Invisible string (lestappen)

Chapter 26 : Charles

'Why do you have a redbull hoodie in your room ?'

I look up from the suitcase I'm desperately trying to close to see Pierre holding a piece of clothes. The frown on his face tells me this is definitely not good.

I don't even need to have a closer look at the black hoodie to know who it belongs to. Fuck. Max must've forgotten it yesterday when he left. My heart starts racing. What do I say ? I'm a terrible liar. I need to find a plausible excuse. And quick.

'Hmm, oh that's not mine'

I cringe internally at my poor attempt at buying time. Pathetic.

'Yeah no shit, whose is it then ?'

'It's just a girl I'm seeing, you don't know her'

I dart my eyes away from his to avoid giving anything away and focus on my previous task. Getting all my clothes to fit in that stupid luggage.

'It looks like it belongs to a guy'

I run my fingers through my hair with a sigh. Why do I even bother trying to hide anything from this guy ? He'll find out sooner or later anyway. And it could be nice to talk about it to someone who I know won't judge me.

'It may or may not be Max's', I admit barely loud enough that he can hear it.

I almost want to put my hand in front of my eyes to avoid seeing his reaction. I mean he knows we are past the hating era of our relationship but I don't think he would expect us to hang out together in my hotel room either. Reasonably.

'Wait Max as in... Max ?'

I nod silently.

'About time'

He drops the hoodie on my bed and lays next to it nonchalantly. I stare at him confused.

'About time ?'

'Only took you guys, what'

He looks at his fingers to act like he's counting.

'Ten years to get together ?'

'Wow'

I stand in front of the bed to face him, too distracted by what he just said to keep doing my task.

'I never said anything about being together'

He smirks.

'You didn't have to. His hoodie was on your bed, I can perfectly imagine how it landed there'

I frown. What the fuck is his problem ? Why is he talking about Max and I being together like it was the most normal thing in the world ? I mean we are not. Yes, we've kissed a couple of times and it was nice. Ok, maybe a bit more than that. But still, it's not like that. And if it was, it would be...shocking and complicated. Way too messy. It's better if it doesn't go there, if we don't catch feelings for each other. Or fall in love. No, that would be just completely crazy. Right ? Totally unthinkable.

Hanging out with him all the time, kissing and touching him whenever I want. Arguing with him over food and so many other things. Listening to him carefully while he rambles about the smallest things because I'll know it'll make him happy and that thought makes me feel at peace. Waking up in his arms and feeling his perfume enveloping me until I can't get the smell out of my head.

Definitely weird.

'We're not, okay ?'

He rests on his elbows to look at me from the bed.