Hardest love 2

37.

Max hugged me for what seemed forever. I didn't care. I needed that. He was a great hugger too.
"So it's true?" He said softly. I nodded as I walked in his apartment. "How did you know?" I asked. He was guiding me to his living room.
His apartment was definitely bigger than Lando's but it was as modern as Lando's.
"Saw a whole lot of that growing up" he sighed as he sat down.
I actually felt bad for him and I was sure he felt bad for me too.
"Don't tell me it's Lando who did that" he pointed at my face. Did he really think it was Lando? "Of course not, he wouldn't hurt a fly" I couldn't help but chuckle. He nodded, he was probably relieved about that.
I knew he was waiting for me to explain who did it.
I sighed as I looked at my hands. "It's my ex. He lives next door in England. I guess he got jealous when he saw me with Lando" why was I still making excuses for him? Why was I trying to explain his behavior?
"You need to tell Lando, that's the first thing you have to do. I'll gladly come to England to confront him" I nodded. I had to tell Lando even if it wasn't gonna be easy.
"You have me in your corner Avery. Remember that" he continued as he grabbed my hands. I looked up at him. I was so grateful for him. It felt good to tell someone, to be honest with him.
"Thank you Max, you don't know how much it means. I will talk to Lando" I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him.
Just in that moment, his door opened. We both looked at the door. It was Kelly, her smile dropped as soon as she saw us, hugging on the couch.
"Wait no, Kelly" he said as he got up but it was too late, she already slammed the door behind her and walked away.
"Go! Follow her" I said as he looked at me. He did as I told him and ran after her.
I shook my head. He was listening to my problems while he was dealing with his own.
I appreciated him even more now.

I knew that as soon as I would walk back in Lando's apartment that I had to explain myself.
He probably wasn't mad but I knew he would find it weird that I went to see Max.
He was done streaming and laying on the couch. He looked up as I opened the door.
"Did you have a nice time?" He mumbled. I didn't answer. He was obviously being sarcastic.
"Lando, I need to talk to you" I said as I walked to the couch and sat down next to him.
His face changed, I could see he was scared of what was about to come and so was I.
"This wasn't an accident" I pointed at my bruises.
He sat up and looked at me. He was waiting for me to explain, it looked like he was waiting for this.
"The guy who walked up to us when you were leaving for Miami was my ex, Nate. He abused me, a lot of times" I couldn't look at him as I was explaining.
He didn't say a word, he was probably just looking at me. "And that's what he did again" I was trying to hold back my tears.
Why didn't he say anything? I could feel his arms around me and he pulled me in his arms.
As soon as my head hit his chest I started to cry. He kissed the top of my head a couple of times.
"I hope you know I'll never do that to you and I promise you, he will neither" he said as he grabbed my face to make me look at me.
His thumb wiped away the last tears I was ever gonna cry for him.
I nodded and kissed him. I had two of the best guys in my corner and I knew they would protect me.

We didn't talk about it anymore, we just cuddled all evening. He didn't leave my side, he made sure that I felt loved.
"You're beautiful inside and out. I love you so fucking much. Please don't ever think you have to hide things from me" he said all of a sudden.
"I promise I won't" I said as I was laying on his chest.
I was happy I told them, but I was also happy that I didn't have to go back very soon.
We would leave for Spain tomorrow, back to the madness but I was gonna enjoy this moment with Lando as much as I could.