Fighting Fire With Fire

6.

Max knew he wouldn't make good on that threat. Like he could afford to - he'd definitely lose his scholarship if he were locked up in jail. 

"When did you figure out you liked dick?" Max continued taunting, savouring the way Axel's face twitched and scrunched up in frustration. 

"I am not discussing this with you," he spat. "What the hell are you doing here anyway?"

Max pressed a hand to his chest, feigning surprise. "Oh!" he exclaimed exaggeratedly. "I came out as bisexual a few weeks ago. Didn't you read the tabloids?"  

Axel rolled his eyes. "This is a serious LGBT+ discussion group. Covering serious, real life dilemmas, which I know you don't have an interest in nor will ever suffer from due to mommy's money." 

Well, he had a point there. Max had to admit he wasn't interested in all that 'thoughtful discussion about world problems.' It'd be a snooze fest. Just give him a club or an action movie instead, and Selene knew that too. He was honestly only interested in making people believe he was bi because he went to LGBT+ events, and the after parties Selene had promised during which he could 'meet' people. 

Like hell he was going to admit that to Axel, though. "What about you?" Max deflected the question and brought the attention back to Axel. "You seriously going to leave because I'm here?"

"Yes," was Axel's curt reply. "Before you take a picture of me and spread it around the school or put it in a tabloid too. I don't have enough money to risk losing my college wrestling career over this."

Max raised an eyebrow. "You honestly think they'd ditch you for being gay even if you're as good as you say you are?" 

"I am not taking any chances." 

"Mm," Max hummed thoughtfully. "You already took a chance by being here though. Don't you think it'd be enough if I or Selene simply tell people?" 

Axel's jaw clenched. That clearly struck a nerve. "No," he replied nonetheless, cautiously stepping away from the car door and closer to Max. "Not if I deny it." 

Max nonchalantly fished his phone out of his pocket. "Oh, then I guess it's fine I tell my wrestling team I saw you here then." 

With an amused grin, Max pretended to open his messaging app and started typing. He was just trying to get on Axel's nerves now, and it was working like a charm. 

"Cut it out!" 

It took exactly one second for Axel to leap forward and make a grab for Max's phone. Max in turn tried to step out of his reach, but Axel was faster. He smacked the phone out of Max's hands, making it clatter to the parking lot ground. 

"Geez," Max huffed, leaning down to pick it up and dust it off. "Relax. I'm not going to message them. I was just playing." 

Axel breathed out audibly. When Max looked up at him again, his arms were crossed in front of his chest. His Adam's Apple visibly bobbed. 

Golden Boy was nervous. Nervous about Max figuring out his little secret, tangible proof of him lying about something and hiding something he considered less than perfect. 

Axel stared Max down for a moment longer, then he scowled. "I'm leaving." 

While Axel bent down to open the car door again, Max snickered. "Aw," he cooed. "Wonder what your wrestling team would think of you if they knew you left because you're scared of me. And you should be. I'm gonna kick your ass in that tournament after the winter break." 

"Bullcrap." Axel promptly stood up straight. "You don't have shit on me. Your technique is worse, your training schedule is worse, and you regularly skip trainings while I never skip nor drink, nor deviate from my diet. You're lazy and your only ambition is getting your inheritance. That's why I'll win. You'll see." 

Max jutted his chin up. "I'm worse, yet you're still the one running from me, scared of what I'll tell others. And you should be. I got some heavy blackmail material on you Golden Boy. So be very careful with what you say to me." 

Axel's nostrils flared. "You would really stoop so low?"

"Like you wouldn't use my sexuality against me either if you could," Max shot back. "You'd do anything to stay on top. Crush competition." He smirked. "Too bad I got an edge on you now." 

"You don't have shit on me, Desera." Shooting Max one last disdainful look, Axel closed his car door and locked it, before turning back to Roe Ridge high. 

Max blinked, watching Axel go, before realising he'd be left behind if he didn't move. "You're going back?" 

"I am going back," Axel confirmed without turning. "You've already seen me anyway and wasted no time threatening to blackmail me. Might as well enjoy some thoughtful discussion."

"Alrighty then," Max said. "I guess I'll go back too because I could use an afternoon nap." 

Axel didn't respond. Max stared at his back. Would he ever tell Axel's secret to anyone? Not unless he was really pressed and provoked into it somehow, but Axel didn't need to know that. He'd have a way to rile him once in a while now - fodder to use in any future argument they would surely have. Though, not that he needed any fodder. Axel already got way too worried and high-strung about stuff all by himself. 

He actually looked genuinely nervous and flushed as they stepped inside the full meeting room, where the first speaker was already on stage. Accompanied by a lot of judgemental stares, they both swiftly made it to the last row of chairs and took a seat, with Max purposely taking the one next to Axel. 

He almost instantly regretted his decision to sit down rather than take the highway when the speaker on stage opened his mouth. 

Apparently, today the topic was the history of LGBT+ with some dude talking about how famous and brilliant scientist Alan Turing accepted chemical castration as an alternative to prison, after he was accused of homosexual acts. 

Oh God. Who would willingly sign up for more history lessons than the ones already forced on them in high school? Poor Alan, but Max wasn't interested even a little bit. Why would he be interested in a dead gay guy who had already met his tragic fate, when he was surrounded by live guys with whom he could do much... happier things? 

His attention for the LGBT+ speaker fading quick, Max scanned the rows in front of him for signs of cute guys. Well, for as far as he could tell from their backside. One guy in the centre of row two looked like he had a great ass. The shoulders of glossy black-haired dude on the row in front of him were nice and broad. He should remember them, find out if their faces were as cute as their backsides suggested. 

Beside him, Axel clacked his tongue disapprovingly, making Max turn his head. "What?" he whispered. 

"You're gross," Axel replied under his breath. "Why are you even here if all you want to do is get some ass, and judge guys like they're pieces of meat. Go to a club for that."

"What? They can't see me do it anyway because we're all the way on the last row." Max purposely gave Axel a flirtatious once-over. "Aw, you're not sad I'm not checking you out are you?" 

Axel made a disgusted noise and tersely stared ahead at the LGBT+ speaker. 

"Relax, Golden Boy," Max muttered anyway, leaning a little closer. "I doubt I'm the only one here for what happens after the lectures."

Axel's face contorted into a grimace, but he no longer responded to Max. 

With a shrug, Max continued examining the guys in the room, wondering which ones were cute and which ones he could snatch when they got to the actual socialising. The actual getting closer to getting a guy to kiss him, having Selene take a picture, and finally shutting up everyone who said he was faking bisexuality.