Whose Fault? (Editing)

Chapter Nineteen

I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts, and I could see the hurt in Max's eyes before he hid it. More questions. That caused more questions to float around his head, I could tell. He was also more suspicious of what was going on with me. I've never once pulled away from him like that, ever. Not even when Jordan started hitting me and while I was dealing with trying to recover from it. He knew something more was going on and was wrong now. Nice going, Wren.

"Been more careful how, Wren?" I don't know how he managed to do it through everything I knew was going on in his head, but he managed to ask me this softly.

"I don't know. I could have done so many things to prevent it. And I didn't. I just put it off and put it off and now look where I am. Pregnant and alone." Images of what Xavier did were going through my head and I fought back the tears.

"Did he hurt you? Physically?"

"Who?" I asked.

"Eli." I unintentionally whimpered at the sound of his name, and I could tell by looking at him that Max was confused as to why I would even ask that.

"No. Absolutely not." I said with certainty. I may not have known Eli like I thought I did, but I knew he would never, ever hurt me like that. I thought that about Jordan too.

"Then who did?" I didn't answer him right away, so he continued, "the only time you've ever flinched around me was when you were around Jordan. And you've never pulled away from me like that. Who hurt you?"

"I can't tell you." I shook my head.

"Why not?" He asked.

"It'll be our little secret."

"No one will ever believe you."

"You wouldn't believe me." I was convinced. He would laugh at me and tell me I'm crazy. Then walk right out the door. And who knew what Xavier would do to me if he found out I told someone?

"Try me."

"Maxie," I started, the tears returned, "I can't. Please, stop asking me this."

He sighed, and I could feel his frustration rolling off of him in waves, "I want to help you, Wren. But how can I, if you don't let me?"

"I'm sorry, Max. Maybe some other time." Liar. "Today, I just can't do it."

He was quiet, and his body rigid. After a few minutes, he relaxed on the couch next to me, pulled me into his lap, wrapped his arms around me, and just held me.

I didn't know how long we had been sitting there for before he started moving. It seemed like hours, and probably was. It looked like it was starting to get dark outside. Maybe he thought I fell asleep, I'm not too sure. I looked up at him. "Max?" I started, he looked down at me. "Can you please stay? I don't want to be alone." Tears formed in my eyes and I willed them not to fall. If I had to choose anyone to see me like this, it would be Max.

I am so weak. I can't even be by myself for a while. Pathetic.

I'm allowing myself this ONE day to be weak.

As he was watching me, I could see he was conflicted. I didn't know what he was mulling about, but if he couldn't stay, then I wasn't going to force him. "It's okay. I understand if you can't. I was ju-"

"I'll stay."

"Are you sure? I don't want you to be stuck here if you have somewhere else you need to be?"

"I don't have somewhere else right now."

"Then what's wrong? Something's troubling you. I can tell." I paused for a second and he was about to respond before I said, "and don't lie to me."

"I just.. I have so many things I want to ask you. I want you to talk to me and tell me what's going on because I know there's more than what you've already told me. But I don't want to do that and have you push me away. I don't think I could stand it if you did that again." He stopped, like he was thinking over his next move, "can you promise me that you will tell me eventually? On your own time, of course."

I took a minute to answer him, "yes. I promise."

"Okay. As long as you're not getting hurt or in danger in anyway, I'll wait for you to tell me. But if I think it's necessary, I will ask again."

"Okay Max." I said, and leaned back into him. He nodded, turned the TV on, and found something for us to watch. It wasn't until the previews were over and I saw a little blue animated alien falling out of a sky that I realized he put on one of my favorite movies, Megamind.

We watched quietly for a while before I spoke up again, "what am I gonna do Maxie?"

He took a deep breath, and said "I don't know. This is all on you; whatever it is you decide, I will stand by you and help take care of you, like always."

I tried to ignore his comment about taking care of me; he spent too much of his time taking care of me and I hated it when he mentioned it. It made me feel like I was keeping him away from living his life to the fullest. I replied with a simple "okay," before turning my attention back to the movie.

We sat in silence watching the movie, and when it was over, Max turned on Hercules, another one of my favorites. I started drifting off before we got to my favorite part and Max seemed to notice this. He turned the TV off and got up from the couch with me still in his arms. I realized that he was going to head towards my old room and without opening my eyes I just said "guest bedroom." When he asked me why, I told him I would tell him another time.

Max opened the door to the guest room and I heard him comment on all of my stuff being in there. I chose to ignore his words as he continued to the bed. He laid me down and was about to pull his arms out from under me, but I grabbed them before he could retract them all the way. "Please don't go."

I heard him sigh again, but he laid down next to me anyway. I'm sorry, Maxie. Just for tonight, I promise.

"It's okay Wren. Try to get some sleep." I must've spoken out loud. "Everything will be okay in the end."

💜❤️

Tada!!

Here's the next chapter, and it's 3,198 words!! I have been on a much needed vacation this week and I'm really not looking forward to going back home and to work 😅

Anyway, hope you enjoyed!!

TM