“He doesn’t need us. He’s clearly fine on his own.”
“But—”
Sire’s whistle calls the band to attention. Mom and Dad are both still marching band nerds to the core, so they turn their attention to our director. I spare one more glance at Max, but he’s all focus now. Good. I don’t want any reason to have compassion for him. It makes it easier to loathe him this way.
Chapter Nine
“Hazel, you should come downstairs,” Dad calls from the hallway on Sunday afternoon.
I turn off my Fiona Apple playlist and lift my head from the notebook where I’m jotting down ideas on possible villains for the (nonexistent) campaign Nova keeps asking me to run. Okay, fine, maybe I’m doing less “brainstorming” and more writing the wordwraithwith my cool calligraphy pens, but it still counts. It might be a dorky pastime, but I love writing up notes in calligraphy. Everything looks more beautiful, even my boring D&D ideas.
“Can it wait?” I call.
“No, I don’t think it can.” I hear footsteps outside my door, then there’s a quick knock and Dad pokes his head in. “Max and Melanie are downstairs. She came out of the blue for our D&D game.”
A rush of adrenaline flies through me. “Seriously?”
I look at the time on my phone and realize it’s already sixin the evening—the usual time their Sunday game starts. I’d heard the front door opening and closing several times, my clue that their other members had arrived, but I hadn’t really been paying attention.
“It’s a surprise for us too,” Dad says. “Aunt Mary already picked up Kelsey for the evening, but you should come down to say hi to Melanie before we head to the basement for the game.”
“What about Max? What’s he going to do?”
Dad gives me a confused expression. “Well, I was assuming he’d hang out with you until we finish our session tonight, just like before.”
“You’re expecting me to babysit him?”
“I wouldn’t call it babysitting when he’s taller than me now. What’s the big deal? You guys used to do this all the time.”
“Yeah and that was before he started hating me.”
Dad snorts. “I’m sure Max doesn’t hate you. Come on, I don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
“Fine, I’ll be down in a second.”
I wait until the door closes to rub my hands roughly down my face.Maxis here? Melanie must have dragged him by the ear or threatened him with bodily harm. This is going to be so awkward. I look down at myself. I’m wearing a T-shirt and overall jean shorts. Not exactly my most exciting outfit, but at least I’m having a good hair day today. I took the time to use a diffuser this morning so that it’s lying in soft curls down my back. Not that I care what he thinks, but it is gratifying given that he’s only seen me exhausted and sweaty at band camp.
When I walk down the stairs, I find them both standing with my parents by the front door. I can’t help it when my attention locks onto Max. While he might be slightly taller than Dad, it’s hard to tell since his shoulders are slumped forward from staring so intently at his feet. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his black jeans and he’s wearing an AC/DC shirt today—the kind that’s trying to look vintage but you know came from Target.
After watching him act larger than life at band camp for the last two weeks, it’s clear that Max is totally and completely miserable here. I should be insulted, but for some reason I find the sight absurdly humorous. This tall, cocky guy reduced to a withered figure just from the idea of being in my presence. What a joke.
I snort-laugh before I can stop myself. My laugh has always been louder than I’d like, and even this small snort makes the entire group turn my way. I put a hand over my mouth, but Max scowls and I know that he knows I’m laughing at him. I can’t drum up any guilt about it.
“Hazel!” Melanie calls and steps toward me.
I haven’t seen Max’s mom in years, but she’s instantly recognizable, even if the time away has taken a toll on her. She’s curvy and a little shorter than me with wavy dark hair and dimples. She and Max look a bit alike if I squint. He got his height from his dad, but he has his mom’s hair and face. Not that I’ve seen the dimples since he doesn’t smile around me.
Her expression is joyful, and she pulls me into a hug as soon as I’m down the steps. “You look terrific!” she exclaims into my hair. She pulls back and takes a look up and down. “It’s like someone’s stretched you—you’re so tall!”
“Well, not exactly. I’m only five four.”
She laughs. “Yes, I know I’m short. It’s so good to seeyou.”
“It’s good to see you too. I didn’t realize you were joining my parents’ game again.”
She shuffles her feet. “I’ve been…caught up with things since moving back, but your mom has been such a support, and I knew coming over would be good for me.” She glances back at Max. “For both of us.”
It takes everything in me not to snort-laugh in her face again. Melanie is very sweet, but I’m positive her son has very different feelings.
