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Leo
There are onlytwo chairs empty at the table, both to the left of Max. One of us is going to have to sit next to him, and I'm not about to make Evie do it. Not with the vibes I'm getting from him as we walk into the room, hand in hand. Everyone's eyes are glued to us. No one is eating.
"It's about time," Lo says, reaching for her fork. "I'm starving."
Finn wraps his arm around her shoulder and whispers something in her ear. She places her fork on the table and lets out a sigh as we move further into the room. Pulling out the chair furthest from Max, I motion for Evie to take a seat, her eyes widening in surprise.
It's moments like this I wish telepathy was real. I would tell her it's fine. That I can handle it. That I need to prove to Max that I'm not afraid of him.
She relents when I persist, and as I slide her chair in for her, Max clears his throat. I don't look in his direction until I'm seated next to him. He stands, reaching for his water glass and raising it high in the air. He doesn't need to tap his fork against it to get everyone's attention, he already has it, but he does anyway for show.
"Before we dig in, I just want to say a few things." Someone groans and there are a few whispers, but that doesn't stop Max from continuing. "Today is a day for giving thanks. For celebrating the people in your life. I'm blessed to have not only an amazing family," he nods at both Evie and Lo, "but amazing friends, and amazing brothers." Max looks around the table, making eye contact with each person, before finally looking at me, his gaze lingering far longer than he did with anyone else.
"Having each and every one of you in my life is a true blessing. You accept me for who I am," there are a few grumbles and someone snickers, "no matter how often I fuck up. You aren't afraid to put me in my place when I need it. And you care about me the same way I care about each of you. I'm thankful you're all here. I'm really thankful Julian knows how to cook because everything smells amazing."
"Then let us eat, asshole," Brady hollers, garnering a few laughs.
"Shut the fuck up and settle down." Lo clears her throat rather loudly at Max's outburst. "Sorry. To the lives we lead, the people we love, and the futures we're working toward. May each and every one of you get everything you want in life. Happy Thanksgiving."
"Cheers," I hear Evie say from beside me as her glass clinks with Max's.
Once he's seated, dishes are passed, the conversation amps up, and laughter is the music of the meal. No one mentions what happened in the kitchen less than an hour ago. No one comments on Max's departure or his return. And no one says a word about Evie's revelation.
Max is seeing someone and keeping it a secret. But why?
I don't really care who; I just want to know what the big deal is. If he feels half as passionate about her as I do about Evie, he should want to scream about it from the rooftops. Show her off. Wrap his arm around her and kiss her in public, claiming her as his.
And honestly, Max seems like the kind of guy who would be crazy jealous if anyone even looked at his girl. Who am I kidding? That's exactly the kind of guy Max is. He's insanely protective.
"So, Leo," Max starts as I'm about to shovel a large scoop of mashed potatoes in my mouth. My hand stops mid-air, but I regain my composure and take my bite as I nod in his direction. "You're a ballsy kid, you know that?" I nod again. It's the truth. I am ballsy, but not just because I didn't listen to him and went after Evie. It's in my nature. "I have to say, I'm a little surprised. The first time I threatened you, you looked ready to piss yourself."
"You caught me off guard."
"The second time, you didn't look surprised at all."
"Because I knew I'd been caught."
"With your hand practically up her skirt I believe."
"Maxy..." Evie’s tone is clearly a warning for him to tread carefully.
"My hand would have been up your skirt if he hadn't pulled me away," I tell her, my eyes still focused on Max so I can gauge his reaction.
He doesn't have one. At all. He continues to stare at me blankly. The only sign that he's even slightly annoyed with me is the fact he rips his dinner roll in half with more force than necessary.
"Which brings me to my next question. How long have you two been an item?"
Neither of us speaks right away. I honestly don't know what to tell him. I wanted to claim her the first night I laid eyes on her, but it didn't happen. Then she sought me out, and I still pushed her away. Homecoming was a lot of fun, but she walked away from me. I think Halloween would be the best answer. I haven't been able to stop myself from seeing her since that night. We've been hot and heavy, sneaking around a lot, but I'm not about to tell Max that.
I'm sitting far too close to him to give that kind of answer. His butter knife may not be sharp, but he could still stab me with it.
Finally, Evie gives him an answer I can agree with. "A while. I can't pinpoint the exact moment, but it's been a little while."
"And you're happy?" Max's question is clearly directed at Evie, his eyes softening as he looks past me. When I turn to face her, she's smiling at her brother, her eyes twinkling as she nods. "Better not screw this up then."
That last part was a warning for me, I'm guessing. I don't get a chance to confirm, though, because someone throws a roll at Max, and it hits him in the eye.
"Asshole!"
