Lie Tonight – Chapter 7

By MyNameIsCAL

There was no doubt that Max was pregnant with my child, but I still had to ask to be sure. She still gripped onto me and I still had my arms around her.

"Are you sure it's not Sam's?" I breathed out.

She shook her head into my chest. "It can't be."

I closed my eyes, resting my chin on the top of her head.

"What am I going to do?" she whimpered.

"No, Max," I whispered. "What are we going to do?"

She broke away from me, giving me a small smile.

"Is…Is Angel around?" I asked.

Now she looked confused. "Well, yes, she's staying with me."

"We need to see her," I said.

I tried to keep calm, walking into Max's house and seeing Angel just sitting there as if she was waiting for us.

"Hello, Fang," she said quietly.

I pointed at her, clenching my jaw. "You tell Max the truth now."

"Why?" Angel said in an almost sing-song voice. "So this will become the perfect opportunity for you to win her back?"

"Because if you don't tell her the truth," I took in a deep breath. "And at least she can make her own choice about what she does. But if you don't tell her, I'm…"

Angel cut in. "Calm down. Sit, both of you."

I did, spitefully. Max sat next to me tiredly.

"Well tell her you lied!" I urged.

Angel held up her hands.

"Lied?" Max stared at Angel. "About what?"

"About being with Fang," she said bluntly. "I made it up because I was jealous of everyone's happiness. I was especially jealous of you, Max."

Max leaned against the table, like bricks had just hit her or something. "Why didn't you tell me the truth, Fang?"

"Because you were already with Sam, seemingly happy," I replied, avoiding her eyes.

"Angel, how could you lie to me like that?" Max turned to her now.

Angel shook her head and left us in the kitchen. I wondered if Angel ever felt guilty.

"Fang…" Max closed her eyes. "Fang…"

"You have a decision to make," I said after a while. "And I don't care which one you choose. I won't influence…"

"Fang, your speech you left crumpled up on that paper on the floor, I read it," Max ignored what I was saying. "I read it. Over and over again."

No! How could I be so stupid to leave it on the floor?

"It didn't make sense to me, at least the part about Angel," Max went on, trying not to cry. "And now it does, all of it. But don't leave, not now, please."

"The situation now…" I trailed off and then started up again. "I'm not that heartless, Max."

She sighed, looking at the clock. "Sam is going to be home any minute now. You should go home. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nodded and stood. She still followed me to the door, giving me my usual hug goodbye before I stepped out into the night and took off, flying back to my apartment. Max was still going to go on with the wedding, well, then so be it. How she was going to explain everything to Sam, I didn't know.

We arrived at the church promptly the next morning, Nudge driving, Iggy riding shot gun, and I sitting in the back. Sam's family was here, some of his friends, not a lot of people, but enough people to make me feel uncomfortable. I was going to die of guilt standing up there, knowing that Max would break him the news. Sam would probably hate me after today, and he'd probably keep Max away from me, away from my child. My head was spinning, I didn't even hear Iggy talking to me.

"Hey!" he elbowed. "What's wrong with you?"

I stopped in my tracks and pulled him to the side of the church, away from everyone else. "Max is pregnant with my child."

"W…w…what?" He went wide eyed.

"And she's still going on with the wedding," I muttered, letting go of him. "This isn't going to end well. Not for me, not for her, and not for Sam."

"Are you upset because she's marrying him still?" Iggy sounded confused.

"No, I'm upset because of my stupidity," I growled. "And it'll hurt Sam and I never wanted that."

"I know…" Iggy frowned. "Well, there's nothing you can do now, is there?"

"No," I muttered.

We headed into the church.

I stood on the opposite side of the altar from Sam. I think I was more nervous than he was. There was no way I could stand here and make it through the night. I wanted to run, far away, but leaving Max behind, that wouldn't be fair.

"You're a lucky man," I said to Sam, trying to fill the time waiting.

He smiled. "Thanks, Fang. That means a lot coming from you."

I tried to smile back.

And then the organ started to play, my heart sinking.

But the doors at the end of the aisle, they burst open and Max didn't walk out with Mom like planned. In fact, she wasn't walking in beat. I realized she was half running to the altar. She had her dress on, but no make up and no shoes. Everyone stared. Something was clearly wrong.

"I…I can't marry you, Sam," she said quietly. "I can't…I'm sorry."

Sam opened and closed his mouth a few times, eyes swimming with emotions. "What do you mean you can't?"

Max shook her head, but I couldn't see her face because she had her back turned to me. Her voice shook as she answered him. "I don't want to disappoint you, Sam. I did a lot of thinking and I know you can find someone better than me. I…This…this would be a big mistake, for you to marry me."

There was only one way to describe how Sam looked: heartbroken.

"Are you saying…Are you saying you don't love me?" Sam asked, his hand on his chest.

"Sam, I don't want to hurt you," she carried on. "It's easier this way, to end it now, instead of later."

"I don't understand."

"I'm sorry." And then Max was gone, running down the aisle, tears streaking across her face.

Sam stared at me. "Did…Did that just happen?"

I stared at the floor and then looked up at him. "I don't know what just happened…I…She never said anything to me."

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth either.

Sam let out a sigh, his brother putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Well, you're the maid of honor," Sam let out a breath. "Shouldn't…shouldn't you be going after her? I mean, she is your best friend."

"I…I guess I should," I said, taking a few steps. "Sam, I'm really sorry. Let me talk to her."

But he shook his head. "No, it's not your fault, Fang. I'll…Will you do me a favor?"

Ironic isn't it, that he thought I was innocent?

"Sure, anything," I replied.

"You'll let me know she's okay," Sam's voice was almost inaudible now. "Just so I can move on and know that she's okay too."

"Of course," I nodded.

He gave me a small smile. "Now go."

And then I hurried off down the aisle after Max, everyone staring at me, the flock included.