Good Guys Don't Date Bad Boys

Chapter Forty-One -- Good Guys Do Date Bad Boys, After All

Maddox rushed into the kitchen just as his mom was starting to prepare breakfast.

"What's with you up so early?" she asked while she busied herself with a stack of plates. "Not even your dad is up."

"Jonathan left," Maddox said. He felt his lips curling into a grin as he remembered the love letter.

"I know. Unlike the rest of you, I was on my feet."

Maddox stopped for a moment and studied his mom's face. She could barely keep in a smile.

"Wait, wait, wait, you know something I don't."

"What do you mean?" She continued to smirk, all too full of herself.

"He talked to you, didn't he?"

"For a bit, yes. He didn't want to even have a cup of tea, he was in that much of a hurry."

"But he talked to you," Maddox insisted. "What about?"

His mom paused for effect as she tended the stove. Then, she turned toward him with a huge smile. "Well, since you insist, he told me that he would speak to his parents about you."

"What exactly did he mean by that? What's he going to tell them?"

His mom gave him a look like she couldn't believe he had come out of her with only one neuron in his big melon of a head. "Obviously, that he wants them to know you're his boyfriend. I understood that he'll introduce you to them. And after that, all of us."

"Hmm," Maddox grunted and crossed his arms, "I pity the Hamiltons, then. They're in for the shock of their lives. But wait, Jonathan left me what sounded like a farewell note--" He stopped before talking more than he should.

"He said," his mom said, ignoring his hesitation, "that if you ever go visit him, he wants his parents to be prepared."

Maddox frowned and tried to make sense of that. "Prepared to meet a working-class boy like me or something?"

His mom burst into laughter. "No, he actually said that he wants them to be prepared to accept that he will never have anyone else but you. Provided, of course, that you feel the same about him. Damn, that boy is so intense. I hope he hasn't done anything embarrassing like serenading you under your window yet."

Maddox grinned ear to ear. No, Jonathan was not very much into public displays, but he did know how to write an awesome love letter. "Not yet, but I'm counting on it. Just joking. Mom, are you going to hate me if I go after him? I might not be able to be back for Christmas."

That seemed to surprise his mom enough that she stopped what she was doing to look at him. "What's burning? Can't you see him later?"

Maddox rubbed the back of his neck and tried to choose his next words carefully. "He wrote me a seven-page letter. Like a love letter. And then told me that he wouldn't be coming back to Sunny Hill after winter break. Ah, it's complicated. I can't give you all the details."

His mom put one hand on her hip, which was a sign that she was debating whatever she wanted to say next. "How complicated? Do you risk losing him?"

Maddox knew he was being offered an easy way out, but he decided not to lie. "I don't think so. No, I know I won't lose him. But I think he'll be very happy to see me. Plus, I can meet his parents," he added with a broad smile.

His mom chuckled. "When do you want to go?"

"I'll need a plane ticket, and if it's today, it'll still feel late."

"Today? But you don't have any clothes!"

"Really, mom? I have clothes."

"Not the kind fit for you to meet your future in-laws."

"Jonathan wouldn't want me to look fake in a suit or something. He would want me to meet his parents as I am."

"Still, that doesn't mean that you should look like white trash."

"I cannot believe all of the stuff that comes out of your mouth. Since when did we become white trash?"

"We're not, but you need to be dressed nicely. At least some new clothes are necessary." Decided, she turned off the stove and wiped her hands. "We're going shopping right now. I'll wake up your father so that he can see about finding a ticket for you. You know that's going to be tough, given that Christmas is right around the corner."

He wanted to argue with her a little, but she did have a point. Even if he didn't want some stiff weird suit, some neat clothes wouldn't hurt. After all, he was going to meet some people who would judge the way he looked, without a doubt.

***

His parents weren't the type to go overboard with displays of affection, so he didn't expect much when he set foot in his father's study after a very satisfying nap. While it was unnatural for him to feel so relaxed about seeing his parents again, it was just how he felt right now. He had spent too much time being afraid of all kinds of things. He didn't even play any 'what-if' scenarios in his head as he knocked on the door.

His dad's morose 'come in' let him know that he must be expected.

"Jonathan," his dad said the moment he was inside the room.

Much to his surprise, his dad stood from his desk, walked around it, then toward him, and after that, he pulled him into a brief hug. Jonathan was taken aback, and then began to feel moved by that sudden reaction only after his dad had stopped hugging him for a few moments.

"I'm glad that you're home," his dad said. Jonathan couldn't help notice the lines at the corners of his eyes and the slight stoop to his shoulders. It wasn't a thing he had ever paid attention to before, but his father was getting old. "Simmons told me you were tired, so we didn't want to disturb your sleep."

"I didn't get a lot of sleep last night," Jonathan admitted. "How's mom?"

"Mad at me, but probably less so now that you're here. Let's go see her together."

There was an awkward pause between them.

"How is school?" his dad asked. "You had your finals, right?"

"Yes. It's good," Jonathan replied.

They were both bad at making small talk. It seemed like his dad didn't want to say the wrong words, so there must have been some upheaval around the house between Thanksgiving and now.

His mom was in the living room, reading a book, and she jumped to her feet once he walked in. "Jonathan!" she exclaimed, and unlike his father's, her hug lasted for a while. "You've changed a little. Have you lost weight?"

Jonathan doubted that major changes had occurred in that respect, but he decided that he couldn't reject this offer of peace. "Probably. Studying at Sunny Hill is no joke."

His mom smiled. "Do you like it there? Do they have a proper chemistry lab? We could always help. George," she said to his dad, "you know what to do."

"Mom, I don't want you to make a donation or anything. I'm just a normal student there. And I'm not going back. I might take a break altogether from my studies and figure out--"

"What happened? Why wouldn't you go back?" she asked.

She let go of him to touch her pearls, a sign that was, in her case, one of great distress.

"It's... well, the same thing as before is about to happen," he said in a strained voice.

Both his parents looked at him, trying to make sense of his words.

He blushed under their scrutiny. "Somebody found that video. They're threatening to release it for every student to see if I go back there. End of story."

His parents remained silent. One minute or so passed before his dad spoke. "We can file a lawsuit."

Jonathan pursed his lips. "Against who? It's some anonymous gossip page on the internet doing this."

"There are means to find who the people behind it are."

Jonathan shook his head. "It wouldn't change a thing. People would judge me anyway, and they do. It's something I need to learn to live with, don't you think?"

"There are always solutions, even to the direst situations," his mom said. "The Kincaids are visiting, as you might know by now. They are more than interested in clearing things up once and for all. And Andrew--"

"Mom," Jonathan stopped her, "I'm not interested in Drew at all. I have a boyfriend."

"You have a boyfriend," his mom said slowly and exchanged a glance with his dad.

"Yes. His name is Maddox Kingsley." He took one deep breath so that he had enough air in his lungs to continue. "He's a student at Sunny Hill, and he doesn't come from a rich family. I'm very much in love with him." He looked away, not wanting to see them observing him with judging eyes like before.

His dad cleared his throat. "But we thought that Andrew--"

"Andrew," Jonathan said pointedly, "was a mistake."

There, he had said it. If they didn't agree, there was nothing he could do. They had to live with it, just like he had to live with everything else.

"Well, I think that his parents might be very disappointed," his mom said.

"Why would they be? Don't tell me you expected us to... what? Become official?" Jonathan asked, rightfully intrigued.

His dad pursed his lips. "You cannot find fault with us for trying to salvage this situation. And you and Andrew shouldn't feel forced to hide your relationship."

Jonathan didn't want to shock his parents too much, but he had come this far. "Mom, dad, Drew used me. And he's not interested in me, unless there's something in it for him, and I don't even want to think what that could be."

"Well, that will make for very interesting conversation at the dinner table," his mom murmured under her breath. "So, this boy, Maddox?"

"Yes, that is his name," Jonathan said.

"What is he like?"

"I told you. He doesn't come from a rich family."

His dad snorted. "We figured as much. Your mother wants to know, just as I do, a bit more about him than that little detail."

Little detail? Jonathan's eyes moved from one parent to another, but they appeared to be dead serious.

"Well, he is very popular because of his good looks, but he works for his grades, and he is kind and doesn't do drugs." He felt so strange telling his parents all the reasons why he was in love with Maddox, but he had promised himself that he would hold nothing back. "He knows how to have a good time, but he is serious when the situation requires. And he is..."

His parents leaned forward slightly as they listened. The calm from before returned, as Jonathan continued to explain the many reasons Maddox was his boyfriend, and why someone like Drew was not.

***

"This is impossible!" Maddox pushed the heels of his palms into his eyes and groaned. "Have you checked, dad? Everywhere? Even on that website, what's it called?"

His dad rubbed his shoulder in sympathy. "Are you sure you can't wait until after Christmas? There's a better chance for you to find a plane ticket between Christmas and New Year's Eve."

Maddox munched on his bottom lip. He had even gotten the nicest clothes he had ever had. His mom had splurged without even looking at the tags. And he didn't look like a different person in cool designer jeans and the nice sweater that, his mom said, brought out the color of his eyes like nothing else could. He was so totally prepared, and now, he couldn't get where he needed to be? Which was, obviously, in Jonathan's arms?

"I'll drive there," he said with conviction.

Both his parents stared him down.

"Maddox, it's a long way there, and being behind the wheel for that many hours is not safe," his dad pointed out. "I know," he said and put one appeasing hand up when he opened his mouth, "what you're going to tell me, that you will pay attention to the road, and that you're going to take breaks to rest, but we're not blind, and we can tell that you're impatient to see your boyfriend."

Maddox pursed his lips. He was starting to fume on the inside. How could he convince them that he would be totally calm at the wheel, when he couldn't control himself as things were right now?

The front bell rang cheerfully, breaking the tension. His mom gave him a stern look and went to get the door. The moment Maddox heard who it was, a plan began to take shape in his mind. "Rusty!" he bellowed from the kitchen. "Come here right now!"

"Aye-aye, captain!" Rusty replied, saluting as soon as he reached the kitchen.

"I need your help, man."

His parents were looking at him, but they said nothing. So Maddox walked over to Rusty, who looked a lot more rested than he had been for an entire semester, and placed his hands on his shoulders. "I need a second driver for the most awesome road trip in the history of road trips."

Rusty didn't look like he needed any further explanations. His face lit up, and a grin split it from ear to ear. "I'm totally in!"

"Maddox," his mom said sternly.

Maddox turned toward her. "You can't have anything to say against my plan now. I'll rest, Rusty will drive, and then, he'll rest, and I'll drive. We're going to get there in one piece, I promise."

"Where are we going?" Rusty finally asked.

Maddox grinned and looked him in the eyes. Then, he grabbed Rusty by the neck and shook him. "We're going to Jonathan's house, my man!"

"Wow, what are we going to drive? A boat? A plane?" Maddox squinted as he stared at Rusty, who finally got the cue that he wasn't making much sense. "Isn't he like from the royal house of England or something?"

Maddox half-strangled Rusty with all the affection he was capable of. "Luckily for us, he lives on this continent."

"Ah, good, I was afraid I was going to need to know how to drink tea with my pinky raised." Rusty gestured to make sure everyone understood what he meant. "I mean, how do they do it? Don't they like get a cramp?"

"That, my friend, remains to be seen. Because I also plan on using you as a human shield to deal with Jonathan's folks while I'm busy...." He finally realized that his parents were still listening. "While I'm busy talking some sense into him so that he comes back to Sunny Hill after winter break."

"Oh, okay," Rusty said. "So, I'll have to drink tea, anyway, huh? Don't worry, my dude. I'll be your human shield while you bang--"

Maddox put one hand over Rusty's mouth. "Thank you, man. You're a true friend. The truest friend in the universe." Rusty was still trying to mumble something despite having been silenced with a purpose. "I mean it, okay? So, now, I'm going to remove my hand, and you're going to go home, grab some things, and then we're off. And, in the meantime, just don't say anything, okay?"

Rusty finally nodded, and the moment Maddox released him, he turned on his heel to leave. Mid-way, he stopped and waved at Maddox's parents while pointing at his mouth with the other hand, to mime that he wasn't allowed to speak.

"Maddox," his dad began.

"Dad, please," he said, "haven't I been a good kid all my life? I promise I'm going to be safe. And Rusty's with me. We'll pay attention to the road and everything. And--"

His dad stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "I just want you to give you some gas money. And for anything else you might need."

"Oh, okay. Mom, we're cool?" he asked while he let out a breath of relief. His mom still seemed to be struggling with an internal debate, but he just rushed to hug her. "Come on, I'll bring home a noble title or something."

She laughed and patted his back. "Just go and make that boy and yourself happy. There's nothing else we want."

"You guys are the coolest mom and dad in the world," he declared, making them both laugh.

"But promise us that you and Rusty will stop somewhere and rest for the night. It's not too late if you two get there tomorrow, okay?"

"I promise. No driving at night," Maddox said. "And it's a great idea. We'll split the long distance like that."

He wouldn't disappoint his parents, and yeah, he was a good kid.

***

Jonathan didn't need a psychic to understand that the atmosphere at the dinner table was quite tense. He was polite toward the Kincaids, but he paid little attention to Drew, who had been seated at his right. His parents were left to make all the effort to keep the conversation going. His earlier declarations of his love for Maddox had left them somewhat flabbergasted, and he wasn't sure they had come out of it yet. Still, they were the perfect hosts, and it didn't looked like the Kincaids were keen on addressing the issue of whatever they wished to achieve, either.

After all the plates were cleared from the table, and they had moved to the living room, however, it looked like Drew's father intended to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. "Jonathan," he addressed him directly, which was something of a faux-pas and a departure from their usual modus operandi, "we understand from your parents that you now have a partner." He made it sound like Jonathan and Maddox were some kind of partners in crime.

"Yes, sir," Jonathan said politely, but firmly.

Mr. Kincaid turned toward Mrs. Kincaid, as if he was seeking approval. A short nod from her confirmed that it was all right to continue. "You see," he said, "not only your reputation was affected during the scandal at your school."

Jonathan considered it a good moment to intervene and set things straight. "My old school. It is not my school anymore."

It appeared that Mr. Kincaid wasn't used to being interrupted like that. He frowned slightly and caressed his bushy moustache in an absent-minded manner. "I thought you were only taking a sabbatical."

"No, I have no plans of returning there," Jonathan replied.

"Ah, I see." The scowl on Mr. Kincaid's face did nothing to endorse that decision. "Andrew is here, with us, to right a wrong. Andrew," he said pointedly.

Drew took a step forward, like a kid in school, asked to recite in class. "I apologize for all the trouble I created through my negligence. It wasn't my intention to hurt anyone, especially you, Jonathan."

Jonathan could tell that, underneath the surface, Drew was seething. Although he was performing in front of a very select audience, the red painting the heights of his cheeks told everything about how he truly felt inside.

"Apology accepted," he said, although a part of him wanted to watch the guy squirm for a bit. But no, he wasn't that kind of person. "It is all water under the bridge, as they say."

"Then, I hope you don't mind if I ask you for a second chance... at friendship."

Friendship. Like Drew even understood the concept. Jonathan kept his cool, despite a sudden impulse to choke Drew's insincere words out of his mouth. "I'm afraid that is not possible."

"Why not?" Mr. Kincaid asked.

"Because there are things that can be forgiven, and things that cannot," Jonathan said calmly. "If that is all, I would very much like to withdraw for the night."

Everybody looked at him, somewhat flummoxed by his hasty exit. He had nothing else to say, and he didn't intend to sit there and take whatever they wanted to dish at him. The time for that was over, and the soonest everyone understood that, the better.

He walked stiffly out of the room, without a look back. Whether they liked it or not, this was the new version of himself. And they all had to live with it.

***

It was a sunny day, which made it ideal for a ride, and Jonathan wanted to take Asta out for a bit of action very much. She must have become bored in his absence, although Mr. Simmons had assured him that she was allowed to roam free for a good portion of the day, and that she received the same grooming and attention as when he was there.

"Come on, girl," he urged her softly, as soon as they were out of the stables.

He breathed freely for the first time in a while. Asta wasn't built for speed, but she liked a vigorous pace now and then. Jonathan guided her toward the stone wall to the east, from where the beautiful sight of the lake and the forest bordering it on one side could be admired without hindrance.

When he got there, he dismounted and offered Asta the apple Mr. Simmons had handed him as he was walking out the door. The Kincaids would leave today, and that meant that Christmas was going to be a family affair only, something a bit unusual for the Hamiltons. As far as he was concerned, he didn't mind that at all. Some peace and quiet, finally.