|| LOVE AT THE LODGE ||

CHAPTER 9 - "Whatever it takes"

The next few days were agonizing. Max avoided us at every turn, spending most of his time alone or with the rest of the group, but never with Jack or me. The house, once filled with laughter and chatter, was now silent and tense. I couldn't shake the guilt that hung over me, and I knew Jack felt the same.

But despite the cold shoulder, I couldn't give up hope. Max was my brother, and I knew that deep down, he loved us both. We just needed to find a way to reach him.

It was Jack who finally suggested we take the first step. "Milly, we can't just wait for Max to come to us. We have to show him that we're willing to do whatever it takes to make things right."

He was right, of course. So we decided to try something that had always brought the three of us together—a day out in the woods, just like old times.

We planned everything carefully, packing a picnic and all of Max's favorite snacks. When we approached him that morning, I was nervous. But Max, though still distant, agreed to come with us.

The walk to our favorite spot in the woods was quiet, but not hostile. Jack and I let Max set the pace, giving him space to breathe. Once we reached the clearing, the memories of countless happy days spent here seemed to ease the tension. We laid out the blanket, and for the first time in days, Max seemed a little less guarded.

Over sandwiches and fruit, we finally broke the silence.

"Max," I began, my voice soft but earnest, "we're really sorry. We never meant to hurt you. You're the most important person in our lives, and losing your trust is something we never wanted."

Jack nodded in agreement. "We care about you so much, Max. We're here because we want to make things right, however long it takes."

Max was silent for a moment, staring at the food on the blanket. Then, finally, he looked up at us, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions—hurt, anger, but also something softer.

"It's hard, you know?" he said quietly. "You two are the most important people to me, and it felt like you went behind my back. But... I've been thinking. You didn't do it to hurt me. You fell in love, and that's not something you can control."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reached out to him. "Max, you're my brother. I love you so much, and nothing will ever change that. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, but I promise, I'm still your sister, and I always will be."

Jack spoke up, his voice filled with emotion. "Max, you're like a brother to me. I would never do anything to hurt you on purpose. I just hope that, in time, you can forgive us."

Max looked between the two of us, the conflict in his eyes slowly giving way to a reluctant smile. "You guys are such saps," he said, shaking his head. "But... I guess I can't stay mad forever. You're my family, and I don't want to lose that."

The relief that washed over me was overwhelming, and I pulled Max into a tight hug. Jack joined in, wrapping us both in his arms. For the first time in days, it felt like everything might just be okay.

As the days passed, things gradually started to return to normal. Max was still a little distant at times, but he was slowly opening up to us again. We spent more time together, just like before, and it felt like the bond we shared was starting to heal.

One evening, as we sat around the campfire outside the cabin, Max spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence.

"So, what's next for you two?" he asked, his tone light but curious.

Jack and I exchanged a glance, both of us smiling. "Honestly, we're just taking it one day at a time," I said. "We're figuring things out as we go."

Jack nodded, squeezing my hand. "We don't have all the answers, but we know we want to be together. And we want you to be a part of our lives, Max. That's the most important thing."

Max grinned, poking at the fire with a stick. "Well, I guess I'll have to get used to seeing you two together. But as long as you're both happy, that's what matters."

The three of us sat there, watching the flames dance in the night, the weight of the past few days finally lifting. We knew there would still be challenges ahead, but we also knew that we could face them together.

The rest of the trip was filled with laughter and shared memories. We went on hikes, swam in the lake, and even had a few more late-night talks by the fire. It felt like we were rediscovering each other, and it was a beautiful thing.

As we packed up to leave the cabin, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. We had been through a lot, but we had come out the other side stronger and closer than ever. Max, Jack, and I were still a team, and that's all that mattered.

Before we got in the car, Max pulled me aside, his expression serious but kind. "Milly, I just want you to know... I'm really happy for you. Jack's a good guy, and you deserve to be happy."

I smiled, tears brimming in my eyes. "Thank you, Max. That means more to me than you know."

He pulled me into a tight hug, and I knew in that moment that everything was going to be okay.

As we drove away from the cabin, I looked back one last time, feeling a sense of closure and a renewed sense of hope. The future was uncertain, but with Jack and Max by my side, I knew we could face anything together.

And that, more than anything, was the happy ending I had always wanted.