The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 23

As soon as she saw the state of my back she began pulling the shirt down faster.

"Slowly," I muttered, gritting my teeth. She didn't say anything. She peeled the shirt completely off and walked to the rusty sink in the back corner of the room to hang it. When she turned, I saw from the corner of her eye the horrified expression on her face.

"This may sting," she said as she dabbed around the gashes. I flinched but allowed her to continue.

"I had been waiting for this day for years you know," I said trying to talk my way through the pain. "Waiting for the day I could finally take him on."

"Why didn't you?" America's voice was quiet and timid like she was afraid if she talked too loud, I would be in more pain.

"I...was afraid if he didn't you know, do it to me that he'd have you." America drew in a ragged breath and continued wiping away the blood.

"Does anyone know?" She asked after several moments.

"No one."

"Nobody? Not even the doctor? Or you mother?"

"Well, the doctor does but he's trust worthy. I would never tell my mother about this, much less give her reason to suspect. She knows that Father is hard on me and I don't want to worry her anymore." I don't want to ruin more than I already have, I thought. America didn't say anything.

"He's never like this with her," I said quickly. "I promise. She means the world to him and he would never lay a hand on her. Although he can argue and yell, he would never hit her."

"Oh." America worked her way down my back with steady hands. "Damn, that stings," I groaned.

"Sorry," she said pausing.

"I have more sympathy for Marlee and Carter than you know," I continued. "They take a long time to stop hurting, especially if you're doing so on your own."

"What are the others for?" she asked. "Nevermind, that's rude."

"No, no it's okay." I attempted to shrug resulting in me biting my inner cheek in pain. "They're mostly for things I've said, things I know," I said lightly.

"You mean things I know." She dropped her hands. "Maxon I...I'm so," she began. Her breath caught as if threatening to cry. I didn't want her to feel guilty. I willingly took this slashes on my back, for her. I would do anything for her. Without turning around, I wrapped my hand around her leg and gently lay my head it.

"Don't cry. How are you going to finish patching me up if you're crying?" I said. She chuckled weakly and sniffled.

"What should I do now?" she asked.

"The box." She opened the box and applied the disinfectant making me grunt. She continued applying things and finally got to the ointment and I felt my shoulders relax.

"I was determined to never have to use these again," I said with a sigh. "I've been trying to come up with a story before the wedding since my future wife is going to see them eventually, but I haven't come up with anything yet. Any ideas?"

She paused for a moment. "The truth maybe."

"I was hoping not to resort to that for this."

"I think I'm done." I twisted around to face her and gingerly flexed my muscles.

"Wow that is an amazing job. Thank you, America."

"You're welcome, Maxon." We sat in awkward silence for a bit when she abruptly stood. "I'm going to wash your shirt." She walked to the sink and engrossed herself in the work.

"Why don't you ever ask me questions I actually want to answer?" I asked.

"I didn't realize I did that," she said sitting across from me.

"You do."

"Well what aren't I asking that you're just dying to tell me?"

I smiled dryly and exhaled. "Don't you want me to explain Celeste and Kriss? I think you at least deserve that."

She crossed her arms and drew up her knees, looking away. "I've heard Kriss's version of what happened and I don't think she exaggerated about anything. As for Celeste," she said her name with poison on her tongue, "I never want to talk or hear about her. Ever," she said defiantly.

"So sassy," I said chuckling. "I will miss that."

"So that's it then? It's over, I'm out?"

"I'm not sure I could stop it now," I said dryly. I shuffled so I was sitting closer to her. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

"No. Well yes...I was just so angry, I wasn't thinking straight."

"That was obvious." She punched my arm and rolled her eyes trying to hide her smirk.

"So you've gone from country exposés to beating down on the handicapped?"

"Oh shut up," she said smiling.

Silence passed as we both just sat and stared at the ground.

"I really thought you were mine," I said. "I had a whole thing to propose to you after Halloween. A whole speech prepared and everything. Thinking back on it now, I probably would have forgotten it all and made a fool of myself." I glanced up at her. "I'll spare you the details. After what happened, after you pushed me away I panicked. Nobody compared to you, but to be fair I wasn't really looking. And then Kriss came to me, so humble, so kind, so calm. I knew that she was nice and attractive, but somehow I missed how much more she had to offer."

America ducked her head. "Do you love her?" Her question surprised me and I paused to think.

"I...it's different from what we had. It's quieter for sure, but friendlier also." I realized as soon as I said it that I had just insinuated that I loved America. Love.

"I can depend on Kriss and I know that she's devoted to me. There's very little certainty in my world; she's refreshing that way." She nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

"So then...why Celeste?" she asked. I know I had brought it up, but I still felt my cheeks flame in embarrassment.

"Honestly? I knew from the moment I met her that Celeste had a manipulative streak in her. She's obviously very good looking and has a gorgeous figure, but she's also got quite a backbone. I knew that she was using me for the crown so I didn't feel guilty using her back. Is it so awful that I wanted for feel good for fifteen minutes? A small amount of time for which my actions don't matter? To pretend that someone actually loves me?" America jerked her head up at that before gazing back toward the ground. "Judge me all you want, but I'm not going to apologise for needing something normal."

"I get that," said America looking up at me. I had expected her to get angry again or counter me.

"Would you ever pick her? Celeste I mean?"

I sighed. "If it came down between her or Natalie and Elise then I suppose I would. But that would only happen if Kriss wanted to go home. You were my only pick," I trailed off at the end.

"Kriss is a good choice. She'd be a much better princess than me," she said nodding.

"She is less of an instigator. God knows what would have happened with you at the helm," chuckled. She laughed along with me.

"I would for sure ruin it."

"Maybe it needs ruining," I said trying to make the smile reach my eyes. By the expression on America's face I was failing.

"Would you indulge me?" I asked.

"Of course, anything."

"Did you ever love me?"