Iggy walked passed mr and Angel, opening the cabinets and slamming them shut. In the third he pulled out a box and

held it up for us to see what it was. "Pancake mix--unopened. Now feel around for a bottle of syrup." Angel said and

Iggy sat the box down, continuing to dig in the cabinet. It only took seconds and he had the syrup in his hands and

sitting it, hard, on the counter. "Just move. I got it" he mumbled as he felt around in another cabinet for a bowl.

"OK Ig, spill. " I said, trying to figure out what brought on this oh so cheerful attitude. But he didn't answer. He just kept

feeling his way around finding what was needed to prepare the food. Angel glance up at Iggy. Then to me.

"Max?" she said in that oh so sweet voice of hers.

"Yeah sweetie?" It was an automatic response, my eyes still on Iggy, awaiting a reply.

"Why is Iggy mad at you and Fang for kissing?" My eyes widened as I turned my head toward her. So, that was his

problem. He knew.But just how much?? I was about to find out.

"Well, um, maybe he thinks we should have mentioned to yall. Maybe he thinks we are keeping secrets." Which we

were, or trying to keep it a secret anyway.Iggy slammed the fry pan soen on the stove.

"But he doesn't get mad when you give me a kiss, does he?"

"No sweetie, he doesn't. It's just that, well, it is compicated. When you are older, you'll understand a lot better." There.

That sounded like a good response.

Nudge burst in just then. "How come I was the--"

"Not now Nudge" I said in my ' shut your mouth or I'll do it for you look' then looked back at Iggy.

"It's because Fang is a boy isn't it? And because when older girls kiss older boys its not like kissing your little girl or

sister, right?" Angel continued. God she really needs to stop peaking into peoples minds. Re: have yet another talk with

Angel on the whole privacy of thoughts thing.

"Yeah sweetie. It is different." God, my head was starting to hurt. I did not want to deal with this yet.

"Is Fang like, your boyfriend now?" Angel asked, innocently.

"I guess you could say he's something like that. " God, help me. I don't know what he is right now. How can I explain it

to her? I decided that was all she needed to know. I needed to talk to Iggy. Find out what he knew.

"nudge, take Angel and Gazzy outside for a bit. I'll call when the food is ready" I gave her a look that let her know she

better not say a word--just go. She sighed but took Angel's hand and the three of them went out. I waited til I heard

the door before starting with Iggy again.

"Ig. Talk. Now." I said in my most serious voice.

"About what?"

"What the hell ever your problem is this a.m. Ok, so Fang and I kissed. You already knew how it has been between us

for the past year. You constantly make remarks about tension and crap. And you had already talked to Fang about the

kiss last year. Hell, we are still trying to figure out what is going on ourselves." I said, exasperated. And a little shocked.

That was not what I had planned on saying to him. It just all ame out.

He turned toward me. "Semmed you had it all figured out last night" he said sarcastically.

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked I felt my cheeks flush. My mind in overdrive now. No way. He

couldn't have... We weren't that...loud, were we? Could he have? Did he wantder out and ...? I shook my head.

"YOU know damn well what I mean Max. I heard you. And Fang. Last night. Outside. i wouldn't be surprised if the whole

fucking eastern seaboard had heard yall." My mouth dropped. He had heard. All of it. My face turned red with

embarrassment. Thank God he was blind. My breath caught in my throat.

Then I heard Fang speak up behind me.He had heard the whole conversation apparently.

"Cool it Ig." His voice was low and serious. "So now you know. Oh, and by the way, swear at her once more like that,

and I'll kick your ass myself." I turned to look at Fang, beside me now, his arm around my waist. I was in shock. And

believe you me, it takes something to make me go speechless. Iggy started to say something, just just stopped and let

out a big sigh.

"Iggy look," I said, "It wasn't planned. It just sort of happened. I'm sorry if we upset you, which obviously we did.

Although, I'm not quite sure shy. You've been pushing for this a while ya know? All the remarks and teasing about

things. "I shook my head. "God, I don't even know why I am standing here trying to defend my actions to you.Look, " my

voice shook a little. "I love Fang. And he loves me. That is just how it is, so get used to it or get over it." I said, not

daring to look at Fang. I turned and walked out of the kitchen to the livingroom and sat on the dusty old couch. I heard

Iggy laugh and Fang chuckle. I turned and asked"What the hell is so funny?"

Iggy's grin widened. fang chuckled louder. "You said you loved Fang" Ig said.My eyes widened. Did I? The urge to fly

over and smack them both hit me then. The pain in my side reminded me not to move to hastily. So I just leaned into

the couch pillow and screamed.

"So, we cool?" I heard Fang ask Iggy. A pause.

"Yeah, we cool. " I heard Iggy say." But for Christ's sake, try to keep it down will ya? There are children in the house."

Fang smirked and said"But we weren't in the house" I jerked up, glaring at him. His eyes were dancing. I picked up the

pillow and threw it at Fang. He ducked and it hit Iggy.

"And no throwing things in the house." Ig added, picking it up and throwing it back toward me, hitting Fang this time. I

laughted and got up.

"Food's ready" Ig said.

"I'll call the others"

I DO NOT OWN THE MAX RIDE STORY OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THE WONDERFUL JAMES PATTERSON, WHOM I THANK FOR SHARING HIS TALENT AND WRITING STYLE WITH THE REST OF US.

SORRY THIS IS KINDA SHORT, GOT TO GET TO WORK. PEACE AND LOVE'

2BAMAZED