Nudging him, I grinned at Michael. “I’ll take pictures.”
“Mine next,” Uncle Lou prompted.
He unwrapped a really nice set of headphones, amazing quality. I knew for a fact that Max’s earbuds weren’t nearly this nice and they should be more comfortable, too. I read the spec and gave an approving nod.
“If he doesn’t love these, I’m stealing them.”
“Hey,” Max protested, pulling the box away from me. But his eyes were smiling. “These are awesome, thanks, Uncle Lou.”
“Glad I got it right. I had no idea what you like or need these days.” The old man sounded sad about that.
Before I could decide what to say, Michael turned on the wipers to smear away the light mist that wasn’t quite rain. “Where to first?”
“Campus. Turn right here.” Max gave directions until Michael made it to the student center. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving the place was virtually deserted, giving us complete freedom to show them around.
We went to the engineering sciences building first, where Max spent most of his time. He gave a quick tour and I hung back, letting him bond with his family. Michael was full of questions and I remembered he was interested in aeronautics. Since I knew less than nothing about those programs at Mount Albion, I fell into step with Uncle Lou, who was looking a little tired, frankly. Road trips must be tougher at his age.
“He seems really happy,” he said, glancing at Max.
“I hope so.”
“You have a lot to do with that. When you came to Providence, I could tell you cared a lot about the boy. But I wasn’t sure then.”
“Of what?”
“If you love him.”
I swallowed, suddenly worried that this was about to get deep. Somehow I managed a noncommittal reply. “Oh?”
“But I’m positive now. And grateful, too.”
“For what?” This was so weird.
Instead of answering directly, Uncle Lou wore a pensive look. “Did you know Max is like a tree?”
“Huh?”
“He looks strong, doesn’t he? All his life, people have leaned on him, even when they probably shouldn’t have. But without strong roots, even the strongest oak dies. Either it happens slow, rotting from within, or it falls at the first wind.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” It seemed disingenuous to pretend I didn’t know he meant Max and me somehow, but I wasn’t getting the analogy.
Uncle Lou offered me a gentle smile and a warm pat on the shoulder. “You’re his roots now, Courtney. Thank you for saving him.”
That seemed like an overstatement, but I couldn’t speak for the pleasure washing over me. If his family considered me essential, then maybe I was. Smiling back, I linked arms with the old man and caught up to Max and Michael. It took half an hour to go through the building because Max kept pausing to tell stories, and his brother didn’t seem to mind. The weather was brisk outside, but it didn’t stop us from covering the whole campus. Max had so much to say that my heart tightened. I doubted he even knew how happy he looked, finally able to share something about his life with the people he thought he’d lost.
Eventually, it was late enough to think about lunch. So I suggested the burger place a few blocks from school. From what I remembered, the sidewalks were good, no access issues. Everyone agreed so we headed that way as fat, wet snowflakes drifted down. One stuck to Max’s cheek, then melted a second later, trickling down to his jaw like a teardrop. As the other two pulled ahead, I stretched on tiptoes to kiss it away.
“All good?” I asked.
Wordless, he nodded and threaded our fingers together. Lunch was good, if greasy, and the rest of the day he directed Michael around town. Toward evening, we drove out to the body shop where he worked; the sign out front proclaimed Rutger’s Garage. Max introduced Michael and Uncle Lou to the guys, all of whom were in their thirties and forties. At first I hung back, as I hadn’t visited him here before, but he drew me forward and told everyone I was his girlfriend. Happiness filled my chest like bubbles, each one popping in a shimmer of color that made me feel like I’d found magical rose-colored glasses.
“That’s pretty much it,” Max said, as we climbed back into the Scion. “From this point, we can do whatever you guys want.”
We had the keys to Nadia’s apartment if they just wanted to hang out and watch movies. Their furniture was better than ours anyway. Fortunately, as it turned out.
“I’m pretty beat,” the old man admitted.
“Back home it is.” Michael turned toward the apartment complex, and I was impressed when he only needed one word from Max to find the place again.
Better sense of direction than me.
We watched an old comedy, something Uncle Lou could enjoy, too. Halfway through, I made popcorn in Ty and Nadia’s kitchen, feeling a little weird about it. But they’d said we should feel at home. Around ten, Michael said he needed to get back, and I didn’t argue. Max hugged them both and walked them out while I cleaned up the apartment.
I was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, elbows on my knees, when he came in on a cold gust of wind. When he spotted me, his expression melted in such pure joy that my breath caught. It was ridiculous the way he made me feel.
“Good birthday?” I asked.
“There’s only one way it could be better.” He waggled his brows.
“That could be arranged.”
Before he could reply, I raced up the stairs ahead of him. Since his legs were a lot longer, he caught me before I got to our door. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, nibbling the curve between my neck and shoulder as I fought to get the door unlocked. Shivers coursed through me as I struggled to unlock the door.
“Want me to do that?”
“Um. Maybe.”
With a cocky grin, Max took over. He kept his hands to himself as we stepped into the apartment. Since Kia was on the couch watching TV, I silently praised his forethought. She flicked us a half smile, then went back to whatever she was watching. I took a step and decided it looked like Scandal.
“You should call if you’re gonna be late. Kept me up half the night worrying.” The way her smirk widened into a grin told me she was messing with us.
“Sorry,” I said, playing along.
I swapped a glance with Max, silently asking if we should sit with her for a little while, much as I’d rather head straight to his room. She sighed without looking at us.