Saving Max

Chapter 30

I lick at my ice cream, pulling my jacket tighter around myself in the crisp fall air. Caden and Max are sitting next to me on the low brick wall right beside Carl's, each of them trying to frantically lick the melting ice cream that's falling off their cones. A small smile makes it's way to my face when Caden's eyes meet mine, a pleasant sort of relief washing over me. I let out a deep sigh, too, just happy that we can sit here and pretend that everything is okay, even if it's just for a little while.

We're the only ones here, no one else possibly wanting ice cream on the coldest day of November, winter creeping it's way closer and closer to us with each passing day. It is kind of nice to have the place to ourselves though, not having a crowd of people so close by. Sure, there are a few people walking about the town, but none anywhere remotely close to us. It's like we have our own little world.

"Bella?" Max tugs on my arm, ice cream smudged all over his face as his bright blue eyes gaze right into my own. I smile down at him, letting him know that he has my full attention as he continues. "I'm cold." He rubs his hands up and down his bare arms, his teeth chattering loudly from next to me.

"You shouldn't have scarfed down your ice cream little man." Caden says, making Max turn from me to face his brother, Caden wearing a small grin on his face. "But we'll head home, okay? Go to the car and I'll be there in a second to turn on the heat." Caden says, picking Max up off the wall and carefully setting him back down on the ground. As soon as he's able to, Max makes a break for our car that's parked just down the street. Caden unlocks it from where he stands in front of me, making sure Max can get in when he gets there. He's perfectly in our line of sight as he reaches the car, throwing himself into the backseat carelessly, thankful to be out of the cold.

After we both watch him successfully close the door behind himself Caden turns to me, the same grin he had before still teasing his lips. He slides his hands around my waist, giving me a quick, light squeeze before lifting me in the air and placing me on the ground, just as he did Max.

"I could've gotten down on my own, you know." I tell him cheekily, draping my arms loosely around his neck as I gaze up at him.

There's a spark in his eyes as he tugs me closer, leaning down to press a soft, sweet kiss on my lips before pulling away. "I know." he says lightly, his eyes twinkling. "But this way is a lot more fun for me."

I laugh, pushing at his chest jokingly, intertwining my hand with his afterwards. "You're ridiculous." I chide, shaking my head as we start to make our way down the street.

"Only with you." Caden says, an easy, effortless look coming over him.

I'm radiant as I look at him, happy that he can find a way to be happy and playful, even after everything that's happened today. He's not letting himself get caught up in all the bad like he has before. Instead, he's letting himself see that there's still good in life, even with all the bad that always seems to be looming around.

"I Love you." I tell him giving him a quick peck on the lips when we reach the car, receiving a bright smile that reaches his eyes in return.

"Love you, too." he says, walking around the car to get in the driver's side. I'm already in my seat when he starts the car, easily pulling out into the road, almost no traffic on the usually busy town streets. "Am I still taking you to work?"

"If you can." I tell him, sinking down in my seat a little as I get comfortable. I reach out and flip on the heat for Max, hearing a small sigh from the back as the warm air rushes out from the vents. "Kelsey said that it's really last minute, but I could use the extra shift anyway. I haven't been to work in a while." I tell him, my mind quickly flashing to Britt. I wonder if she's okay.