Getting Closer

Chapter Fifty Four - Juliet

Today has been so emotionally draining that I just don't want to function anymore. From Max telling the guys about my brother to Brooke and Eliza getting blasted on my father's liquor and admitting they're irritated by me, I just want to curl up and sleep for a couple days.

After everyone splits off to their designated areas, I'm the last to get to my room and from down the hall I can hear Brooke and Eliza giggling like crazy. Logic says they're fooling around in there but my mind keeps telling me over and over that they're talking about me and how I suck.

Caught in my thoughts, I must have been standing at the top of the stairs for a long time that I don't notice Max leaning in my doorway, waiting for me to join him in my room. He nods towards the closed doorway that has Brooke and Eliza in, "Confronting them now while they're in this state won't solve anything, babe."

I must be close to getting my period because tears immediately form. Ugh, I've always hated how emotional I get right before my monthly visitor arrives. Through my tears, I can see Max start to panic but I wave him off. Finally coming to my senses, I push him back into my room and close the door behind me. "I'm fine," I cry.

As I completely lose my composure, Max pulls me into my chest. "I'm sorry this night wasn't like you expected," he says in my ear.

What am I most upset about? Thinking about the loss of Tony all of a sudden when our family has done a pretty good job at forgetting him? The idea that one of my dearest and closest friends is drifting away from me? Realizing people hate me? All of it?

When I'm finally done making myself look like a fool, I step away from Max and cover my face with my hands. "Don't make fun of me," I mumble as I try to hide the redness in my cheeks.

"Why would I?" he asks bluntly. Slowly prying my hands away from my face, Max makes me look into his eyes as he adds, "I'm sorry for adding to your shitty night. I honestly thought the guys knew about your brother."

I take a deep breath in. "I don't mind that they know. I mean it was in the news and his funeral was publicized as well and-"

"I'm still sorry about it, Jules." Max leans in to kiss my temple. "On the bright side," he mumbles as he pulls me back into him. "Looks like we tied at our bet."

Laughing, "Really now?" Completely forgetting what it even was, I put my cold hands underneath his sweater which has him immediately shivering. "Tell me more," I mumble as all my woes from seconds prior fades away and my focus is only on his body.

Just as I pinch his nipple, he gutters out, "You bet that Leia would announce their relationship and I bet that I couldn't keep my hands off of you. One each. All the others were duds."

Still feeling along his skin, I glance up and smile, "So what's the punishment? Or should I say reward?"

Max pauses which I didn't really expect. He sighs and puts his hands on my shoulders. "Jules, you were just sobbing. Are you sure-"

"Yes," I say immediately. "I want you. I want to get my mind off of this night." Max doesn't seem convinced so I go on my tiptoes to kiss him gently. "Please? I would normally say I'd get on my knees to beg but we both know-"

"Fucking hell, Jules," he says before pressing his lips to mine, his hands finding my ass. We stumble back, waddling over to my bed where I land on top. He moves to take off my two layered sweaters when someone knocks on my bedroom door. "Whoever is behind that door, I'm gonna strangle you!" Max shouts out of frustration.

As I kiss his chest to make him feel better, we both hear, "It's Charlie."

Sighing, I roll off of Max just before he storms to the door and whips it open. "What," Max snaps.

Charlie glances between his friend and myself, his cheeks darkening. He leans into Max and from my spot on my bed, I barely hear him but I still get it all as he mumbles, "Do you have an extra condom?"

Max groans and heads over to his bag at the base of my bed. "Why the fuck do you not have any?"

Charlie flicks his eyes at me, clearly embarrassed he's talking so openly about this in front of me. "I didn't think I'd need any," he eventually says returning his focus to Max. "And Seth and John didn't have any because they're not... active yet and you two are quite... active so I thought-"

"Evans," Max snarls. "Shut up." Max throws me something and I catch it to find a condom for ourselves. He heads over to Charlie and snaps, "Here. Now get out."

"Right. Thank y-" Charlie never gets to finish as Max shoves him out and shuts the door behind him.

As Max silently fumes, I joke, "You're such a good friend."

His golden eyes snap to mine. A look that can kill but to me... fuck it's sexy. "Seth and I got him a box for his birthday. Fucker should have them especially since he's dating a hot chick now."

I snort. "Hot chick? And what am I?"

A dumb smirk rises on his face. Joining me back in bed, he pushes me onto my back and whispers in my ear, "You are the most sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on." Both of us have the same idea as we reach for each other's jeans. "I am so fucking lucky you deem me worthy of your time," he says as he digs his hand into my jeans and starts rubbing my clit.

Grasping onto his shoulders, I gasp, "Oh fuck."

***

Fifteen minutes later and after we cleaned ourselves off, Max is already half asleep when I ask quietly, "Do you think I'm uptight?"

"No," he immediately mumbles.

"Are you saying that because you're my boyfriend and you like having sex with me or-"

"I'm saying it because that's what I think," he says as he pulls me closer to him. Now in his chest, I take in his warmth as he holds me tightly. "I think you love with your full heart but it's hard for you to give out your love equally."

I look up into his face and frown. "That's not making me feel better."

He shrugs. "It's not a bad thing, Jules. That's just who you are." I remain silent and in no time at all Max lulls to sleep while leaving me fretting about his words. What does he mean? That I hyper-fixate on someone enough that I can't think straight, that I can't be a friend to others? He's wrong if that's what he meant. I've always given equal treatment to my friends. Right? Or have I just been living in delusion my entire life?