Chapter 229: A line almost crossed (suggestive)
Thomas and Luis were a little worse for wear as they left the office and gave Andrew and Maxwell a moment to gather themselves as well. Both parents made it very clear to Andrew that Maxwell was their priority, and it was clear that Maxwell was having his worldview turned on its head.
Maxwell, up until this point, had thought that his parents ’liked’ him. More that they tolerated him than anything else, and probably saw him as an asset that could be exchanged for something better. Very business oriented.
Andrew knew that was wrong, but he had the feeling that Maxwell wouldn’t have listened to him if he had said it. Now, finally being confronted with the absolute horror on his parents face as he admitted some of his feelings, Maxwell was coming to terms with the fact that wasn’t the case.
Add to the fact that Maxwell had spoken about something that was trauma for him, he was doing the best that he could now that his parents had left.
Andrew remained beside him, both of them still seated on the couch. Maxwell had stopped crying a while ago, and the redness under and around his eyes had faded enough that he didn’t look like he had been sobbing. He didn’t look well though.
When Thomas had left, he had told Maxwell to call him if he needed help today or in the future. It wasn’t as if he was fully active as the head of the Company he was handing off to Ben, so he could always slide into the role that Maxwell filled, with a little help. Andrew worried that maybe they should have done that right away, but Maxwell hadn’t said anything.
Andrew held his tongue, holding onto the man as he tried to gather himself, and offered the comfort that he could. He was proud of Maxwell that he had done it. Proud that he had spoken up, and out, even if it was to follow the rules that they had laid out. Maxwell didn’t have to admit to as much as he had, but he was a thorough man. In doing so, he found out more about his parents, and Andrew hoped that he had gotten some of the worries off of his chest.
It seemed that was the case, since Maxwell seemed a little deflated as he lay against Andrew’s shoulder. It wasn’t worrisome, at least not to Andrew. The soft sigh that left Maxwell’s lips had Andrew wrapping his arm tightly around Maxwell’s shoulders. He had changed their positions slightly so that he had one arm wrapped around his shoulders, and the other was on top of Maxwell’s hand that rested on Andrew’s thigh.
"It’s okay to take your time, Angel." Andrew told him warmly and Maxwell exhaled again. When he glanced up at Andrew, his face almost devoid of emotions, as if he was numb, he reached up, cupping Andrew’s face.
"Thank you for being here. For coming back." Maxwell whispered and Andrew felt his heart tremble at the soft words.
"Max." Andrew said his name like a prayer. "There wasn’t really another option. Even when I thought we were over, I didn’t think that I would be able to get over you." Andrew told him and Maxwell’s face scrunched up.