Dear Diary (Maxley)

15

Max borrowed a suit from his father, now admiring it in the mirror while tying a bowtie around his neck. It had been left on his door by Brittney, Max assuming she was reaching out an olive branch. Out of all the siblings she had been the kindest to him, well, besides her passive aggressive comments and questions. At least she wasn't like Benjamin or the twins, who purposely bumped into him or shot him glares from across the room.

Tonight, he'd show all of them

But most importantly, he'd show Brad he was worth it.

Max wondered what he was wearing, how he was wearing it- did it cling to his fine figure? No, Brad was concerned with his weight lately, he probably had on something baggy. Max was pleasantly surprised to see him in just a button-up and slacks, greeting him with a kiss on the hand that quickly trailed up his arm to his cheek and lingered as Brad laughed.

"Careful, remember we're in public." Brad says as if he isn't sneaking kiss after kiss, the two giddy to be so close after a busy week apart in preparation for the event. He hugs him tightly, squeezing him as if he's trying to steady himself. "If anyone says something to you, tell me."

"Something like what?" God he's too sweet for this snobby, materialistic world. The way he has his head cocked to the side just makes Brad want to cup his face and bite into him. "Aren't we going to be together?"

"Well, yes- yes and no." Brad sighs as Max's tail stiffens, "I have to do some networking with Father for the company and he...wants it to just be us! Father and son bonding, yes-"

"He doesn't want me there." Max's head drops to Brad's shoulder, "I'm sorry."

"Max, don't worry about what he wants." Brad kisses his hand as a quiet classical song hums from the closed ballroom doors. "Just know I want you. I love you."

Max held his hand tightly as they stepped inside, suddenly aware of all of the eyes on him. How did Brad do this? How did he casually stay blank-faced despite the whispers while Max maintained an awkward smile. All the other Alphas had on ties, the only people with bowties seemed to be omegas, how strange. Max brushes it off as nothing and sticks close to Brad for as long as he can, tail wagging whenever their eyes meet or Brad says his name. Giddy, he shakes hands with everyone Brad introduces him to, even those who seem hesitant to even share the same air. They keep glancing at his neck, making him toy with his collar until Brad takes his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Should I have worn a tie? I'm sorry." Shit, he's messing things up already! "I can go change."

"There's no need for that, this has obviously been set up." Brad sighs, pulling him to a less crowded side of the room. "Promise me you'll tell me if someone says something cruel to you."

"Brad-"

"Promise me." Brad won't let go of his hands, lips pursed and eyes anxiously darting around.

"I promise, but I know I won't need to tell you! No one has said anything so far." Max pulls him a little closer, enough to see his reflection in his eyes.

"Yeah, because I'm beside you." He smiles when Max's shoulders slump, "I need to network with Father...you'll have to be by yourself for a bit now. Is that okay?"

"Of course, do what you need to do." Max flashes his best smile when Brad struggles to step away, masking his racing thoughts with kind eyes. "I'll be fine."

Spoiler, Max was not fine.

Everyone seemed to avoid him like some kind of plague, eyes cold and calculating. He stopped maintaining eye contact, nerves getting the best of him and making him step outside for a breath of humbling air. He was in over his head, everyone in the ballroom smelled like wealth, luxury clothes draped over them and privileged smeared in every pore. Brad fit right in too, socializing with a practiced posture and smooth words that snuck into Max's ears from afar. Handsome, he looks so good in that shirt and those pants hug his legs so nicely-