Saving Max

Chapter 21

I back away from Caden with disgust on my face, my eyes quickly racking over his body before meeting his dulled one's again. I stare with disbelief as Max sits only a few feet away from us, no clue what's going on. 

"Are you out of your mind?" I hiss, grabbing a hold of his wrist tightly, gripping it as a way to release all of my anger, my nails diffing in to his skin, hard enough to leave small indents on his skin. He pulls away from me with a huff, putting his fingertips against against his temples as he closes his eyes, stressed lines becoming even more prominent on his forehead as he does so. 

"Shut the fuck up, Bella. I don't need to hear you lecture me right now." he growls, making me physically flinch away from him, my heart clenching tight in my chest as his words pierce through it. 

I knew Caden was a mean drunk- not stupid or silly, or just out of it- but cruel and heartless when he got enough of that damned poison in his system. There have been many stories that used to fly around school about him; stories that everyone seemed to hear about. Most go about the same way: Caden and another guy get drunk, and Caden beats him to a pulp. I even heard once that he almost killed a man twice his age. 

Looking at him right now, I can almost believe it. 

I guess I just hoped I'd never have to see it; the dark side of Caden. Sure, I've seen him in some dark times, and even when he's been mad while tipsy, but never this angry, and definitely never this drunk. 

"Why did you drink so much Caden? You knew that you had to be here for Max's conference tonight." I chide, pushing at his shoulder a little, the attack weak. He doesn't seem phased, he just shoves his hands in his pockets, stumbling over to the wall closest to him, lazily leaning against it like he can no longer hold himself up. 

"I don't give a shit about the damn conference. It's stupid. Fuck all of 'em." Caden slurs, a smug smile on his face as he reaches towards me. I quickly back away from him, not wanting to be anywhere close to him right now. This is not the Caden I know. The Caden I've learned to love- this man in front of me sure as hell isn't him. 

I think that's the only thing that's kept me around this long- that's kept me from walking away. It would be so easy to just grab Max's hand and walk out of the building away from it all- away from him. But I just can't find it in myself to do  it . Even in his drunken state, I know that this is the guy that would do anything to protect me, to keep me safe. And in my heart, I know that he's the only guy I even want to be around, even through the hard times. When it comes to times like this with Caden , I never even think to walk away. Sure, I know it's an option, but it's never been one I've considered. Whenever something happens between Caden and I, I don't want to run. I want to stay with him through it all and figure out a way to fix things. Even when it seems like it'll be impossible to fix. 

"Baby," Caden slurs, taking a step towards me, only to have me step away again. The look on his face is a mix of anger and sadness, but it does nothing to faze me right now. Right now I just want to get this meeting over with as soon as possible and get Caden home so I can take care of him.

As soon as the thought crosses my mind, the door to Max's classroom swings open, a couple that looks to be in their late forties stepping out, hands linked together as they say a last thank you and goodbye to Mrs. Ramsey, each giving a small wave before heading down the hallway.

"Hi Max." Mrs. Ramsey greets, giving him a small handshake before turning to Caden and I, a warm smile on her face, but also a hint of question in her bright blue eyes. 

"Hello." I greet, walking away from a swaying Caden to shake her hand, retreating quickly back to him to put a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Caden is just here to sit with Max. I'll be the only one attending the meeting tonight." I explain as I push Caden gently into the seat next to Max, earning a grumble from him. Even though I can tell he's unhappy, he doesn't protest, or make any move to get up and follow me into the classroom.