"I'm in a relationship."That's exactly how Mom chose to reveal her new boyfriend to Alex and me on the last day of our winter break: straightforward, direct, and out of nowhere. The two of us were utterly perplexed when those words first came out of her mouth, so you can easily imagine our initial reaction..."Huh?" Alex and I respond simultaneously, struggling to process her announcement."I'm seeing someone," she repeats, as if repeating it would make us any less bewildered."When did you start dating?" I finally ask, just before Alex fires off his own barrage of questions, "Who is he? Where does he work? How did you meet? Does he have children? What's his social security number? Passport book number? Birth certificate number? Tell us, Mom!"Mom lets out a soft chuckle at Alex's protective instincts before becoming serious once more."Well, his name is Noah Matthews," she begins. "He's an English Literature teacher at New Trier Township High School. I met him a month ago when his n
Considering the circumstances, acknowledging my love for Max came easily to me. However, expressing it to him? Well, that's going to require some time. There are numerous matters we must resolve first, experiences to share, and, especially, his significant undisclosed secret. I need some courage before I can confidently speak those three cherished words to him. Until then, my actions will have to convey my feelings more effectively than words can. Nevertheless, I hope he understands, and I hope he senses just how deeply I care for him."Never mind," Max abruptly decides to dismiss his earlier question. I furrow my eyebrows."It did?""Yup," he says, planting a gentle kiss on my nose. "And for the record, right back at ya."Okay, he's definitely skilled at reading emotions. What's next? Reading my mind?"I'm pretty sure he has every part of your body figured out by now," my inner voice, Buffy, comments with a touch of humor.'Hello darkness, my old friend,' I silently sing to her. "Hav
The next couple of hours were filled with savoring Mom's incredible cooking. Alex and I might have kicked off dinner, but Mom certainly took it to the next level with her culinary skills. We all enjoyed each other's company just like any other family night. To my pleasant surprise, Noah seemed to be fitting right in, and the life stories he shared with us were just as wild as our own.Among other things, I learned that Noah had a deep passion for soul music in his younger days, to the extent that Jeff Buckley nearly made him question his own sexuality. He pursued a teaching degree at Purdue University after a soccer injury ended his dream of becoming a professional player, a topic that intrigued Alex and Isaac. He also mentioned that, in his ideal world, Kellin Quinn and Andy Black would have collaborated on an entire album by now. Apparently, his sixteen-year-old niece had once made him listen to all their songs, a clever move on her part, and he quickly reached that conclusion.We c
"So, you haven't told him yet?""Nope, and before you go all relationship guru on me again, I have my reasons.""I know," Avery deadpans, rolling her eyes but still failing to hide her soft, understanding smile. "I was just asking," she raises her hands up in defense."Mhmm, sure," I draw out, playfully pushing my best friend towards the building of her next class while I head towards mine. I only have to take one visual course for my major, so I decided Art History GC was the way to go. According to Max, the professor who teaches it is super laidback and frankly, I'll take as many easy As as I can get this semester."I'm serious," Avery chuckles, opening the door to the Music building before saying, "just remember, girl, we're all in our own time zones. Don't feel pressured by it because, when the time comes, it'll happen all on its own. Life is all about waiting for the right moment to act." I cock an eyebrow at my best friend's words. "What?" She asks, furrowing her eyebrows."Some
In life, many things are beyond our control; instead, they choose us. Nightmares are one of those things. Personally, I rarely experience them anymore. However, when I do, even one can overshadow all the peaceful nights I've had until then. My nightmares are far from ordinary; they're extraordinarily vivid, to the point where I can almost feel myself suffocating in my sleep at times.You already know that there was a time in my life when I shut out those closest to me. During that dark period, my existence revolved around darkness. What I didn't mention was that I hadn't had a nightmare like that since then.Max, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that seeing him tremble that night evoked a different kind of pain...."Max," I mumbled, still somewhat coherent. "Dude, quit pushing me." I shifted around, attempting to return to my peaceful slumber. But when he drew closer—this time, wrapping his arms around my waist and clutching me to his chest as though his life depended on it—
Two Days Later"Hey, Terry.""What's going on, Lolita?" Terrence, my coworker, returns my greeting with an equally irritating nickname and an unmistakable scowl. Nonetheless, I can't help but chuckle inwardly as I recall William always using the same moniker. Man, I already miss the gang."Not much, you?" I reply as I head towards the employee lockers."Eh," he shrugs, "my life remains as dull as ever. School and then work, a never-ending cycle of sheer agony.""Bit dramatic, don't you think?" I smirk, and he rolls his eyes, failing to hide a smirk of his own.I stash all my belongings in my designated locker, except for my phone, which I slip into my work apron. Then I return to the front to assist Terrence in setting the chairs back onto the tables.Terrence and I have always been the ones to open on Saturdays, and today is no exception."Any new orders to prepare?" I inquire as I place the last chair in its spot and slide it under the table."Two new ones came in last night. The 10
"So, you found it just behind your regular work check, right?" Kalix asks, seeking confirmation one last time, his tone dripping with disbelief. I can't blame him, though."That's pretty much it.""And you have no idea how he managed to pull this off?" Avery inquires next."Not a single clue.""So, what makes you think it's him?" Kalix asks, the question I already knew the answer to the moment I called my brother."Because Alex got one too. It had the same amount, bank, routing, and account number, not to mention the same alias in the top left corner," I reply, my blood beginning to boil again, much like when I first saw the damn thing. "He might no longer go by his birth name, but he was still dumb enough to ensure that we both received it on the same day. There's no doubt in my mind it's him."I release an irritated sigh, or maybe it's out of frustration, possibly a mix of both. Or a lot. I don't even know anymore. One thing I do know is that Max is the only one who hasn't said a wo
Thud. Thud. Thud. The rhythmic noise echoed through the room, an annoying drumbeat disrupting my peaceful morning."Max, could you please get the door?" I groaned, still half-asleep, my face buried in one of his pillows.Thud. Thud. Thud.Max turned to his other side, mumbling, "Isabella, it's closer to your side."Thud. Thud. Thud."Max," I whined, "you're right there."Thud. Thud. Thud.He retorted, "Isabella, you're younger.""What does that have to do with anything?" I snapped, throwing the covers over my head in an attempt to block out the relentless noise. Who in their right mind visits someone before noon on a Sunday? There should be a law against it.Thud. Thud. Thud."Please?" Max pleaded. "I feel like I'll vomit if I get up now."THUD. THUD. THUD."I can't believe you," I muttered, ignoring his "love you, too" comment as I finally gave in to the annoyance and headed for the door.As I swung the door open, I was about to unleash my frustration on the person outside when I fou
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