A Time for Learning


Acknowledgements: I'd like to thank Infie, alecsangel, NL and everyone in chat on Dec 8 for all their help. I couldn't have started or finished the story without them. And a thank you to my betas: Arwendle, and Infie (again).




December 26: Crash, Seattle, Washington, USA

Max's POV

"Ok, ladies and gentlemen, tonight is the draw for our grand prize all-inclusive two week vacation to Whistler, BC, Canada. So, if everyone would like to take out their lotto tickets, we will begin."

This year was unusual. It seems that ever since Alec arrived in Seattle and into my life, things have been different. First, Crash got a new owner, actually a series of owners rich and not. Luckily, Crash didn't change that much, but things did alter. For starters, this Christmas, there was a lottery draw with a grand prize trip for two. The trip was donated by one of the owners. But no one knew who it was. What a shock?! The money raised from the tickets was going towards a better renovated club. So instead of using his own money, the owner was having us pay for the renovations. Not that anyone seemed to mind, because in exchange, you had a chance to go on an all paid vacation. I guess it wasn't a bad deal.

So tonight, everyone one who was a regular at Crash was present hoping that he or she would be drawn. I had bought a ticket because everyone got one, even Original Cindy. Even Normal and Sketchy got tickets. It was weird to see everyone so into this.

"And the winning number is… 62103."

I looked down at my ticket, it said 62103. Oh my god, I won! For once in my life, I had some luck and won the draw for a vacation. Damn. I was speechless.

"Max, you there?" asked Alec.

I came out of my daze. "Yeah," I said.

He looked at my number… "You won," he said sounding shocked.

"Yeah, I guess I did."

I quickly got up and claimed my prize. Then I went back to our table where OC and I were sitting.

"So Boo, who are you going to take with you?"

I swiftly skimmed the package details. "Well, it says it a trip for 2 – designed for couples. Couples? What the hell?"

At my outburst, Sketchy and Alec returned from their pool game to see what was happening.

"Something wrong Maxie?" asked Alec.

"Like you care."

"Of course I care. If something's wrong with you, I usually end up bruised."

I didn't know how to react to that. Should I hit him or not? I thought. So, I took a different route this time. I told him.

"The vacation I just won is a trip for two but it's designed for couples."

"I don't see the problem, Max. Tell Logan to suit up, pack some bleach, and it's off to rubber-encrusted paradise."

I once again resisted the urge to punch him.

"But I don't want to go with Logan," I mumbled looking straight ahead instead of at Alec.

"You're gonna have to say that again, Maxie. I don't think I heard you."

"I said I don't want to go with Logan," Ishouted at him, causing all heads in the general vicinity to turn and stare at them.

"Bout damn time," muttered Original Cindy. Sketchy looked perplexed.

"Ok ok, sheesh. You don't have to get all pissy at me about it. So Logan's out of the picture. Then who?"

"Isn't that the million dollar question?"

"I'll go with you Maxie," Alec offered, slinging his arm over her shoulder and giving her a mischievous smile.

"In your dreams, Golden Boy," I retorted, but didn't make a move to get away for his arm. It felt good to have his arm around me for some odd reason. No Max, don't go into that, I thought, it's not a good idea. You still love Logan, remember?

OC exchanged a glance with Max after noticing this slight change and grabbed Sketchy's arm, pulling him away from the table and toward the pool tables.

"So, what's going on?" Alec asked, mentally noting that she had yet to move away from him.

"Nothing," I said as I decided it was best to move away from him. I still hadn't had time to sort things out and now was not a good time to do it.

"Don't lie to me, Max."

"It's nothing Alec, just leave it alone," I said trying my best to ignore the subject.

"Fine, fine. But then who will you take with you? Sketchy? Normal?"

I hated to admit that he had a good point. I wasn't exactly drowning in male friends. I sighed. And of course, there was no way I was going to take Normal with me.

"All right, Alec, you've made your point. You can come if, and that's a big if, you follow the ground rules."

"Awww, spoil all my fun, why don't you. So um Max, do they inlcude getting naked? He asked with a wicked grin.

"Alec, I'm so going to kick your ass," I replied trying to maintain some semblance of annoyance, but it wasn't happening. I took one look at Alec and I couldn't help but smile. He looked so excited, like a little boy with his first toy.

"So when do we leave?"

"When we can get time away from Jam Pony," I replied while mentally calculating my holiday days.

"No problem, leave that to me."

Alec got up and headed towards the bar where Normal was sitting, nursing a scotch. After a small exchange between my employer and Alec, he came back.

"Ok, we start tomorrow. And it's unlimited."

"What? How'd you do that?"

"I told him that while on vacation, you'll be training me to get back in the ring."

"Alec, are you nuts? You know you can't go back into the ring."

"Yeah so? But he doesn't."

"Ok, ok, whatever. We'll leave tomorrow. I'll call the hotel and let them know when we'll arrive while we're on the road."

"Sure. So I guess we'll be taking my car since we can't really go on your baby."

"Fine, fine. Pick me up tomorrow at 7am. I want a head start. It's quite a drive up there."

"Ok, see you then."

With that, we both got up, said our goodbyes to OC and Sketch, and left. I didn't know about him, but I had to pack.

To be Continued...



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