"See you at the games Freshman." (Maxley)

Towel Boy

Bradley's POV:

I walked up to Max after the race, my heart pounding, and honestly just happy he didn't die.
"Well Max, I remember the deal." I stuck out my hand for him to shake.
"It's cool Brad, deal's off." Max's voice was scratchy and quiet.

What.

WHYYYYY?

I mean, not like I'm upset or anything, but I mean, did he expect me to do the same if I won?
But at the same time... any excuse to be around Max was an excuse non the less.

"Hey, you're the reason we won."
He didn't let go of my hand.
"Why'd you give me my board? Why didn't you just finish the race?"
Because I'm in love with you.

"I-I don't know. Maybe it was the heat of the moment?"
"What were you gonna say before you skated off?"
I was going to ask if he was okay and stay with him until medics came and tell him he's okay. Maybe call him baby just to kinda hint at him that I'm madly in love with him.
"I don't know."

He smiled at me, letting go of my hand, walking off with his team.

But our first loss in years was not fun, I was definitely upset.
I left the awards and hid under the bleachers, almost shedding a tear.
I have always been last in my family, and the games allowed me to win for once, and I lost it to a guy who still wears velcro shoes.
And of course the man I'm in love with.

"Hey, Uppercrust." I didn't have to look up to see who it was.
"What do you want freshman.." Why was he here? Let me have a mood swing in peace. Let me sulk.
"You under here pouting?"
Can he shut up?
"No."
"Looks like you are..."
"I'm not."

He sat next to me, and I scooted away.
As much as I loved Max, I hate him right now.
"Sorry for your team losing, but... you did cheat."
"Go away." I began to stand up.
"Wait Wait Wait! Even though you cheated and caused a deadly explosion that almost killed me and my team and some of your team, you did save me, and I still think you're cool. You wanna come to my team's celebration dinner at my dad's house?"
"No."

"Please Brad? It would be so fun!"
"Seriously Max? Now you're just rubbing it in my face."
"I am not! I know you have a soft spot for me in your heart somewhere, Brad. You genuinely like hanging out with me and the guys, I can see the way you switch up when you're with us. You go from a snobby asshole to a genuinely funny guy to hang out with."
"That doesn't prove shit! Give me one real valid reason."

"You didn't correct me when I called you Brad.."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"I didn't notice.."
"Not possible, you always notice."
"I'm too mad to focus right now."

"Bradley, please come. My dad is making burgers and hot dogs, or do you only eat caviar and bottles of red?"
I covered my face to stop from laughing.
"If I agree to go, will you leave?"
"Yes!"
"Fine, I'll come."
"Great! Heres my number and address, text me when you're there."
He writes something down on a sticky note he pulled put of his locker and gave it to me.
"Dinners at eight!"

I gave a small nod, putting it in the pocket of my jacket in my locker. It hadn't occurred to me that I didn't have Max's number up until this point, and it made my heart pound and chest tighten at the thought of talking to him whenever I wanted to now.
I thought about everything now. What if he adds me to a group chat with Bob and PJ? What if he texts me good night and good morning and checks up on me? What if we start calling.

I couldn't help but smile as I thought about  it, starting to change out of my sports clothes.
"Are you smiling?" Tank appeared seemingly out of no where, which was crazy because he's so fat its hard to miss him.
I jumped and pulled my pants back up.