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MAX COSTELLO
PAST
OCTOBER 2019
My first week at work was a success, I couldn't have asked for a single thing to go better. The people in my team were super friendly, helpful and all round nice guys. Jodie helped me settle in quickly, on Thursday she even took me out for a team lunch with everyone so they could get to know me better.
I already felt like home there and I couldn't believe how lucky I had got.
A smile didn't leave my face once as I strolled out of the office building, officially completing my first week of work. They had asked me out for drinks after work but I already agreed to see Oliver. It was his first week back of university and I wanted to see him more than anything. Both of us had a busy week and I know he'd want to destress.
So I politely declined even though I wanted to go with them but the excitement to see Oliver completely took over. I'd always have other days to go out with them.
As I took the steps up towards Oliver's apartment building, I rushed up to the second floor before I knocked loudly. It was only a matter of seconds before the door opened and Oliver was stood wearing his signature brown checked shacket over a white t-shirt and a pair of beige cargo pants.
He always looked so effortlessly good, even when he had been in art class all day.
A smile covers his lips as he sees me. "Hey," he says as he stands back and lets me in.
I lean forward to press a kiss to his cheek, his eyelashes fluttering once in the process. "Didn't think I'd be seeing you tonight," he comments, shutting the door behind me.
My head turns to him as I shove off my jacket. "Why wouldn't I see you tonight?" I furrow my eyebrows.
Oliver shrugs and we walk towards his sofas. "Just thought you'd be out with your work lot," he comments.
I shake my head instantly and grab onto his waist before he has the chance to sit down, pulling him onto my lap instead. "We had already made plans and I wouldn't bail on you." I explain as I kiss the edge of his jaw.
The corners of his lips twitch up into a smile before turning to me, wrapping his arms around my neck. "Well you're super sweet," he grins. "How's your first week been?"
"Amazing," I exhale as Oliver's eyes light up.
He shifts off my leg and sits down beside me, remaining to keep his hands on my body as he waits for me to carry on.
"The company are fucking fantastic, all the people who are in my team and who I work with are so kind and polite. They want to work with my drawings." I say as I flick my eyes between his. "Apparently they were talking about my final year piece for weeks, Jodie said she couldn't let my talent slip by."
"Awww," Oliver continues to beam back at me. "I'm so pleased for you Max, that sounds incredible. You must be so proud of yourself, and happy."
I nod back at his words. "I am very proud of myself and fucking ecstatic that this is now my job. I almost can't believe it."
Oliver nuzzles his head into mine. "I'm so proud of you," he tells me and I look up into his eyes.
A smile covers my lips as I lean forward to catch a kiss from his. "How was your first week of second year?" I ask.
He hums and offers me a nod. "Good, very full on but still good." He says as he looks up at the ceiling.
"You enjoying your lectures and your classes?"
Oliver's shoulders shrug. "There's this one class I have, it's on the social constructs of art and I have a four thousand word essay due in December. I know it's super far away but you know how much I struggle with theory based modules."
"You'll be fine," I give his knee a squeeze. "You've already got a year of essays and exams behind you. This is nothing more than what you can already handle and besides, I can give it a read through once you're done with it and help you out."
His expression drops to a soft stare, he sighs and nods. "I guess you're right, thank you." He says as he closes his eyes for a brief moment.
"So," I huff out. "What are our plans for this weekend?"
Oliver's mouth swishes for a moment before he lowers his head onto my shoulder. "We could go do something fun?" He suggests.
"Like what?" I ask as I run my hand through the back of his mousey brown hair.
He hums which makes my shoulder bone vibrate. "We could go to the museum," he starts.
I flex an eyebrow. "The museum?"
"Or we could go play mini golf or we could go to Flight Club and play darts? I've always wanted to go there." He whips his head up to flash me a puppy dog grin.
"If you want to go Flight Club then we'll go Flight Club," I nod.
Oliver claps his hands once and smiles. "We can celebrate how great your week at work has been, a few cocktails, maybe go and find a happy hour bar. Get a bit tipsy and let loose."
"Oh, let loose, huh?" I chuckle quietly as Oliver's fingers move to trace the edge of my tattoo on my bicep.
"Think it's been a while since we've had date night," he flicks his eyes to his finger before glancing at me.
"Agreed," I nod before pecking his lips. "Let's book something."
"Woo!" Oliver climbs off the sofa and reaches for his phone. "I am so going to beat your ass at darts."
I shake my head and scoff. "I don't think so."
He flicks his eyes up from his phone and gives me an unimpressed look. "You've never seen me play darts." He huffs out before scrolling again.
"There's probably a reason for that," I mumble under my breath.
Oliver grabs onto a cushion behind him and hurls it towards me, I bend my arms and attempt to shield my face. Chuckling as I push the pillow to the floor and straighten out my spine. "I'm sure you'll be great," I say after.
"Yeah, that sounds more like it," a small smile creeps up on his lips. "Okay they've got a slot at three... oooh! There is a bar nearby doing deals, we have to go there before."
I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. Date nights sure are the best with him.
PRESENT
SEPTEMBER 2021
I had spent all afternoon at the hospital, I didn't want to leave Oliver's side but I knew I had to. I had to get this shit sorted before it got progressively worse, there is no way I'd let them lay another finger on him.
When visiting times were over I took off towards my parents house, I didn't want to have to do this but I felt like I had no other choice. I barely had a few hundred in my bank and I somehow needed to get ten thousand pounds before the end of the week.
My stomach twisted painfully as I walked up to my childhood home, I hadn't been here in years yet it still looked the same. The same old blue front door and white banister with stone steps.
I compose myself for a second before raising my knuckles to knock on the door loudly. My feet shuffle backwards and I stare ahead at the tiny window situated in the middle of the wood, the distorted glass turned darker when I spot my mothers hair.
The door swings open and my mother blinks back at me, shock I think. "Max," she breathes out suddenly. She takes a step forward and wraps her arms around my body. "It's so good to see you."
My hand raises to pat her back. "You too," I mumble.
"How comes you're here?" She asks with a wide smile before pulling back.
"Is dad here?" I ask before scratching the back of my head.
My mother nods. "Sure is, he's in the living room watching TV."
Of course he is. I think in my head.
I take a step inside, a wash of nostalgia rushing through my body as I glance up at the pictures on the walls. School photographs of my sisters and I, prom, graduation, family pictures. Every kind you could think of, it was hanging on the wall.
"Max?" I hear my voice called from up the stairs.
My eyes take one glance before I see my younger sister bound down the stairs quickly. "Hey Bailey," I smile as she leaps into my arms.
"Oh my God, I haven't seen you in forever." She mumbles into my shoulder as she clutches me tightly. "Have you come home?"
I pull back and shake my head. "No," I say and watch as her mouth falls into a frown. "Just here to see dad."
"Oh," she sighs. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," I tell her as I squeeze her shoulder. "I'll text you and we can have a catch up soon?"
She nods, her dark hair flicking at the ends. "Sounds good," she grins.
I take a step away and follow through into the living room, I could spot the back of my dad's head as he faces the TV. A beer was sat on the stand and he had his feet up on a stool.
God, he's such a prick.
"Andy?" My mum calls from behind me.
"What?" He snaps, making my blood boil in a second.
"There's someone special here to see you," she says cheerily.
My dad grunts and takes a slow movement to peer over his shoulder, once his eyes settle on mine his expression drops instantly. "Max," he says, seeming confused. "What a pleasure."
"Dad," I mumble out before forcing a smile.
"Come sit," he pats the sofa beside him.
My eyes watch his movements as my mother strolls into the kitchen to give us some space. After a few moments I walk towards him but perch on the edge of the sofa arm instead.
He watches me carefully and I attempt not to let my expression turn cold. The tension between us was making my breathing uneven but I slow it down before I lost my temper, I needed to do this for Oliver.
"The money that Gran left me," I start as I keep my eyes trained on him. "I need it and I wouldn't ask for it if I didn't need it."
My arms fold over my chest as I wait for my father to respond, but he laughs to himself and grabs his beer bottle. Taking a quick swig before playing with the label between his fingers.
"Are you still..."He pauses to think what he's going to say. "Homosexual?"
His tone triggers me more than I thought it would, but I swallow and clench down on my jaw to stop myself from lashing out. "No," I say almost breathlessly. "I'm over it."
I'd never hear the end of it if I told him the truth, I wouldn't get the money and I didn't care if I had to lie to him to help Oliver. My dad is the last of my worries, Oliver is my priority.
My father grins before raising the bottle to his lips, his eyes flicking between mine slowly. "See?" He says loudly. "I knew no son of mine could batting for the other team."
I ball my hands into fists as I continue to look straight at him. "Could I please get the money that Gran left me?" I state which catches his attention.
"Did you get yourself a girlfriend?"
"No," I snap. "I'm focusing on my career, not a relationship right now."
My dad smirks to himself. "Fair enough," he nods before placing down his beer and grabbing his phone. "Well Gran would have wanted you to have the money, for whatever you want it for. I guess I made you a deal and I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't follow through."
Inside I release a sigh of relief. I only needed to be here for another couple of minutes and I'd never have to see this cunts face ever again.
"Sent," my dad huffs out as he taps his fat fingers against his screen.
"Thanks," I say with an over confident smile. "I've got to go. I've got something important to do."
"Not staying?" My dad drops his phone onto the sofa and relaxes back.
"No sorry," I say as I stand from the arm. "I've got work later and things to do."
"Fair enough," he shrugs before turning his attention back to the TV.
"Bye mum," I call out as she turns around in the kitchen to face me.
"Bye my love, hopefully see you soon!" She calls as I hold up a hand to her before exiting the living room and straight out the front door.
I wanted to scream as soon as I left the house, if I had it my way I would have punched my dad over and over and used his beer bottle to finish him off. But I needed to think logistically, as nice as it would be to see my dad begging for mercy, I also needed to help Oliver as quickly as I could.
My fingers dig into my pocket and pull out my phone quickly logging into my online banking and seeing how much money my father had actually sent me. For all I knew it could be one hundred pounds but secretly I was wishing for ten thousand instead.
As I wait for the page to load, anticipation making nausea take over my body. I chew down on my lip as my transaction page pops up and my eyes scan to the most recent one.
£4,000
A sudden relief escapes my lips. Four thousand pounds was better than nothing. I could go to the bank and request a loan, six thousand isn't too demanding. Surely they should be able to give me that much.
My feet fall into a jog as I dart towards the closest bank.
As I check the time on my phone, the bank shut in a few minutes. I leg it across the road and burst through the doors, alerting the security guard who gives me a look up and down. I offer him a smile and walk up to the vacant booth.
"Hello," the woman smiles. "How can I help?"
"Uhhh, yeah," I say as I catch my breath. "How do I go about getting a loan?"
"Well we'd have to organise a meeting, talk through your options and have a look at your credit score," she says as she grips onto a leaflet.
"I need a loan before Friday," I tell her.
She blinks back at me. "I don't think we'd be able to organise one for that soon, the next available date we have for an appointment is next Monday." Her lips frown slightly.
Fuck. I curse loudly in my mind.
"If you're needing a loan that soon, I'd recommend same day loans online." She nods at me.
"Okay," I say as my mouth turns dry. I dig out my card from my wallet and keep it between my fingers. "How much money can I take out today on this card?"
"The maximum you can take out is three thousand pounds," she tells me.
"Okay, can I take out that amount please?" I question.
The woman nods. "Please insert your card."
My hand slots in my card instantly as I punch in my pin. At least this was a step forward, three thousand was a start and later I could look up the same day loans. I'd definitely have enough by Friday, I had to because I didn't want to know Oliver's fate otherwise.
. . .
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Oh my goodness, what did you think?
I wish Max could tell his dad the truth and not have to lie about his sexuality but he needs the money and Max is done with his father anyway so I'm proud of him for going back to see him even though he's a nasty piece of work
What do you think is going to happen now?
My heart breaks for the both of them😭😭
Also are you guys enjoying Max's POV?
Thank you for reading, see you all on the next one, love Sav x
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