YOU 2 [Charli D'Amelio]

Chapter 122.

Max's POV.

Holding her for the first time in what seems like a lifetime is better than I could begin to describe in my mind. I physically felt the relief flood through me when she ran into my arms, I never expected that to happen. She has been so distant, so cold lately. I don't blame her but fuck if it doesn't hurt.

"Are you okay?" I ask her against her hair.

She shakes her head up and down against my chest but continues to cry. I know she isn't okay. Her mother probably said some shit to her that she shouldn't have. I knew this would happen and honestly, I am glad for whatever she did. Not because she hurt Charli, but because it caused her to run to me for comfort.

"Let's go inside." I tell her and she nods but doesn't let go of me.

I force myself to take my arms from her and walk us both inside. Her beautiful face is marked with black streaks and her eyes and lips are swollen. I hope she didn't cry the whole drive.

I pull my sweatshirt off as soon as we step into the lobby I pull my sweatshirt over my head and hand it to her. It's wet from the snow but warmer than her wearing only that dress. That dress. I would normally go into fantasizing about peeling the thin fabric off of her but not today, not while she is like this.

"Thanks." She hiccups and pulls it over her head. Her hair sticks up out of the side in a big knot but she looks younger than usual.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I take the small chance to ask her when we step off the elevator and walk down to our..the apartment.

She nods and I unlock the door. My mum is sitting on the couch and worry spreads across her face as she takes in Charli's appearance.

I shoot her a warning glare, hoping she will remember the promise she made to me minutes ago to not bombard Charli when she returns. She tears her eyes from Charli and looks at the television to give the illusion that she doesn't notice.

"We are going to go in the room for a little while." I announce and my mum nods.

I know it is driving her crazy not being able to talk but I will not have her making Charli feel any worse by prying.

I stop at the thermostat in the hallway to turn the heat up for her, I know she is freezing. When I step into the room she is sitting on the edge of the bed. I am not sure how close I am allowed to get to her so I wait for her to say something.

"Maxxy?" She says in a weak voice.

She has been crying the whole drive, I can tell by the hoarse tone of her voice.

When I stand in front of her she surprises me again by grabbing ahold of my t-shirt and pulling me to her. This is more than her mum saying some rude shit. She holds the fabric in her hands as I stand between her legs.

"Baby.. what did she do?" I ask her as she cries again, smearing her makeup on the bottom of my white shirt. I could give a shit less, if anything I will have a reminder of her when she leaves me again.

"My dad." She croaks and I go rigid.

"Your dad?" If he was there...

"was he there? Did he do something to you?" I ask her through my teeth.

She shakes her head no and I reach down to lift her chin up, forcing her to look at me. She is never quiet, even when she upset. That is usually when she is the most vocal.

"He moved back here and I didn't even know he left, I mean I guess I did know but I never thought about it. I never thought about him." She says.

"Did you talk to him?" My voice is not as calm as I mean for it to be.

"No, she did though. She said he isn't going to come near me but I don't want her making that choice for me."

"You want to see him?" All of the things she has told me about this man have been negative. He was a violent man, often smacking her mum around in front of Her. He never hurt her but why would she want to see him?

"No.. well I don't know. But I want to be the one to decide whether I do or not. Not that he would even want to see me."

The instinct to hunt him down and make sure he doesn't come near her takes over and I have to talk myself down mentally before I do just that.

"I can't help but think. what if he is like your dad?"

"What do you mean?"

"What If he is different now? What if he doesn't drink anymore?" The hope in her voice breaks my heart, well what's left of it.

"I don't know.. that usually doesn't happen." I tell her honestly. I see the way her mouth turns down at the ends and I continue.

"But it could. Maybe he is different now?" I don't believe it but who am I to ruin the idea for her.

"I didn't know you had any interest in him?"

"I don't, well I didn't. I am just angry because my mother kept it from me. Then Chase told me and she acted like it was none of my business and then she wanted to go shopping. What the hell is wrong with her?" She wipes her nose with the back of her hand and I lift my shirt up for her to use.

As she wipes her nose and face against my shirt, she looks a little embarrassed but continues.

Charli's mother is the only woman who would be speaking of her alcoholic ex husband then mention going shopping. I keep my mouth shut about Chase being there even though it pisses me off. He just won't seem to go away.

"It's okay that I am here right?" She asks and looks up at me.

"Yea.. of course. You can stay as long as you need to. It is your apartment after all." I try to smile and surprisingly she returns the gesture before wiping her nose on my shirt again.

"I should have a dorm room next week."

I nod, if I speak I will end up pathetically begging her not to leave me again.

"I am going to clean myself up." She tells me.

She seems much better than she was when she ran to me in the parking lot and I would like to think that is because she is here with me.