Strings of Love

Chapter Fourteen

"Max, hey,"Kate said while shaking him awake. Max rubbed his eyes and felt a small body on top of his. He looked down at his chest and saw Mariah. 

"What's wrong?" Max asked while releasing his grip from her waist, laying her on the couch, and standing up, "Is everything okay?" "It's Luca,"Kate said, "He's asking for you." 

"He's awake?" Max asked. Kate nodded. Max smiled. "Is his mom doing okay?" Max asked. "She's in the room with Luca,"Kate said, "But she knows you'll comfort him more than she will." "I don't know if I can,"Max said. 

"Max,"Kate said, "He loves you. He really does. Just enjoy the little moments, Young. Just enjoy those, because one day you'll regret it if you haven't." Max nodded. "We'll watch after Mariah,"Alex said. Max smiled and went to Luca's room. 

He knocked on the door and walked inside. "Good morning,"Max said. Ms. Williams smiled. "Good morning,"Ms. Williams said while standing up and walking over to Max, "I'm glad you're here. He's been asking about you non-stop." 

Max chuckled a little. "How are you holding up after last night?" Max asked, "Are you okay? Do you need anything?" "I'm alright, she was an amazing friend, she can rest now,"Ms. Williams said, "She will be missed." 

Max hugged Ms. Williams and she hugged back. "You should go now,"Ms. Williams said, "Wouldn't want to keep him waiting." Max smiled and Ms. Williams walked out of the room and closed the door. 

Max walked over to the couch and sat down. He looked at Luca. "I was beginning to think you'd never show,"Luca said, "I thought you left." "I wasn't going to leave you,"Max said. "Why did you do that to Andy?" Luca asked. 

"Why didn't you tell me what he did to you?" Max asked. "Max,"Luca said. "Not until you answer my question,"Max said. "I didn't know who you were,"Luca said, "We weren't anything." "But you keeping that from me is doing what to us?" Max asked. 

Luca sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "I kept it from you because I was scared, Max,"Luca said. "Scared?" Max asked, "Scared of what? How might I react?" Luca didn't answer. Max stood up and walked to the end of the bed. 

"Lucas, look at me,"Max said. Luca looked at Max. "I'm not that type of person,"Max said, "Don't ever think that." "Then what the hell was that with Andy?" Luca asked irritatedly. 

Max titled his head to the side a little. "You're serious?" Max asked, "You're dead ass serious right now?" "Max,"Luca said softly. 

"Is protecting you a bad thing now?" Max asked. "I didn't say that,"Luca said. "You implied it,"Max stated. Luca cleared his throat, but before he could talk, Max spoke up. 

"Andy forced himself onto you, Luca,"Max said, "For all we know, he could've done way worse." "But he didn't!" Luca yelled. "Why didn't you tell me?" Max asked. "Tell you what?" Luca asked. 

"Why didn't you just say you were sick?" Max asked, "All this time you were playing that you were fine? Why the hell didn't you say anything?" "You're one to talk,"Luca mumbled. 

"Don't do that,"Max said, "You're in no position to get angry with me. I didn't do anything." "Then tell me why you did that to him,"Luca said. "Why does that matter to you?" Max asked. Luca got out of the bed and stood face-to-face with Max. 

"Answer my question,"Luca said. "Luca, Andy deserved everything that happened last night,"Max said, "I could've done way worse." "Why are you like that?" Luca asked. "He touched something that wasn't his,"Max said, "I had the right to do so." 

"You could've just told him to leave,"Luca said. "What the hell was he doing here anyways?" Max asked. "He was dropping off Mariah,"Luca said, "And then he came to apologize." "Lucas, answer this question for me, please,"Max said, "And I want the whole truth. Please don't lie to me." 

Luca nodded. Max ran his hands through his hair. "Do you still have feelings for him?" Max asked. Luca shook his head. "No,"Luca said. "You answered too quickly,"Max said, "Answer again, but this time with the truth." 

"Max, are you seriously asking me that?" Luca asked. "Yes!" Max exclaimed, "And I seriously want an answer!" "I don't have feelings for him!" Luca yelled, "He raped me for God's sake!" "Then answer my question!" Max yelled back. 

Luca stepped back a little. "Luca…,"Max said softly. Luca looked at Max. Max backed up. "We're done,"Max said while grabbing his jacket. Luca grabbed Max's hand and stopped him from leaving. 

"Let me go,"Max said, "Since I'm clearly not the one you anymore, then you let me walk." "No,"Luca said. Max turned around and looked at Luca. "Then answer my question,"Max said. Luca sighed. 

"Max,"Luca said sadly, "Please don't." Max nodded, put his jacket on, and put on his hoodie. "Done,"Max said while leaving the room and closing the door behind him.