Roommates (Maxley)

Chapter 18

Breathe Brad, it's not that big of a deal.

But it is.

Because he's holding hands with a boy.

His boyfriend, Max Goof, a skater boy known around campus as the local edgy college dirtbag. It was a sight to see honestly, some students trying to sneakily take photos that were deleted the moment Brad glared at them. Max slid an arm around his waist, pulling him closer and out of his wrathful thoughts as he whispered in his ear. Tease, he always does this when they're in public knowing Brad can't handle his lingering touches and eyes. He pulls out his phone to distract himself with responding to the person blowing up his phone. Whatever Max says next makes him laugh and turn his head away only for Max to tilt it back to kiss his cheek only for Brad to dodge it, either from embarrassment or just to taunt- at least that's what can be inferred from far away.

Watching them is painful.

"Come on, Bobby, we should just apologize." PJ says while patting his shoulder.

"I know." Bobby pulls out his phone only to return it to his pocket, "Has he responded to you yet? Still nothin' on my end."

"I meant that we should apologize in person." PJ shrugs when Bobby raises a brow, "What other choice do we have? He's our friend."

Bobby and PJ were in a bad situation, complicated from conversations that should've been had ages ago. Roxanne was their friend and Max was too, but they had been forced to choose. Roxanne was supposed to tell him the day it happened, they didn't know she hadn't until Max asked them about it. Yes, they should've just told him but Roxanne- No, none of that mattered now. They just needed to show Max that they cared, and they had the perfect plan. The last time they got into a fight they had a game night and by the end of it they were best buddies again. Sure that was in highschool but it could still work now, it had to. PJ had brought all Max's favorite snacks and Bobby got the newest Monopoly game. All they needed now was the courage to knock on Max's door.

"What's the worst he could say?" PJ smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes. His hands are squeezing the bag of goods, "We've got this!"

"Yeah, you're right!" A boost of confidence that plummets when the door opens, "Hey Max-"

"He's in the shower." Brad says with a casual shrug, he's never really had a conversation with these two besides maybe a jest in passing.

He's in one of Max's shirts, hair a brown nest on his head that the two are used to seeing brushed neatly. Bobby had never been Brad's biggest fan, the opposite really, how could he like someone so cocky and chatty? When he heard the school gossiping about Brad he couldn't help but feel a little happy, it's not often bullies get bullied and everyone knew Brad was the biggest one on campus. He didn't see what Max saw in him, but if he's important to him then Bobby knows he'll just have to accept it. He doesn't want to, but he will.

"No problem, can you tell him we stopped by?" PJ says while rubbing his neck, "We also brought him some snacks-"

"Just come inside." Brad waves them in casually, pulling on one of Max's hoodies to hide his scars. Had they already noticed? They hadn't said anything but he couldn't help but worry. "He'll be done in a minute."

"Yeah but-"

"But what? Worried he's going to kick you out for leaving him in the dark?" Brad smirks when he sees Bobby scowling, "Or maybe you're worried he'll drop your asses for me."

"As if, Twink."

"Who the hell are you talking to?" His eye twitches, then his hand, and then it jolts back and hits Bobby square in the face. "Oops."