some food the kitchen is straight to your left. Feel free to explore. This house doesn't have much, but I still love it. I get that you might be a little tired so you can sleep in the guest room. First door on the right upstairs. I'm going to head to bed. Goodnight."

"I love it. Your house is beautiful. It's also really cozy. I could get used to this." I laughed. "Does Dylan live with you?"

"Umm thank you. And no he doesn't. Ever since the thing with my dad, Dylan lives separately about 8 minutes away. When..my mom was around we all lived together at the party house you saw last weekend. Now it's just a secret hangout and I live here." Max said quietly.

"Your mom and dad? Wait, I'm sorry I don't mean to intrude. Umm... I am going to go to sleep now." I stuttered.

Max frowned before heading upstairs. I had hit a sensitive topic. "Stupid alcohol," I thought to myself.

Then I headed upstairs into the guest bedroom. Upon walking in I noticed the light grey walls and large white bed in the center of the room. I fell onto the bed after kicking off my shoes. It was super comfortable. "This is amazing" I thought to myself before falling asleep.

The next morning I woke up to a pounding headache. "Hangovers" I sighed while burying my head into the pillow. I looked at the time and it was 11:45. I was late for my lecture. I rolled out of bed hitting the floor hard. Max must've heard because he ran to the room.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm fineee" I replied.

"Hungover I see. Well hopefully your not too mad you missed your lecture. I saw how peacefully you were sleeping and didn't want to disturb you. Besides, we both could use a day off" he sighed.

"Actually I am mad. I've already missed enough school. It seems like I'm flaking and none of my professors even like me! I'm going to try and make it before the lecture ends." I responded, clearly angry.

"You're not going anywhere. I made breakfast. I never make breakfast so you should be happy. I'll talk to Kailyn about getting your absences cleared by her dad. You will be fine. I promise. No need to go anywhere. Take a full rest day." he said.

"Fine" I sighed.

Max smiled before exiting my room and saying "Be down in 10. I have a surprise for you. You can sleep more afterwards."

I blushed before fixing up the covers on the bed. "I wonder what he has in store for me today" I laughed. "I really need an Advil though. My heads killing me." I said to myself.