Could It Be Us? | Maxley |

➳ 12

Songs included:

- Birthday sex

- Before he cheats

CHAPTER 12

Bradley

I made sure Max had everything he needed to bring to my parents party, it was being hosted at their house. If I knew them at all, it'd be a non-stop party for three days. I wondered if things had changed after I left home. Would I even have a room there? Would they have changed it to a bowling alley? I stopped thinking about it, it would be a question I'd ask my parents when we got there. Max and I headed to his car. Bobby and P.J were basically sobbing over him leaving.

"I won't be gone that long," he laughed.

"It'll be so boring without you, man!"

P.J added, "yeah, what are we going to do without our best friend?"

"You'll be okay, I promise. As soon as we come back, I'll hangout with you guys, alright?"

P.J and Bobby nodded in agreement. "Fine, Max. And you," P.J pointed at me. "You better take real good care of our friend." I wanted to laugh but I held it back. Instead, I grabbed Max's face and kissed him. Just a quick kiss.

"He's in good hands." P.J nodded again.

His friends walked away. "Was that necessary," Max asked, blushing. "You didn't have to kiss me in front of them."

"Well, they aren't looking right now." I held his face in between my hands. I pressed my thumb against his cheek and drew him closer. It could've only lasted a few seconds, but it meant everything to me. As I drew back, he drew himself in. I pushed his shoulders back. "I thought you didn't want others to see, Max."

"Don't start what you can't finish, Bradley," he whispered. "Start driving."

— — —

"It's yo birthday, so I know you want to ride out," Max sang terribly.

"God, max, not this song."

Max shook his head as he continued, "even if we only go to my house," he practically shouted. His voice rippled through the small walls of the car. "Sip mo-wheezy as we sit upon my couch." He leaned close into my ear. "Feels good, but I know you want to cry out."

"Stupid freshman," I whispered. "Stop playing this song. You're embarrassing yourself."

"My car, my music," he shot back, displeased. "You say you want passion, I think you found it." I rolled my eyes. "Fine, I have another amazing song." Max's definition of amazing was far more different than mine. Let's say I was pleasantly surprised when Before He Cheats started playing. Sure, it's wasn't my number one most listened, but it was the odd chance he played a song I enjoyed. "Right now, he's probably slow dancing with a beach blonde tramp..."

"And she's probably getting frisky," I mumbled.

"You like this song," Max roared.

"Shut up! You're so loud. Yes, Max, I like this song. It's not something to get so worked up over." Max laid back comfortably in his seat, hitching it backwards.

"It's something we both like, of course it's a big deal. I barely know anything about you. The only thing I know is how well you take—

—I can't have one normal conversation with you when you talk dirty all the time."

"I guess it's partly my fault, but I can't help it! You look so pretty right now." I'm red. I'm fucking red. "And you enjoy that, look at you. Goddamn it, I thought I could go this entire car ride without touching you. Bradley," he whispered. "Can I?"

"Max, it's every day with you, isn't it?" I pulled over into an empty parking lot. It can't be helped, can it?

"You enjoy it every day, too."

Fine. "This will be it for a few days, Max. We'll be at my parents house, okay?"

"Doesn't that mean I should make it count?"

"That's not at all what I'm saying—

—I'm making it count, Bradley. Shut up for a second." He crawled over his seat to be sat over me. "Don't speak anymore unless you're moaning my name." He peeled his (my) shirt off. Fuck.