Max and Hailey: A second chance

Family Diner turned Disaster

Hailey's P.O.V

I stood there in the dark in complete shock wondering what in the world just happened. I only came in here to get extra plate settings. I didn't realize it at first, but I am ninety-five percent sure that the guy who just poured out his soul and kissed me on the cheek was Max. The same Max that attacked me earlier today and is coming over for dinner. Though I didn't see his face, I am pretty sure it was him. I grabbed the things I came for and headed back home taking the shortcut that I had taken to get here. My only other question was who in the world could be his father? It had to be someone from the police department because that is where he was most of the day according to my parents. I can just ask my uncle when I get inside, and it gave me a brilliant idea. If it really was Max, then I should beat him to the house. If I go inside and he's already there then it obviously couldn't be him and I wouldn't have to bombard my uncle with questions. It was the perfect plan. As I reached the back door, I took a deep breath before going inside and having my nice hostess persona on. I set the extra placements on the table and followed my mom to the living room to tell everyone that dinner was ready. I was shocked to see that Max was here already. He was sitting on the end of the couch with his mom, Brittany in the middle, and uncle David was on the other side of Brittany, with his arm around her neck. Okay, so it looks like Max wasn't the mystery guy but, since when did uncle David and Brittany become so close? He was never close like this with his other cases. I oddly felt slightly uncomfortable at the spot. I mean I want my uncle to be happy, and I have nothing against Brittany, but uncle David has never dated or brought a girl over for dinner, like ever. A tap on my shoulder brought me back to reality and I guess I had been staring because everyone was looking at me now.

"Uh, sorry. I got sidetracked. The dining room is ready for everyone to have a seat. Is Iced tea okay with everyone for tonight?" I asked everyone trying to change the subject.

"Hailey, could you actually break out the wine from the back of the pantry?" Uncle David asked as he helped Brittany get up from the couch.

"grandpa's wine? He said to use it only for special occasions and celebrations." I reminded him as I tried to not let my concern show across my face. It was one of the few requests he left in his will and I was not going to break it.

"Yes, his wine. We do have something special to celebrate and I was going to tell everyone at the dinner table." Uncle David said.

"Hailey, you heard your uncle, go get the wine out. Alex, you can help your mom bring the food to the table and Ariana you can bring the Iced Tea, while your sister gets the wine." Dad said giving me a stern expression.

"Of course, sorry uncle David," I said and bowed my head before running off the kitchen. I can't believe Dad just embarrassed me like that in front of the guest. I mean I don't care what Max thinks of me really, it's not like he was the mystery guy from earlier. Anyway, I grabbed four wine glasses since there were only four of us that could legally drink. I went inside the panty and pulled out the wine from the very back of the pantry. It was very dusty, and I dusted it off before placing it on the table. With the dust cleared the label was clearly visible. Grandpa had crafted this specific wine as a future gift for grandma as an anniversary surprise. Sadly, she died before he could give it to her. For that reason alone, he made it clear to never touch it until we as a family had a big important announcement. Part of me never wanted it to be used so that it could be a daily reminder that he is still with us in spirit but apparently, I am the only one sentimental about it. I sighed and grabbed some ice putting it in each wine glass and then some in a bucket to keep the wine cool. I grabbed the glasses in one hand and put the wine in the bucket before grabbing the bucket and bringing it to the table. I gave each of the adults one wine glass before opening the wine and pouring some into each of the glasses. I put the wine back in the bucket at the center of the table. Dad and uncle David each sat at the ends of the table. On one side of the table, mom sat next to dad. Ariana sat next to mom and with Brittany on the other side. The only seat left for me was on the other side right in between Alex and Max. I rolled my eyes and hoped no one noticed as I made my way to my seat. 

Halston and Halsted got to sit at their own little table so that they wouldn't mess up the nice placement settings we had on the table. As I sat down and got comfortable, I noticed how little room I had between these two large-built dummies. Well, I take that back, Max could possibly be smarter than Alex, but that wasn't too hard. Uncle David cleared his throat to get everyone's attention and stood up with Brittney, each picking up their wine glass. All I could think of at the second was to mentally prepare myself for whatever was about to come out of his mouth. I picked up my glass to take a sip of my iced tea to prepare myself.

"So, as all of you have probably heard by now that me and Brittney were an item before she was kidnapped by those barbarians." Uncle David said and looked down at Brittney pulling her close to him. "however, what you guys don't know is that Max is my son. She was already pregnant with him when she was taken." He said. As soon as the words 'Max is my son' came out of his mouth I spit out my drink in shock right onto the table and Max. It took a minute to register before I quickly put my drink down.

"Oh my god Max, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to get you wet." I said completely embarrassed. I grabbed my napkin and tried to help him dry himself off.

"It's ok, I was pretty shocked this morning too," Max said to me. I was shocked he didn't yell or freak at me for this. Our hands bumped into each other as we tried to dry his pants. We then bumped heads accidentally as my hand-glazed across his crotch while trying to dry the mess I made.

"Ow," we both said when our heads bumped.

"Shit, I am so sorry Max, I didn't mean to" I was about to say more but my father cut me off glaring over at me. Alex and Ariana could help but giggle at my humiliation but mom kicked both of them under the table to stop laughing.

"Hailey go collect yourself and clean up." He ordered then looked to Max as I got up and hung my head, "I am sorry for Hailey's clumsiness. Please ignore her. Why don't we just start eating and we can toast to this good news afterward?" he suggested. I quickly exited the dining room and ran upstairs to my room straight into my bathroom and locked the door behind me sliding down to the ground against the wall. I bent my knees and rest my arms on them as I covered my face in embarrassment. I couldn't believe I just spit my drink out on Max, hit him with my head, and almost groped his crotch all while finding out that he is technically my cousin. Well not biologically since uncle David is adopted but still, Max didn't know that. God, I must have seemed like such a creep to him just now. How could I ever show my face after that let alone have dinner with him? I royally screwed this whole family dinner up and ruined uncle David's announcement. I know how much he wanted his own kids and I am sure he is ecstatic to have a son and I just go and ruin it. Tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't help but cry at the mess I created. Dad was already frustrated with me and now I made things worse. I am definitely never going to hear the end of it.