The Elite Press (Complete)

Christmas Memories

Brooke found Slade in the morning and made amends. Slade knew it wouldn't last. He took her back but it was temporary and he told her they were starting over.

He knew something better would come along. Brooke and Slade spent the weekend with Bill. Slade wondered what Max did with his day. His mind wandered to Max a lot. More than it should.

Max was home all of Christmas Eve with his usual routine when Bill called. "Dad, hello? Is everything okay?"

Bill smiled. "Things are fine. I just wanted a family dinner tonight and it's Christmas Eve, Scrooge. Come over tonight and bring a gift for Slade."

Max sighed. "What in the fuck am I supposed to buy for Slade!"

Bill just laughed. "Get him a date."

"That's not funny. What time?" Max wasn't amused.

"Six. See you then." Bill hung up.

Max spent the day shopping for Slade and surprisingly, stores were opened. Only until six but they were still opened on Christmas Eve. He had Bill's gift done in like July and bought Brooke's at the first store. He knew what to get her. He had to shop for Slade, the sexy drummer. He knew nothing else about Slade.

Bill was excited. He had everyone over for dinner. Max was a little late. Brooke was leaving before the new year, so this was it. The last gathering this year.

"I brought wine for the lushes in the family." Max smiled as he walked into the house. He had gifts with him. He dropped the gifts by the tree and put the wine on the counter.

Bill took the bottle and opened it. "Thanks. You're a good boy."

Max shook his head. "Where's Brooke?"

"On the phone." Slade smiled. "Hello."

Max smiled. "Hi." He stared at Slade. Green eyes on blue eyes.

Bill watched them and smiled. He took his wine into the dining room and sat and the boys didn't notice yet.

Bill was curious. Max was content to just stand in the kitchen with Slade. He felt stupid so he busied himself and poured a cup of coffee he didn't want. Max looked at Slade and Slade smiled.

Max was thrilled because Slade was back in his beat up jeans and eyeliner. Max was in heaven. He was content to just stare at the sexy man.

Max missed him and wanted to talk to him and get to know him. He knew there was no chance of that happening. Slade would dump Brooke and leave. Max hated thinking about that. They were staring at each other and Max loved it while it lasted.

Brooke ruined it by bouncing in all excited. "Guess what?"

Slade cleared his throat and walked into the dining room. He sat beside Bill and Max sat across from him. "What?" Slade asked. He cleared his throat and tried not to look at Max.

"I got a job interview thanks to that party! I talked to a man that knew the magazine editor!" Brooke was all smiles.

"An actual job? Weird." Max smiled.

Brooke flipped Max off. "Not at the table!" Bill sighed. Slade just laughed.

Brooke took a glass of wine. "They are flying me out to Seattle and I'm staying there in a hotel. If I get this job, I will have to move but...there are planes and I won't miss a single Christmas!" She looked at her dad.

"What about Slade?" Max didn't mean to ask.

"What about him?" Brooke stared.

"Uh, I thought you were dating?" Max stared at his sister trying to cover his mistake. Why would he be worried about Slade? His eyes went to Slade. Max saw a slight smile.