When Billy came back Max's arm was in a cast. The only evidence that Lukas had been around, was the butterflies in her stomach. Thankfully, Billy couldn't see that. "so, it's broken then?"
"Yes." Max was extremely pissed off at Billy for actually leaving her. Unfortunately Billy was also afraid of Neil. "I have to come back in 5 weeks."
"Do you regret leaving last night?" Billy showed a rare moment of sadness.
"At least the arm can heal, trauma can't." Was all Max said before walking down the hall, and expecting Billy to follow.
They got in the car together with the tension.
"He's still going to be pissed when we get home."
"I know." Max expected a good slap, but nothing more. Neil wouldn't want her back in the hospital. The first time was risky enough.
"What did you tell the doctor?"
"I said I broke my arm skateboarding." Max figured that was the most believable lie to tell the doctor. Lukas believed it too after some convincing.
"Good."
"Can you drop me off at the library?" Max requested. Neil was already livid, there was no way she could make him angrier by not coming home right away.
"No way in hell you're doing all this reading. Do you even check books out?" Billy accused her.
"Well..." Max admittedly didn't check books out. She was known to forget to return them. "I read books there, but I never take them home. It's not a big deal."
"Fine." Billy cooperated and drove to the library. When he parked, he parked right next to Lukas' car. "Everytime I bring you here, that car is parked in the same spot." Turns out Billy has a good eye for clues. He could be great at predicting the ending of a murder mystery.
"Well–"
"Is it your boyfriend's car?" Billy knew the answer, just by the way Max squirmed. "Maybe I should come in with you and have a talk with him."
"Billy, please. He's just a boy, why do you care?" Max rubbed the shoulder of her recently broken arm. "It's not that serious."
"You shouldn't be dating a Sinclair, they aren't like us." Billy shut off the car and pulled out his keys. Clearly, he planned on staying.
"Billy!" Max would of put the keys through one of his eyes if she had both arms to wrestle for them with. "He's just like us, and he loves me." Max felt pathetic saying it without ever hearing it. But she was pretty certain Lukas loved her.
Billy shook his head. "Do you see the house they live in? I'm pretty sure they have a maid over every couple of weeks to clean. His dad is a highly respected police officer, his mom is a pediatrician. They have money bleeding out of their eyes."
"So?!" Max never really noticed Lukas' comfortable lifestyle. All of her friends had comfortable lives compared to hers. "What's the big deal? Isn't it good when a girl gets a comfortable lover?"
"They'll look down on us Max. You think your comfy rich boy will want you for long? He'll take one look at our shithole of a house, he'll see that your mom takes prescription drugs that aren't hers– and you know what else?" Billy paused. "He'll see me, your sketchy stepbrother. He'll label me a lunatic." Billy threw open his door and stepped out. "But if I have to act crazy to keep a snob from dating my sister, so be it."
Max got out and rushed after him. It was surprisingly hard to keep balance when running with a broken arm. "Billy! No! He's not how you think. He's so sweet, he cares about me."
"No. He doesn't. You're lucky that you look good. You look like you come from money, but you don't. When he finds out, he'll be gone. For sake of his reputation." Billy was in the library before Max could stop him. She had to deal with it now, or cause a scene in the library.
It's a small town, so Billy knew exactly who he was looking for. He found him standing by the YA fantasy, admiring a book with a redhead heroine on the cover. "Sinclair." Billy sounded both friendly and threatening. It was a talent. Not a good one, but at least he had something.
Lukas turned around, horrified. He eyed Max, hoping she would explain the situation. At least with her eyes. Her eyes were wet, this wasn't going to go well. "yes?"
Billy walked right up to Lukas and grabbed him by his shirt collar. "Stay away from Maxine, she's not for you. You'll ruin her, and she'll ruin you. You're not the same!"
Lukas struggled to get away from Billy's grasp, but it only seemed to tighten. "The same?" Lukas thought it was about race until Billy spoke again.
"We don't want you and your snobby financially privileged family around Max." Billy practically spat the words into his face.
"Okay, okay!" Lukas was willing to temporarily agree if it got this grizzley bear of a brother off of him. "You got it, I'll never see Max again!"
"Good." Billy let go and shoved him just enough to be satisfied. "Come on Max, we need to get home."
Max nodded and let him walk ahead. She turned to Lukas and smiled. She only smiled so she wouldn't cry from the look of fear Lukas was giving her. When Billy was a nice few steps away, Max rushed to Lukas and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'll text or call, don't worry about me." She whispered before hurrying off with Billy.
-
Lukas did worry while waiting for her call that night. He was going to call her first, but kept thinking about how dangerous that might be. He knew something was going on at her house, but he didn't know how to prove it. Maybe the scars along Max's hips and breasts could point to some sort of abuse. But in order to use that as evidence, he'd have to tell her that he saw her naked.
It was only about 2 weeks ago. Lukas still remembered her drunkenly insisting they fool around. She seemed to passionate, so sure. And with a cloudy mind, Lukas gave in. He let her have her way, which was more intimidating than he expected it to be. There was a point in the middle of it that he worried she might break a part of him if she didn't take it easy. On the bright side, he now knew that she had what it takes to be a cowgirl one day. If she chooses to do that instead of a typical career. She'd be lucky if she had the chance for any job, before her home life consumed her.
His phone rang and he answered like his life depended on it. "Hello?"
"You're still alive. I thought the suspense might kill you." Max was joking, that was a good sign. Neil had passed out drunk on the couch before he had the chance to do anything more to her. Unfortunately he was close to waking up. "I'm sorry about Billy."
"It almost did. How does Billy know about us?"
Max felt like being honest with Lukas about this. She shouldn't lie about everything. "He was calling me a slut, apparently he knows when I sneak out at night. I told him I was only seeing one boy...and he demanded to know who. I gave your name because I thought yours was the most respectable."
Lukas smiled, then frowned. Max thought he was respectable, but she also put him in a risky situation. "I thought he was going to kill me."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Max, what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's something going on at home, isn't there?"
Max couldn't hide it for much longer but she could try. "I'm fine, Lukas...I just think it's best we don't hang around each other for a little while. Until Billy cools down. He'll have a sharp eye on me until he forgets this."
Lukas hated the thought of not being able to see Max after school, but they would still have school. "Okay, but Max...if something is happening, you can tell me."
"I'm okay, Lukas." Max's words sounded like threats. Maybe she picked up one of Billy's talents. "Just leave me alone for a couple weeks, okay?"
"Okay...I just need to ask one thing."
"Hm?"
"Why did you kiss my cheek?"
"I– you looked scared, and I wanted to cheer you up." Max turned pink and felt relieved to know Lukas couldn't see her.
"It worked, thank you." Lukas blushed too. "See you soon."
"Not soon." Max corrected.
"I'll see you at school, tomorrow."
"Maybe...but just not after school."
"If that's what I have to do."
"Lukas?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you for coming to the hospital, I've been thinking and–"
Lukas sat in confusion. Why did Max hang up so quickly? He wanted to call back, but he didn't. Maybe Billy just entered her room?
No, it was Neil.