All Is Love and War | Maxley |

➳ 19

CHAPTER 19

Bradley

The day of my brother's wedding had arrived. Max and I had arrived at the hotel yesterday morning. My heart felt like it was going to explode. Every second that passed, bringing the time to the wedding closer, my heart thumped hard against my chest. It was fine--it had to be.

"You worry too much, Angel." He hugged me around the waist. "Your brother is going to be so static that you decided to come to the wedding."

I shied away, "I'm not too sure about that."

"Angel," he said cooly. "It's going to be just fine." He kissed my cheek. "You look beautiful."

I fixed his suit jacket. "Thank you," I mumbled. "You don't look so bad either." Max smiled widely.

"I never look bad."

I kissed him quickly, "you're right about that." He pulled me in for another kiss. Soft and simple and over way too soon. "Okay--okay. Let's get going before I opt out." Max intertwined his fingers with mine.

"I love you," he spoke sweetly.

He never failed to make my heart jump out of my chest. "I love you too, Max."

-- -- --

The wedding's color theme was green and gold. My brother chose the venue, a beautiful earthy garden. Flowers were everywhere, making it hard to find a spot that wasn't met with roses or tulips. It was something I had never seen before. I viewed the venue, studying every bit of it. Brett stalked over, holding a glass of wine in one hand. "Bradley," he smiled. "It's nice to see you," there was something hidden in his tone that I couldn't quite place. "You brought your bodyguard. Hello, Max." 

"Actually--

I cut Max off, "Yes, I did. We're pretty good friends," I laughed softly.

Brett nodded. "I'll see you after, yeah? I have quite a number of people to greet. Feel free to taste any of the desserts except the cake, of course." Brett made his way to other family and friends.

Max nudged my shoulder. "Pretty good friends?" I glanced down at the ground. Max's eyes shifted into something different. "You were never afraid of coming to the wedding, you were afraid to come with me. Shit, Bradley." I took note of the name. "You made it sound like I was doing you a favor by coming, instead, I'm just causing you to hide yourself more."

"Max, I'm sorry."

He sighed, "It's fine. I just thought ... never mind. While we're here, let's just be friends." 

Brett was a supportive brother no matter how many incidents we had. I could trust him to support me in my and Max's relationship. Why couldn't I defend it? The words failed to seep through. 

"I need a moment," he tore away from me then, leaving me to well up in a puddle of shame and guilt.

There was something so clearly wrong with me. I couldn't tell the brother I loved about the person I loved most in the world. I found a quiet spot behind a few planter boxes. I sat back against the box, putting my palms to my face. I sobbed into them. I was a terrible person in every universe, it seemed in every universe, I hurt Max. "I'm so sorry," I whispered to nobody in particular. Perhaps I hoped my message would flow through the wind and reach Max. I puzzled my knees to my chest. "I'm really sorry." 

-- -- --  

The wedding went by perfectly ... for Brett and Gia, the woman he married. I was glad everything went alright for them, but nothing was alright with Max and me. I had messed everything up. Truth be told, I was afraid of seeing Brett. It was never about Max's and I's relationship that frightened me, although Max seemed to think so. I was confident in defending our relationship to others but when it mattered the most, the words wouldn't slip out of my mouth. If all of it ended here, it would be my fault and no one else's. I couldn't let that happen. Max meant too much to me, I had so much love for him.

I walked around the celebration, hoping to find him sitting somewhere alone. When I couldn't find him, my heart began racing. Had he left?

Suddenly, a body slammed right into me. I stumbled forward and she tumbled to the ground, groaning. "Are you alright," I asked, reaching a hand out for her to take.

She grabbed my hand I helped her stand on her feet again. "I'm okay, I wasn't looking where I was going. It's easy to get starstruck by this place," she spoke softly. "I'm Val Katz."

The name Val sounded familiar although I had never met a Val in my life. Perhaps it was one of those other universes where we had met. "It's nice to meet you Val, I'm Bradley. Sorry--I'm a little busy right now. I'm looking for someone." 

"My girlfriend and I could help you find that someone. Would you like our help?"

"Yes, please, that would be wonderful." Val Katz was a kind woman I decided then.