Max didn't know how long he was out, but he was too engrossed with playing with Duke that he didn't pay attention to the time.
"Max," He stopped hearing his name being called. "Come inside. Dinner." This was new to him. He never got called for dinner before. He usually had to wait till they were finished eating to even think about going into the kitchen to find something to eat and that's if they didn't find him and chase him out.
As Max walked inside he could smell something delicious that made him almost drool. Entering in he found Ryan already at the table while Gwen was putting food on it. He found a spot and sat while Gwen sat next to Ryan. Both of them started a conversation while Max just sat there. Ryan noticed that Max hasn't touched his food yet.
"You ok Max?" Max jumped at being called out. "You're not eating."
"Oh, ummm." Max didn't know what to say cause back in his old house he would have to wait till the adults are done eating and then he would have the leftovers and a lot of times there weren't any. Ryan was able to catch on fairly quickly.
"Max, this isn't your old home. Eat whenever your hungry, you don't have to wait on us. Ok?" Max quietly nodded his head and reached for a fork and began eating. It was sad to see Max being so reserved about food, but once they saw him eating the adults went back to their conversation. Max almost cried at how good the food his that at first he ate slowly, but soon he practically inhaled all of the food.
Ryan and Gwen saw how he ate like a mad man and could only smile sadly, but at least now he'll get to eat as much as he wants. Max being completely full for the first time in years leaned back in his chair and sighed happily. At that time Gwen and Ryan finished their plate too so Ryan got up and gathered everyone's plate. Max noticed and was about to move thinking that he should help clean up but Gwen stopped him.
"Chill Max, just relax." Max rose an eyebrow at her, but then shrugged his shoulders and leaned back in his chair. If they were insisting then who was he to stop them. Ryan made quick work on the dishes and went back to the table to find that Gwen and Max was still sitting in the table.
"Alright, how about we chill for a while?" Ryan suggested as he left and headed to the living room. Gwen got up and made a gesture for Max to follow her. Max hopped out of his chair and followed Gwen to the living room who sat on the couch next to Ryan.
When Max arrived he was stuck on what to do. Can he sit on the couch? Normally he wasn't even allowed in the living room, but this isn't his old home anymore. Still he didn't know what to do. Max was so engrossed in his inner struggle that he didn't notice Ryan getting up from the couch. Mac yelped in shock when Ryan picked him up and placed him on the end of the couch and sat right next to him.
"If you stood there any longer someone will mistake you for a tree." Ryan joked. Max just blinked at first trying to process what just happened, and once he was able to put his thoughts together he blushed in embarrassment.
"Shut up." He fired back. Ryan laughed as he turned the TV on and found a show on MTV called ridiculousness. Max, being new to all of this, was at first stiff as he sat on the couch. But soon once he realized that he's not gonna get kicked off the couch he began to slowly relax and watch the show. Come to find out Max really enjoyed it and it was hilarious to not only him but to Gwen and Ryan.
As time passed Max was being fully relax that he accidentally leaned on Ryan without thinking. When he realized what he did he was about to back off thinking he probably pissed the man off, but he felt a strong arm that wrapped around him and pulled him closer. He looked up to see that it was Ryan's and the man looked back at Max and gave him a warm smile before looking back at the TV. Ryan started slowly rubbing circles on Max's back.
Max originally was going to swat Ryan's hand away, but there was something comforting about him simply rubbing his back that he has never experienced before that he didn't want Ryan to stop. The relaxed atmosphere was extremely foreign to Max, but he cane to realize that this is something that he never knew he craved for.
Max unconsciously relaxed and leaned against Ryan as they watched TV. Soon he felt himself slowly closing his eyes, but he was fighting with himself to sleep. He didn't want Ryan to get mad or feel weird about him falling asleep on him. Ryan looked down to see Max was starting to fall asleep but was fighting to stay awake. Thinking about giving the kid some help Ryan picked Mac up and sat him on his lap. Max stiffen initially due to shock, but once he realized what Ryan has done he started wiggling.
"Put me down asshole." Max mumbled.
"Shhhh," Ryan hushed as he used his left ha f to continue to rub circles on the boy's back and stared using his right hand to softly pat Max's bottom. "It's ok, go to sleep."
"I'm not tired, asshole." Max mumbled again but was loosing strength to fight back.
"It's ok Max. We're right here and not going anywhere. Sleep." With that Max couldn't fight it anymore as he eventually laid his head on Ryan's shoulder and closed his eyes. Gwen watched with shocked eyes at how Ryan was able to handle Max. Ryan looked back at her and chuckled.
"The kid might act tough, but deep down this is exactly what he wants." He whispered to her as he got up with the sleeping Max in his arms. Gwen followed him to Max's room where he proceeded to gently place Max on his bed. However, the boy unconsciously gripped Ryan's shirt.
"It's ok buddy, we'll be here tomorrow. You don't need to be scared of us leaving." That promise seemed to be enough for Max as he let go and Ryan was able to tuck him in.
"Goodnight Max." Ryan whispered as he lightly ruffled his hair.
"Night, you little shit." Gwen said as she leaned down and kissed Max on the cheek. The couple went to their room and talked about what needed to be done with Max for the next day until they called it a night.
That morning Max woke up in his room confused. The last thing he remembered was watching TV in the living room, so how did he end up in his room? He tried to trace back and the only conclusion was that one of them carried him to his room! Max blushed in embarrassment at that. Only little bitches and toddlers gets carried to bed. Damnit! They did it on purpose to make fun of him. His musing was interrupted when he heard the door open to see Ryan coming in.
"Hey kid, I see you're awake." Max only responded with a grunt and covered himself with the blanket.
"Awww, do we have a cranky little boy this morning?" Ryan lightly joked as he walked to the bed.
"Shut the fuck up." Max fired back.
"Oh, I think I know a remedy for cranky boys." Max wondered what the hell he was talking about. The boy yelped when the blanket he used to cover himself was snatched from his body.
"What the hell-" His rant was put to a stop as Ryan quickly went and started tickling his sides which sent the boy in a fit of laughter.
"Hahahah! Stop, you asshole!" He laughed as Ryan continued to attack his sides and went under his armpits. Ryan knew that the kid was ticklish and decided to mess with him just a little. Max was besides himself as he laughed and thrashed on the bed trying to get Ryan's fingers away from him.
"Hahaha! Stop! Hahaha! I'm fucking serious!" Ryan knew he wasn't cause if that was the case the kid would have seriously fought back, but decided to give the kid a break. However, not before delivering the finishing blow as he lifted Max's shirt up and blew a huge raspberry on the boy's exposed stomach which left the boy in a squealing mess. He got off Max to let the kid catch his breath.
"You...suck." Max said through deep breaths. Ryan just chuckled.
"Come on Max, we got a busy day today. Breakfast will be ready soon."
"Yeah, yeah. Get out." Ryan grinned and shook his head as he walked out the room. Max laid on the bed still going over with what just happened. He couldn't believe that Ryan just didn't that, but since now he's by himself and is already up he might as well get ready.
Luckily he still has an extra pair of cloths, but that's it. Hopefully one day he could get more and when he looked around the other day the drawers and closets were empty so he only had the cloths that he brought with him. He hope that they don't mind him washing his cloths often. If not then he'll just have to make it work with the only two pairs that he have like he used to.
He went to his bag and took out his cloths and went to the bathroom and took a shower. The warm water was definitely welcoming as he soaked up in the sensation. He got out and got dressed and walked to the kitchen. The smell alone almost made him drool. He got to the table where Gwen was sitting on her phone and Ryan in the kitchen cooking. Gwen looked at Max when she saw him coming.
"Morning Max. Had a good sleep?"
"Yeah, or whatever." Max grumbled as he hopped on the chair. Gwen rolled her eyes at his answer, but at least he answered her.
"Good. We got shit to do today." Max rose his eyebrow at her, remembering Ryan said the same thing.
"Yeah, asshole over there said the same thing. What the hell are we doing?"
"Awww, you're still mad about that?" Ryan jabbed.
"Mad about what?" Gwen questioned, now curious at what happened between the two.
"Nothing!" Max quickly retorted. "Don't day anything!" He threatened Ryan as the man came over with breakfast.
"It's nothing." Gwen just rose her eyebrow, but knew that Ryan would tell her anyways so she let it go for now. Ryan brought the food to the table and this time Max didn't wait as he dug right in. A few minutes later Max spoke up.
"So nobody answered my question. What the hell are we doing today?"
"Oh, yeah." Ryan spoke up. "You need more cloths kid." Max was taken back that Ryan mentioned that.
"And what's wrong with what I got?"
"Besides the fact that you only have like what, 2 pairs?" Ryan challenged. Max couldn't retort since the man was right so he chose to keep his dignity and continued eating.
"Also we need to stop by your new school."
"School?!" Max yelled. Uggh, why did he have to bring up school. It wasn't like Max hated school, it was just that in his old one he had no friends and people tended to stay away from him. The teachers constantly got on his case for every little thing and it annoyed the shit out of him. Ryan saw the look on his face and knew that this wasn't going to be a fun topic, but it has to be done.
"Yeah Max, school. What, you thought you was just gonna bum it out in the house all damn day, everyday?"
"Maybe."
"Nope, you gotta go to school kid. But don't worry. I have a feeling you're gonna like this one."
"Yeah, I fucking bet." Max grumbled out. Ryan shook his head at his antic. That was going to be another fun conversation, they're really going to have to work on the kid's cussing. While Ryan let it slide because of the circumstances, he can't just let Max loose into the world thinking the only way to talk is through cursing and it definitely won't fly at the school. Ryan sighed knowing how that conversation is going to go.
"Anyways," Gwen chose to change topic. "First thing first. You need cloths kid, so let's head out." Ryan nodded and took the dishes while Gwen hopped out of the chair. Max sat still.
"Max, come on." Gwen called.
"Do I have to?" Max complained. He really didn't want to go to a new school and thinking about it was making him depress. Gwen went back and kneeled in front of him.
"Max, I know that this is a lot of new territory for you and that you're uncomfortable about it. But trust us, you have to go to school or child services might take you away. And the cloths is a no option, so deal with it. Now get up." She ordered with a light slap to Max's right thigh. Max huffed as he got off the chair and followed her to the garage where he saw three cars. The first was the black Rolls Royce from before. The other was a silver Jeep Wrangler and the other was a red Ferrari!
"Woah! You have a Ferrari!" Max said excitedly as he rushed up to the car.
"Yeah, Cool ain't she. Well, hop in." Ryan said as he unlocked the car.
"Wait," Max now realizing what a Ryan did. "We're riding in it?"
"Unless you prefer to walk kid, get your ass in." Max had a huge smile on his face as he climbed to the back. This was by far the coolest thing for Max! Ryan and Gwen got into the front as Ryan opened the garage and drove off. Max looked outside the windows as they drove pass everything.
He wondered where they're going to get him cloths. Probably a drift shop since that was the only place his parents would get him cloths once it was evident that his old ones were either too torn up or too small and they didn't want any attention to themselves if he went to school in torn up cloths. However when they pulled up to a Ross he was confused. He never heard of the place so he thought it must be another drift shop.
"Alright we're here. I love this place." Max wondered why Ryan would love drift shops but just shrugged his shoulders. At least they are willing to buy him stuff. When they entered through the doors Max was shocked at what he saw. This didn't look like a drift shop at all, in fact it looked like a regular store. But why bring him here?
"Come on Max, your section is over here." Max just nodded his head as he followed the pair to the boy's section. Ryan turned to Max once they got into the shirts section.
"Alright Max, by the looks of it your definitely a small. So everything on this side should fit you. Pick out what you like." Max looked up at Ryan. He's giving him the choice? Max didn't know what to say. Maybe it's a test or something. However, Ryan was giving him an expectant look. He's serious.
Mac looked through some of the shirts and picked one out that looked ok. It was yellow with the words "suck it" and a picture of a popsicle on it. Ryan laughed when he saw the shirt.
"Yeah, that looks to be your style." He laughed but stopped when he saw that Max wasn't getting anything else.
"What's up Max?"
"You said choose one and I did."
"No Max, I said pick what you like. So get any shirt you like." Max had a huge smile on his face as he rushed back and picked out 12 different shirts that he liked. They then went for jeans and Ryan had Max try on different pairs to see what fit and got 7 pairs of them and shorts that Max picked out. They also got five hoodies that Max loved and four jackets. They also went to the shoes section and five pairs of shoes.
All in all it was an impressive haul. The cart was completely full. Looking at the cart Mac was starting to feel anxious. All of that is for him. Is it too much? Maybe he should tell Ryan to take some of them back. Ryan saw the worried glance Max was giving the cart and knew what was worrying him.
"Don't worry about it Max. If you haven't noticed already, money isn't an issue for me. Besides this is all things you need." Max blushed at being caught like that and just nodded his head. They went to the counter and finished their purchase and luckily was able to fit all the bags in the trunk.
The next stop was the one where Max dreaded. School. The elementary school they stopped at was called Riverside Elementary. Max was a bit surprised at the fact that it didn't look run down at all. Once they parked Ryan glance back to Max.
"Now Max, when we talk to the principal I need you to behave ok? That means no cursing."
"What?!" Max exclaimed.
"You heard me Max, no cursing."
"Oh, then you can go fuck yourself!" Max fired back hotly. Gwen just face palmed knowing that this is how the little hellion would react. However, Ryan wasn't deterred.
"Max." Ryan said sternly which made the boy jump. He never heard Ryan sound like that and when he looked up at the man he knew that Ryan was serious.
"No cursing, ok?" Ryan said in a softer tone. Mac wanted to retort but then thought about earlier today. They did get him a shit ton of cloths, so the least he can do is this one favor for him. He still won't like it.
"Alright, fine." Max grunted as he crossed his arms. Ryan gave him a smirk.
"Atta boy." Ryan said as he reached over and ruffled his hair. Max was glad that Ryan was back to his regular demeanor as he liked him more like that. The small family of three exited out the car and went to the front desk. All the while Max looked around and the place wasn't a shit hole.
Everything was clean. They went to the front office and waited for when the principal to come and get her. Max sat between Gwen and Ryan as a plump black lady came out and introduced herself as Ms. Kane, the school's principal. Max left the adults to y'all as he stood quietly and followed them to her office.
Once they came inside there was only two other chairs so Max stood beside the chair that Ryan sat on. Ryan saw Max was standing and that the boy was jittery about this. Max yelped when he felt himself being picked up and placed on Ryan's lap. Max began to squirm not wanting someone else to see him like this.
"Hey, Hey," Ryan said quietly as he softly patted Max's thigh. "It's ok. Just Relax."
"This is embarrassing." Max complained.
"Trust me kid, no one cares. And I'm sure this beat standing all day." Max just huffed and crossed his arms in a pout.
"Awww, do we have a pouty boy?" Max flinched, remembering what happened earlier this morning.
"Don't you dare." Max threatened which made Ryan chuckle.
"There we go." Ryan replied as he continued to pat Max's thigh to calm him down. Ms. Kane smiled as she watched the interaction between Max and Ryan. She took notice of the small boy and could already tell that Max is a little wild storm. She has a few of them here but that never scared her.
The rest of the conversation was spent talking about the school and signing papers. Luckily Max will start when the new school year begins in August with everyone else. Max was bored to tears at just sitting there listening to the adults talk that he began to nod off. Ryan looked down to see Max bobbing his head fighting to sleep.
Ryan then turned the boy around so Max was facing him. He supported Max's bottom with his left hand and used his right hand to rub circles on his back. Max was slipping in and out of consciousness to take notice of what Ryan did and soon lost the battle as he closed his eyes and laid his head on Ryan's shoulder.
The rest of the conversation went well with Ms.Kane saying she wants to test Max to see if he could be put into the gifted program at the school. Ryan and Gwen agreed, knowing that Max was very intelligent for his age.
Once the talk was over they got up and shook her hand and walked out of the school with Ryan carrying a sleeping Max to the car. At least they were able to get that out of the way without Max causing a scene. However, it was what to come later tonight that got Ryan worried as he knew soon all hell would break loose in the form of a little 10 yr old.