Max is in denial

~ Seattle ~

Saturday

6:11 PM

Quentin is in front of the door of Max's apartment. He is reluctant to ring the doorbell while thinking of Max's bad attitude from the previous night. He didn't give him the VIP card for Forge. Bad friend!

Earlier that afternoon, Hunter called Quentin, and he was genuinely concerned for his brother. He was so concerned, that he called Quentin to see if he knows what happened between Max and Liz. And Hunter does NOT like Quentin.

It would not be such a big deal if Max answered his phone later in the afternoon.

Hunter called Quentin few times, and the last call ended with Quentin telling Hunter that he will check on Max and… here he is, in front of Max's apartment.

Quentin rang the doorbell few times, but no one answered.

He thought of just leaving, but he ended up calling Hunter to tell him about the recent development.

"He is not answering his door.", Quentin told Hunter.

"Can you check if he is in?", Hunter could not hide the worry from his voice.

Quentin was frustrated. Why is Max such a baby? He hopes it's not another Irene-like disaster. "How can I get in?"

"Use my passcode…"

…

Quentin found Max in the living room, passed out on the floor, next to the almost finished bottle of whiskey.

"Great… just great…", Quentin grumbled.

He called Hunter to tell him that Max is fine. Drunk, but fine.

Thinking how Max treated him badly last night, Quentin got an idea…

…

"WHAT THE F*CK?!", Max screamed when his body got dunked into a tub full of icy-cold water. Clothes and everything!

"QUENTIN!"

Max was about to pounce at Quentin, but his hand slipped from the edge of the tub and he slid back into the water.

Quentin would lie if he said that he is not enjoying the sight. He snickered while thinking: 'Serves him right.'

"Cool off, M. I'm going to make some coffee.", Quentin said with a smirk while walking out of the bathroom while ignoring Max's cursing.

…

Max came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe and a dark expression. He didn't reject the coffee.

"What happened, M?", Quentin asked when he concluded that it's safe to talk to Max.

Quentin assumed that Max will be furious, but Max looked… out of vigor. Ah, this is so similar to the Irene-disaster that Quentin got chills.

Max shrugged. "I have no idea what happened. Everything was fine and then… it was not."

"How fine are we talking about? The last thing I know is that you kissed… once. How far did you go?" Quentin observed Max intently. "I see…"

"What do you see?", Max asked with irritation in his voice.

"I see that you fell for her, M. Hard."

"I didn't.", Max denied it.

"It will be easier when you stop lying to yourself and accept the facts. She got under your skin and she is the reason why you are not interested in other girls."

"Who said I'm not interested? I will show you…" Max reached for his phone and called a number. "Natalie… It's Max. Are you free tonight? …"

Max ended the call and grimaced arrogantly at Quentin before heading to dress up.

Quentin looked after Max in disbelief. Why is he acting so childishly?

"So, you are going out with this… Natalie?", Quentin asked with disapproval when Max got out few minutes later.

"Yes. It's convenient that I already have a reservation for a table for two at Seattle's Breeze for 7:30 PM.", Max smugly responded.

"Do you even know who she is?"

Max shrugged. "She was categorized under 'new', so she will do just fine."

…

Later that evening…

Max is sitting at the small table set for two and his eyes are moving over a girl who is sharing the table with him. Natalie. Her dark hair, almost black, is pulled back into a messy bun. Her eyelashes are covered with a super-thick layer of mascara or maybe those are fake eyelashes, Max is not sure. Natalie's bright red lipstick matches the color of her tight minidress which does not leave much to imagination. She is dressed for a fun evening, and her enamored expression shows him that she will do whatever he wants, but Max feels… empty.

He still has that alcohol buzz from drinking most of the day, but it does not put him in the mood to party.

Max can see that Natalie's lips are moving, and she is reaching over the table to hold his hand. But he can't hear what she is saying. He is not sure if it's because of the alcohol in his system or because he is absolutely not interested in what she has to say.

Max feels her fingers running at the back of his palm and he is using every ounce of his willpower not to jerk his hand away. Her touch feels like she is invading his personal space and he wants it to stop. He moved his hand away.

He caught himself comparing Natalie with Elizabeth… hairstyle, makeup, the way she looks at him… the smile. He remembered how good it felt holding Elizabeth in his embrace. She was warm, and soft, and smelled great and all her curves are in right places... Max wondered how it would compare if he hugs Natalie but looking at her… there is no way that he is going to hug Natalie.

Max is not sure how long he sat there, spacing out next to the girl who didn't mind at all that he is practically ignoring her. She probably thought that it's part of his cool-guy act.

The entrée was in front of him when he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stood up abruptly. "Sorry Natalie, something came up."

Natalie's mouth was open in shock while she looked at Max's departing back. He… just… left.

…

Max is on the terrace of his apartment. He is observing the city nightlights while holding a glass filled with whiskey.

Max turned to his right and looked at the wall which divides wrap-around terrace into two. His and Elizabeth's part.

Thinking that it's 'her territory' behind that wall, gave him mixed feelings. Something like: so close, yet so far away.

He is frustrated that he has no idea what happened to cause Liz to leave without an explanation. When will she come back? She needs to go to Monday to work. Knowing her, she will not neglect her job. Does he need to wait so long? He will lose his mind until Monday at this rate!

Olivia! This morning she arrived at 9 AM, and last time when he bumped into her in the elevator was after his gym which was… at 9 AM. Max gave himself a thumbs up for this idea. Now he knows that Olivia comes at 9 AM, and he will get some answers tomorrow. There is no way that she gave him that scornful look if she does not know what is going on.

He checked the time… Ah, nine and a half more hours until he gets his answers!

Max frowned while thinking: 'I did NOT fall for Elizabeth! I am only curious what happened, that's all. There is nothing more to it!'

Max's mind drifted to 9 AM that morning. He was in the bed with Elizabeth by his side… in her bed which smells sweet just like her... she was smiling, and they were talking, and he was coming up with reasons to kiss her cheek… feels like ages ago.

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