Chapter 13
Saturday morning came quickly, too quickly for Max who forced himself out of bed to begin some early work on a few projects and admission essays. He rubbed his eyes and slowly got out of bed. He opened the curtain illuminating the dark room, the sun was shining brightly which was a relief from the over cast skies that signified January. He took a moment and suddenly Evan flashed through his mind. He smiled as he stared out of his window. An alert from his phone broke him of his day dream and he went to retrieve. Checking his phone he saw a text from Hayden.
?Hey it?s Hayden.? Max took a moment to collect his thoughts and realized who it was.
?Good Morning Hayden. How are you?? Max responded. He slipped on a pair of sweats and booted up his laptop. He went into his private bathroom to begin his morning routine when his phone went off again.
?Sorry if I woke you, I wanted to see if we were still on for coffee?? The message read.
?No worries, I actually was just getting up when I got your text and yes of course. Where? When?? Max sent back. He finished brushing his teeth and washing his face and went to work on his laptop, a few moments went by and he had all of his college applications in stacks in front of him. He wanted UCLA or Cal State badly so he started on that paperwork first. He phone alerted him suddenly.
?That?s great! Can we do 4 at the Coffee Hut?? Cute and has good taste. Max thought to himself as the typed back a response.
?Sounds good! See you at 4.? Max smiled to himself, maybe this whole thing with Evan was wrong for him. Maybe Hayden is what he needs, someone who isn?t afraid to be who is and who he needs to be. Max paused for a moment and thought deeply, spinning himself aimlessly in half rotations back and forth on this desk chair. As much as Evan hurts him by sporadically ignoring him or making bullshit excuses, the memories that they?ve made give him a warm feeling that he?s never experienced. After about 10 minutes his stomach rudely interrupted his search for answers with its announcement of its hunger. He pulled himself up and left his room, barreling down the stairs to the kitchen.
?Mijo, I left some eggs and bacon on the stove for you.? Lisa called to him from her home office. Max yelled out a thanks and then helped himself to whatever was left in the kitchen. He made himself a plate and then poured himself a glass of orange juice. He grabbed his plate and OJ and headed to his Lisa?s office. He knocked lightly catching her attention from shuffling around a bunch of papers on her desk.
?Hey sweetheart how did you sleep?? She asked smiling at him and then continuing to search through all of her papers.
?Not too bad, I?ve actually slept better than I have any other night.? He responded taking a seat in one of the empty chairs with his breakfast, placing the juice on the floor.
?Love will do that to you.? Lisa said quietly.
?I wouldn?t call that love. I call that constant stress of whose side he?s on and when he?s going to pick one and stay with it.? Max said his smile fading quickly. Lisa nodded knowingly. ?I?m not gonna worry about him. Evan can do what he wants, I have a coffee date.? He said nonchalantly. Max wasn?t sure if he meant what he said, he figured only time could tell. Lisa smiled knowingly at him and Max knew he wasn?t getting out of her office without some details about this gentleman. ?I know that look mom. His name is Hayden, I working in the library yesterday and he ran into me and it kind of just went from there.?
?As long as you?re happy my love.? His mother said going back to her work with no farther argument. He finished his breakfast in the kitchen absent mindedly searching through the newspaper. He washed up his dishes and went to work on a few more things he had to do.
After a few hours of working, Max accidentally fell asleep at his laptop. Opening his eyes he caught a glimpse of the time and nearly had a heart attack 3:15.
?Shit!? He swore loudly and bolted into the bathroom, tearing articles of clothing from his body along the way. He showered as quickly as he could and toweled off while messing with his curly hair giving it a tossed, unkempt, yet neat look. He went to his closet and quickly scanned everything in his closet looking for the perfect outfit. He pulled out a pair of light green American Eagle boxer briefs, threw on a pair of dark-acid wash jeans and picked out a tight fitting purple long sleeve shirt, he topped his outfit of with a pair of Chuck Taylors, his favorite hoodie and a splash of his favorite cologne. He headed down the stairs and was quickly out the door. Luckily the coffee shop was only a 10 minute walk from his house. He sped walked most of the way and upon arriving at the caf‚ he saw Hayden sitting by himself with his jacket on the back of the chair, a scarf draped around his shoulders; reading a comic strip, laughing softly to himself. Max took advantage of the reflective glass and gave himself another once over and entered the caf‚ and walked over to where Hayden was.
?Hayden. Hi.? Max said with a cute smile.
?Hey, I was beginning to think you weren?t going to show.? Hayden said getting up to give him a friendly hug.
?I was running just a little bit behind, besides it looks like you were having a little bit of fun with your daily funnies.? Max giggled.
?Ah, so you were watching me?? Hayden said with a grin.
?Not so much watching you than me checking myself out.? Max said now laughing. They took a seat and made a little bit more mild conversation until the waitress came up to greet them.
?Hey guys, welcome to Coffee Hut! What can I get you today?? The waitress asked placing a few napkins in front of them, she was average build, fair skinned, with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes.
?Yes, thank you. Can I get a non-fat caramel latte, no whipped cream?? Hayden said. He looked over to Max as a signal that he was done. Max smiled back, and placed his order.
?Can I get a Pumpkin spice latte, with extra whipped cream and more and a dash of cinnamon?? He smiled sweetly at the waitress who simply nodded and asked if they would like anything else.
?Max, have you had their turtle cheesecake before it is absolutely amazing.? Hayden looked questioningly at Max, who shook his head. ?Let me get one of those with two forks, please?? Hayden asked looking at the waitress. She winked at Hayden and walked away to prepare their order.
?Only one?? Max asked intrigued.
?Yea. Trust me you?ll see why.? Hayden said leaving a hint of mystery in the air between them.
?So this isn?t just a ploy to get us to share a dessert and make this more date-like?? Max asked mockingly.
?So this is a date?? Hayden asked giving Max a slight blush.
?No I didn?t say it was.? Max said trying to cover his words.
?You totally did, in order for something to be date like, there has to have been some kind of date to begin with.? Hayden was trying hard to stifle his laughter from Max?s attempt to recover. They both ended up breaking out in laughter catching the collective looks and sounds of ?shhh? from the other patrons. They whispered an apology and sniggered a little more until their coffee came. Max quickly took up his cup savoring the warmth coming from his drink and inhaled, inadvertently getting whipped cream on his nose. Hayden put down his coffee and nearly choked with laughter.
?What?? Max said totally confused.
?You got a little cream on your nose.? Hayden giggled. Max, still a little confused put a finger on his nose and felt the cream and blushed profusely.
?Wow, you are something else; sense of humor, sharp witted, and gorgeous.? Hayden said letting the last word slip. Now it was his turn to blush.
?Shut up.? Hayden said jokingly.
?Alright, I?ve got a turtle cheesecake with two forks?? A gentleman said confirming their order. Hayden nodded and the waiter placed the cake on the table between them and the forks to one side. ?Enjoy guys, Sheri will check on you in a few moments.? He walked away with no more words.
?Wow that looks good; and it?s huge!? Max said.
?Yea I told you we would only need one. Now dig in.? He said enthusiastically, and without thinking they both reached for the forks at the same time bumping hands along the way. The both blushed and Hayden insisted on letting Max have the first bite. Max took the bite and his mouth experienced pure ecstasy and his face conveyed it. ?I told you it was good? Hayden said digging in himself. They ate and drank over small chit chat, talking and getting to know each other; with the waitress bringing them complimentary refills and such. After about 25 minutes of conversation and jokes, Max felt his phone vibrate and took a second to check his phone. Evan was calling. He paused a moment and decided to deny the call. They continued to chat for another hour, even though to them it didn?t feel like it. The check came and Max pulled out his wallet, he felt a hand on his and looked up to see Hayden head shaking in disapproval as he handed his own card, Sheri took it and walked away She came back fairly quickly and left the check book and pen for Hayden to sign.
?That was sweet of you, but I want you to know that I am very independent and I hate guys who make orders for me and try to tell me what I want.? Max said a little pouty.
?Okay I gotcha, next time everything is on you.? Hayden said joking.
?Who said there was a next time?? Max said feigning a serious expression.
?Ouch.? Was all Hayden could think of, he truly looked heart-broken. They stood up to leave and gathered their belongings.
?Hayden, I?d love to go on another date with you.? Max said grinning.
?You called it a date.? Hayden smiled broadly. They were heading out of the caf‚ when Max heard a familiar voice.
?Max?? He followed the voice to Evan who was standing in the take away line.