Read Online Making It Through by Erin Cristofoli - Free Book Online

mentioned.”
    Dad was about to add something, when the door behind Max swung open, and in walked Mom. This would be bad. I stepped to Max’s side and tried to gesture for him to get moving, but he wasn’t paying me any attention. His eyes were focused on my parents and the looks being exchanged.
    “What are you doing here, George? We agreed you would not spend any time here,” Mom said angrily.
    It was like watching an accident as it happened—you couldn't quite take your eyes off it.
    Dad sighed. “I’m sorry, I came to get some stuff from my office. Besides, I haven’t seen the girls in a couple of days.”
    “Surely, you can wait until I'm not going to be here!” Mom shouted.
    “Don’t yell at me! This house is partially mine, as well, and I have just as much right to be here as you do! Besides, how the hell am I supposed to know when you're going to be around?”
    I tugged on Max’s arm, gesturing towards the door. When we reached the safety of the front steps, I turned to face him.
    “So, what did you say you were doing here?”
    “I just got off practice and thought I'd stop by to see if you might like to get in an hour of study.”
    I nodded sadly. “Sure, at your place. Wait here.”
    I slipped back inside, past the war that was raging in the previously-quiet living room, and up to my room to grab my bag.
    I rushed down the stairs and happened to meet Dad's eyes. He nodded slightly at me, and I continued with my escape.
    “Are you okay?” Max asked as we walked down the path to his waiting car.
    I nodded. “Things are getting nasty between them. I am happy to leave here for a little while.”
    “Escape in the form of studying?” He chuckled.
    “Yup. I’ll take it.”

For the second time in a week, Max showed up at my door, surprising me. This time, I was grateful that no one else was around. I really didn’t want to try and explain Max to anyone else. He stood on the front steps, looking his usually-perfect self in fitted dark jeans and a baby blue golf shirt, which accentuated his flawless skin. After a moment of ogling, I managed to find my senses again.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked him, confused. “Were we supposed to study? You didn’t bring any books.”
    “That’s because we're going out today. I’ll wait here while you get ready. Go on, get moving woman. And wear something blue; it’s a good color on you.”
    What a confusing man Max was at times. I changed and had returned in a couple of minutes.
    Max drove us to a nearby city parking lot. “Where are we going?” I asked. “Shouldn’t we really be studying?”
    “Ever heard the saying that all work and no play makes Mady a boring girl?” He chuckled.
    “ I'm pretty sure it didn’t go exactly like that, but yes,” I answered,  smirking.
    “All right then. Today, we're taking a break. You and I both need to get our noses away from those books for a while.
    Max led me for a block, until we reached the subway. “Uh, why the subway?”
    “Mady, a little trust please. I wouldn’t lead you astray. You know that, right?”
    I sighed. He was right. “Yes, I know that.”
    We hopped on the train for a couple stops, finally exiting at Union Station. He led me through the station and down a long pathway, finally ascending to street-level a short time later. I knew the area, but I still wasn’t sure where we were heading. We walked for a couple blocks further, before Max linked his fingers with mine, and wrapped his other hand around my waist to pause our progress. I looked at him in question. He motioned with his guarded eyes, and I followed them, looking up to see the stadium looming over us. Oh, hell no. I couldn’t do this.
    I felt my head start to spin. I tried to back away but Max was holding me firm. My breathing began to labor, my palms instantly sweating. No, no, no! This was something I used to do with Matt. I wasn’t ready to deal with all this! Why would Max even think this was a good idea? The panic