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.* * Max? The knocking was soft but insistent. Please open the door.Please, Max.Tell me what swrong?Max laid on his back and stared blankly at the ceiling, tears streaming down into his hair. Just go to school, Horatio, he choked. Why won t you let me in, Max? Horatio cried. What did I do? Why are you mad at me?Pain shot through Max s chest as his chin began to tremble, and a stronger rush of tearspushed out. I m not mad, he shuddered. Then what s wrong? You re gonna be late for school. Max bit his lip and curled his arm over his eyes. Just go.Silence lingered on the other side of the door, but he could feel Horatio still standing there. Can we talk when I get home? His voice shook with quiet sobs.Max didn t answer. Please?You re scaring me, Max. He choked on a soft cry. I love you, Max.Max rolled onto his stomach and shoved his face in his pillow, crying. Max, Horatio began to cry openly. Do you still love me?Sobs twisted his body as he clutched the pillow to his face, his chest clenching until hecouldn t breathe.Please don t ask me that, Horatio.I can t tell you what you want to hear, not ever again.* *Max released a hard breath as the vision of Maddy and Savannah blurred and distorted through histears.He blinked them away quickly, but they remained much too close to the surface.Horatio had runout of the house that morning, hurting from Max s silence.But the hurt was nothing compared to whathe had experienced when he d come that afternoon and found Max gone, and discovered that he d losthim.in every sense of the word.Chapter 14 Yesterday s Promisef& What re you doing? Carl approached Max from behind and slid his arms around his neck, kissinghis hair.He followed Max s gaze to the two kids holding each other and whispering softly, obliviousof their observers. They look so innocent, don t they? Max whispered.There was a notable thickness to his voice,and Carl had a pretty good idea where  and to whom  his thoughts had wandered.Max was tryingdesperately to convince himself, and Carl, that he was letting go and moving on, but in truth  the manwas still crumbling beneath his love for Horatio Kaplan.A great love never dies.nor can it be replaced.He d heard that somewhere once, and now hewas seeing it in action.It seemed unfair  cruel, even  that two people in Max and Horatio ssituation should share such great love between them.Because it left them with nowhere to go, no oneto go to.Max was trying to love him, but though there was deep affection and care in his heart forCarl.he could never really  love him.That reality hurt, but Carl couldn t blame the man; his heartwas not his own. They re sweet, Carl murmured.When Max didn t say anything else, Carl kissed his ear softly. Is something wrong, Max?Max remained silent a moment, just watching Maddy and Savannah. Horatio is moving away,he said thickly, a lost tone to his voice. For good.Overseas. A slight shudder ran through him. Him and Seth. He swallowed, his throat working against Carl s forearm. He isn t coming back.Unsure what to say, Carl just pressed his lips to the man s head. He thinks I want him to go away.Carl held him a fraction tighter. Do you? he whispered. I should, Max said quietly, unsteady. But do you? It s best for everyone. He turned and faced Carl and slipped his arms around his waist. I msorry if I seem.unstable, he murmured, eyes wet with tears. But once this trial is over,once.Horatio is gone, then everything will be better. He hugged Carl and rubbed his back gently,affectionately, and kissed his throat. I promise.And we can focus on us. He drew back and kissedhis mouth. I want this, Carl.I do.I m sorry if. He touched his head to Carl s brow. If my actionsaround Horatio have hurt you.But I promise you, there s nothing between us.Carl kissed him softly. You don t have to apologize.Max hugged him tighter and kissed his neck. You re a good man, Carl, he whispered thickly. So are you.Laying his head on Carl s shoulder, Max trembled. I m not so sure about that.Carl held him close and caressed his back tenderly. I am.f&The urge to throw up again was rising fast as the time ticked away, drawing them closer and closertowards their return to the courtroom.Abel had been encouraged by everyone to try and eatsomething, but all he had managed were a few bites of some sliced fruit, his sandwich remaininguntouched.When Maddy and Savannah returned to the table to eat their lunch, it was left up to Abel whetheror not to mention to his sister Jensen s suggestion.She was about as enthusiastic about her food as hewas, though she at least ate half of her sandwich.He waited for her to be finished before he decidedto bring up the subject of her testimony. Savannah, he murmured,  Jensen might want you to give your testimony today. He added onquickly,  But you don t have to, if you don t want to. Today? Savannah looked at him.Her thick lashes retained dampness from earlier. I thought Ididn t have to do it until tomorrow? Her face paled a little as a sick look crept into her eyes. It s your choice, hun, Max told her. If you really don t feel like you can do it today, then youdon t have to.Savannah glanced around the table.Abel held her hand.She asked,  Why does he want me totestify today?Max answered,  He feels that, under the circumstances of Abel s testimony, that. He looked atAbel then shifted his gaze back to the young girl. Maybe the jury will be more receptive of yourtestimony if you give it now. It.it will help Abel s case? No one can know that for sure, Abel told her. You don t have to do this. But it might help? Yes, Max said.Abel shook his head. Savannah. He looked at her, and she still seemed so much younger thanher sixteen years, so fragile and vulnerable.He knew he wasn t giving her the credit she deserved.She was strong; she had proved that in how she d been dealing with her condition.But his need toprotect her remained steadfast. It isn t easy being up there on the stand.And Tate, he won t be nice.He ll try to twist everything you say and use it against me.The girl didn t look in favor of taking that scrutiny today, yet she pointed out rationally,  I ll stillhave to do it tomorrow anyway. She leaned against Abel and curled an arm around his back. I ll doanything to help you.Abel s throat tightened. Savannah.She hugged him tighter. I ll do it.I don t care if it s hard. Tears thickened her voice, as well asa hint of anger. You re innocent.Craig wasn t a good man, and he got what he deserved.Abel wrapped his arms around her.He had protected her all her life, and now she was ready tostep up and protect him, too.Devlin touched his back then kissed his shoulder. She s right, he whispered. Are you sure about this, sweetheart? Cole asked with concern.She nodded. Yes.Gabe suggested,  Maybe you should wait until after Abel s cross-examination before you decide.See how you feel then [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]