The Elite Press (Complete)

Introductions: Dr. Max Welch. MD.

Max sighed. He didn't want to go but he was loyal to his father. Brooke was bringing some guy home. Another one. He walked into the house.

"Hey, Pops. I brought one of those Christmas flowers you love so much." He walked into the kitchen and no one was there.

"Pops?" He sat the plant down on the counter and watched the snow fall outside. He could tell that the house was empty and took a breath.

"Poinsettia." A voice came from nowhere.

Max jumped and turned. He had his hand on his chest. "Fuck!" He inhaled. "Who are you?"

He stared at the stranger. The tall stranger with green eyes and a very nice smile. His hair was black and short. It was a nice haircut and it was sticking up and reminded him of Sid Vicious, just a little. Everything on his face was pierced and had a bar or ring in it. His ears weren't safe either. They were pierced and had those weird plates in them. These weren't too big though.

He looked so...hot. He had a white button up on and some holey jeans that were made for him. His tennis shoes looked worn. He was wearing rings on every finger and a silver chain dangled from his back pocket to his front pocket. Max found this look very appealing. He was pretty sure that he was wearing eyeliner. Whatever it was, it was hot on him.

The man smiled and enjoyed the look he just got from Max. Did Max just check him out? He was pretty sure he did. "Slade. Hello. Sorry to scare you. I'm dating..."

"Brooke, got it." Max rubbed his chest and tried to calm down. All of his cells in his body were out of control. "So, you are the flavor of the month. Hello. At least her taste is improving."

Slade smiled. "I'm taking that as a compliment."

Max inhaled. "Where is my darling sister? Oh, or my dad!" Damn, his voice was even sexy. Come on. Max was sweating.

"Uh, out getting food or something. Your dad didn't want to leave you here alone." Slade shrugged.

Max rolled his eyes. "Right. I have never been alone before! Like I don't live alone and I have never stayed at this house alone." He was always alone and hated it. He hated himself. He usually spent Christmas self-loathing.

Slade shrugged again. He could see that Max was annoyed.

Max stared. "So...what's your name again?"

"Slade."

Max nodded. "Slade, right. What do you do?"

"Drummer."

"Of course. Brooke only goes for musicians. I wish she would settle down!" Max watched Slade. No idea why he felt so annoyed.

"I asked her to be my girlfriend. She is thinking about it." Slade tried to reassure Max.

Max stared at the very hot drummer. He was beginning to wish he dated drummers. "What's to think about? Yes or no. Damn, she's dumb."

Slade smiled. "I'm a catch." He loved the look Max just had. He definitely checked him out, again. Slade liked it.

Max laughed. "I like you, Slade." He paused. "Slade? Really?"

Slade nodded. "Yes, Slade Press, Max. Maxwell?" He looked at Max. He was checking him out. They should be equal.

Max was tall, just a little shorter than Slade. Slade could see Max resting his head on his shoulder. Max was the perfect height for Slade. Max was sexy in his grey suit and red and green Christmas tie and Slade wasn't at all prepared for that. He was expecting some overweight, middle-aged loser but Max was young and sexy. That suit was a nice fit. Nice and fit. He cleared his throat.