Avoiding someone whose best friend is dating your best friend and frequents the same places as you can be quite the challenge. It didn't help that even when I attempted to drown my thoughts in schoolwork, Max was often studying in the same library. It felt like he was omnipresent, always wherever I wanted to be. Fortunately, my conversation with Ethan at the beach the night after my talk with Avery and Kalix had saved me from complete boredom. Ethan had an excellent sense of humor, which made the evening enjoyable.However, the following morning, I realized that Max and I shared not one but two classes that week. To make matters worse, Avery had an excuse to skip our first class that day due to an important rehearsal, leaving me to face Max on my own. The walk to the English department building was filled with dread, and the closer I got to my class, the worse it became.That is until a familiar face I hadn't seen in a while stopped me...."Hey, Isabella," he greeted me with the same
Later that Evening"So, wait a minute. You're telling me that Ethan had a lake house out in the Santa Ynez Mountains all along, and we're just hearing about it now?" Avery raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the revelation."That's what I heard," she replies. "Kalix mentioned that Ethan and his buddies throw a huge party on the weekend before Thanksgiving break. They're having it on a Monday this year because Ethan had to wait until this morning to get the keys from his parents, or something like that. Anyway, they're picking us up in about half an hour, so you better get ready."I consider the idea for a moment. "Actually, I think I'll just text Ethan and have him send me the address. I'll drive up there on my own." Avery fixes me with an incredulous look."Seriously, Isabella?""What?" I sigh as I sit down on my bed."How long are you planning to keep up this 'avoiding Max' act? I get it, he said some things he shouldn't have, but you yourself admitted that he didn't mean it.
After a brief internal debate, I decide to take his outstretched hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet. I start removing my clothes until I'm left in just my bra and underwear.Of course, Max couldn't resist smirking at the sight of my Betty Boop underwear. In my defense, Avery had picked them out, and given the time constraints and my disinterest in getting involved with anyone tonight, I hadn't bothered to change into a different pair.Please, like you'd ever change them regardless.Touche."Adorable," he remarks, winking at me. I roll my eyes."I was in a hurry," I reply with a slight smile forming at the corner of my mouth before playfully pushing him off the dock.We both laugh as he resurfaces with a wet head, and I dive into the lukewarm water, relishing the sensation of it enveloping me from head to toe. Moments later, I feel Max's hands on my back, helping me stay afloat. I open my eyes to see him smiling down at me, and I stretch my arms out, leaning back in the water."I
Max had initially seemed willing to cut the guys some slack, even smirking during their banter. However, at the mention of a name I had learned Max despised, his demeanor transformed into one of complete fury, his jaw clenching tightly."What?" Mason mumbled, lowering his head to look at his laced fingers. "Better him than us.""Get off the jet skis and get the hell home, all four of you," Max ordered in a low, dangerously strict tone, leaving no room for further discussion.The guys wasted no time, jumping into the water and swimming back to the dock as quickly as possible, leaving the jet skis behind."I'm going to tear him apart," were Max's final words before he started swimming back to the dock. I did my best to keep up with his rapid pace.Max effortlessly hoisted himself up from the water, his back muscles contracting and loosening within a single glance. He swiftly dressed himself and headed back to the party with his fists clenched, clearly intent on confronting Ryan. As I dr
I may not have been a time management expert, but waiting two hours for someone who promised to meet me once they finished their task felt like pushing the limits. Max had never specified how long it would take to sort things out with Ryan, but my patience held as I waited. It wasn't until I received a message from Kalix that everything changed....Kalix Miller: Change of plans, call me when you can.I dialed Kalix's number, curious about the sudden change."Isabella," Kalix answered in hushed tones. Why the secrecy? "We managed to leave the lake house without a major confrontation, but Max," he paused, "he's absolutely furious. He told me to call you and tell you to take his car back to your dorm because he needs solitude right now. But I can't leave him like this, Isabella. I've known him for seven years, and I've never seen him like this. 'Angry' doesn't even begin to describe his current state.""So, you're most likely holed up somewhere, whispering, to get me to come over withou
"Did you make sure to handle all your last-minute assignments?" Avery inquires as we approach the final ATO party of the semester.Today is Tuesday, November 22nd, also known as the eve of the notorious five-day Thanksgiving break. Following tradition, ATO is throwing their last extravagant party of the semester since when classes resume, all students—including myself—will be engrossed in studying, either to maintain their current grades or perform academic miracles to reach their desired grade thresholds. Since we'll sorely miss the ATO parties, Avery and I easily agreed there's no way we could skip this one."Yes, ma'am, even that torturous analysis of Wright's Sonnet 106," I reply, recalling the painstaking task."Tell me about it," Avery sighs. "Between that and submitting the final draft of my Winter Showcase composition for approval before the big event, this half-week has been brutal.""Yeah, in more ways than one," I add, fully agreeing."Hey," Avery says, nudging my arm as we
I've been incredibly patient, waiting for him to address this draining situation, hoping he'd do or say something, but it's been nearly a month of tension between us. I'm at the point where I'm ready to move on, with or without him."First of all, you locked us in here, not me. And secondly, 'not do' what exactly? We're not even doing anything in the first place, and that's the problem. You were busy with your business downstairs, and I was doing my thing upstairs until you came up here and messed everything up. Right now, the only thing we should be doing is having an honest conversation to sort out whatever's happening between us. But it seems like that's the last thing you want.""You don't know what I want," he whispers at first, his words barely audible. Then, he raises his voice, saying, "You really don't know what I want. If you had any idea, you wouldn't be saying all this bullshit right now."In that moment, I see an opening to do something I've been wanting to do ever since
He has an affection for me, and upon reflection, that's the clarity I sought—to confirm I wasn't imagining things. I never expected Max to desire a committed relationship with me, especially when I struggled with commitment myself. That understanding predated my decision to confide in him."I've wanted to share my true feelings with you for a few days now, and I finally have. I won't deceive you; I harbor no expectations. I never did. I grasp that you have principles, just as I do, so I genuinely wish the best for you, Max. I can't be more sincere," I conclude. Max stands a few steps away, and I close the distance, placing a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek, savoring the sound of his breath catching as my lips meet his skin."Goodnight, Max," I murmur before turning to unlock the door and exiting the bathroom, hearing Max's exasperated cry of "God damn it" and the door slamming shut behind me.I don't have much time to dwell on it because as soon as I reenter the bedroom, I find Loga
Isabella "Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of our very own Isabella Vega and Max Blackwell," Father Raffaele begins as soon as the choir finishes off the song. Words can't describe how I felt when I first heard it playing behind the closed doors. Max has really outdone himself this time."In the years they have been together, both on and off - we all chuckle to that - "their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife." A few 'about time's' fire through the crowd, making us chuckle some more.Soon after, Father Raffaele announces that Max and I will be reciting our vows to one another, motioning for Max to begin with his. My man clears his throat ever so vigorously, earning his overdramatic ass another round of chuckles from the rest of us before he briefly turns to Father Raffaele."Sorry in advance, Father," Max warns him, and then he turn
MaxI only saw her ten minutes ago, but damn, my jaw still drops when the chapel doors open, revealing her in all her glory. I proudly watch as my mother-in-law and brother-in-law join her on each side, slowly walking her down the aisle. What makes me smile even more is the moment Isabella's already beautiful face lights up in recognition at the song I've chosen for the processional. She's absolutely breathtaking, in every sense of the word.I could go on describing the details of the goddess walking towards me, but given that my dick is already as solid as a rock and we're inside a church, I'd rather spare all the witnesses here the image of me ejaculating on the spot. So, for the sake of all the guests, especially Father Raffaelem, who happens to be standing closest to me, let me just stop at she's absolutely breathtaking.Her arrival at the altar can't come fast enough. As the agonizing distance between us gets shorter with each ascending step, I take a moment to revisit some of ou
Isabella"Come on, Isabella, get a grip!" I scold my nerves, taking another swig of the bottle without letting any tequila spill on my expensive dress. I wipe the liquid from the side of my mouth with the back of my hand. "Why are you so nervous? It's just a wedding, and it's Max. He'd laugh if he saw you like this."Girl, if you don't calm down..., Buffy interjects, breaking through my nervous thoughts. Your back-and-forth pacing is giving MY conscience's conscience a headache. I take a deep breath before another swig. Pull yourself together! Max is probably as calm as ever while you're freaking out for no reason!As I'm about to bring the bottle to my lips again, a determined knock on the door interrupts me. Damn it! Where's a packet of Sour Patch Kids when you need one?"It's unlocked," I call out, turning around to take one last gulp. The door creaks open and closes, but the visitor remains silent. Then I hear the lock turning, slowly."Alex, if this is one of your lame attempts t
Isabella "Are you alright, bro?" I inquire as I approach Alex on the porch swing of the Carters' old house."I've never been better," he replies, patting the seat beside him. "I just wanted to talk. Even though we FaceTime every night, it's never quite the same as being together in person.""I completely understand," I say, taking a seat next to him and resting my head on his shoulder. He rests his head on top of mine, and we stay like this for a while before he breaks the silence."Do you remember that time when you tried to be Spider-Woman and fell down the stairs?" He asks suddenly, instantly bringing a smile to my face. "You scraped your knee, but you didn't want Mom to find out because you knew she would scold you for not being careful. So instead, you came to me, begging me to fix the cut before she came home.""Yes," I chuckle softly. "I think I was around seven years old, right?""Seven and three months," he responds with a soft chuckle of his own. "And then there was the tim
~Five Weeks Later-MaxAfter five years of living on and off with Isabella, you might think I'd grow tired of waking up before her, but no, not at all. Despite both of us not being morning people, the days when I'm up before noon are special because I get to wake up my fiancée. The mere thought of our new reality makes me smile like a lunatic.With that smile on my face, I grab a coffee tray filled with Isabella's typical breakfast and head down the hall to the master bedroom. Once inside, I place the tray on a nightstand before slowly hovering over Isabella's sexy sleeping figure. Knowing she doesn't wake up when I initially touch her, I let my fingers graze her waist as I slide the silky covers off her bare body.She's always been breathtaking, from the moment I first laid eyes on her. Starting with her right leg, bent at the knee, I position myself over it and begin to kiss every inch of her, starting at her toes.My lips move up her sole to her heel, gradually reaching her calf, t
~At the Penthouse Suite~IsabellaUpon returning to the penthouse suite with our bags of groceries, Max poses a question."What did the savage mother say to her son when he informed her that his girlfriend was pregnant?" he inquires as we enter, closing the door behind us."You should've used protection?" I jest."Good one, but no," he chuckles. "She instead apologized, asking him who the father was.""Daaammmnnn," I laugh, conceding that it was one of the better jokes. Surprisingly, our banter, initiated at the grocery store, continues to be amusing. "Alright, my turn," I say, placing my bags on the expansive kitchen island. "To make this scenario work, I'll play the mother, and you'll be the son. We'll engage in a short conversation about you seeking permission to hang out with your girlfriend. Other than that, your responses won't impact mine much, so feel free to unleash that creative mind of yours.""Sounds good," he chuckles, depositing his bags on the island. "Ready when you ar
After a few seconds, Caleb thanks Max for something simple, even though my boyfriend just stated the obvious. Hopefully, Caleb won't feel the need to hide himself after tonight."You can thank us both by asking that Jaxon kid out," Max suggests, handing Caleb a hundred-dollar bill."Okay, forget what I said about Caleb being irresistible; he's beyond that. I can't find words to describe the guy I'm sitting on, who doesn't realize he's making Caleb's night."Caleb, feeling shy and surprised, tries to return the money. He thinks it's too much, but Max insists and places it in Caleb's shirt pocket."I wasn't asking," Max states firmly, ending further discussion.Caleb breathes out in disbelief, scratching his head in embarrassment. "Thanks, man. I mean, I don't know what else to tell you," he says, shrugging helplessly.Max smirks, silently signaling Caleb not to worry. With a nod and an appreciative smile, Caleb goes back inside, probably to find Jaxon and ask him out.Turning to Max, h
Later That Day"Five more minutes, I promise," I call back, securing the last bobby pin to keep my wild hair in check. I'll be surprised if they manage to hold anything given where we're headed tonight, but hey, I'm too lazy to take them out now."Take your time, I'll be in the living room!"Once I've tucked away the last bobby pin in who knows where, I check myself in the mirror one final time before joining Max."Sorry I took so long," I grimace when I find him on the couch engrossed in Real Housewives of Atlanta."No worries, ba—" His words vanish into thin air the moment his eyes land on me. I can't help but smile when they're replaced with a groan as he bites his fist."How does it look?" I ask, walking over to the door to slip on my white Converse."Like I'm not going to last long tonight," he replies smoothly, turning off the TV to stand up and join me at the door. "Holy fuck, I'm the luckiest motherfucker alive."Melting in his arms when he kisses my forehead, I thank my lucky
~Friday, February 14, 2025 - Valentine's Day in Santa BarbaraIsabellaMax and I reached Santa Barbara last night, opting to reserve a penthouse suite for a private Valentine's Day weekend. Yesterday involved exploring the city where our paths first crossed, but tonight promises an entirely different level of intimacy.The evening kicks off with the comical Valentine's Day cards we exchange..."Why am I not surprised?" I chuckle at Max's card, shaking my head at his cheeky sense of humor."Oh, please," he retorts, "like yours is any better." He displays the card I gave him, eliciting another round of laughter."Touché, touché," I concede, winking as I delve into the heartfelt note inside.Here's my love, take it.Here's my soul, use it.Wait a minute....Completing the remainder of the message, I smirk as my initial suspicion is confirmed.I glance up to find Max beaming at me proudly."What? Did it render you speechless with its brilliance?" He playfully raises his eyebrows."You cam