Could It Be Us? | Maxley

➳ 11

Hey, everyone! Sorry that it has taken me a bit to upload this chapter. I had to rewrite it many times because I didn't like it, anyway, I hope you enjoy it! If there are mistakes, please ignore them. (:

CHAPTER 11

Max

Bradley and I were sitting in his bed. What we were doing wasn't at all what was considered normal between us, yet I knew both of yearned for comfort like this. My hand was threaded through his hair. Bradley was scrolling through instagram, and I was watching him do that. Today was amazing, I thought. Never in a million years would I have said that, yet there I was. Bradley was kind of all I thought about. He was so demanding but reserved all at once. I wanted to read his mind. 

With my free hand, I rolled us both over. Bradley put his phone on his nightstand, breathing softly next to me. Bradley groaned, "I'm tired, Max." 

"Go to sleep, darling," I teased. "Or, are you blaming me? Should I lay on the floor instead?" 

"Of course not, Freshman." He rolled in my arms. "I couldn't face you the other direction," he mumbled. "I can sleep now. Goodnight." I got to see Bradley's eyes flutter shut. Day, night, he was so beautiful. I ruffled his hair, getting a good look at his face before brushing all of it out of his eyes. 

"Bradley Uppercrust lll, I hate to say it, but I think I'm utterly in love with you. Goodnight, Bradley." 

The next few moments were my roommates coming in, noticing me, and leaving the room. "Thanks," I whispered to nobody in particular. I was quick to fall asleep too.

—  — —

Waking up to Bradley Uppercrust III next to you was one of the most beautiful things in the world. I brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. "Mmm," Bradley groaned. "What," he yawned. "Time is it?"

"9:04."

He reached for my face. "I haven't brushed my teeth yet, darling."

"I kissed you after you drank alcohol, you think I care now," he grumbled. He again reached for my face and then kissed me. "Should we go to the cafe?"

I rubbed his cheek with my thumb. "That sounds great." I had to peel myself away from him. "I'm going to change—do you have clothes I can borrow?"

"Top drawer." He stretched his arms out. Then, he too, went to the top drawer. As if he planned his outfit in his sleep, he tossed deep blue dress pants, a loose white shirt, and a collared shirt onto his arm. "It's my go to," he explained.

I pondered the options. He had a lot of sweaters, who would have guessed?

I found a plain red shirt and black jeans in the drawer. While he was changing in the bathroom, I started undressing by his bed. I peeled off my old clothes and put on his clothes. They were an almost perfect fit. Afterwards, we switched. I brushed my teeth in the bathroom, brushing every strand of hair on my head, undoubtedly doing it to please Bradley. I posed pathetically in the mirror. I looked fine enough to head out.

"You look good, Max. Though, those are my clothes, so obviously they look amazing," he teased. He posed behind me. He tangled his arms around my waist. I blushed. It doesn't matter how brave I got with Bradley, him doing even the smallest thing made me nervous. "You're so pretty," he whispered. I took his hands and held them.

"You are too, Bradley."

"You know, Max?"

"Hm?"

"I think you already know I'm utterly in love with you too."

"..." what? "You heard me say that last night," I asked.  His head was pressed up against my back.

"Yeah. You talk pretty loud when you think I'm asleep." I could feel him smile against me. "So, the cafe?"

— — —

Bradley and I were sitting in the far back corner. He ordered a very plain coffee while I got a flat white. "I have the worst headache," Bradley complained. "It's like throbbing," he pointed to his temple. "Can you see it?"

"That's not how headaches work, darling. I won't be able to see it."

"Goddamn you for being right. It's terrible, though. You'll have to trust me on this, Max."

"I believe you," I laughed.

Bradley and I were enjoying our coffee and conversation when his phone started vibrating. He flipped the phone to see who it was, and his eyes darkened. He cursed under his breath.

"I'll be back soon, Max." Bradley, in fact, was not back soon. I thought about finding him, but if he wanted me there, he would have asked me to join. So, as the minutes fly by, I sat there carefully watching the front entrance. Fortunately for me, Bradley walked back in and sat in the chair. He shifted uncomfortably.

I'm curious, "who was that?"

Bradley's soft gaze hardened again. "Well—it was my parents. They are hosting this big party and want me to be there. I can bring a plus one, they told me, but I think they expect a girl to be around my arm. It's terrible." I rubbed his arm sympathetically. "But, damn if I let them tell me who to bring. Will you go, Max?"

I'm pleasantly surprised. I swung my leg over the other one. "Will we get to do that again after the party," I asked. A grin threatened to tug on my lips. Bradley's mouth opened in shock.

"We're in public!"

"You had no problem doing that in public," I remarked. I knew there was a string of harsh words Bradley could say, but he stayed quiet instead.

"We'll see." That made my stomach flop. "Anyway, we'll go to your dorm and pack a few clothes. Or rather, we'll go to the Gamma house and pack my clothes. Your wardrobe isn't exactly rich looking." I pretended to act hurt and put a shaking hand over my heart.

"That hurts, darling."

He rolled his eyes playfully. "Uh-huh," he laughed. He had a rich laugh, like guys that play golf, but if that wasn't the most attractive thing I'd ever heard, I'm not sure what was.