Bad Boys Need Love Too: Max

by Christa Tomlinson

  CHAPTER 10

  Patrick sat on the couch at home, drinking a bourbon and having a cigar. Blues played on the stereo. He’d cooked a meal, but it sat uneaten on the coffee table. He was too busy calling himself ten kinds of fool to pay attention to the music or food. He’d known what would happen if he got involved with someone who was in the closet. Yet like a fool, he’d gone ahead anyway. So he had no one to blame but himself that he was sitting there alone.

  He hadn’t heard from Max for a week. He thought that made the answer to his question of leave for now or for good pretty clear.

  The doorbell rang. He went over to open it, daring to hope that it was Max. It wasn’t. It was Whitney. She came bouncing inside but immediately came to a stop.

  ‘Hey, Dad!” She sniffed the air. “Oh, you’re brooding.”

  “How do you know that?”

  Because you always have a cigar and listen to blues when you’re brooding. She looked at the coffee table, taking in his uneaten plate of food and glass of bourbon. “And you’re having bourbon instead of wine? Yeah, you’re definitely brooding.” She sat cross legged on the couch, picking a piece of asparagus off his plate to eat. “So what’s up? You and Max having problems?”

  Patrick froze. “What? Max and I aren’t having any problems. Max who?”

  Whitney rolled her eyes. “No wonder you became a doctor instead of a lawyer. You are the worst liar ever.”

  Patrick sighed and went to sit next to his daughter. “How’d you figure it out Junior Sleuth?”

  “It wasn’t hard. You came with me to get my tattoo, which you’ve never done before. Sabrina saw you back at the shop a couple of weeks later, but there was no mention of you getting another tattoo. And between the two of us, we noticed Max leaves early on the same night you tell me you have plans.”

  Patrick groaned and rubbed a hand over his eyes. “Sabrina knows? Max is not going to be happy about this.”

  “C’mon, Dad. You know I wouldn’t date someone who didn’t have any loyalty. She’ll never out him or let on that she knows. His secret is safe. So you’re free to continue on sneaking around with Maximus.”

  “I don’t think there will be any more sneaking around.”

  She ate another piece of asparagus. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he’s in the closet and determined to stay there. We can’t go much further in our relationship like that.”

  “So you’re just gonna let him go?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “I can’t force someone to come out, Whitney.”

  “I know that, Dad. But maybe you can wait patiently while giving him a reason to take that step? I mean, if you like him enough to do that. If not, it’ll be no big to cut your losses and move on.”

  Patrick took a slow sip of his bourbon, thinking over what his daughter had said. Did he care enough for Max to wait for him to figure things out and be honest about his sexuality? He must care for him some, or he wouldn’t have bothered to pursue him, knowing he was in the closet. And he wouldn’t be sitting here brooding over him either. There was something there. He was willing to wait, he just hoped that in the end it would be worth it to them both.

  He looked at his daughter eating a piece of baked chicken. “Thank you for the advice. Now go get your own plate and leave my food alone.”

  ****

  Max was bent over a young woman. The smell of her bubble gum was in his nose. Her skin was soft and supple under his hands. The room was quiet, except for the sound of the tattoo machine’s buzz.

  He was inking a long time client. Meredith had been coming to him since he was at the studio where he’d trained and had followed him to his own shop. She liked to joke that she couldn’t see anyone else after all this time because it would feel like she was cheating. Max appreciated her loyalty. She was nice, smart, and beautiful. She had deep red, shoulder length hair that she wore in thick curls that bounced and swayed as she moved. Shampoo commercial hair. Meredith was also asexual.

  He wondered if he could have a relationship with someone like her. From talking to her over the years, he knew that asexuals experienced in romantic love, they just didn’t feel sexual urges. Maybe that would be best for him. He could be with a woman, a friend that he cared about without having to worry about having sex with her. And if they wanted kids, they could adopt or try artificial insemination. It could work.

  A new buzz joined in with the tattoo machine. His phone was ringing. He had it on the counter so he could look at it without using his hands. Max swiveled his chair around now to glance down at the screen. It was Patrick. He let it keep buzzing. He turned back to Meredith’s arm, determined to ignore it. He made it all of five minutes before he was snapping off his gloves.

  “I’m sorry, Merry I’ll be right back. I need to check on this call.”

  “No problem, Max.”

  He got up and grabbing his phone, went into his office and shut the door. He checked the voice mail first. Max, it’s Patrick. Give me a call when you get this message. I want to apologize for last week. Max hung up on the voice mail and brought up Patrick’s number. He hit call, waiting with his heart pounding for him to answer. The call connected and he heard Patrick’s voice.

  “Thank you for calling me back.”

  “Yeah.”

  Patrick sighed over the line. “Max, I want to say I’m sorry. You were clear from the beginning in saying that you weren’t out and had no intention of coming out anytime soon. I understood that and it wasn’t fair of me to bring it up in that manner.”

  Max stood there, his head hanging low. “You don’t have to apologize for that, Patrick. I was rude.”

  “I do if not apologizing means I don’t get to see you again.”

  “What about the other thing you asked me?”

  “I won’t lie Max. I want that. I want to be inside you. But if you’re not ready for it I can wait.” He laughed. “And dream about it. And in the meantime, I love the way you feel inside of me.”

  Max scrubbed a hand over his head. “Why are you being so good to me?”

  Another soft laugh came through the line. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Because I’m an asshole?”

  “Max, I know how hard it is to be in the closet. I went one step further and got married to a woman. So I understand what you’re going through and I’m on your side.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Maybe you can show me this evening how much you appreciate it?”

  This time it was Max’s turn to laugh. “Yeah. I’ll be over after my last appointment.”

  They hung up and Max went back out to his station. He was relieved. He knew they still had a major problem with one of them being in the closet while the other wasn’t. But at least he’d have Patrick with him while he tried to figure out where the fuck his life was going.

  ****

  Max woke up to sunlight spilling into the room. Patrick was spooned behind him, an arm thrown over his waist. He stretched, one of those long, deep stretches that only came after a good night’s sleep.

  “Mmmm… do that again,” Patrick said in a voice rough with sleep.

  Max smiled. “You wish.”

  Patrick’s hand drifted down, brushing over his morning erection. “I do wish.”

  He obliged him, rubbing his ass on the hardness pressed against him, making Patrick groan.

  “I could get off like this.”

  Max pressed his ass back again. “So do it.”

  Patrick went still for a second, but Max didn’t change his mind. He trusted him not to take anything more than what was offered. His heartbeat sped up when Patrick threw a leg over his, holding him captive. His cock stiffened further as Patrick gripped him tight, pumping him with long, slow strokes. He started moving, rubbing his stiff cock against his ass. It was quiet in the room, the sounds of their bodies moving together and against the sheets barely making a sound. Still, Max just barely heard Patrick’s hoarse whisper.

  “I wa
nt… I want inside you.”

  Max clenched his jaw, his stomach swooping with desire. He didn’t let himself think. He just rolled slightly to his front. Patrick followed, sliding on top of him, his cock slipping in between his cheeks. He braced a hand on the bed, thrusting against him. “Don’t,” Max said in a low voice.

  “I won’t, baby,” Patrick said through rushed breaths. “Just let me stay like this.”

  Max swallowed hard, pushing his hips back for his answer. Patrick groaned. Max could feel the tension in Patrick’s body, feel it in the air, as he kept thrusting against him, holding back from what he wanted to do. Max had to bite back a moan of his own. This was as close as he’d ever come to being topped, and it felt good.

  Patrick’s lips pressed to the nape of his neck as they moved together. He came first, Patrick’s hand stroking him all the way through his orgasm. Before his body eased from that sweet tension, Patrick stiffened behind him, his hot release spilling onto the skin of his ass.

  They lay there relaxed, Patrick’s arm still wrapped around him. Eventually, Max took a deep breath.

  “I don’t want to leave this bed. Between work and getting everything ready for the party, I won’t see you much this weekend.”

  Patrick squeezed him once. “So don’t go. Stay here with me.”

  Max could hear the real longing in Patrick’s voice. He recognized it because he felt it himself. But he ignored it, keeping the conversation light. “Have to. People aren’t gonna tattoo themselves.” He threw the covers back and sat up. “I’m gonna take a shower and get out of here. I’ll see you when I can, alright?”

  Patrick grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together. He tugged him down for a kiss. “Alright. Just don’t take too long.”

  Again Max forced himself to keep things light. “In the shower or to see you again?” he asked with a smile.

  “Both,” the doc answered with a straight face. Max smiled at him before he got up from the bed. Their hands remained linked for a few moments before he finally pulled away and went to shower.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Stop working, Max! It’s your birthday. Let us handle it.”

  “Yeah, get out. You’re just underfoot.”

  “Fine.” Max threw up his hands and went to sit on his wraparound front porch. Today was his annual birthday barbecue. Sabrina and Gia, a close friend of his, were setting up the decorations. Nate was out back, getting the grill going. His grandmother was in the kitchen, making sure all the side dishes were ready. There really was nothing for him to do.

  He pulled out his phone, tempted to give the doc a call. After staring down at it, he put it away without even opening the lock screen. Calling him today would be a bad idea. He’d just feel awkward for not asking him to come. Or worse, he’d want him there so bad that he would ask him to come. Instead, he relaxed back in the lounge chair, prepared to stay there until the party was underway. That was his plan at least. His grandmother popped her head out the front door.

  “Max, get your butt upstairs to shower and put on some nice clothes. You’re not wearing that to a party.”

  Max looked down at himself. His jeans were faded but clean and his shirt was a long sleeved tee with his shop’s logo.

  “What’s wrong with this? It’s just a barbecue, Grandma.”

  Maxine Stovall didn’t say anything. She just raised an eyebrow.

  Max got up from his chair. “I’ll go shower.”

  A few hours later, the party was going strong. Lots of people had come out to help him celebrate his thirtieth. The cousins, aunts and uncles he’d met once he found his family. A few people he’d kept in contact with from high school and the last boy’s home he’d lived in. Pretty much everybody he’d ever worked with in the tattoo community. His mother and grandmother. And of course, Nate, Gage, Joseph, Gia and everyone else from his tight-knit group of friends. They were the people he was closest to and he was glad they were all there.

  The music was loud, but he wasn’t worried his neighbors would complain. They were all invited to come and if they didn’t, he take them a plate of food later on to make up for the noise. He was about to fix himself a cup of spiked cider when he saw a very familiar silver haired figure coming up the porch steps. Max froze. What the hell was this?

  Patrick came into the house, a wrapped gift in his hands. He looked around and caught his eye. A smile on his handsome face, he started to come forward. His jaw clenched hard, Max shook his head. He jerked his chin back towards his bedroom. It took a moment before Patrick caught on to what he was signaling and went back there, a frown on his forehead. Max waited an excruciatingly long minute before he joined him, closing the door behind him.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Patrick frowned. “It’s your birthday, Max. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

  “You fucking know why. I can’t have my boyfriend hanging out with my friends and family, when as far as they know I’m straight!” Max was so pissed and nervous about being discovered, he didn’t even realize he’d just called Patrick his boyfriend for the first time. He couldn’t believe he was here, just like that, with no warning.

  Patrick held on to his patience with Max. “So now I can’t even come around you as a friend?”

  “Why would anyone think we’re friends?”

  “It’s a big party, Max! Are you friends from the sand box with everyone here, or are some of these people casual acquaintances?”

  A muscle flexed in Max’s jaw as he refused to answer.

  “That’s what I thought. So I don’t understand the problem.” He watched as Max closed his eyes, lacing his fingers together over his forehead.

  “Fine. You can stay. Just don’t let on that we’re anything more than casual acquaintances.”

  Now Patrick’s jaw was clenching at Max’s less than gracious invitation to stay. He’d just assumed that he was invited to the party, with the understanding that he couldn’t say what they really were to each other. He was hurt that Max apparently didn’t want him there and couldn’t believe that he thought he would betray his trust.

  “And how would I let that on, Max? By doing this?” He pulled Max into his arms, kissing him hard. Max put up his hands to push him back, but he was just so damn frustrated with this whole situation, that he refused to let him go. He pulled him closer, his hands clamped down tight on Max’s arms. The kiss was as deep and passionate as always, but this time it was flavored with frustration from both of them. Patrick ended the kiss and pushed Max away.

  “Enjoy your party. I won’t stay where I’m not welcome.” He strode out of the room, leaving the present he’d brought tossed on the bed. He’d thought he could wait for Max to come around, but after that he realized his hope was futile. He was done. No more beating his head against that brick wall.

  Max waited a few minutes before he left his bedroom to return to the party. The doc had looked seriously pissed as he’d left. But what the fuck was he supposed to do? Welcome him with a hug and a kiss for everybody to see? He looked out the back door and saw that the bonfire was going.

  Max sighed. His party mood had just blown out the door with Patrick. But it was his birthday, so he couldn’t exactly sit around with a mad on. He went outside, accepting a cup of cider from one of his cousins. His old boss, Terry, started telling stories of his time as the shop bitch.

  “So this big bear of a guy comes into the shop, wanting a back tattoo. But his back was completely covered in hair. And Judy, she didn’t want to shave it so she calls Max over there. Max came in, took one look at that hairy beast and started backing away. But then this look of determination came over his face and he marched forward. I swear, he looked like he was going to war, man! He grabbed up that razor and gave the best damn shave I’ve ever seen. That’s when I knew he was serious about being an artist.”

  Max grinned at his old friend. “That back was disgusting. It looked like a fucking buffalo pelt.”

  Everyone around the bonfire laughed.


  Terry raised his cup to him. Happy birthday, man.”

  Max nodded at his friend. The floodgates were opened now. Everyone started kicking in with embarrassing stories about him. The group hung out around the fire, the scent of mesquite thick in the air as they talked and laughed.

  Eventually, the subject changed and a few people drifted away to different parts of the party. Max stepped away too. He went back to his bedroom and took out his phone. He wanted to call Patrick, but he didn’t know what to say. After thinking about it for a while, he realized he’d over reacted. There was nothing wrong with Patrick just hanging out in a house full of people. And he knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t do anything to reveal his secret. Sighing, he opened up his phone to call and apologize. The call connected but immediately went to voice mail.

  Max looked down at the phone in surprise. Patrick hadn’t ever ignored him before. He didn’t like the way he felt, knowing Patrick was rejecting him. He slid his phone back into his pocket and went back out to the living room. He saw Nate, who was frowning down at his own phone. As he went up to his friend, Nate cursed, squeezing the thing in frustration.

  “You alright, man?”

  Nate looked up at him.

  “Yeah, just something pissed Kevin off and he won’t talk to me about it.” He blew out a breath. “Sorry, you don’t need to hear about my relationship woes on your birthday.”

  Max laughed shortly. Looks like he wasn’t the only one who needed to write into Dear Abby. He took a sip of his third cup of spiked cider he’d picked up.

  “Don’t worry about it. Got my own relationship troubles going on today.”

  His friend looked at him with concern. “Anything you want to talk about?”

  Max hesitated then shook his head. “Nah. I’ll figure it out myself.” He nodded towards the back of the house. “Gonna head back out to the bonfire. It’s cool if you need to get out of here to take care of business.”

  “Thanks, man. I might do that.”

  “Yeah, we can’t have Gage the only one of the three of us in a happy relationship.”