My Life as a Teenaged Superhero (AU, M/L, Adult) (Complete)

[Applebylicious]

Hey guys, this next part is purely transition-y fun... so don't expect any life-altering plot moments, lol. All of your questions will be answered soon... enjoy!



<center>Chapter 19</center>

~Max~



“Harder.”

“I’m trying!”

“Harder, Max!”

“It’s not going in,” I exclaim in frustration, shoving deeper. “Try moving a little to the left.”

She obligingly moves and shoves firmly against my shoulders. “Is it moving at all?” she huffs.

“I think… yeah, there it goes,” I grunt, sliding the water heater into the slot in the wall. “Jesus! All those times at the gym, and I can’t even move a fucking tub of hot water.”

“Oh, don’t beat yourself up,” she giggles, rubbing my back soothingly. “You have been involved in some pretty… strenuous activity tonight.”

I glance over my shoulder, cocking a brow at her. “Why, Liz Parker… are you saying I’m worn out from making love to you all night?” I ask in a husky tone, reaching around to fit her between the wall and me. “Because I’d love to prove you wrong.”

She bites her lip coyly, and opens her mouth to reply… when the heater roars to life behind us. We both jump, then laugh at our reaction. “I guess you fixed it,” she whispers against my mouth. “My hero.”

“Hot bath coming up,” I answer, catching her lips in a heated kiss. “Let you soak for awhile before I have my wicked way with you again.” I wiggle my brows licentiously and cradle her behind in my hands as my mouth trails along her neck.

She moans softly, arching her head so I can dip my tongue in the groove of her collarbone. “Aren’t you… coming with?” she gasps, hands falling to my hips and pulling me closer.

Thoughts of a naked Liz… a naked wet Liz fill my brain and I have to force myself not to groan. A shudder racks my body, and I swallow before asking in a voice gruff with arousal, “Do you want me to?”

“Well…” she nibbles her lips again. God, if she only knew what that little action does to me… “You did work really hard to fix the heater. I think you deserve a break,” she adds in a sultry tone.

“Oh yeah,” I whisper, lifting her against me as I push her legs apart. “I’ll even wash your back, Parker.”

She shivers against me, and I know it’s not from the sudden cold front that’s swept the desert tonight. She hides her face in my neck and nods. “Okay.”

I can’t help but chuckle at her sporadic bouts of shyness. “You’re such a contradiction, Liz,” I nuzzle her cheek, slowly sliding my hands up beneath the hem of my tshirt that is now covering her body. I play at her navel, enjoying the silky feel of her skin. “Burning me up one minute… then so shy the next.”

“Maybe I’m bipolar,” she says in a muffled voice, gasping as my palms cup her breasts, gently tugging at her puckered nipples. “Oh God…”

“Are we back to this God business?” I chuckle hoarsely, slowly sliding the material up and over her head. “You’re definitely an angel.” My lips press against hers, softly nibbling as hands roam.

Somehow we manage to make it to the bathroom and the giant tub that my father had installed not even a year ago. She sits on the edge as I start the water running, looking utterly gorgeous in the faint golden light.

I straighten and begin to undress, smiling wryly as she stares at me as if she’s never seen me before. I love the way she watches me… as is obvious from the way I go from zero to sixty in point five seconds. Her eyes widen, then she giggles. “What’s so funny?” I growl, stalking towards her.

“Nothing,” she bites her lip. “It’s just… so… small one second…”

“Parker,” I warn as she starts laughing again.

“And then it’s so… there!” she finishes, laughing as I pull her into the tub with me. “Max!”

“It’s not small,” I sniff defensively.

She just laughs again, straddling my lap and pressing her lips aganst mine. “Only some of the time,” she whispers, giggling when I stare at her in affront. “Max?”

I grunt, setting my jaw and looking away in feigned indifference. Of course, the way she’s rubbing herself against me makes it hard to pretend anything… and sure enough my hands come up to grasp her hips as she bends and places a kiss against my ear. “What?” I murmur gruffly, turning to meet her gaze.

“Can we…” she nibbles her lips again, beads of water collecting on her shoulders as steam begins to rise from the water temperature. “In here?” she whispers, looking scandalized yet extremely hopeful.

I chuckle hoarsely, leaning back against the lip of the tub and sliding her closer against me. Once she’s settled firmly, my hands travel up to tangle in her dampening hair. “Yes… yes we can,” I answer in barely more than a growl. “Come here.”

She begins to lower her mouth to mine, then jumps back. “Wait.”

No! No waiting! I stare at her through heavy lids. “What, why?” No waiting!

“We… we need a condom,” she gasps as I lean forward and begin suckling her hungrily. Her hand falls to my head, but she doesn’t push me away. “Max, we can’t let… that happen again.”

I wrap my arm around her back, pulling her closer as my tongue laves across her ripe point, then release her to stare at the glistening peak. “Hurry,” I groan, meeting her glazed eyes. “Make it quick, Parker.”

She practically jumps from the tub and had I not been dealing with an aching erection, I might have enjoyed the sight of her all wet and bouncing as she rushed from the room. Oh hell, who am I kidding? I enjoyed it immensely – raging boner and all.

Sure enough, she’s back in record time and holding a flash of silver foil. She places it on the edge next to us and then climbs back in. “Nice time,” I murmur, yanking her forward and plundering her mouth with my own. My tongue licks against the seam of her lips, pressing them wide open as my hands settle on her bottom, sliding between to press against the place where she’s as hot as I am.

She moans into my mouth, arms coming up to wrap around my neck and fingers burying in my hair. Her hips begin to move against my hand as I slide a finger sleekly inside her, pressing the heel of my palm against the swollen bud.

She pulls back again, “Wait!”

“What?” I practically groan, breathing harshly as she moves away. “No, where are you going? Come back…”

I reach for her, but she moves away and begins to laugh. My eyes narrow, and I lunge for her again, but she dodges and I come up with a mouthful of water. Shaking my head and sending droplets scurrying, I run a hand down my face to wipe away the water. “You wanna play it that way, huh?” I purr in a low voice, lowering my lids as she begins to look uncertain.

“Max… what are you-“ she cuts off with a squeal when I shove a wave of water towards her. She blinks in shock, hair dripping as I start to laugh. “Max!”

“We take all sports very seriously in my family,” I grin wickedly. “Even water-wars.”

“I’ll show you war,” she growls, and picks up a bar of soap and flings it at me. I duck at the last second, allowing the soap to fall with a clunk somewhere behind me.

“Gotta work on the aim,” I tsk merrily, inching closer as she glares at me. I can feel myself growing harder with anticipation as she starts to back away, edging closer to the end of the tub. “Where ya goin’, Parker?”

“You look really… dangerous,” she admits, swallowing as I descend upon her. “Scary,” she adds. But there’s no fear in her eyes.

“Be afraid,” I murmur, finally reaching her and lowering myself across her as the water swishes around us. For a long moment, we simply stare at each other before our lips meet lightly, cautiously. Then harder, hungrier.

I move so that she’s once again straddling me. “Condom, now,” I gasp out, sinking lower as her mouth trails along my chest. “Where is it?”

From nowhere she produces the protection, and I lift my hips as she slides it on, groaning at the feel of her fumbling hands along my length. Then she climbs on. I grit my teeth at the feel of her closing around me, my head falling back against the tub.

She starts to ride me, and we’re both moaning, grinding against each other… when she stops. "I think it just slid off,” she whispers, frozen above me.

“Huh?” I open my eyes, blinking at her through a haze of arousal. “What?” I struggle to pull my tongue away from the roof of my mouth. “What happened?”

“The condom, Max!” she hisses, hesitantly lifting off of me. “I think it came off!”

My mind is numb with dissatisfaction, so it takes me a minute to grasp her statement. “It came off…?” I glance down at my lap, not that I can see anything through the bubbles and frothy water. “How? Are you sure?”

She stares at me. “Check!”

Well, damn! I reach down and close my hand around myself, and feel the latex surrounding my cock. “No, it’s still there. Come on…”

She looks relieved, and sits back down on me. We’re just getting started again, when I start to notice that she feels a lot wetter than she had before, and I can feel every bare inch of her inner walls.

“I think it came off!” I hiss, raising her off my hips as she groans. “Liz, I think the condom came off.”

“Well, check!”

I reach a hand down, but it’s still there. “Dammit! Come here,” I grumble, pulling her towards me and sitting her firmly on the edge of the tub. “Screw this,” I growl, and grasp her hips while leaning over her and thrusting deeply to the hilt.

She wraps her legs around me and within a few seconds we’re both coming. I’m so into the moment that I drive in a little harder than normal… and she falls off the lip of the tub. I find myself thrusting into nothing, and I let out a cry before tumbling along after her.

“Ouch!” she cries as I land in a heap on top of her.

“Oh, shit!” I try not to laugh, looking down at her and seeing the flush of orgasm still covering her features. “God, Liz… I’m sorry.”

She looks up at me. “That was interesting.”

“Yeah,” I sigh, resting my forehead against hers as a bubble of mirth rises. “I love you, Liz.”

“I love you, too,” she giggles as we lie there on the floor, naked, soaking wet and dripping on the tile. Crosshatches and bruises will undoubtably appear on our flesh very soon.

It’s quite possibly the best moment of my life.

[Deejonaise]

<center>Chapter 20</center>

~Liz~

I make it home a little past two a.m. I’m not surprised to find my folks have waited up for me. They make a valiant effort at small talk and asking me about my evening but their stares are much too intense. I’m acutely aware of my lank hair, lack of make-up and hopelessly wrinkled clothing, as are they I’m sure. I doubt it takes a genius to figure out what I’ve been doing most of the night. Thankfully, they don’t make an issue of it and neither do I. I practically skip back to my bedroom.

Just as I begin to dive for the phone to ring up my man a voice sounds from the darkness, “So where the hell have you been all night?”

I fall back with a shocked gasp, tripping over a discarded shoe and falling flat on my ass. “Maria?” I hiss incredulously, “Maria, what the fuck are you doing in my room? You scared the shit out of me!”

“I wanted to talk,” she says, emerging from the darkness to pull me to my feet, “Okay, so I’m just going to blurt it right out. I made out with Michael Guerin tonight.”

“What?” I demand in a loud, dubious whisper, “You did what?”

“Shh!”

“What are you talking about?” I charge excitedly in a dutifully lowered tone of voice, reaching over to click on the light on my nightstand, “What do you mean you made out with Michael Guerin? I thought you hated his guts.”

“Okay, he’s a prick,” Maria declares, “A total and complete asshole but he came into the break room today and he kissed me and it was like…”

“It was like…” I prod when she trails off into silence.

“I wanted to crawl inside his skin,” she confesses in a whisper, “I don’t know what came over me. When he came to the Crashdown tonight and asked me out I said yes.”

“Okay…so…”

“So we went to third base, Liz!” she laments in mortification, “I’m talking about shirts removed, dry humping third base, Liz! Third base! I mean, my God, I'm like a cheap slut or something! What kind of girl goes to third base on the first date?”

“Lots of girls,” I reply lamely. I want to make her feel better about the situation but without necessarily telling on myself. “You’re not a slut.”

“Oh yeah?” she challenges in a sniffle, “Name one who has and isn’t totally skanky.” So much for not telling on myself. I lower my eyes and raise my hand timidly. As expected, Maria gapes at me. “Shut up,” she utters in shock, “Shut up. I knew it! I knew you went to third base with him! All that blushing couldn’t have been for nothing.”

I merely shrug, saying nothing at all.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Maria laughs, “I want details.”

“Um…weren’t we talking about you and Michael Guerin?” I remind her, “Isn’t that why you’re lurking around in my bedroom at two in the morning?”

“Don’t try and change the subject. Now we’re talking about you and Max Evans,” she counters smoothly, “So what exactly did you two do tonight?”

“Maria, that is so none of your business,” I scold, plopping down onto my bed so I can slip out of my clothes and into my pajamas. Maria stares at me the entire time, her intensity making me extremely self-conscious. I’m about to seek refuge in the bathroom to finish undressing in private when my phone trills to life. I make a mad grab for it.

“Max?” I whisper in greeting.

“God, baby, I miss you already,” he tells me.

“You just saw me ten minutes ago,” I laugh.

“Like that matters,” he grunts, “How am I supposed to sleep without you lying next to me?”

“Oh, Max…stop it...” But I don’t want him to…not really.

“I need to feel your skin,” he moans, “I think I’m spoiled.”

“Don’t think,” I tease him, “You definitely are.”

“I want you again,” he murmurs hotly, his tone veering from petulant to seductive, “Let me come over.”

“Max!” I cry, helplessly aware that Maria is eavesdropping shamelessly at the moment.

“I need to be with you,” he insists.

“And you’d be risking certain death if you did because my parents are right down the hall,” I warn him.

“Liz,” he whines.

“Max,” I retort, mimicking his tone.

“Well…you wanna fool around a little instead…” he cajoles mischievously.

I freeze, feeling Maria’s avid eyes boring into me. It takes near Herculean effort to ignore her but I manage. “You mean like the other night?”

“Exactly like the other night,” he says, “Only this time no Sophia. I bribed her with catnip.”

“You’re so insane.”

“Come on, baby,” he coaxes, “Take off your clothes. Lemme get you good and wet.”

Oh my God. My face just exploded and Maria looks as if her eyes are going to bug right out of her head. Did she hear what he said? The thought alone makes me want to die inside. Just on the off chance she can hear him, I turn slightly and lower my tone to barely above a whisper.

“Max, I’m so tired,” I prevaricate, knowing I’d be more than willing to play were it not for the fact my best friend is hovering less than twelve inches away. I plant my palm against her face and shove her backwards with a meaningful glare. “But I’ll take a rain check, okay?” I promise my frustrated boyfriend, “In the meantime, try and go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Afternoon,” he corrects, “I gotta work at the Center tomorrow morning.”

“That’s cool. Maybe I’ll bring you lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he says, “So I’ll see you around noon sometime?”

“Around noon.”

“Great. I love you, baby. Dream naughty dreams for me.”

It’s impossible to stifle the goofy grin that splits my lips when I hear the words. “I love you, too,” I whisper sappily, “And ditto. Bye.”

“Bye.”

When I hang up I discover that Maria is once again gaping at me. “What?” I growl in exasperation.

“You’re telling him you love him now?” she guffaws dubiously, “Lizzie, come on! I thought you were smarter than that.”

“What are you talking about now, Maria?” I groan in annoyance.

“Guys like Max Evans always say they love you just so they can get in your pants,” she informs me sagely, “It’s the oldest trick in the book.”

“Oh really?” I query irritably, “And what happens once they get what they want?”

“They dump you.”

“Well, I’d hate to put a crimp in your theory and all,” I toss back coldly, “But Max has already ‘gotten into my pants’ and he most certainly didn’t dump me.” I’m thinking Maria’s mouth is going to freeze into a permanent “O” before the night is through. “So what do you think of that?”

“Holy shit,” is all she says.

“That’s it?” I snap in irritation, “No going on about how stupid I am or how Max is just using me? Come on, Maria, take your best shot.”

Maria blinks at me. “So how did it feel?”

Now it’s my turn to gape and I don’t know why I’m surprised by her 180. For as long as I’ve known her Maria DeLuca has been as unpredictable as a hurricane. “You’re asking me how it felt?”

“Yeah. Was he any good or is his reputation greatly exaggerated?”

“Maria…God!” I sputter, “I can’t talk about this with you.”

“Liz, this is me,” she says, “Your best friend, okay. You’ve lost your virginity and you’re in love…if you can’t talk to me about that then who can you talk to?”

I flop back onto my bed, as seduced by the suggestion as I am appalled. “Maria, I…I just feel really weird talking to you about this. It’s private…something special between Max and me.”

“Okay, then forget the details,” she says, stretching out beside me, “Just give me the general stuff.”

“General stuff?”

“You’re in love with him, right?”

I don’t hesitate to answer. “Yeah,” I sigh, “I love him so much it hurts.”

“Is he in love with you?”

I smile a little at the inquiry. “Yes.”

“How do you know for sure?”

“I just do,” I insist dreamily, “This isn’t something you can fake, Maria. I look at Max and I know he loves me because he looks at me the same way I look at him…with his heart in his eyes. I know it’s the real thing.” I stare up at her then and finally recognize the emotion that’s been lurking in the green depths of her stare: envy.

“So what does he think?”

“About what?” I ask blankly.

“About you going to Europe for a year,” she clarifies softly, “He’s got to be totally bummed. I know I am and I’m not getting your goodies.”

“Maria, you’re so crude!”

“Well…what does he think about it?”

I frown, the implication of what she’s asking dawning on me in bits and pieces. Quite suddenly, I feel like a dumbass that we haven’t discussed something so important even though, at this point, we’ve done everything else. “I…I don’t guess we’ve really had the chance to talk about it,” I stammer in lame excuse.

“You’re kidding,” she snorts, “Are you telling me that the two of you have made love, declared your undying devotion to each other and you haven’t told him that you’re leaving for Europe in August?”

“It just never came up,” I protest weakly, “I haven’t really thought about it.”

And it’s true. I haven’t. This past week Europe and study have been the furthest things from my mind. I’ve been so drunk off of being with Max that there hasn’t been room for anything else. And now that we’ve made love, shared the ultimate connection that two people can possibly share, I’m even more reluctant to think about the future. The very thought of leaving him sends me into a panic and makes me feel incredibly ill. I’m not as psyched about it as I had been in the beginning and I can’t help but wonder what that means.

“So you’re going to tell him, right?” Maria presses, breaking in through my thoughts.

Honestly, I haven’t thought about that either but I manage to brazen my way around the question. “Yeah…sure, of course I’m going to tell him, Maria,” I reply as if she’s just made the stupidest inquiry on the planet.

“When?”

“I don’t know,” I bite out defensively, rolling from the bed to escape Maria’s knowing stare, “But I will, okay! I’ll tell him.”

“Okay, so you’ll tell him,” she accepts with a shrug.

“I will! Just get off my back about it,” I screech persistently before I go running for sanctuary by way of the bathroom.

Running from Maria. Running from myself…and the future.

[Applebylicious]

Wow, all this worry over my welfare... I feel so loved. Uh huh. So much so, that I have a new part for you all! Enjoy...

hugs,

Linds


<center>Chapter 21</center>


~Max~


“I made out with that Maria girl.”

I glance up from the alien autopsy showcase to see my best friend staring at me through wild eyes. "Um… okay?” Judging by the faint sheen of sweat on his forehead, I wonder if he’s about to pass out. “You all right?” I question curiously, watching as he tugs at the collar of his shirt. “Michael?”

“Did you hear me?” he hisses, grabbing my arm and practically yanking me behind the display. Shoving a hand through his hair and spiking it up even more, he then folds his hands into a prayer gesture. “I made out with Maria DeLuca.”

I stare at him for a long moment, and he raises his brows as if expecting a response. I raise mine right back. “Was she a bad kisser or something?” I honestly can’t figure out what has my best friend acting like he just saw a ghost. Michael’s made out with more girls than I care to know about, so I don’t see how one feisty blonde could… a sudden thought has me grinning wickedly. “Did she threaten to tell her daddy on you, Guerin?”

“This is serious,” he gripes, falling back against the wall as his eyes squeeze shut. “Damn it, Maxwell, I can’t stand the girl. At least, when she’s not around. But when she is… God, all I want to do is… is…”

“What?” I quirk a brow, enjoying myself tremendously.

“Let’s just say I already did it,” he growls. “She did something to me, Max! Damn it, I can’t stop thinking about her. This isn’t normal! You have to fix me. Snap me out of this, and do it quick. I have a date with her tonight! What the hell am I going to do?”

“Call her and cancel,” I say, already losing interest in the conversation as my eyes drift towards the clock on the wall. Almost noon.

Michael stares at me in horror. “I can’t do that! She'll never want to see me again!” he bellows, receiving dirty looks from surrounding patrons who proceed to shush him like anal librarians. Cheeks flushed, he lowers his voice. “I’ve got it bad, Maxwell. I’m a dead man.”

“Yeah, you are,” I commiserate, slapping him on the back. “Ain’t it great?”

“I should have known you’d think it was funny,” he harrumphs, scowling at the grin on my lips. “Where is Liz, anyway? You two have practically been joined at the hip since Pam’s party.”

“She’s…” I trail off as the woman herself walks through the front door, glancing around uncertainly at the alien memorabilia. It can be pretty overwhelming the first time, believe me. “Excuse me,” I murmur, leaving Michael snickering after me as I practically skip towards her side. I sneak up behind her as she stares in shock at a life-size mannequin of a martian dressed as Elvis Presley. I wrap my arms around her, smacking a kiss to her nape and growl, “Take me to your leader, sexy lady.”

With a soft squeal, she turns and catches sight of me grinning like a fool. With a loud exhale she laughs and shoves gently at my chest. “Very funny,” she murmurs before I lean down to kiss her. “Should we be doing this out here?” she whispers, glancing around at the people wandering about.

“Good point. I can’t seem to use my head around you… well, not the one I should be using, for sure,” I wiggle my brows devilishly and delight in the pretty blush that rises in her cheeks. “Come on.” I take her hand and as casually as I can, lead her towards the storage closet.

We pass by Michael, who makes no secret of staring at us, a smirk on his face as he offers us a wave. I feel Liz tense and glance over to see her flushing furiously. “Get outta here, Mike,” I growl, looking over my shoulder and making a crude gesture.

He laughs and turns to walk away as I throw open the door to the closet, pinning her against the wall as I use my foot to slam the door behind us. “I want my hands all over you,” I murmur hotly, crashing my lips to hers as her fingers come up to tangle in my hair, dragging me closer. “It’s been too long.”

“Mm… Max,” she moans as my palms disappear beneath the hem of her waitress uniform, sliding between the elastic band of her underwear. As I begin to slide them down her hips, she fumbles with my button-fly. “We really need to talk,” she whispers between kisses. “Oh, God.”

“I’m saying everything I want to say,” I murmur gruffly as she yanks down my pants and frees me from my boxers. I lift her and pull her panties the rest of the way down as she locks her legs around my waist. “Christ, I can’t get enough of you.”

“Do you have…” she trails off as I pull a foil packet out of thin air and wave it triumphantly. We quickly sheathe my erection and I thrust inside her with no preliminaries, both of us groaning as she closes over me like a hot fist.

“I missed you,” I grit out as my hips work against her, my fingers clenched around her thighs for support. “Oh, God… tell me you missed me, Liz. Tell me you thought about me last night… that you wanted this as much as I did. As much as I do.”

“Max, yes,” she moans softly, her head falling against the wall as we continue riding each other frantically. “I love you so much… I really do.”

Just hearing her say the words first causes me to lose it, and I groan her name before driving deeply inside her as she cries out in a muffled voice. I brush a kiss across her mouth, drawing on her lower lip as we both breathe harshly, staring into each other’s eyes.

Something in her gaze shifts and would have me frowning if the echo of voices hadn’t sounded right outside the door. After glancing over to make sure I remembered to lock the door, I let her down gently and stroke her hair back into her ponytail. “You… look a little…” I make an apologetic face.

“Fucked?” she says blandly, causing my mouth to fall open. She laughs at my astonished expression. “I cuss like every other teenager, Max. I’m just like every other person you know, so don’t look at me like that.”

“That’s not true,” I shake my head. “Because I don’t think about anyone else like I do you.” The words sound sappy to my ears, but apparently she enjoys them, judging by the glow on her cheeks. I sigh, rearranging my clothes as she does the same. “Despite what I said last night, this isn’t why I wanted to see you,” I say softly, not wanting her to think that just because we’ve entered an intimate relationship, that sex is all I want from her now.

“I know,” she answers just as quietly, laying a hand on my cheek for a lingering moment. “Max, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Like a bucket of ice water, her words succeed in drenching the mood and quite frankly, making me nervous as hell. “Okay,” I say slowly, “this doesn’t sound promising.”

She doesn’t laugh or rush to assure me otherwise, so my anxiety goes up another notch. When she looks away, my heart begins to beat rapidly and when I speak my voice sounds harsher than intended. “What’s going on?”

“I…” she nibbles her lips, and the sight still drives me crazy, but in a different way this time. I want to shout at her to get on with it, to tell me what’s so important that she can’t even look at me. “Max, I’m…”

“Spit it out, Parker,” I growl huskily, folding my arms defensively as she finally glances at me. “If you’re going to dump me because you’ve realized you can’t be with a jock or something, just do it quick and try to make it as painless as…” I trail off as she begins gasping for breath. “Liz? Liz!” I cry out in worry as she doubles over, holding onto her knees as she struggles to take in air.

“Can’t… breathe…” she wheezes, sinking to the floor.

I quickly kneel down and take her head, gently maneuvering it between her knees. “Hey, calm down… just breathe, okay? Baby, calm down,” I murmur cajolingly, rubbing her back and trying to keep the concern out of my voice. “You’re having one of your panic attacks, okay? You need to calm down.”

As she rocks back and forth, I wrap my arms around her and try to think of something to take her mind off whatever’s bothering her. “So, anything else I should know about? Claustrophobia, vertigo… strange allergies to laundry detergent?” I tease softly.

She looks up at me, and inhales sharply. “You thought… I was going… to break up with… you?” she manages, looking completely shell-shocked.

I stare at her, feeling like a fool as her accusing eyes gaze back at me. “Well, I… you said you needed to talk,” I admit sheepishly. “I guess I was just being an idiot.”

She rolls her eyes, but her breathing is returning to normal as she leans her head against my chest. “God, I hate when that happens.”

“I’m sorry… it was my fault,” I whisper, pulling back to frame her face. “That was scary, Parker. Do you have them a lot?”

She shakes her head. “Only when I’m really upset,” she cuddles closer, nuzzling the vee of my throat.

“What were you upset about, baby?” I murmur, kissing the top of her head.

“Because you thought I would break up with you for such a stupid reason. I can’t believe you, Max,” she pulls away and glares at me. “I just got finished saying I love you, didn’t I?”

“Sorry… you have your panic attacks, I have my moments of stupidity,” I grin. “We’re quite the pair, huh Parker?”

“That we are, Evans. And I have to tell you something, and I want you to know that it doesn’t change anything about the way I feel about you.” She stares at me anxiously, and I feel myself start to worry again.

I nod slowly, swallowing as a sick feeling begins to churn in my stomach. “Okay, you have my attention. What is it, Liz?”

She continues to watch me, and sighs heavily. “Max… I’m leaving.”

I frown in confusion. “What, you’re going on vacation? That’s cool… it’s summer, Liz. Lots of people take trips. Hell, Michael and Kyle and me take one every summer.”

“I know, you go to Palm Beach,” she says softly. At my raised brows, she flushes darkly. “I mean… I’ve overheard you guys talking about it…”

I grin. “Kind of like how you had that science convention in Albuquerque every October since eighth grade?”

“How did you…never mind,” she clears her throat. “But Max, this isn’t… I’m not taking a summer trip. I mean, I guess I sort of am, but it’s not just for the summer and, well… I…”

“Liz, just say it,” I say in exasperation.

She takes a deep breath, then blurts out, “I’mleavingforLondoninamonthandahalf.” As soon as the words are out of her lips, she claps a hand over her mouth and stares at me in horror.

I struggle to comprehend her statement, sorting it out in my mind until… oh my God. “Did you say… London?” I swallow heavily, a dark cloud beginning to form over my head. “As in… the one in England?”

She nods miserably. “I’ve already been signed up for the program, before we got together,” she whispers. “Max… I can’t back out of this.”

“Of course you can’t,” I reply, but the words sound wooden. Jesus… I haven’t even gotten used to the fact that I’m in love… and now she’s leaving me. If not in spirit, in body. “I got accepted to LSU,” I murmur. “I… I guess I thought we’d be able to see each other on the weekends or we’d… hell, I don’t know.” Muffling a curse, I stand and rake a hand through my hair. “How long?” I ask, dreading the answer.

“A year,” comes the soft reply, and with it, the thud of all my dreams crashing around me.

[Deejonaise]

<center>Chapter 22</center>

~Liz~

He doesn’t say anything for the longest time and when he begins to back away I just know it’s going to be bad. I wring my hands helplessly, waiting for his reaction. “Well…aren’t you going to say anything?” I prod meekly.

“What the fuck do you want me to say, Liz?” he demands in a harsh whisper. But the fierceness of his reply hardly registers. Instead, I’m aware that every line and detail of his face and body screams pain. He leans his head back against the door to rapidly blink back the tears gathering in his eyes. “Christ… a fucking year…”

“Yeah,” I confirm in a glum whisper.

“A year in London,” he mumbles miserably, “I can’t believe this.” Rebellious tears leak from the corners of his eyes and they trigger my own. He stabs me with a sudden, anguished stare. “You’re really going?”

“Yep…per.” I drop my eyes in contrite despair. “It’s pretty much a done deal.”

“But…but we just started…” he argues softly, “…I just found you, Liz…we just found each other…”

“Max…”

He pounds his head back against the wall in growling frustration. “And…and this is a great opportunity for you, right?”

“Supposedly.”

He perks up at my reply, leveling me with surprised, wet eyes, a faint, hopeful smile hovering on his lips. “Supposedly?” he croaks.

“I don’t want to leave you, Max,” I utter thickly, “This…this is the last thing I want.”

“Really?” he breathes, reaching forward to pull me into his arms. I go easily, eagerly, needing to be against him just as much as he needs me there. “Dammit, Parker…London, England,” he groans into my hair, “You definitely like to do things big, don’tcha, baby? Couldn’t you do Harvard? I could live with Harvard.”

“Believe me…I’m kicking myself now,” I mumble into his chest.

Max cradles my face in his hands so he can brush my lips in a tender kiss. “This is so fucked up,” he mutters, “And…you leave in a month and a half, huh?”

“Forty-two days exactly,” I confirm glumly.

He frowns. “That’s not a lot of time,” he considers.

“Not nearly enough,” I agree.

“If I told you I didn’t want you to go would it make any difference?”

I regard him sadly. “I wish it could,” I whisper, “But my application’s already in.”

“I understand.”

I pluck at the neckline of his shirt. “It’s still nice to hear anyway.”

“I don’t want you to go,” he murmurs indulgently, brushing lingering kisses across my mouth, “It might sound selfish and self-involved but…I just want to keep you here with me, Parker.”

“And it might sound irresponsible and fickle but I want to be kept, Evans,” I reply in a shaky whisper, “What are we going to do?”

“What can we do, baby,” he laments in a mumble, “You’ve got to go. There’s nothing we can do to change that. Besides I’d be seven times a selfish bastard to expect you to miss out on this kind of opportunity. I mean…it’s not like I’ll be here in Roswell if you stay anyway.”

I shrug in non-agreement. Perhaps he’s right but I wouldn’t mind it a bit if he went to work at trying to convince me to stay. “Okay…so I’m going to go,” I declare grimly, “It still sucks balls.”

He snickers over my frank terminology. “I wholeheartedly concur.” And then he presses a kiss to my forehead, his golden eyes suddenly lighting with a pervasive optimism. “Okay, so we’ve got…what was it again…forty-two days before our relationship becomes a series of desperate, sappy love letters and long and expensive weekly conversations on the telephone--,”

“Really?” I interrupt in tearful surprise, “You…you still want to try and make this work?”

“Well, what did you think, Parker,” he demands in disgruntlement, “That I was gonna dump you on your ass and head for the hills?” I’m not quite quick enough in burying my face in his chest to hide my affirming reaction. He tugs on my ponytail and forces my gaze back to his. “That’s exactly what you thought, wasn’t it?”

“Well, I…uh…see…”

Max levels me with a knowing grin. “Aren’t you the same one who was calling me out not five minutes ago about not believing in you,” he teases, “Um…yeah…what was it you said to me again? ‘You thought I would break up with you for such a stupid reason? I can’t believe you, Liz! I just got finished saying I love you, didn’t I?’ I didn’t leave anything out, did I, baby?”

I tweak his nipple in response and he yelps. “Now stop being such a smart ass. I’m insecure…sue me.”

“I’d rather do other things to you,” he growls into the crook of my neck.

I moan out his name. “What are we going to do about this?”

He lifts his head, assuming an expression of utmost seriousness at my tone. “We’re not going to obsess over it,” he declares, “We have more than a month of good times together and I don’t want to waste them dreading the day when you’ll leave.”

“I don’t want that either.”

“So I’ve got an idea.”

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “What idea?”

“Why don’t we spend as much time as we can together before you leave? We can start by going away for a weekend,” he says excitedly, “You already know that Kyle, Michael and I go away to Palm Beach during the summer. This is the first time we’ll be completely without the parentals so… Why don’t you come along?”

I groan over the suggestion, tempted and leery all at once. Three days of fun in the sun with Max sounds tempting, but the tagging along of Moe and Curly puts a bit of a damper on things.

“Max, I don’t know,” I hedge, “I mean…isn’t this your guy time or something? What if Kyle and Michael resent having me come along? I don’t want to start anything up between the three of you.”

“They’ll get over it,” he replies confidently, “Besides I don’t give a fuck how they feel about it. I want you to come. Do you think you can get the time off?”

Just like that I’m considering it. His vehemence as well as the naughty gleam in his eyes proves to be very convincing. “Are you kidding?” I laugh, “My dad is the boss. I think I can finagle something.”

“Excellent,” he says, smacking my mouth with a sound kiss. My God, it’s phenomenal how this man can take us from tears to joy in five minutes flat. He’s just…amazing. It’s little wonder I love him so much.

“When were you thinking about doing this?” I ask, nibbling my lower lip in consideration.

“What’s wrong with this coming weekend,” he suggests, “I don’t think I’ll have a problem getting the time off from Milton since the tourist season hasn’t quite started up yet. I’ll talk to the guys and then we’ll make some definite plans, okay?”

“Okay.”

There must be some traces of uncertainty still lingering on my face because he presses another kiss to my forehead. “This is going to work out, baby,” he murmurs, “We belong together…don’t you know that, Liz?”

He starts to say more, probably something decidedly sweet but a tentative knock sounds at the closet door, stifling anything further. My cheeks flame as I suddenly remember where we are and what we’ve just done.

“One second,” Max tells me ruefully, shrugging out of my arms so he can ease the door open. Michael Guerin’s grinning face fills the crack. “What the hell do you want?” I hear Max hiss, “I thought you left.”

“Milton’s looking for you, dude,” Michael informs him in unconcealed amusement, “You might want to rewrap the package and get your ass out here.”

“Asshole,” Max grunts before shutting the door in Michael’s face with a definitive click. He pivots around to regard me with a heavy sigh. “My boss is looking for me,” he explains inanely.

“So I heard.”

“I gotta go,” he mumbles, closing the distance between us to bury his face into my neck, “But I don’t want to.”

I finger the damp ends of his hair, trying not to get too lost in the nibbling kisses he distributes along my collarbone. “Max?” He pauses in his ministrations to lock eyes with me. “Are you sure everything’s okay with us?”

“Do you love me?” he demands unexpectedly.

I blink at him. “Yeah, of course, I love you.”

“And I love you, too, baby so yeah…everything’s perfect,” he groans, crushing his lips to mine. We lock in a fierce kiss, tongues tangling hungrily before Max finally rears back with a yearning moan. “Don’t get started,” he warns plaintively, “I really have to go before Milton fires my ass.” He makes a face. “Besides…I gotta take off this condom. It’s starting to feel fucking nasty.”

I’m still choking on my laughter when he ducks out the closet a few seconds later after giving me a departing wink. After waiting an acceptable amount of time I ease from the closet as inconspicuously as I can. I’m a little taken off guard when I step outside and Michael Guerin is waiting for me.

“Hey,” I greet with a nervous blush, trying my best to look as if I didn’t just spend the last fifteen minutes fucking his best friend in a storage closet.

“Hey,” he returns in a noncommittal grunt, “So…uh…you’re Maria’s friend, right?”

I almost have to roll my eyes at the absurd observation. It’s not as if our friendship is some great mystery and Guerin knows it. But still, I’m sated, I’m happy, I’m in the mood to indulge. “Since the third grade,” I tell him.

“So then it stands to reason that you know her pretty well, right?”

“Pretty well.”

He scratches his eyebrow, squirming under my scrutiny and shifting from foot to foot. “And…uh…you’ve got a pretty good idea of what kind of guy she goes for, right?”

“Riiight,” I agree slowly.

“Yeah.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good.”

“Great.” I stare at him a moment longer but he doesn’t attempt to say anything more. The silence gets really uncomfortable. “Uh…Michael?” I prompt carefully, “Do…do you wanna ask me something cuz… My break’s gonna end soon and I really gotta get back to the Crash.”

“Did she mention me at all?” he blurts suddenly.

Now it’s my turn to be blank. Michael Guerin holds an even worse rep than Max. Somehow it’s amusing and a bit weird to see him so flustered over a girl, particularly my wacky best friend. “You mean Maria?”

“Yeah…” he confirms tersely, “Did she say anything about me?”

“She might have told me a few things,” I reply vaguely, taking supreme pleasure in watching him squirm. Who the hell ever said that the geeks never get the guys? Maria and I seem to be disproving that theory in spades. Now we just need to work on Alex…

Michael watches me like a forlorn puppy. “Like what?” he wheedles, “Tell me.”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” I sidle around him, a smug smile plastered on my lips as I skip for the exit.

“Hey, we can help each other out, you know!” Michael calls after me desperately, “I can tell you all of Max’s secrets if you tell me Maria’s.”

I toss a laughing glance over my shoulder. “I already know all of Max’s secrets,” I purr happily, “Tell my baby I’ll call him later, ‘k?”

Once outside, I practically race back to the Crashdown to give Maria the news.

[Applebylicious]

Okay, here's the new chap guys!

hugs,

Linds


<center>Chapter 23</center>


~Max~


“You’re all packed,” Cam observes with a loud sigh. I glance back to see him watching me with mournful eyes as I toss my bag into the back of the Jeep, next to Kyle’s oversized suitcase and Michael’s guitar case.

“What’s up?” I cock a brow, knowing he’s wheedling for something. Sure enough, a gleam enters his gaze as he shifts on his feet, rolling onto his heels.

“Why can’t I go?” he cajoles, leaning on the hood and tapping to the radio song blaring. “Dude… who am I going to hang out with until Mom and Dad get back from the Bahamas? Isabel’s boring.”

“Hmm… how about… someone your own age,” I mock growl, reaching down to shove the bill of his cap down to his nose. “You ever think of that?”

“They’re boring, too,” he sneers from beneath the rim of the hat, standing hipshot as I pop open a can of coke and take a long sip, wiping my forearm across my forehead. “Besides, they’re all girls around here. They’d probably wanna play Barbies or… fashion show, or something.”

“I feel your pain, cuz,” I grin, leaning back against the passenger door as he continues to stare at me woefully. “First off, you can’t go. You’re only eleven, Cameron.” When he opens his mouth to say God knows what, I hurry on with, “Suck it up, pal. This is my first time to go without mom and dad tagging along. I figure you’ve got a good seven years.”

“Asshole,” he mumbles.

“What was that?” I lift a hand to my ear, trying to hold back a grin. “I didn’t quite hear ya. If my mom heard you say that…” I tsk sorrowfully.

“I’d tell her I learned it from you,” he returns impishly, then his eyes fall on something behind me.

I cock a brow as a slight flush raises over his cheeks and glance over to see a cute brunette girl walking a dog down the street towards us. As she grows closer, I recognize her as one of the girls Isabel used to babysit back in the day. I lift a hand in greeting. “Hey, Channon.”

She looks up and smiles, heading towards us as the panting lab on the end of the leash begins prancing in excitement. “Hi… Max, right?”

“What are you doing?” I hear Cam hiss, and with surprise I turn to see him attempting to hide himself behind the Jeep as she grows closer.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask in bewilderment. I’ve never known Cameron Evans to be intimidated by anyone or anything… certainly not an eleven year old girl with a bobbing ponytail and pink capri pants.

“Cam? Is that you?” Channon asks as she walks by. She pulls up short, peering around the car door as Cam stands up slowly. “It is you,” she laughs. “Why are you hiding in the car?”

“What are you doing here, Channon?” he mutters, and my mouth damn near hits the ground at the blatant animosity steaming from him.

“I have as much a right to walk on this sidewalk as you do, Cameron Evans,” she sticks her nose up. “Remember that.”

I stand by, a silent spectator in this fascinating byplay. Smoke is practically pouring out of Cam’s ears as he takes a step forward. I grab the back of his shirt as he extends his fingers in a claw-like gesture when she turns around and starts to walk away. “Whoa… hold up. What was that all about?” I ask curiously.

He pulls away, fuming. His eyes burn brightly as he glares at the departing figure. “Nothin’. I’m going inside to play PS2. See ya.”

Okaaay.

I just shake my head as he storms away, nearly running headfirst into Kyle as he comes walking out of the house. Kyle calls out to him, but Cameron ignores him and slams the door shut.

“What’s up his ass?” Kyle wonders in bewilderment, biting off the end of a piece of jerky. “Was it something I said?”

I roll my eyes. “I have no idea. He took one look at the girl down the street and fried a circuit. Anyway, you ready?”

“Hell yeah, man,” he claps me on the back before lumbering into the back of the Jeep. “Let’s get Michael and your woman and get on the road. I’m hungry, so we’ll have to make a pit stop first.”

I gaze pointedly at the bag of jerky in one hand and the bag of chips in the other, then back at him. He shrugs. “I’m a growing boy, Evans.”

“Really? Since when? I don’t remember any distinct growth spurts since seventh grade,” I smirk.

“Blow me, dude.”

“I’ll save that distinction for the cheerleading squad,” I state wryly, pulling open the driver’s side door and sliding in.



<center>***</center>



“Okay, guys,” I say as we pull up in front of the CrashDown, glancing over my shoulder to include Kyle in my gaze. “Try not to act like idiots, okay? Liz isn’t… she isn’t used to you guys yet so… just…”

“Max, we aren’t going to eat your girlfriend,” Michael smirks, slumping in the passenger seat as he kicks his legs up onto the dashboard. “Stop being such a woman.”

“Yeah, what he said,” Kyle mumbles around a mouthful of God only knows what. “Grab the babe, and let’s get moving.”

Before I can answer, Liz and Maria come walking out of the café. Liz catches my eyes and smiles, resulting in my own sappy grin as I get out to help her with her luggage. “Come here, you,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms and kissing her gently despite the fact that Maria’s standing right there and probably smirking.

When I pull away, however, I find her gaze glued to Michael who is trying his best to act like her presence there isn’t completely driving him nuts. It’s actually quite comical to see my womanizing best friend so completely perplexed by a girl.

I stifle a snort as he glances over and nearly kicks himself in the face in his haste to lower his feet, knocking over a bottle of red Snapple into his lap. He curses, jumping out of the Jeep and wiping frantically at the growing stain. Of course, just because I happen to be discreet and not laugh doesn’t mean Kyle is the same.

“Damn Mike, ever thought about taking dance lessons?” he hoots as Michael starts hopping on one foot to the next while the cold liquid runs down his pants. “You look like that guy from River Dance.”

“Shut up, dickhead!” Michael turns bright red as we all start laughing, searching through the glove compartment for napkins. While blotting at the mess, he looks up and sees Maria laughing her head off. “It’s not that funny,” he mutters, looking embarrassed and completely put out.

“Ohh… from where I’m standing it is,” Maria sings, walking around the side of the car to get a better view. “I still haven’t gotten that ketchup out of my uniform. Stains like a bitch, huh Mikey G?”

“Don’t call me that,” he growls, but the sound is low and intimate as he stares at her. “Jesus, woman, stop laughing.”

“I’m sorry…” she gasps, holding her stomach as mirth continues to bubble out of her. “You should… see your face…”

He growls again, and reaches out to grab her arm. Within seconds he’s leading her away and towards the back of the building. Liz and I glance at each other and burst out laughing.

“God, those two are perfect for each other,” I admit, shaking my head and snorting. “She’s just what Mike needs to bring him down a notch.”

“Or ten,” Liz grins. “He’s even worse than you, Max.”

“Hey!” I blink in injury.

“You know what I mean,” she murmurs, wrapping her arms around me and pulling my head back down to hers. “Too bad it was all an act on your part. You’re way too… sweet to go around growling at people.”

“Sweet?” I wince. “Baby, that’s not what a guy wants to hear.”

“Hmm… what does a guy want to hear?” she purrs, her lips a breath away from mine.

I stare at her mouth, everything around us dissolving into nothingness. “Um… that we’re sexy… and irresistable,” I murmur, leaning slightly forward so that our mouths brush. “And good in bed, or a closet…”

“Or a bathtub?” she teases softly.

I wince again. “I’m not living that one down anytime soon, huh?”

She sighs and kisses me before laying her head against my chest. “Oh Max, you are sweet.”

“Yes, Max… you really are a sweetheart,” a snarky voice sounds from beside us. We glance over to see Tammy and a group of girls from school watching us with varying emotions. “In fact, I’m about to get a toothache, wouldn’t you agree girls?”

“Is that Liz Parker?” one of the girls whispers loudly, looking shocked by the sight of us together. I feel my hackles beginning to rise as Liz tenses.

Tammy’s sharp glance flicks towards the suitcase at our feet, towards the Jeep where Kyle is watching with a grim expression. “Planning a little trip?” she coos, batting her lashes. “Well, isn’t that cute. Let me guess… Palm Beach?”

“Maybe,” I state politely for Liz’s sake, but there’s an underlying thread of warning in my tone.

Her eyes narrow and flash with anger and jealousy before she plasters a smile on her face. “Good memories there, huh Max? You remember that one summer…?” She deliberately leaves the question hanging for implication.

“You talking about the time you followed us out and got mad when Max wouldn’t fuck your brains out when you got drunk and threw yourself at him?” Kyle asks from the backseat, an innocent expression on his face.

I roll my eyes towards the heavens as the girls all gasp and Tammy’s face turns several shades of red. Secretly, I have to force myself not to cackle with glee.

“You… ass!” Tammy stammers, glaring darkly at Kyle as he continues to sit there with his dumb jock appearance firmly in place.

“It is my best feature,” he sighs, sliding on a pair of sunglasses as the girls giggle and start whispering.

Tammy doesn’t stick around, instead snapping her fingers and glaring at the three of us one last time before hissing, “Let’s go.”

Liz shoots Kyle a glance filled with surprise and thanks as he winks at her. “What a…” she stops, obviously looking for a word that could accurately describe Tammy Curtis.

“Bitch,” I offer without hesistation.

“Skank,” Kyle adds.

“Whore.”

“Devil Woman.”

“Guys!” Liz laughs. “Okaay, I take back the sweet thing.”

Michael and Maria appear, looking suspiciously disheveled as they try to stand far enough apart as to not look damning. “What’s going on?” Michael clears his throat as we all glance over.

“I’m going to… go… work,” Maria frowns, nodding. “Yes, yes that’s what I’m going to do.” As if in a daze, she turns and yanks on the door to the café. It holds fast and Michael smirks as she glances down to see the push sign.

“See you around, DeLuca,” he murmurs into her ear and making her go stiff before she frowns at him, opens her mouth, then turns and practically runs inside.

“You look pretty happy with yourself,” I note as he slides his hands into his pockets and strolls over. The effect would probably have been better if it weren’t for the giant crimson stain across his crotch.

He glances back at the CrashDown and smirks. “Oh… I am. Oh yes,” he rolls back onto his heels, a strange gleam in his eyes. “That girl needed to be taught a lesson.”

“Oh Christ,” I make a face. “And on that note…” I quickly grab Liz’s luggage and set it in the back while she slides into the back with Kyle. “Hey, you’re sitting up front with me.”

Kyle grins and slides an arm around her shoulders. “No way, Evans. I like her right where she is.” He pulls her up against him, and Liz looks shocked but then laughs as he shoots her a goofy looking look of adoration.

“Hands off,” I mumble, glaring at them as Michael gets in with a whistle. “And as soon as we stop for lunch, you’re coming up here. With me.”

“Yes, sir,” she salutes me mockingly, and I blink at her in surprise as Kyle and Michael start howling. A grin spreads across her face and I can’t stop from laughing back.

“McDonald’s, here we come baby!” Kyle cries out, slapping his hands on the back of my seat.

“Don’t you mean, Palm Beach?” Michael rolls his eyes. “Only you would get excited about a trip to Mickey D’s, my friend.”

“Before we stop for lunch… we have to pick up Tess,” I admit, waiting for the outburst sure to follow.

“Tess?” Kyle practically shouts, sitting up so quickly that he nearly knocks Liz sideways in his haste to stick his head between the front seats. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Oh, did I forget to mention I invited her?” I ask innocently, catching Liz’s gaze in the rearview mirror. She shakes her head, clearly as confused as Michael and Kyle by my motives. “Her parents are out of town again and she didn’t want to stay at home all alone… so I asked her if she’d pitch in for gas and hotel costs. She jumped at the chance.”

Michael groans. “This dicks only trip sure is getting infested by a lot of puss—“

“Michael!” I snap, feeling my face turn bright red as I catch Liz’s mouth hanging open. “Jesus, man.”

“She didn’t tell me she was coming,” Kyle grumbles, sitting back to mope with his arms folded. “So typical.”

“Why would she tell you?” Michael asks in a bored tone, bending to flip through the radio channels. “You two get on like Britney and Christina.”

Kyle opens his mouth, then appears to go mute as his mind wanders. Knowing Kyle Valenti the way I do, there’s no doubt in my mind that it has to do with a Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera sandwich. “Hold on, I’m having a moment…” he murmurs with an exaggerated moan.

“If you’re going to start wanking it off, go crawl into the way back,” Michael smirks. “Liz doesn’t need to be scarred for life by the sight of the hairless wonder.”

“Oh my God!” Liz whispers, covering her face with her hands and shaking uncontrollably as Kyle sticks his middle finger up. I’m sure that was more about Kyle then she ever wanted or needed to know.

“Guys, please, shut up,” I grumble. “Liz, just ignore these assholes. I don’t let them out of their cages very often.”

“Ooh, kinky Maxwell,” Michael growls, turning to glance at Liz. “We bothering you, Parker?”

“Well… uh…” she fumbles for a reply as Michael and Kyle watch her with interest. I wonder if she even realizes she’s being tested. “Hmm… I…”

“Guys, leave her alone,” I warn, mouthing an apology to her as I realize she’s suffering from another bout of shyness.

But to my surprise, she shakes her head. “No, it’s fine,” she laughs, and turns to address the guys directly. “And no, you aren’t bothering me. In fact… I’m impressed, Kyle. Not many guys are comfortable enough to um, shave themselves down… there.”

A long beat of silence follows her announcement until Michael bursts out laughing and punches me in the shoulder. “I like the way your woman thinks, Max,” he laughs while Kyle yells out, “It just doesn’t grow in, okay?! Some guys just aren’t that hairy!”

But he’s laughing, too and staring at Liz with newfound approval. “I do believe we shall get along fine, Parker.” He holds out a hand which Liz slaps with a giggle, before looking up and meeting my gaze again.

I can’t stop grinning as she flushes slightly and smiles back. “God, I fucking love you,” I say before I realize we’re not alone. The second it’s out the guys start whistling and making kissy sounds.

When we get to Tess’s, she walks out and smacks a wet, lip-sticky kiss on my cheek as she shoves her luggage at Michael and Kyle. As in three suitcases worth. We all stare in bafflement and she raises a brow. “What? I had to pack my bikinis.”

Kyle stumbles back and groans, obviously imagining her in said bikinis. “Down boy,” I hear him mutter as Tess turns to face me with a wide grin.

“Max, you are a life saver,” she claims, wrapping an arm around my waist and squeezing. “You have saved me from a week of absolute boredom. For that, I am your willing slave.”

“I thought you were my slave,” Kyle calls back from where his head’s buried in the back of the Jeep.

“And then you woke up,” Tess throws back.

Grinning at the flirtatious banter, I raise a brow. “I have a feeling you would have found a way to entertain yourself just fine, Tess.”

“Yeah, but the party circuit is getting old,” she admits with a huge sigh. She spies Liz behind me and smiles. “Hi, Liz. You’re still alive after riding around with these three? They make me want to kill myself – God knows why I keep coming back for more. Don’t even say it!” she adds in a screech as Kyle pokes his head up to speak.

“Say what?” he blinks innocently. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”

Tess rolls her eyes while Liz giggles. “He’s such a dumbass,” Tess mutters, but there’s a thread of affection in her voice.

A few minutes later, and we’re all on the road. Again. This time, Liz is seated beside me while Kyle sits squished in between Michael and Tess.

He looks back and forth between them and frowns. “This just ain’t right,” he says suddenly. “What’s wrong with this picture?”

“Your head and ass have switched places?” Tess ventures.

“Funny,” Kyle sneers. “You know, you should be in the middle. This isn’t fair… your elbows are smaller than mine.”

“I have to be on the side,” Tess tosses her hair back. “I get claustrophobic in a close situation like that.”

That’s a pretty lame excuse, but Kyle apparently buys it because he turns to Michael. “Dude… come on. I feel like a sardine here.”

“Be glad you don’t smell like one,” Michael says indifferently. “And I’m not switching places with you.”

“You guys suck!”

In order to alleviate the possible argument brewing, I reach down and slip in a CD, smirking as the opening notes begin to play. “Guess what time it is,” I sing out, winking at Liz when she stares at me.

“Oh, yeah!” Michael grins. “Good times, man.”

Tess shakes her head in disgust. “The Thong Song?” she asks with an eyeroll. “Why am I not surprised?”

Forgetting his discomfort, Kyle leans towards her and starts singing along with the music, rolling his shoulders and basically flirting shamelessly as she struggles not to laugh.

Michael joins in, as I catch Liz’s eye and start nodding my head in time with the music.

Kyle lifts his fist like a microphone towards Tess and she sighs before saying, “She had dumps like a truck truck truck.”

Michael tags on, “Thighs like what what what.”

Kyle slips forward and gestures towards me and I wiggle my brows while singing, “Baby move your butt butt butt.”

With a whoop, he leans back and cries out, “I think I’ll sing it again! Liz, you’re up!”

I glance at my girlfriend to find her blinking at our ridiculous antics. I reach across the space and squeeze her thigh. “It’s kind of a tradition,” I whisper above the beat of the music. “Don’t ask.”

“Liiiz…. We’re waiting…” Kyle cajoles from the backseat.

I poke my lower lip out as she shakes her head firmly. “Come on, baby,” I grin. “Just one line.”

“No way,” she laughs. “You’re the singer in this relationship, remember?”

A chorus of “Oooh’s,” sound from the backseat as I growl.

“Scared Parker?” I challenge softly, my lips curving as she watches me warily. “Come on… one line. That’s all I’m asking.”

“Come on, Liz!”

She wavers as we all continue to plead with her, then squeezes her eyes shut and blurts out, “Let me see that thong!”

Michael and Kyle start cheering as I chuckle and lift her hand to my lips. “That’s my girl.”

[Deejonaise]

<center>Chapter 24</center>

~Liz~

I have never technically been on a road trip.

It’s full of breathtaking sights and colors to be sure, but sounds that would better be left unmentioned. The roadside terrain is inspiring, rocky and barren but strangely gorgeous in its way. The belching, farting and general ribald banter that the guys volley back and forth, on the other hand, I can do without. But then that’s what happens when you crash a “guys only” road trip. I suppose I should be grateful that Tess is tagging along to provide some female companionship but…the jury is still out on that one.

Don’t get me wrong. I like the girl. She’s spunky and smart and doesn’t bat an eyelash when putting these guys in their place. She hasn’t blushed in reaction to their crass joking once; meanwhile I’ve been officially dubbed “cherry cheeks.”

I wish I could be more like Tess and mimic her laid back, cool demeanor, but that’s just not me. And the lack only serves to prompt my never-ending feelings of insecurity. At this second she seems to be everything I’m not. She is one of the beautiful people after all and a cheerleader and she’s known Max for years and…she’s bound for LSU in the fall as well.

Max dropped this piece of news in such a totally casual way. It was an afterthought to him, a cursory piece of information. Unfortunately I’ve been in an insane state of panic ever since.

Now this isn’t a jealousy thing…er…not totally anyway. I mean…I know Max loves me. I know he’s devoted. I even know the idea of him and Tess as a couple is absolutely ludicrous. Unfortunately, logic isn’t prevailing at this second. The only thing I can process is the fact that while I’m thousands of miles away in London, Tess Harding will be here holding my boyfriend’s hand. Um…that’s not working for me.

“You’re biting your lip.”

I glance up with a start, surprise when Max’s quiet observation breaks in through my dark thoughts. “Am I?” I query weakly.

“Yeah. You always do that when you have something on your mind,” he declares knowingly. I toss him a “how do you know” look and he just laughs. “I’ve been watching you for a while, Parker. I know you better than you think.”

“Do you?” I mumble in challenge. He can’t know me half as well as he thinks if he hasn’t yet figured out what’s been bothering me for the last half hour.

“It’s not your dad, is it?” he asks.

I shake my head. Although it’s true my dad blew a total gasket when he found out about this trip and, technically, I’m going against his express wishes, I’ve barely thought about the argument I had with him before leaving or the fact I’m likely to catch hell once I return home. I’m too concerned with what’s going to happen between Max and me. The thought of losing him somehow scares me so much I can barely breathe.

After scrutinizing me for a long, silent moment, Max tosses a quick glance in the rearview mirror to check on our companions in the back before commenting further. I’m assuming they’re asleep because he speaks rather freely afterward.

“I know what’s really bothering you,” he whispers.

“Yeah?”

He flicks me with a luminous stare. “You know it’s not a big deal that Tess and I are going to be going to school together, right,” he opens quietly.

My mouth falls open. Scratch that about him not knowing me so well. Either he’s got me completely figured out or I’m woefully transparent. I’ve got this horrible suspicion that it might be more of the latter than the former so I try to brazen my way out of it.

However, before I reply, I swivel around to double-check that there’ll be no witnesses to our little exchange. I’m fairly comfortable with Max’s group by now but still there are some things I think should stay just between him and me.

Our eyes meet briefly across the expanse of the jeep in mute communication. “It’s not that I’m jealous or anything, Max,” I whisper, dropping my eyes to study my hands. For some reason, they’re the most fascinating things on earth right now. “I know it’s not a big deal that you’re going to school together,” I mumble, “It’s great!” Do I sound as fake to him as I do to myself?

“Then why have you been pouting ever since I told you about it?” he challenges. That’s an affirmative.

“Why didn’t you see fit to mention it before now?” I toss back huffily, hopping on the defensive.

“Again, I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Max reiterates mildly, “It’s not like we planned it. We just happened to put in apps for the same school. We didn’t know we’d get in together.”

“But still she’ll be there with you,” I mutter petulantly, “And I won’t.”

“So,” he replies in relative unconcern, “I’m not in love with Tess. I’m in love with you. Tess is just my friend. We practically grew up together, Liz. Our fathers are partners in the same law firm. If I had a sister she’s the one I would want.”

I frown over that bland statement, choking on a laugh. “Um…Max? You do have a sister, remember?”

He grimaces. “Don’t remind me.” I can’t help it, I grin. That is, after all, what he was trying to accomplish in the first place. He grins right back and we’re, once again, exchanging sappy smiles of love and the tension between us is dispelled like it had never existed at all.

“So anyway…” he plods on, “Tess and I attending the same school doesn’t have this…this undercurrent of meaning, okay?” he tells me, “There’s not gonna be some secret romance between us once you leave the country, okay.”

“I…I know that,” I mutter in reply.

And I do. Tess is into Kyle. The sexual tension between the two of them is unbelievable. I almost feel bad for Michael having to be sandwiched back there with the most of the day. Furthermore, I know Max adores me. I have no uncertainty about that at all. It’s my impending trip overseas that’s making me a bit wiggy. I don’t want to leave him and the thought of doing so is driving me nuts.

“What are you going to do when I’m gone?” I demand suddenly.

Clearly, Max was expecting the question because he barely flinches. He chews at his lower lip for a second, as if he’s debating whether to answer me at all. “I thought we said we weren’t going to dwell on that,” he remarks finally.

I stare down at my hands again. “I can’t help it, Max. I need to know. I’m scared, alright!”

“Scared of what?” he queries shortly, “Parker, I love you.” He pins me with a hard, emphatic stare churning with emotion. “I love you,” he says again, “That’s going to be true whether you’re sitting right next to me or an ocean away. I don’t want anybody else. When are you going to believe me?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Max,” I rush to explain, “It’s just that… I feel guilty for asking you to wait while I pursue my studies in another country. It’s like you’re putting your life on hold for me and…and that’s just not fair to you.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re worth waiting for, Liz,” he whispers, reaching across the space between us to finger my cheek, “I’d wait forever it that’s what it took.”

“Aww…isn’t young love beautiful?”

My cheeks flare with instant, mortified color while Max guiltily snatches back his hand with a long-suffering groan. “Valenti, how long have you been awake?”

“From the moment you began telling Liz that you didn’t want anybody else and professing your undying love,” he provides baldly. And then he leans forward between the seats so that he can clap Max on the shoulder. “I think what you said was really heartfelt, dude,” he says with a mock sniffle, “Brought a tear to my eye and everything.”

“Get the fuck away from me, man!” Max retorts, shrugging him off good-naturedly.

“God…you’re such a limp dick, Kyle!” Tess throws out suddenly, causing renewed groans from Max and me both, “You wouldn’t know romance if it took a big chunk out of your ass!” She shoves him and he swivels around to glare at her.

“Hey, I’m romantic,” Kyle growls in affront, “I know what the chicks want. I’m in touch with my feminine side. For your information, I watch fucking Lifetime!”

“Oh well, hell, I stand corrected then,” Tess throws back drolly.

“Jesus, Tess,” Max mutters, “I guess that means you heard everything, too, huh?”

“Since the part about you saying you wish you had me as a sister,” Tess confirms meekly, “Which, by the way, I think is the sweetest thing you’ve ever said about me, Max Evans.”

“Mike?” Max demands in irritation, “I know you’re not asleep. Why don’t you throw your commentary in as well?”

“I may have heard a little,” comes the sheepish reply, “But I have no comment.”

“God,” my boyfriend groans in growing humiliation, “fucking great!”

My turn for humiliation comes with Tess’ next words. When I feel her nudge my shoulder I turn around to oblige but all too soon I’m regretting it.

“Liz, you don’t have to worry about a thing, okay,” she assures me, “Max is crazy about you. You’re the one.” She continues on matter-of-factly, as if completely unaware that I am living up to my nickname right this second. Cherry cheeks hell! I should be called atomic cheeks cuz they’re damned near to exploding right now.

“No one is going to replace you in Max’s heart whether you’re in London or Timbuktu,” Tess goes on, “You’re so special to him. Why else would he have waited so long to lose his virginity?”

“Tess!” Max screeches in horror, while Kyle’s mouth falls wide and Michael shoots straight up in his seat, “Shit!” I just fall against the seat sputtering with choked giggles.

“No fucking way!” Michael cries, his incredulous brown eyes fixed on Max, “Seriously? Aww, man, say it ain’t so!”

Tess clamps a horrified hand over her mouth. “Oh my God,” she squeaks, “Max! Um…you…you never told them?”

“So it’s true?” Kyle balks in horror, “That’s just sick! And to think you were my idol,” he ends in a tsk of disappointment.

“Max, I’m so sorry,” Tess laments, but it’s obvious she’s on the verge of great gales of mirth, “I didn’t realize it was such a big secret still.” By the end though she’s clearly given herself up to laughter. Honestly, so have I. I feel Max’s pain, I really do but I’d be lying if I said this moment wasn’t funny as hell.

“Maxwell,” Michael queries in a disbelieving whisper, “You’re not seriously a virgin…are you?”

“NO!” Max denies so loudly that I have to shoot him a dumbfounded glance and laugh outright. “I…I mean…not anymore,” he mumbles. He shoots Tess a fulminating glance via the rearview mirror. “Thanks a lot, Tess.”

“My bad,” she bubbles between stifled giggles.

“Well, don’t that just beat all,” Kyle mutters, shaking his head, “Geez…you think you know a guy…”

<center>***</center>

“So why’d we have to get two rooms again?” Kyle complains, flipping disinterestedly through the cable channels.

“Cuz, I don’t happen to find the aroma of your sweat socks all that appealing, Valenti,” Tess retorts irreverently, “Besides, what’s wrong with Liz and I having our own room while you guys share this one?”

“Tradition’s just going straight to hell,” Michael grumbles.

“Oh suck it up, you big baby,” I toss out before I can stop myself. Four pairs of startled eyes ricochet to my face. Before long though their faces break out in wide, approving grins.

“Way to go, Parker,” Kyle commends, high-fiving me, “I knew we’d turn you over to the dark side before long.”

I meet Max’s eyes over his head and we exchange one of our usual secret smiles. I hope he can see how badly I want to be alone with him right now. His friends are a riot, no doubt, but it’s Max I want to spend my time with. Thankfully, he recognizes the silent appeal because he suddenly pushes to his feet.

“Let me walk you back to your room, Parker,” he offers, holding out his hand to hoist me upright, “It’s getting late.”

Michael swivels around in blank confusion. “I don’t remember her saying she wanted to go anywhere,” he mumbles around a mouthful of pizza, “Did I miss something?”

“Um…well, I am kinda tired,” I come in with the save, “It’s been a long day.” That’s a slight understatement. Eleven hours of travel in a crowded jeep doesn’t even begin to cover it.

“I’ll be back in a few,” Max says as he presses his hand into the small of my back, leading me over towards the adjoining door. A chorus of dubious guffaws and snickers follow in our wake. The last thing I hear as the door shuts behind us is Kyle snorting, “A few minutes my ass!”

Max has me pinned against the wall a second later, smothering my beginning giggle with his mouth. His kiss is deep and hungry, searching yet gentle, too. Our hands work in mutual accord to remove the barrier of clothing between us. We break contact long enough to whip our t-shirts over our heads and then we’re back, going at it hot and heavy.

Moaning our excitement, we make a blind stumble for the bed, our upper bodies rubbing together in the most sinfully delicious way before we tumble down onto the mattress together.

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to do this,” he whispers into my skin, his lips scouring my cheek and throat, “There’s gotta be another way, Parker.”

“Another way?” I ask breathlessly, lifting my hips to aid in his wiggling my capris and panties down my hips.

“Eleven hours without touching you,” he mumbles, his hands falling to the snap of his denims. I lift up to give him a hand and our lips meet for another slow, wet kiss. “I thought I’d go fucking insane.”

I lick my lips at his rasped confession and fall back on my elbows, spreading my legs apart so that he can fit between them. Tipping back my head, I fix him with a sultry stare. “Then why are you still waiting, Evans?”

Max doesn’t waste any time ripping the condom open and rolling the latex down onto his distended cock. I watch him do so with avid fascination, finding the entire process extremely erotic. He blushes a little under my intent stare. “What?”

Caught in the act, I blush as well. “What?”

“You’re staring at me,” he clarifies in a whisper.

“I…I know,” I stammer out softly, “You’re beautiful.”

He groans my name. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to tell you, Parker?” he asks with a crooked grin.

“It’s true,” I whisper, lifting my hand to splay my fingers across his hip, “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Max.”

He groans again, this time leaning forward to kiss me. His velvet tongue makes long, lazy sweeps within my mouth before he begins meandering down the length of my body, pressing moist kisses wherever his lips touch. I nearly moan aloud in loss when he takes his moan from my skin but my cry of loss becomes a serrated groan of satisfaction when he props a pillow beneath my hips, cradles me in his hands and thrusts inside.

Yet, instead of lying down against me, as I expect, Max remains upright on his knees instead. He cups his hands beneath my thighs and hunches over me as he strokes steadily into my body. We watch each other intently, our eyes never wavering even as the tempo and force of our driving hips increases.

It’s a hot, electric experience…to watch his face, to see the flickers of intense desire and pleasure that he can’t hide…the pleasure I’m giving to him. It’s divine.

“God, Liz,” he mutters in ecstasy, breaking eye contact with me briefly to watch where our bodies are being joined together, “Nothing should feel this fucking good.”

“Max…”

The soft keening of his name brings his eyes back to mine. “I love you,” he gasps, his words punctuated by piercing thrusts.

“I love you…”

The room comes alive with the sounds of our staccato grunts and groans. Max pushes my thighs wider, driving harder as both our orgasms approach. He becomes slick between my legs, sweat rolling off his body in cold droplets that pool onto my belly. He yanks me up for a kiss at the very second our bodies explode together, crying out into my mouth as he jerks inside me again and again.

When it’s over he briefly rolls away with a sated sigh to dispose of the condom. Afterwards he cuddles next to me and we lay there for a long moment in contented silence.

“Are you going to sleep?” I ask before long when I feel him growing progressively heavier next to me.

“Huh…no, baby,” he denies, “I’m wide awake.” But then he ruins the avowal by yawning broadly.

“Tess is probably going to want to come to bed soon,” I remark casually when his breath becomes deep and even, alerting me to the fact that he’s only seconds away from sleep. Part of me doesn’t really mind it. I can’t think of anything better than spending the entire night next to Max, but I don’t want to put Tess out.

Evidently, Max does not share the same concern because he hums a disinterested, “Mmmhmmm…” into my throat and doesn’t move.

I give his shoulders a half-hearted shove. “Max, you have to go. Remember, we had a deal? Girls share one room, boys share the other,” I remind him.

“Five minutes,” he mumbles, “And then I’ll leave…swear…”

“Okay,” I concede indulgently, “Five more minutes.”

But he’s not leaving and I know it. I smile with the knowledge and the last sensation I’m conscious of is his warm, damp body spooning behind me as we drift off to sleep.

[Applebylicious]

<center>Chapter 25</center>


~Max~



The sound of loud banging wrenches me from the comfortable haze of sleep. Blinking in confusion, I lift my head and find my arm weighed down by an immovable object. I look down and see Liz sleeping tucked up next to me, her lips parted as soft puffs of air escape her mouth.

Momentarily distracted by the sight of her nipple peeking out from the sheet, I lower my head until the banging begins again as a voice calls out from behind the door.

“Open up, it’s the Nookie Police! Max Evans, you’re under arrest!”

Feeling my cheeks heat, I curse and lean over as far as I can without waking Liz to check the clock. At the sight of the glowing numbers, my eyes about bug out of their sockets. “Oh, shit!”

She stirs at my outburst, a soft smile lifting her lips as she stretches. “Max?” she murmurs in a sleepy voice. Her lashes flutter as she shakes off the lingering traces of slumber. As she focuses on my expression, her smile falters. “What’s wrong?”

“We might have fallen asleep a little longer than intended.” I wince as Michael’s voice rings out.

“Dude, put it away and come on! I know you’re new to the non-virgin world and all… but we’re ready to leave. Bang her on your own time!”

“Could you be any more crude?” Tess snaps, and I watch as Liz’s face bursts into flames.

“Uh… baby…” I begin uncertainly.

“Oh my God,” she sits straight up and stares in horror at the sunlight spilling into the room. “What time is it?”

“Nearly nine,” Kyle offers helpfully. “And by the way... we can still hear you guys.”

Well, no fucking duh.

“Give us a minute!” I growl, running a hand through my hair as I watch Liz start to panic. “Hey,” I whisper in a lower voice. “You all right?”

She clutches the sheet up to her breast and stares at me through wide eyes. “They know?” she whispers back so quietly that I have to struggle to hear, and I’m sitting right next to her.

I cock a brow, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the question. “Um…” I begin carefully, leaning forward to whisper softly. “I think they have a good idea.”

She scowls at me and shoves against chest as I start laughing. “It’s not funny, Max!” she hisses, jumping up and allowing the sheet to slip away as I prop my head on one arm and watch her flail around. “You weren’t supposed to stay… oh my God! What about Tess?”

Before I can answer, Tess does. “It’s all right, Liz. I made do with what the situation presented me.”

“In other words, you made me and Michael sleep together while you had it nice and comfy in the other bed… all by yourself,” Kyle whines.

“Oh, suck it up, Valenti,” Tess returns. “Just think… it can be a new tradition.”

I snicker despite the fact that Liz is standing there with a look of horrified embarrassment on her face. “Hey, it’s all right,” I say in between chuckles. “Baby, they already know that we’re… we’re…”

“Screwing like rabbits?” Michael offers from behind the door.

“Humping like bitches in heat?” Kyle tags on.

“Intimate!” I yell, tossing the door a dirty look. “Would you losers go the hell away?”

“We’re leaving,” Tess giggles. “But seriously… if we want to make it by dinner, you guys have to be quick.”

“Yeah, make it a quickie! Ow!” Kyle cries out after a sharp slapping sounds. “Damn woman!”

“Oh my God,” Liz mumbles, appearing to shrink inwards as I sit up to reach for her.

“Hey, don’t pay any attention to them,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms and nuzzling her neck. “They’re morons. Well, except for Tess… but seriously, they like you. They wouldn’t make fun of us if they didn’t.”

“What would they do if they hated me?” she asks inanely, cheeks burning as she meets my eyes.

I pretend to think. “Well, you remember Kyle and Tammy, right? That, or they might steal your bras and litter them across the highway.”

She snorts and a snicker escapes her throat. “How old are they again? Have you ever done anything like that?”

“I uh…” My own cheeks start to burn as she raises a brow. “Of course not!” I mutter. “Except… maybe to Isabel…”

“Max!” she laughs, shaking her head. “What is up with you and your sister? Talk about sibling rivalry.”

“She’s the spawn of Satan,” I say so straightfaced that she gawks at me. “Okay, okay… we just don’t get along so much anymore.”

“Why not?” she asks curiously, tucking her shapely legs up to her chin.

Dragging my gaze away from the tempting sight of her naked curves, I answer, “We just… don’t have much in common anymore. You see the people she hangs out with.”

With a grimace, she nods. “Right. Poor Alex… I think he really likes her, too. It’s weird, because Alex is one of the most down-to-earth people I know. I just can’t see him liking someone so…”

“Snobby?” I offer. “Yeah, well… even the most down-to-earth guy can be turned by a pretty face. But what really counts…” I slide down and pull her over me as she starts to giggle, hands flat against my chest.

“Is what’s inside?” she whispers against my lips, reaching over for a foil of silver as I position her against me.

“No, how good the girl is in bed,” I reply impishly, groaning as she slides the condom on, then lowers herself over me. “So let’s find out.”



<center>***</center>



“Are we there yet?”

I exchange a glance with Tess and we both roll our eyes as Liz snuffles and shifts against me, her cheek rubbing along my cotton shirt as she sleeps. Glancing down and running my hand along her silky hair, I can’t keep from smiling as I realize she’s making soft snoring sounds.

“About another hour, Valenti,” Tess answers, and I glance up to see her watching me with unreadable eyes. As soon as our gazes meet, she raises both brows and shakes her head. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d fall for someone like Liz Parker,” she says softly.

If it had been anyone other than Tess, I would have been offended. But I know she doesn’t mean the statement as anything more than a simple observation. “I never thought I’d see the day she’d fall for someone like me,” I answer just as quietly, looking back down and grazing her cheek with my knuckles.

Tess’s lips curve as the wind tosses her blonde locks around, the backdrop of the setting sun creating a fiery halo around her pretty face. As I stare at her, I can’t help but wonder why I never felt anything more for her than friendship. She’s beautiful, and truly one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. But all the same, she’s never inspired even an ounce of romantic interest in me.

I’m pretty sure she’s never felt that way about me, either, as her eyes drift away and towards the front seat where Kyle and Michael are debating which CD to play next. She lets out a soft sigh, leaning on her palm and nibbling on her lips.

“You okay?” I ask, noting her conflicted expression.

“Hmm?” she turns slightly to glance at me. “Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking…”

I wait for her to continue, not used to Tess Harding holding anything back. But she merely trails off and flicks another glance towards the front seat. Another sigh parts her lips. “Tess?”I ask, trying not to grin. “Is something up with you and Kyle?”

She stiffens and reaches over Liz’s sleeping body to slap me on the arm. “Shh! God, he could hear you!” she hisses, a faint flush rising over her cheeks.

Color me confused. “Um… wasn’t it you who basically told everyone in the car that I was a virgin prior me and Liz getting together?”

“That was an accident,” she mumbles through a snicker. “Honestly, Max… I had no idea they didn’t already know.”

“Uh huh. Anyway, what’s up with you and… He Who Shall Not Be Named?” I improvise.

“Did someone say something about Harry Potter?” Kyle turns around. “I just saw that movie on my date with…” he trails off as Tess stiffens and shoots him a dirty look. He clears his throat and smiles in an over-forced way. “I saw it, anyway.”

Okaaay. As I look back and forth between them, I’m sensing some strange undercurrents. And they aren’t the usual flirtatious banter that exists between these two.

“Wow, Kyle… something actually held your interest longer than five minutes? You do realize that movie had words, not just moaning and grunting,” Tess bats her lashes, and the moment is lost as they return to their typical repartee.

“Blow me, Princess.”

“Meow! Hiss!” Michael growls from the driver’s seat, lifting a hand to scratch at the air. “To your corners, Ben and Jennifer.”

“Shut up!” they both yell at him, faces flushed and eyes blazing as they sink back into their seats with their arms folded across their chests.

Liz jerks awake at the loud cries and sits straight up, wiping at her mouth self-consciously as I stare at her in amusement. Wincing at the taste on her tongue, she asks in a sleep-roughened voice, “Are we there yet?”

“Thank you!” Kyle cries out, throwing his hands up. “It didn’t take this long last summer, did it?”

“It took the exact same amount of time, Kyle,” I say calmly. “And you still whined every fifteen minutes.”

“Dude, I’m hungry.”

“Someone, please shut him up,” Tess mumbles, shifting in her seat as she rolls her eyes to the sky.

“Someone’s PMSing,” Kyle sneers, turning to blink at Tess in picture-perfect inocence. “Need a Midol, baby?”

“I’ll take your Midol and shove it up your ass, Jock Boy!”

“Um… did I miss something?” Liz asks hesitantly, nibbling her lower lip.

“Just Round 2 of the Valenti/Harding saga,” Michael quips, wincing as Kyle delivers a solid punch to his shoulder. “Why don’t you two just kiss and make up already?”

“What are you talking about?” Tess blurts out, scrambling forward to glare at Kyle through hurt eyes. He doesn’t meet her gaze, but glares at Michael and raises his fist again in warning.

“Chill out, guys,” I say, not exactly sure what the hell’s going on… but not the least bit eager to see emotions start flying. “Look, we’re all tired and hungry… we’re almost there, okay? Let’s just cool out.”

“Hey, I’m completely cool,” Michael grins evilly. “It’s the Denial Twins here who need to—“

He cuts off as Tess starts growling in a low sound that even scares me. Liz just keeps looking back and forth between the four of us like an avid observer at a ping-pong match.

The sound of a cell-phone ringing breaks into the tense silence, and Liz flushes slightly. “Oh… that’s mine,” she mumbles, bending to sift through her purse. She glances at the incoming call and rolls her eyes, breathing heavily before answering with a short, “Hey, Dad.”

My ears perk up, eager to know what she’s talking with Gigantigor… okay, Jeff – it’s still hard to think of him that way – about. She hasn’t said so either way, but somehow I don’t think her parents were all that thrilled about her coming along on this trip.

“Dad, I already told you, everything’s-“ She’s obviously cut off, because her lips press together and her cheeks begin to flush as she flicks a mortified glance in my direction. “No!” she hisses. “No, Dad… we’re not drinking and driving.”

Michael snorts in the front seat and erupts into a coughing fit while Kyle starts snickering. I shoot them both looks of warning before gesturing to Liz to let me talk to her father.

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head, but I wiggle my fingers insistently. Finally, she sighs. “Daddy… Max wants to speak with you. Yes, that Max!” she hisses. "Very funny."

She huffs out a breath and practically launches the phone at me. I catch it to my chest and raise a brow as she falls back and glares at the road ahead, mumbling something about being treated like a kid. Lifting the phone to my ear, I say hesitantly, “Mr. Parker?”

“Max, are you aware I asked Lizzie not to go on this trip?” his voice asks with razer-edged politeness.

No, but I figured as much. “Sir, I just wanted to reassure you that everything’s fine,” I state as firmly as possible. Somehow, it’s much easier to confront Jeff Parker when there’s a few hundred miles in between us. “I’m going to take care of Liz with my life. Sir.”

“Liz can take care of herself,” Liz calls out, leaning forward so that her father can’t help but overhear. Tess stifles a giggle as I toss them both fulminating glances.

“Max, you’re out there with no parental supervision whatsoever,” Mr. Parker continues. “And you expect me to believe three teenage boys and my teenage daughter aren’t going to get into trouble?”

Well, when you put it that way… sure, it sounds bad.

“My friends and I plan to be very responsible,” I say, ignoring Kyle as he sticks his tongue out and makes a face. “If it means anything, my parents trust me one-hundred percent or they would never have let us go by ourselves. This is actually the first summer this has happened…” I hesitate, wondering if I went too far in revealing that tidbit.

“Really?” he asks in a grudging voice. “And would you mind if I called your parents and followed up on this?”

Apparently, Liz is better at eavesdropping than me, because she gasps and tries to tear the phone away from me. “Daddy!”

I shift away from her while saying, “Of course. Let me give you their phone number.” As I rattle off my home number, Liz fumes in the seat next to me.

The second I’m finished, she yanks the cell away and snaps, “There, are you satisfied? You have my cell number, I promised to check in every day… what more do you want? I’m eighteen, Dad!”

Michael starts whistling as Kyle and Tess try to appear like they aren’t shamelessly listening in. I reach out and gently stroke Liz’s leg as she scowls. She glances my way and I offer her a small smile as she sighs. “Yes, Dad. I’ll talk to you later, okay?… Yes, I will. Okay. Love you, and tell Mom the same. Bye.”

She clicks the phone off and holds it to her forehead. “Sometimes I wish I was an orphan,” she mumbles, although it’s obviously just frustration speaking.

Tess squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. “Hey, be glad he cares. My parents wouldn’t notice if I got a sex change and started a cult in the living room.”

“I’d notice,” Kyle grunts.

“It’s cool, Parker,” Michael adds in. “The parentals always give the girls a harder time, anyway. If I was a girl, I know my Mama wouldn’t have let me out with Max.”

“Oh shut up,” I grumble as Kyle starts laughing.

“Yeah, too bad she’d be worrying for nothing! He’s Like a Virgin and all. Or was. Damn, how depressing,” he pouts.

“One of these days, and you won’t know where or when it’s coming,” I promise darkly. “But you’ll know why.”

“Hey, guys! We’re here!” Tess squeals as we drive past signs welcoming and inviting us to Palm Beach. The scent of the ocean arrives only a minute before it stretches out across our vision.

Kyle lets out a whoop. “Red Lobster, here I come!”

We all groan and shake our heads.

"What?" he asks in honest confusion.

[Deejonaise]

<center>Chapter 26</center>

~Liz~

Kyle emits a low whistle as we all shuffle into the resort suite. “Well, la dee dah…lookie who’s moved on up,” he murmurs appreciatively, casting a glance over at Max, “What’s with the new digs?”

“Yeah, this is way better than last year,” Michael pipes as he steps over to inspect the balcony, which has a perfect, unending view of the beach below. We all follow suit. “Fucking A, Max. Your dad really came through for us.”

“He called in an upgrade since we were having…ah,” he pauses momentarily to fix with a besotted stare, which I happily return, “…guests this year,” he finishes in wry explanation, “We’ve got two bedrooms and the sofa lets out. There’s even a Jacuzzi and a washer and dryer just in case any of us are feeling domestic during the trip. Ain’t timeshares grand?”

“Amen, brother,” Michael agrees as they slap hands in high-five, “I got dibs on the second room.”

“Eh…no, spiky-haired one,” Tess interrupts smoothly, “Max and Liz will get the master, of course, since it’s his dad’s timeshare. But I will get the second room because I’m a girl and well…because I say so and you’ll bunk out here with Kyle ‘I don’t know my head from my ass’ Valenti.”

“Hey!” Kyle huffs in affront.

“That’s bullshit,” Michael argues shortly, ignoring him, “You weren’t even supposed to come, okay! If anybody gets the sofa it should be you.”

Tess merely folds her arms over her breasts and lifts her brows in challenge. “That’s life,” is her unsympathetic reply, “Deal with it.”

“Max!”

“Children, please,” Max scolds in his best father tone, “If you can’t play nice I’ll be forced to send you to your rooms without supper.”

“Well, it looks like I won’t have too far to walk,” Michael mutters with a dour glance towards the living room. We all make an admirable effort to stifle our answering snickers.

“Hey, Mike, forget about her. Come and see the view, man. Tits and ass for days and days,” Kyle announces as we peruse the beachcombers below.

The moment he opens his mouth Tess pins him with a smoldering glare. But I note that, though his face is turned towards the beach, his eyes are trained sideways towards Tess as if he’s trying to get a rise out of her. He does. When he looks up she shoots him the finger before flouncing over to the far end of the balcony. She doesn’t see the wide grin that splits his face when she stalks away. I roll my eyes over their antics.

“Alright, kiddies!” Michael announces, rubbing his hands together in gleeful anticipation, “I say we hit the beach, get some sun before its gone and then hit the club scene later.” He starts bobbing his head to an imaginary beat. “I wanna get my party on!”

“That’ll be so sweet,” Kyle says, “I’ve only been plotting that since we started taking this trip.” He administers a playful slug to Max’s shoulder. “I love your parents, dude but they’re not exactly party people if you know what I mean.”

Max only laughs and hugs me close. “Do whatever you want,” he says gamely, “I think Liz and I are just gonna crash.” I flash him with a shy smile, wondering how he knew that I’d want to stay there with him.

“Wait, you’re not gonna go?” Michael demands in obvious disappointment, “Max, come on! We never do the beach without you!”

“You and Kyle always go down there to cruise for girls,” Max tells them, “I’m just not about that scene this year.”

“Yeah, we know exactly what you’re about,” Kyle wisecracks.

“Pussy,” Michael coughs behind his hand. He and Kyle break into great snorts of laughter while I make a valiant effort not to flush.

“Cut it out,” Max warns.

“They’re just jealous, Max,” Tess smirks, “It’s penis envy.”

“Whatever,” Kyle snorts, “I can have pussy any time I want and it doesn’t have to be the same one either…no offense to your pussy, Parker. I’m sure it’s primo.”

“Max seems to think so,” Michael snickers under his breath.

I have to bury my face in Max’s chest by this point. I’m that horrified.

“Both of you…shut the fuck up,” Max growls.

“Ooooh,” Michael mocks, clearly not intimidated, “Somebody’s a little tense. Bite me.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it, Parker,” I hear Kyle laugh, “You should take it as a compliment that you’ve got him pussy whipped this soon. Like I said…must be some pretty sweet shit.”

“Alright, you are so fucking close…” Max barks in ominous threat.

“Okay…okay,” Kyle chuckles in surrender, “We’re going… You and Liz can have your little den of luuuv until further notice… I’m gonna get changed. Hotties await—hey!” He doesn’t even finish the sentence before I hear the sudden pattering of feet. I glance up in time to see Tess making a break for the bathroom and Kyle hot on her heels. “I got first dibs you pint-sized terror!” he cries. A few seconds later we hear banging on the door and the rattling of the knob. “Open the door! Tess, open the door…I fucking mean it!”

Michael fixes Max with a mocking look of disappointment. “I just knew you were gonna flake out on us, Max,” he tsks but then he ruins it by grinning, “I guess you’ve got a good enough reason though. Enjoy your evening, brother.”

“I will,” Max replies blandly, but his flaming face gives him away. “Hey, we’ll meet up after you guys get back from the beach,” he calls after Michael, “Cool?”

“Cool.”

<center>***</center>

To our credit, Max and I actually do sleep. Granted, we’re naked when we do it but we still sleep. When I open my eyes sometime later night has fallen completely, bathing our room in translucent moonlight. Outside the door I can detect the faint sounds of activity. A running shower, the television, Tess and Kyle bickering… I grin into Max’s naked chest and stretch languorously before lifting up to brush a kiss across Max’s cheek.

“Babe…they’re back.”

“Hmm…?” he grunts, burrowing his tousled head deeper into the pillow.

My smile widens, tempered with affection. One thing I’m fast learning about Max Evans. He loves his sleep and it will be disturbed for no man. I give him a slight nudge until his eyes finally part in bare slits. “Michael, Kyle and Tess are back,” I tell him again.

“Is it time to get up already?” he queries in a sleep-roughened voice.

As if on cue an obnoxious rapping sounds at our bedroom door. “Rise and shine, sleeping booties!” Kyle orders unapologetically, “I’m hungry!”

As per Kyle’s request, we stop at a little restaurant on the tourist strip for some dinner before heading off to the club. While we wait for our food to arrive we banter back and forth to fill the time.

“So what is it you see in this guy?” Michael asks me baldly, “I mean…he’s my bud and all. I love him like a brother but…”

“…You two are like an odd couple,” Kyle finishes up, “What gives?”

I glance over at Max, wondering if their line of questioning offends him but he looks just as interested in my answer as they do. “I don’t know,” I reply with a shrug, “There was just…something about him. I just knew he was special from the second I laid eyes on him.”

“Special?” Kyle snorts, “Max? Oh, man, you really are in love! He’s just a regular old jock just like us. You think we’re bad…he’s just as depthless.”

“There’s nothing depthless about Max at all,” I reply with soft pride, “Did you know that he writes poetry?”

“Liz!” Max cries in mortification, choking on his Coke, “What? Do you and Tess have some sort of conspiracy going on to out all my personal business? Geez.”

“Poetry?” Michael balks, “Okay, I was just beginning to get used to the virginity thing and now this. It’s like I don’t even know you, man!”

“Do you cross dress, too,” Kyle interjects sardonically, batting his eyelashes theatrically, “Enjoy long, romantic walks in the park? What the hell is with you, Max? Poetry is for pansies, dude.”

“That’s not true,” I argue hotly, “What about Wordsworth and Eliot and Byron? They weren’t pansies!”

“Um…you might not want to use Byron as a reference, baby,” Max remarks wryly, “He had a thing going with his half-sister.”

“Well, that’s just nasty,” Tess declares with a shudder.

“You see?” Kyle cries, stabbing his finger at Max, “That just proves my point. Why do you even know who this Boris guy is?”

Max’s lips twitch in response. “Byron,” he corrects blandly.

“Whatever,” Kyle grunts, “He was still an incest loving freak.”

“And a pansy,” Michael throws in, “Don’t forget pansy. I mean, dammit, Maxwell, if you had to write couldn’t you write like horror or some shit like that?”

“Or soft porn, at least,” Kyle throws in, “Then your friends could benefit.”

“Shut up, you wankers!” Tess orders sharply, “I’ve read some of Max’s stuff before. He’s very good. He could be published if he wanted. You morons might know that if you weren’t always so busy ragging on him.”

“Ragging on him?” Michael echoes in affront, “We don’t rag on him, do we, Max?” He levels Max with a cajoling stare. “Come on…you know it’s all done in love, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Max laughs, dispelling the tension at the table, “Yeah, I know it.”

“So you write poetry, huh?” Kyle considers, “Like what? I guess it would be okay if it’s a manly poem.”

“’In her eyes I fall/ Those eyes I find/ That fill my dreams/ And haunt my mind/ My secret passion/ A flame sublime,’” I quote with ease, my voice trembling with each word, “He wrote that for me.”

For the first time in, I don’t know when, the entire table falls silent as everyone stares at Max in slack jawed amazement. He takes a self-conscious gulp of his drink. “Can you please stop staring at me,” he groans. I know he’s mentally singing a “hallelujah” when the food arrives a few minutes later.

Not surprisingly Kyle has the bounty at the table. While the rest of us are dining on dinner salads and sandwiches he’s got a steak and potato. “And,” he announces triumphantly as we start to dig in, “I’m having dessert.”

The chicken salad I ordered is pretty good, though it has more mayo than what I’m used to. Still, the strawberries, dried cranberries and mandarin oranges are a treat. It came with candied pecans as well but I had to nix that due to my allergy. All and all, it’s a pretty good salad, if not a bit…crunchy?? That’s not right.

I start to lean over towards Max to ask him to signal the waitress when I start to feel funny. My skin tingles and I’m suddenly lightheaded. I realize what’s happening at the very second my throat begins to close. I drop my fork and gasp for breath, my initial panic constricting my lungs even more. Breathing is a chore: hard, hot and extremely painful. My chest feels as if it’s about to explode.

Max looks over at me in puzzlement but his beginning smile is demolished when he sees my face. “Liz! Liz! Oh my God, what’s wrong?”

“You guys, she’s turning blue!” I hear Tess scream in horror as Kyle and Michael just stare in frozen terror, “Max, do something!”

The world is starting to take on fuzzy edges. I know I’m losing consciousness because there’s a significant lack of oxygen to my brain. I grip the edge of the table, fighting against unconsciousness as Max begins whacking me unhelpfully on the back. “Are you choking…God, Liz!” he cries, “I don’t know the fucking Heimlich! Somebody help us! She’s choking!”

That’s the last thing I hear before I slump from my chair and the world goes black around me.

[Applebylicious]

I'll just slip in between the pecan talk and post this new part! Don't mind me...

hugs,

Linds


<center>Chapter 27</center>

~Max~


“Is she going to be okay?” Tess asks as we all jog after the stretcher carrying my prone girlfriend into the nearest ER.

“Of course she will be,” I say gruffly, trying to think over the loud thumping of my heart. “She’s… she’s going to be just fine.”

“Yeah, it’s just an allergic reaction,” Michael speaks up, although he has a similar expression of worry on his face. “After all, no one’s ever died from an allergic reaction, right? Right?”

We all turn to stare at him. Tess cries out, “Haven’t you ever seen My Girl, you idiot?”

“Well… that was bees! Not nuts!” he shouts back defensively, raking a hand through his hair so that it’s standing on end. “Jesus Christ… is she going to die?”

“No!” Kyle cries out, running after the stretcher. “Liz! It isn’t your time, do you hear me! It isn’t your time!”

"She's not going to die!" I bellow, choking on a sob that threatens to build inside me. "Just... everyone shut the hell up!"

For once, they all do as asked as we enter the hospital emergency entrance behind the paramedics. The fact that they are having to feed Liz oxygen makes me worry, but I try to stay positive. After all, she only had about four bites of her salad before the reaction set in.

Oh God… the memory of her sitting there, grabbing at her throat while she turned a shade of blue I’ve only ever seen in a crayon box has me close to hyperventilating myself. I’ve never really seen anyone have an allergic reaction – my family has no history of any sort of health problems whatsoever.

A part of me that I’m ashamed of recognizes the fact that I’ve always associated allergies and other sick traits as signs of weakness, brought on no doubt by my father’s overdeveloped ideal of strength. If you’re active, you won’t suffer abnormal symptoms and the like.

It’s such bullshit. Liz Parker may be shy and she may be diminutive, but she’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. She dove headfirst into a relationship with someone who was her complete opposite at face value, and opened herself up to all kinds of judgement and criticism from our peers and families alike.

Ever since I found out about London, I’ve felt like a part of me has been operating on autopilot. While I put up a brave enough front, I feel like I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. How long before we truly can’t take the trials of a long-distance relationship?

I have no intention of ever leaving her, but what about her? Do I honestly expect her to want to stay in a relationship with a guy who has nothing going for him but a football scholarship to a prestigious southern school? Not that I’m not proud of everything I’ve accomplished – playing ball at LSU is something that I’ve always wanted… but lately, I’ve been wanting other things as well. Things I have no business thinking about. Things like living in a flat in London and writing goddamned poetry while I wait for my girlfriend to come home from school. Ridiculous things, that if I mentioned she’d probably look at me with that owlish expression that she has no idea makes her look so fucking adorable I could just eat her up.

And now… now I’m faced with yet another difference between us. As petty as it may seem, her reaction to this damn allergy is opening up all kinds of other insecurities I’ve been harboring. I don’t know the first thing about being in love, but I know that the number one thing is to accept your partner one-hundred percent. And I do. I just… don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I should have checked and made sure there weren’t nuts in her salad. I should have taken the fucking time to know every health quirk she has and used that to protect her, and not just because I promised her father I would.

And doesn’t that just open up a whole different can of worms. I groan aloud as I replay my earlier conversation with Jeff Parker. “Fucking perfect,” I mutter hoarsely, rubbing at my eyes as we await the nurse to give Liz’s name and personal information.

A half-hour and three near-nervous breakdowns later, and the nurse comes in to inform us of Liz’s situation. I jump up from where I’ve been keeping vigil by the water fountain, and the harried expression in my eyes must have surprised her because she backs up slightly.

“Max Evans?” she asks tentatively, and I nod my head as she relaxes slightly. Jesus, I can’t look that bad. “Your friend is going to be just fine. She had a mild reaction to a chemical found in—”

I don’t hear the rest of her statement because the words “just fine…” keep playing in my head. I don’t realize that I’ve staggered back until I run into Michael, who in a rare show of manly affection, wraps his arm around my neck and squeezes.


“That was a mild reaction?” Kyle asks uncertainly, obviously reliving the same moment I had earlier where Liz imitated a blueberry.

“Yes well, allergic reactions often appear worse than they actually are,” the nurse explains gently. “Not that they aren’t serious. Your friend is extremely lucky, in fact, that you were able to get her here in such a short amount of time. If she had been without oxygen to the brain for too long, then we could have been dealing with brain damage and all that goes along with it.”

“Oh my God,” Tess murmurs, wrapping a hand around her throat as Kyle steps up and runs a hand down her shoulder. “But… she’s okay, right? I mean… can we see her?”

“Does she need to stay the night?” I finally find my voice again. “I mean, shouldn’t she? She wasn’t breathing and… well, you said all that stuff about oxygen loss…” I trail off when my voice threatens to crack.

“Yes, we’ll need to keep her here for observation,” the nurse adds. “It’s routine and nothing to be concerned with. The doctor has administered a shot that will counter-effect the chemical that caused her reaction and it might make her sluggish, but if you’d like to see her, it’s permitted.”

“Yes, I’d like that,” I say thickly, not even bothering to hide the fact that tears of relief are burning in my eyes. “Thank you.”

The nurse offers a smile. “This way.”

A few minutes later, and we’re all crowded around a hospital bed where Liz is laying and looking extremely tired. I pull up a chair from against the wall and straddle it while taking her hand.

“Hey, baby,” I whisper. “Scared me.” I tighten my grasp on her fingers as she opens her lips to say something. What comes out is completely not what I expected, however.

“Fucking nuts.”

Kyle snorts hysterically, and earns himself an elbow from Tess. “Sorry,” he whispers, looking properly chastised and solemn.

“How are you feeling?” Michael asks, shoving both hands into his shorts as he watches her through narrowed eyes. The intense mask that always hides his emotions when he’s feeling worried has set in on his features.

“I feel fine,” she answers, slurring slightly from the drugs I presume. “In fact, why am I still here? Max?”

I take my other hand and gently push back a strand of hair that has caught on her lip. “You have to stay the night, Parker. I won’t take any chances with you, okay?”

She pouts, but her lower lip trembles as tears begin to glisten on her lashes. “I’ve ruined the entire trip, haven’t I?” she whispers softly so as only I can hear.

My heart clenches, and I glance over my shoulder to see Tess already dragging the guys away to give us some privacy. When I look back, I heave a huge sigh. “Yes, you’re such a burden,” I shake my head sorrowfully. “How dare you sabatoge my trip by eating fucking nuts and putting yourself in the hospital.”

She catches my sarcasm and sticks her tongue out, sniffling lightly as I chuckle. “I feel like such an idiot,” she adds. “I should have known something wasn’t right about it… I’m so sorry, Max. God, and Tess and the guys had to be dragged down here, too…”

“Hey,” I tilt her chin towards me and force her to meet my direct gaze. “They were worried about you, Parker. They’re your friends, too.”

She blinks and doesn’t reply, but tears fill her eyes again. I lay my head against her stomach and sigh as I feel her hand come to rest on my scalp.

“God, Liz… you’re going to give me gray hairs,” I tease. “Between this and the panic attacks… seriously, is there anything else I should know about? I never want to feel the way I did tonight. Like I was going to die.”

I look up and capture her eyes. “Baby, if something happens to you…” I can’t even complete the sentence without choking up and she lifts my hand that is still tangled with hers, and kisses it.

“I’m fine,” she murmurs softly. “You guys should go and get some sleep. Or hang out and just… have fun. I’ll still be here in the morning.”

I stare at her agog. “And so will I.”

“What?” she frowns.

“You think I’m leaving you?” I demand in a harsh whisper. “You think I could go back and sleep in that bed while you’re here? No way, Parker. I’m sticking.”

“So am I,” I hear Kyle call out, and I toss him an irritated glance as he grins shamelessly at having eavesdropped. “It’ll be fun. We’ll rent movies and make fun of them.”

“I’m staying, too,” Michael shrugs. “Not like it’s much fun to go clubbing alone.”

Everyone turns to stare at Tess, who makes a face. “Well, of course I’m staying!”

Liz just shakes her head in disbelief. “You guys… I…” she trails off and I can see her desperately trying to blink back tears again, so I squeeze her hand and turn to face the others.

“See if we can order some pizza or something. I know Kyle can’t go more than an hour without stuffing his face,” I say to Michael. Turning to Tess, I add, “See if you can get Maria DeLuca or Alex Whitman on the phone. Liz promised Maria she’d keep in touch and well, they deserve to know about what happened.”

“What about her parents?” she nibbles her lips.

I don’t even have to think on that one. “Hell no. I’d rather not be killed at the tender age of eighteen.”

[Deejonaise]

<center>Chapter 28</center>

~Liz~

“Max!” I moan in exasperation as he sweeps me up into his arms, “You do not have to carry me inside. I’m not an invalid.”

“Shut up and let me pamper you, okay,” he growls playfully, passing the room key to Tess so that she can open the door.

“Lap it up, Liz,” she tells me blandly, “All that gallantry goes right out the window once they know they have you.”

We exchange a girlish snicker, which Max mocks, as she pushes open the door. The moment it swings open thick, clouds of billowing, black smoke blasts us in the face and we dissolve into wracking coughs. Max immediately drops me to my feet, waving his hand to and fro to ward off the smoke as we scuttle inside.

“Michael! Kyle!” he barks anxiously, “You guys in here?”

“Oh hey, Max!” comes Kyle’s chipper reply through the murk, “We were just making breakfast for you guys.”

Out of nowhere Michael appears, bearing a plate of…I don’t know what the hell it is. It looks charred and shriveled and damned unappetizing. He thrusts the platter beneath our noses proudly. “Sausage?”

Max grimaces and shoves the plate away. “What the hell’s going on?” he demands, “Why is the room so smoky?”

Kyle emerges from the thick cloud as well, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I might have overcooked the pancakes a little.”

“And the sausage,” Michael adds.

“And the hashbrowns,” Kyle finishes in chagrin, “But it’s still edible I think. I can make some eggs, too, if you want.” Max, Tess and I fix the platter of charred sausage with a dubious stare. “Hungry?”

Tess gapes at him as if he’s just sprouted a second head. “Did I miss something?” she queries in obvious confusion, “Since when are you Emeril Legasse? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“What? Can’t a guy do something nice for a change?” Kyle grouses defensively.

“Yeah,” Michael throws in, “We’re not insensitive clods, you know. We have feelings, too, dammit!” Just then the smoke alarm sounds through the suite. “Fucking hell! The biscuits are burning!”

While Michael makes a mad dash to the kitchen to save said biscuits and shut off the smoke alarm before it activates the sprinkler system Kyle fixes us with a broad smile. “Come on and sit down,” he urges me, taking hold of my forearm in a grasp that can only be described as gentle, “Shouldn’t you be off your feet or something?”

“Um…ah…well,” I hedge uncomfortably as Max and Tess follow behind.

“You should eat so you can keep your strength up,” Kyle says again as Michael, having saved us from disaster, begins setting the table.

I’d just rather avoid that subject altogether but his infernal sweetness about the whole thing makes me feel incredibly guilty. “We wanted to make your homecoming really special,” Kyle goes on excitedly, “So, come on, let’s sit down and eat before it gets cold.”

However, our reluctance to move anywhere near the dining room table becomes readily apparent to both Kyle and Michael, and their expressions fall a bit. “You don’t want to eat it,” Michael declares in flat disappointment.

“Um…no, it’s not that,” I lie baldly, “Everything just…just looks so good. Too good to eat…you know?”

“Like hell,” Max mutters beside me and I elbow him in the ribs for his trouble, eliciting a chastened grunt.

“I really appreciate all the hard work you guys put in,” I say genuinely.

Their grins are back in place instantly. “Alright then,” Michael says, slapping his hands together, “Let’s chow down.” With the exception of Kyle and Michael, we all drop into our chairs as if we’re about to face a firing squad. For five minutes we endure a round of valiant chewing and crunching before Michael finally throws down his napkin and declares, “This taste like shit. I’m going for McDonalds. Who wants some?”

“Thank God!” Max groans, gratefully shoving away his plate, “I think I chipped a tooth on this crap.”

While Michael is out fetching breakfast, Max, Tess and I help Kyle restore the train wreck the kitchen and dining room have become. “So what did the doctor say?” he asks as we load the dishwasher together.

“He says I’ll be fine,” I tell him, “Other than a little discoloration, which should go away in a couple of days I’m really okay.”

“He didn’t give you anything?”

“I have a prescription for something called epi-pen,” I reply, “But I think I’m going to wait until we get back home to have it filled.”

“God, that was fucking scary what happened to you last night, Parker,” he whispers, “You…You should sue or something.”

“Nah, it was my fault,” I sigh, feeling foolish that the whole thing had to happen at all, “I should have read the menu more carefully.”

Tess momentarily pauses in the act of drying dishes to fix me with an incredulous stare. “What are you talking about, Liz?” she asks, “I specifically heard you tell that waitress that you wanted no pecans on your salad.”

“Yes,” I clarify, “But I missed the part where it said the chicken salad was made with toasted pecans.”

“The manager was more than happy to point that out to me as the EMTs took Liz away last night,” Max interjects bitterly, “They were totally covering their asses but it’s true. I went back early this afternoon and checked just to make sure.”

“I still think you should sue the assholes,” Kyle maintains, “I mean…last night was so fucking close. I almost pissed my pants.”

“You liar,” Tess snorts, “You did piss your pants.”

“Yeah, well everything’s fine now,” Max whispers, coming up behind me and encircling my waist. He presses a soft kiss to the nape of my neck and I shiver. “Right, baby?”

I twist a loving look at him over my shoulder and lift my hand to finger his lower lip. “As long as I’ve got you,” I tell him fervently. Kyle, never one to let a romantic atmosphere ride, clears his throat loudly. I roll my eyes and favor him with a wide grin. “And, of course, the Scooby gang, too.”

<center>***</center>

“I wanna run you a bath.”

I favor Max with a sleepy smile when I hear is fervent declaration. He’s been watching me doze on and off for the last half hour now. While the others are downstairs on the beach working on their tans and splashing in crystal blue seawater, Max has been curled up on the bed with me, stroking my hair. I feel like a complete goober for ruining his vacation, but he hasn’t complained once.

“Max,” I moan in chagrin, “Really just leave me here. I don’t want you to be cooped up in here with me. It can’t be any fun.”

“I’m not cooped up,” he argues.

“Max.”

“Let me run you a bath,” he whispers again, “Come on…please…”

I watch him from the bed as he readies the Jacuzzi, which happens to be in our suite room. He’s been incredibly sweet during this whole ordeal, waiting on me hand and foot, hovering over me as if he expected me to disappear at any given moment. If I weren’t crazy, head over heels in love with him already then after today I’d definitely be a goner. I wonder why I am even contemplating leaving this wonderful man at all. Even with all my academic successes and achievements Max Evans is, by far, the best thing that has ever happened to me.

As he fills the tub with a fragrant, luxuriant soap that can only be purchased in those really expensive boutiques I smile over the care he’s taking. “Where’d you get the bubble bath?”

Max shrugs, smoothly avoiding the question because he knows I will probably scold him about the money. “It’s Jasmine,” he provides with an answering smile, “Do you like it?”

“I love it,” I whisper, “I love you.”

He doesn’t respond to that with an avowal of his own but he doesn’t need to. The words are there in his eyes every time he looks at me. “Come here,” he beckons seductively, “Let me undress you, baby.”

I perch myself on the edge of the tub while Max lovingly removes my sneakers and socks. The tender care he takes with me forms a knot of emotion in the pit of my belly. It’s hard to believe that he loves me this much…that anyone could be loved this much. It’s a blessing and I know it.

Once my shoes and socks have been discarded, I try not to moan when Max rears up to lift my tank top over my head. His eyes never leave my face as he reaches around to unfasten the clasp to my bra and slide it down my arms. The way his fingers brush against my exposed skin makes me shiver. Yet, when his fingers fall to the waistband of my shorts, I groan aloud. Panting with excitement, I stand to assist him in pushing them down my hips.

“Max,” I whisper in his ear as he bends low, curling my fingers in his hair, “Please…”

He presses a steamy kiss to my belly that curls my toes. “You’re still recuperating, Liz,” he argues thickly as he removes my panties, “Take it easy.”

Obediently, I climb into the warm bath water and lean back, per his instructions, so he can wash me. His hands travel over my skin with liquid urgency, igniting fire with every innocent touch. Really, I try and lie there like a good girl but who can do that when a sexy, gorgeous man who adores you is worshiping your body like you’re an exquisite work of art?

When he begins washing my back I lift up his free hand, which is resting on my shoulder and bring it to my lips. “Liz,” he groans in admonishment.

“You could come in here with me,” I offer brazenly, taking the time to lick each one of his fingers. He moans against my ear.

“You remember what happened the last time,” he rumbles.

I nip at the tender skin on the inside of his wrist. “We’re much wiser now,” I reply persuasively.

It’s easy to tell I’m getting to him. He’s not attempting to pull away but, in fact, has begun nuzzling against the rim of my ear and playing at the lobe with the tip of his tongue. “You’re sick,” he whispers in argument.

I then take his hand, which I’ve just been kissing and push it lower so that his fingers can glance the aroused tip of my nipple. “Do I feel sick?”

He lifts me out of the tub faster than I can blink. And then I’m against him; naked and dripping wet and we’re kissing like two maddened things. He’s seems oblivious to the sodden mess we render in the process. So am I. I can’t think of anything beyond his marvelous heat and exciting proximity.

I lock my legs around his waist as he stumbles for the bed. One hand presses into my back to hold me against him while the other is engaged in a hungry exploration of my breast.

“Fuck, Liz…” he gasps into my mouth, “I want to be deep inside you, baby…so deep…”

“Yes, yes! Now!” I whisper urgently.

As we fall onto the bed, Max fumbles between us to unfasten his shorts and release his throbbing erection. We’re groping around on the nightstand for a condom when someone chooses that moment to knock.

“Hey, Max?” Kyle calls through the door, “Dude, are you awake?” We stare at each other for a suspended moment. “I know you’re in there,” Kyle sings out, “I heard the bath water running.”

Max throws himself off me with a growl of frustration and stomps to the door. “What do you want?” he demands querulously as he yanks open the door.

“What are you doing?” I hear Kyle ask.

Max mutters a series of hissing curses under his breath in pure aggravation. He dodges Kyle’s question with one of his own. “What do you want, Kyle?” he reiterates.

“Wait a minute,” I hear Kyle demand in a loud whisper, “You’re not doing what I think you’re doing, are you?” I don’t have to see Max’s face to know he’s blushing a deep shade of red right now. Biting back a smile, I pull the blanket up over my naked form and roll onto my side so I can better hear the exchange. “…Shit, Max,” Kyle is currently ranting, “Don’t you have any fucking decency? The girl just got out of the hospital. I realize you’re new to the joys of sex and everything but this is ridiculous.”

“We weren’t doing anything,” Max insists in a high-pitched squeak, probably as shocked as I am that he’s getting lessons in prudence from Kyle Valenti of all people, “Geez. Lay off, man.”

“I’m just saying…you need to be gentle with her,” Kyle advises him. I almost snort aloud at that.

“You’re telling me to be gentle,” Max scoffs sardonically, “That’s a switch. What the hell do you want, Valenti?”

“There’s a bonfire tonight,” he says, “Michael and I picked up some fliers while we were on the beach. We thought Liz might want to get out of the suite. She’s been holed up in this room most of the day.”

“Sounds good,” Max replies gamely.

“Great. I’ll let the others know then,” he tells Max. But just as Max starts to close the door I hear, “Oh and you might want to put your dick away now…the bonfire starts in ten minutes.”

Max glances down in horror, realizing rather belatedly that he never zipped his fly. I can’t stifle it any longer then. I laugh my ass off.