The Elite Press (Complete)

Changes

A/N Hope you're enjoying this story. This chapter is a little long again. I hope it's still okay.

Max was home again. Alone. Well, not really. Not this time. He didn't feel alone even though Slade wasn't there. Slade was coming to stay for a while at the end of the week.

Alyssa saw a difference when Max returned from his vacation. Max walked in on Tuesday. "Okay! What in the hell is going on?" Her hands were on her hips. She was waiting for him in purple hues this time.

"What?" Max looked like he had no idea what she could mean.

"Okay, where did you go on vacation and why are you in such a great mood!" Alyssa glared. "You met someone!"

Max sighed. "Alyssa. Please. Just...I'm trying new things."

"I see that. Is it a girl? We have an office pool going!" Alyssa smiled.

Max laughed. "No girl. I just needed to take a break."

Alyssa watched Max. "I have known you for a long time and I have worked with you for six years, Max. Something is different. I asked Bill and he's silent. Is this about the flowers?"

Max blushed and looked at the floor. "When I'm ready, I'll tell you. Okay. I'm just not ready. I have things to work out. Just give me a little more time. Okay?"

Alyssa smiled. "It's just great to see you happy, Max. I don't think I ever have. Carson and I were talking about it. We're all happy for you. We really are."

Max nodded. "Thanks. Alyssa, just be patient." He was nervous and worried that these people would hate him for being gay. He hated being so scared.

He didn't have that worry at home with Slade. He could be gay and have a boyfriend and no one cared. He didn't care. It was different here and he felt the stress from it.

He found himself humming as he walked down the hall and Carson was watching him. Max noticed the look and felt paranoid. "What, I'm in a good mood!"

Carson smiled. "I see. It's great to see, Max."

He had been working with Max in this office for five years and never knew that Max could hum or smile at nothing. Things were different this week. Max was different.

He stayed in the office during lunch and closed his door. He spent the hour on the phone talking to someone. Carson and Alyssa heard him say he missed whoever it was on the other end. Max was seeing someone.

Max had headphones and was listening to Slade sing as Bill walked in for dinner. It was their thing on most Friday nights. Bill smiled and pointed at the headphones. They were like the ones that Slade used.

Bill waited for Max to remove them. "Nice headphones. Are you listening to NPR?"

Max shook his head. "No. New songs."

"When is he coming?" Bill knew that Slade was coming back.

"Tonight. I'm picking him up in an hour." Max smiled.

"So, are you guys officially dating?" Bill watched his son.

Max sighed. "We are. I'm... I love him, Dad." He looked worried. "Please, don't tell him I said that. I know he isn't looking for love and I don't want to lose anything. Just pretend I didn't say that!" He was starting to panic.

Bill smiled. "I'm proud of you, Max. I really am. I won't say anything but you should. Everyone loves to hear that someone loves them. It's nice."

Max shook his head. "No! It's only nice when the feelings are mutual. It's not if they aren't, things get ruined and awkward. Remember when Mom used to say 'You can always talk to me and tell me anything. Anytime.' Remember that! When I took her up on it, she left."