Getting Closer

Chapter Thirty Eight - Juliet

I blink awake and I'm momentarily confused on where I am. It takes me a full minute to realize I'm in Max's bedroom, the light just barely bright enough. I reach for my phone on his bedside table to realize his hand fully underneath my shirt, cupping my breast as he sleeps. God, how long have we been in this position? I check my phone for the time but instead I see countless texts from Brooke saying she lied to my parents for me last night but is wondering if I'm safe. Fuck. I forgot to tell everyone where I was going last night. I was supposed to be at my parents' place after hanging with the boys. I quickly text Brooke my whereabouts and tell her I'm fine and immensely thank her for covering for me.

She quickly texts back, I'm so glad you didn't get murdered and ditched somewhere. You owe me. I nod to myself. I owe Brooke for a lot, especially keeping Max a secret to my parents. Putting my phone down, I move Max's hand out of my shirt which happens to be his favorite shirt and turn to him. When he sleeps, his features relax into someone I almost don't recognize. He's so fucking pretty but I'd never admit that to him unless I want to be pinched endlessly. "Max," I whisper. He doesn't immediately stir so I lean into his ear and whisper, "Maxwell."

"Hmm." Licking his ear, it takes him a little bit to open his eyes. "Good morning, Juliet."

I smile as he wraps his arms around me. Rolling us over, I straddle him as he grabs my ass and starts kissing my neck. Even though I could stay here forever, I whisper, "I have to leave soon."

He groans into me. "Why are you always saying that?"

I sit up and his hands find my bare thighs. "Brooke had to lie to my parents last night about where I was. I have to go home for a little bit before we go to Charlie's."

Sitting up with me, his lips connect with my jaw. "Just tell them you were with your boyfriend."

"Are we telling your mother your girlfriend spent the night?" By his silence, I get my answer. Taking off his shirt, I throw it back at him. "Besides, I don't know how they're going to react to a new boyfriend after Michael." As I go to change, I try to keep quiet as I don't know if Max's mother can hear us talking. When I'm safely back into my clothing from last night, I turn to him and ask like nothing is wrong, "Do you have a comb or a toothbrush?"

He furrows his brows and looks at me strange. After some time, his eyes flick to his bedroom door. "You can use my toothbrush. My mom should have a comb somewhere."

I scoff at him. "Just so you know, sharing toothbrushes is fucking disgusting."

"As if we haven't already swapped spit like a thousand times." He gets up from bed and even though I've seen his naked form a thousand times already, I can't stop a small blush as I completely forgot he sleeps nude. "Not to mention all the times you've-"

"Okay," I interrupt as I know where he's heading with the conversation. "Just get me a comb." As I walk into his bathroom and look for his toothbrush and paste, I hear him quietly change. In the mirror, I see him pull on the shirt I wore last night and a pair of gray sweatpants. Why do all guys look so fucking good in those sweatpants? He leaves to find me a comb, hopefully he can avoid his mother while doing so. Keeping as silent as possible, I brush my teeth with his brush and I fight back a cringe with every stroke. Ew, ew, eww.

I try cleaning my face, but I can't risk turning on the water without being caught by his mother. When he returns, he quietly watches me from the doorframe. When I turn to him, he throws me an object. Catching it, I blow him a kiss, thanking him for the comb. "My mom ran to get groceries for her Christmas party, you don't have to be quiet."