Page 70 of For All It's Worth
Chapter Twenty Eight
Charlie
Bytheendofthe week and after an amazing date where we spent all day at the amusement park, I was more than ready to shout about my relationship with Max from the mountain tops. Being with him made me feel so steady. It was so unlike the feeling of being drunk and out of control. Max made me feel like I could accomplish anything as long as I had him by my side.
Hand in hand, we entered the busy bar that Andy and Will favored, each scanning the crowd for my family or either of the birthday people.
This was a big test for me. I’d been sober for nearly six months but had yet to really be tested. Being around a lot of alcohol, where no one would question what I had in my hand, was a lot to think about. Nerves had been building the closer we got to the party. If it wasn’t for Andy, then I wouldn’t have put myself through this.
Andy, birthday person number one, was easy to spot, surrounded by friends with Will at his side. He wore a crown with “Thirty” written on it, tilted at an angle so it came off careless and fun rather than spoiled royal. Happiness shone from every pore as he greeted guests and laughed at jokes.
I’d made a promise that I would come to the party for a little while. It was technically for both Andy and Abby, but Mom had invited more people from Andy and Will’s office than people he and his sister actually spent time with.
The place was packed and though the band had yet to start up, it was difficult to hear anyone over the cacophony of voices.
Wanting to make sure Mom knew I was there, I made a beeline for her, tugging Max close behind me.
The feel of his hand in mine was the only thing keeping me in the building. It wasn’t that I wanted a drink, more that without alcohol to muffle everything, it was too much. Too loud, too many people, even the scents of different perfumes mixing was making me feel hemmed in and anxious.
Max pulled on my hand so I stopped and he popped up on tiptoes to speak in my ear, “Just let your Mom know that we’ll head out to the balcony.”
I sent her a quick text of our plans and let him pull me in that direction.
I couldn’t remember being here before, it was all a bit vague, but I knew that Max had been since it was the place where Will had found him and taken him home.
My heart sank when I realized how selfish I was being, making Max return to a place with such bad memories just so he could support me.
I pulled on his hand a little so he would stop moving and he turned to look at me. He must have seen some of my guilt in my expression because he hooked his free hand around my neck and pulled me down for an achingly tender kiss.
Shouts and hoots went out around us but I pushed them all away to pull Max closer and deepen the kiss. I could kiss him forever.
A tap on my back broke me from the moment and I turned, tucking Max close into my side, to see who had interrupted us.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Charlie. Max. It’s good to see you both, though I’m surprised that you came.” Mom’s tone was clipped, though her words were polite. I knew that she disagreed about me moving out but I thought she’d gotten over it. It seemed like either she hadn’t, or she had imagined up some way to blame Max for all the changes in my life, judging by the ridiculous glare he was getting from her. I wasn’t having this.
“Mom, can we maybe talk tomorrow?” I could hear the exasperation in my tone. “Today is about Andy and Abby, and not about how you don’t approve of my choices.”
Her gaze softened. “Come by the house for brunch tomorrow, Charlie,” she said, completely ignoring Max at my side.
I feel Max stiffen next to me. “Mom…” I warned. “You’re being unnecessarily rude and hurtful.”
“Darling, I haven’t seen you in weeks!”
“I needed some space, Mom. I’ve called and checked in.”
“You missed family dinner.”
“So did Will and Andy because they didn’t want to leave Lucifer so soon.” I’d known the cat was an excuse not to have to go. I’d visited them at home with Max so I could meet the cat I’d be looking after in a few days. Will and Andy had trusted me with cat-sitting so that Will could take Andy on vacation. It was a big step for my brother, letting me stay in his home and trusting me with Andy’s precious cat.
“Max can come too if that’s the problem,” she said grudgingly.
“Mom!” I rolled my eyes at her, “You need to apologize now and we can talk this through properly tomorrow.” Turning to Max, I asked, “Do you want to do brunch? Honestly, because we don’t have to.”
Neither of us was working a morning shift and I looked to Max to see if he was on board with that idea. He gave a small nod, looking slightly reluctant. Mom’s disapproval was hurting him and anger welled inside me.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, but Mom, you need to get over this idea of Max being responsible for my past behavior. You’re being hurtful by putting the blame for my decisions on him. He’s done nothing but care for me and support me until I made that impossible. Think about that, please.”
