Haunted

Say Something

Steve held his arm up to form a barrier as airport security opened the door for Maddox. They made their way through the screaming crowd to the car that was waiting for them. Maddox couldn't help but smile at everyone who'd come out to see him. The fans were so loud he was sure he would have gone deaf if it weren't for the earplugs he'd put in his ears, carefully hidden under his beanie.

"Welcome home, Dax, " Paul, Justin's bodyguard was the one to open the car door for Maddox and sure enough, when Maddox ducked to get into the car his dad was waiting for him. It was the best kind of surprise since Maddox was already so excited to see everyone.

"Hi Dad," Maddox grinned as Justin grabbed him for a big hug immediately. "I love you."

"Love you too, kid," Justin squeezed Maddox harder. He cleared his throat as he pulled away. "We're going to be late," Justin turned to look at his phone but Maddox caught the tears in his eyes.

"Mom will get over it," Maddox laughed. "And you'll get over me too," he added, giving Justin a little shove.

"Never," Justin shook his head. "But I'm sure whatever you do next will be just as amazing."

"All I want to do after this tour is sleep and get married. Maybe stand around having my picture taken with Brent, I don't know."

"One day at a time, Dax," Justin looked out the window. "I hope we don't miss it, I'll never forgive myself."

"What time does this thing start?"

"In 45 minutes," Justin sighed as the car stopped in traffic. "Aiden's class is going on first."

"Look, if Eli can only get my show to start exactly on time 70% of the time and he's like the absolute best tour manager out there," Maddox shrugged. "I doubt a preschool Christmas

Pageant is going to have better luck."

"70%?" Justin laughed. "Damn, I think my tour runs at 20%."

"You need Eli."

"I love Eli too much to do that to him. Kenny's the only one who can handle me," Justin shook his head. "We're already working on an offer for Eli. And Scooter has a project for Tim too."

"Good," Maddox nodded. "Hunter is going to stay with me until we figure out what he really wants to do with his life."

"Pretty sure that's you," Justin laughed.

"Shut up, he and Eli are officially together now," Maddox rolled his eyes.

"Is this really the fastest way to get there?" Justin looked at the traffic. His leg was bouncing in a way that made Maddox glad Justin wasn't driving them.

"We'll get there, it's not that far to the school," Maddox insisted. "How long were you waiting at the airport?"

"An hour," Justin shrugged. "I wanted to make sure you got to see this. Your mom said Scarlett's been practicing every night and it's all she'll talk about."

"Thanks," Maddox smiled. He'd originally planned to fly home the next morning but Justin had changed Maddox's flight at the last minute. Maddox had decided he would surprise Brent too so he hadn't mentioned it when they talked earlier that day.

Just as Maddox insisted, they pulled up to the twins' preschool exactly at 6:00. Brent was the only one still standing in the lobby and he was checking his phone so he didn't see Maddox and Justin coming in. Maddox came up behind him to peek over his shoulder.

"Your lazy boyfriend didn't text you back?" Maddox asked. Brent gasped and turned to grab him.

"Fiancé," Brent corrected. "Come with me," he pulled Maddox to the nearest bathroom.