Author: Martina G

Disclaimer: Same as always.

ACT 4

Later that evening, Liz trotted happily through the front door of her house. She and Max had spent the better part of the afternoon getting to know each other. She'd told him about her parent's obsession with her getting a scholarship to an Ivy League school, and he'd told her about his father's constant infidelities and his mother's blind eye towards them. Max now knew that her favorite color was red and why Maria was her best friend, and she'd learned that he loved banana cream pie, and old westerns. Their afternoon had been spent sharing loving looks and revelations. They'd even gone to Tony's for pizza before Max drove her home. The kiss they'd shared before she exited his car still had her lips tingling and her heart pounding. She was smiling as she closed the front door behind her.

"And just where have you been?" The surly voiced question caused Liz to spin around clutching her chest. She was momentarily relived when the hallway light switched on to reveal her brother Tyler. At a lanky five foot ten he had inherited their father's height, and their mother's red hair.

"Since when is that any of your business?" Liz brazened.

"Since I looked out my bedroom window and spotted my baby sister making out in some dudes car," he sneered.

"You exaggerate." Liz said; as she tried to walk past him.

"I don't think so," Tyler slurred grabbing Liz by the arm. "So who was he, huh?"

"None of your damned business," Liz said furiously, snatching her arm from his grasp. The stench of his overindulgence burning her nostrils. "Do I preach to you about your drinking?" Of course not. She'd learned long ago it did no good. All she could do was pray to the God who looked after children and fools. Liz watched as Tyler's dark blue eyes turned mean. He'd always been too volatile. Bringing up his drinking had not been the best idea.

"What's it to you Ms. Perfect?" He snapped his expression petulant.

"Nothing. You stay out of my business and I'll stay out of yours," Liz said harshly unwilling to placate him like her parents always did. Tyler got away with murder, while she was kept under a microscope. Their parent's always made excuses for his behavior, while she wasn't allowed one wrong step. It was classic case of transference. If her parents couldn't control one child; they'd damned sure control the other. Liz had never harbored any real resentment about it, until now.

"I'll mind my own business alright." Liz heard Tyler whisper as she raced up the stairs. "For now!"

-&-

Max whistled happily as he pulled into the four car garage of his family's estate. Exiting the car, he noticed his brother Steven in blue coveralls working on his latest acquisition, a 67 T-bird.

"Nice." He commented, staring at the car. His brother had performed nothing short of a miracle. The last time Max had seen the T-bird it was a shell of its former self. Not only had his brother reupholstered the entire car, he'd added new rims, wheels, and painted it cherry red.

"It will be," Steven said, lifting his dark head from under the hood of the car. "If I can only get this damned master cylinder rebuilt." Standing two inches taller than Max, it was easy to see the family resemblance. The two men shared similar features. However, Steven's looks were more refined and aristocratic, all highbrowed and chiseled. This was one of life's constant ironies. Because at heart Max's brother was far more blue collar than blue blood. Steven loved to work with his hands and could fix just about anything. He'd wanted to be an Engineer, but their father had put his foot down. No son of Philip Evans would perform such menial work. So one year out of college with a degree in Finance, Steven found himself working for the family business, and understandably bitter.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Steven asked his dark brown eyes curious.

"No reason," Max shrugged, his smile dimming at having to lie to his brother. The two of them were unusually close. Unlike their younger sister Isabel who was away at boarding school.

"Yeah right," Steven rolled his eyes while wiping motor oil from his hands with an old towel. "So who is it this time Casanova? You only get that sappy look when your on the hunt."

"None of your business for one," Max said good naturedly. "And two, I don't hunt women. You must have me confused with dad." The disdain in Max's last word was unmistakable. He'd had his fair share of relationships, but he was nothing like his father, a known adulterer.

"I'm just lookin out for you, baby brother. I know first hand about the girls in this town," Steven smiled bitterly. "They hear the last name Evans and dollar signs flash before their eyes."

"Liz is nothing like Emily," Max blurted, and wanted to kick himself afterwards.

"Liz, huh? Does she have a last name?"

Max sighed. He'd been in such a good mood. The last thing he wanted to do was argue with his brother. "Would you just drop it? I know what I'm doing, ok." Max said, though he avoided meeting Steven's eyes.

"If you say so baby brother." Steven agreed, sounding less than convinced.

"I'm gonna turn in," Max faked a yawn. "See you at breakfast," he said, before heading for the side exit door. Had he turned around even for a second, he would have seen his brother staring at him with dark worried eyes.

tbc…

A/N: I know this is another short chapter, but it was mainly written to get the other characters introduced. Though this is a M/L story these two brothers will play a major roll in the outcome of their relationship. You have been forewarned. As for reviewing, I heartily thank those of you who are doing so. Interest in this story seems to be waning, along with my interest in writing it. If it is boring you guys let me know, because I wouldn't want to waste either of our time. Don't get me wrong I'd still finish this story, but I'd probably update at a slower pace, more suited to my convenience. We'll see.