CARNIVORE [MxM+]

Chapter 11 [Revised]

Alexei Abbots.

IT WAS A NORMAL DAY AT LUNCH. I noticed Max was a bit later than usual, but I dropped that thought as soon as I saw him across the cafeteria getting a plate of food. As soon as it was in his hands, he turned, locking eyes with me. I smiled, and he immediately returned it before making his way over to us. 

"So, I have a little thing to tell you all," He began as he sat down.

I looked up at him in curiosity as I unwrapped the sandwich that Riley made for me. A BLT. Fuck, that man is perfect.

"What's up, Maxwell?" Day said, mouth full of the pizza that they had bought together at his house the night prior.

Jesse sent a quick shove his way. I knew he absolutely hated it when Day did that, while Day loved that Jesse hated it.

Claire popped out an earbud and looked at Max with a waiting expression. I noticed a slight smirk on her face. I was also surprised that she even paused her show to listen. Did she know something we didn't, maybe?

I couldn't help but remark, "Wow, Claire. Must be important or the sexy vampires must be bland."

She looked at me with amusement. "Harr, harr. Just listen. You're going to like what he has to say." She sent me a wink. I felt a little clueless.

"I, uh, confronted Tycho." 

I dropped my sandwich. "What?" 

"Good. Fuck him entirely," Claire's harshness was met with light surprise, as she wasn't one to show emotion. 

"Yeah, he uh- I don't know, honestly-" Max scratched his face nervously, "he was just at mine, and then I remembered the shit he did to you, Alexei, and I don't know. I was mad." Max stammered, looking into my eyes for a reaction. What the hell? 

I knew it. I fucking knew I shouldn't have said anything. Fuck.

"Wait. Why was he at your house?" Day spoke.

No, that's not what's fucking important right now.

"Wait, guys--"

Max interrupted, "He's exes with my sister, remember?"

Day hummed in agreement.

"MAX!" Max jumped slightly in his seat, putting a pause on chewing his food. 

He swallowed harshly. "What, what's wrong?"

I laughed awkwardly. "What- Why... Why would you do that? I told you to drop it." I couldn't hide my disappointment. What if something changes? What if Tycho reacts back? What if Tycho decides to do something to someone else?

Max's confidence drops. "I'm- I'm sorry, Alexei, I thought you'd be happy. Besides, it wasn't really up to me anyway. He... Fuck, I don't know, that night was a mess."

His distress visibly grows, and mine does too. "What happened?"

He thought for a moment before shaking off his daze. "Okay, look," He talked with his hands, "I didn't necessarily mean to say anything to him, but it just came out, okay? He... He came over with my sister last night, and I didn't know what was going on, but Kacey told me she was leaving to go pick him up, right, so I was already on edge 'cause I knew the dickhead was gonna be in my house again after what he did to you. I ended up going downstairs because I heard yelling, like- like a man's voice. Well, I went into the kitchen, and I saw him take a huge step toward Kacey, and I just, I don't know, I ended up yelling at him."

That changed the situation, but that'd explain a lot-- mainly her relationship with him. Kacey was wonderful. Tycho, not so much. "He doesn't like, hit her or anything, right?"