" DAD?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" I shouted in shock as my old man smiled " I came to visit my favorite son!" He laughed and gave me the strongest hug ever known to man. I wheezed feeling like my lungs were going to collapse "dad! I can't breathe!" I strained as he put me down immediately "uh-yuk! Gosh Maxy, I'm sorry!" He chuckled as I sighed softly in relief " it's fine pops. And I'm your only son remember?" I asked as my father chuckled "yeah I know. But you're still my favorite person Maxy. Always in my heart" my dad smiled which in return made me smile a little. "Oh! I also forgot! GUESS WHAT!" He got all excited and bounced a little. I cocked a brow and tilted my head " what's up dad?" I asked " IM GETTING MARRIED TO MS. MARPOLE!" He said as everyone in the room gasped including me " NO WAY DAD! THATS AMAZING! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!" I exclaimed with a big smile. I laughed as I hugged my dad now first. He wrapped his arms around me as the rest of the room joined. Bobby, PJ and Stacey giving their congratulations. "You guys are all invited! Everyone's gonna be at our wedding!" Dad laughed as Bobby and PJ cheered " congrats man! Love wins brother WOO!" Bobby cheered as PJ nodded "yeah! Seriously mr. Goof! I'm happy for you!" PJ smiled as dad chuckled "thank you guys. I love my nephews so much" he smiled hugging the boys as Stacey smiled "congratulations. I wish the best for you two" she smiled as dad gave her a hug as well. But he was much more gentle with her.

Stacey then looked at me and whispered "you have to tell him" but I didn't understand what she was referring to. PJ grasped it immediately and whispered in my ear "about Bradley" as I froze. My dad knew I was always bisexual but I don't know how he would feel about Brad and I getting together.  Considering my father genuinely despised Brad and my father doesn't hate a lot of people. In fact I've never seen him hate in general. I've seen him get angry but not to the extent of hate. I shook my head no quickly because I didn't think I could take the thought of disapproval from him. Stacey didn't want to push it, she was really respectful of boundaries which was amazing but unlike her. PJ and Bobby pushed me too. My dad caught onto my nervous energy and their persistence which concerned him. " what's wrong? Did something happen?" He asked worried. I froze when he spoke. The others stares kind of broke into me and it felt like I was coming out to my dad all over again. The fear was definitely back. "Um...... I sort of... no no I did.... I got a boyfriend dad.." I said softly. My dad smiled all happy "that's amazing!! What's his name?! Can I meet him?!" He asked all excitedly as I sighed "um.... You have actually met him. You know him sorta well dad" I said all embarrassed. I really like Bradley, I'm not ashamed to call him my boyfriend I just didn't know how my father would take it.

My dad was confused as he perked up "oooooh a guessing game! Is it... Bobby?!" He asked as Bobby and I flinched. I screamed " NO!" As Bobby laughed "I would hit that though" he said as I smacked Bobby in the back of his head " I'm kidding I'm kidding!" He laughed as my dad snickered "okay if not then...." And he just started listing a bunch of guy names. Starting from elementary school friends to middle school, high school, coworkers everything. Everyone but Brad. When I said no to each my dad grew fed up "then who?" He asked "um...... you remember-" then my dad interrupted me shouting " IS IT BRADLEY?" He asked as I flinched and went quiet. He immediately knew that was a yes and he sighed. I knew from that sigh he was disappointed and I wanted to defend Brad immediately but instead what I got was "I knew it was coming. I'm just hopping he became a better person before you two got together!" Which shocked me " what?! What do you mean?!" I asked. "Oh just because I'm a old man doesn't mean I can't see the tension floating around! You're hilarious Maxy. You and sir uppercrust had that enemies competitiveness but no one knows that you two were staring at each other from afar like forbidden star crossed lovers!" My dad giggled as I grew red in fluster "s-so you're okay with this?! Brad and I?" I asked "I mean of course but I'd love to see him again! I feel like that sounds about right doesn't it? See if he's changed" my dad said as I nodded smiling. I ran in and hugged my dad again. I was so happy on how accepting he was as he gently hugged me back " oh there there boy. You didn't think I was gonna force you to do something you didn't wanna do right?" He asked as I looked nervous "I did... I don't know why I think so pessimistically..." I said softly as pops chuckled and booped my nose "you're a goof! We've got dumb luck and positivity in our blood" he smiled as I nodded and laughed too "uh-hyuk!" And covered my mouth really proving that I in fact was a goof.

My dad then suggested "how about you call him over! We can all hang out together over a nice dinner at some restaurant! I'll pay it'll be on me!0 my dad offered as I hesitated "oh uh... I don't know if that's a good option right now. I think we should give him a little space today" I said softly to which my dad looked concerned " what? Why? Did he do something to you?" He immediately thought which I don't blame him for assuming so. But I shook my head "no no I just um..... he's been through a lot. Family issues and all" I said as my dad pouted "my condolences..." I nodded and I perked up "dad no one died!.... Yet..." I scoffed and rolled my eyes while crossing my arms. Dad look confused and asked "what is that supposed to mean?" As he sat down on my bed. Bobby whistled in a low tone as his eyebrows raised. He's been filled in with everything. PJ hasn't because he and Stacey have been hanging out a lot so the couple and dad leaned in curious. I sighed and rubbed my temples a little annoyed by this story but I just laid it all out there.

"Basically, Bradley's dad is a piece of shit who wants all control over Brad. One of his bodyguards was stalking Brad with out Brad knowing and found out we were together. Brad's dad didn't like that and now Brad is forcefully engaged to a girl who SA'd him and when Brad said no his dad swung at him straight in the eye." I explained which made all three of their jaws drop instantly. I could tell by dads face that he was heart broken as he sighed "it's so upsetting when a father and son bond is broken over differences.." he sighed as I shook my head immediately "there was never a bond. His dad had treated him like shit all his life. He told me stuff that his dad has done to him which I can't even repeat out loud. But long story short his dad practically tortured him through out his childhood" I explained to which my dads expression changed from grief to anger "no wonder why Brad acted so stuck up! His dad sounds like a piece of work!" He scoffed. " dad ... Bradley almost killed Tank and I during the X-games which was on accident. He didn't mean to. But he almost did all for the sake of pleasing his psychotic father. Brad went manic the other day and apparently Tank called me all worried saying Brad was apologizing to him like crazy and shouting about how Tank should hate him just like how he hates himself. Bradley is a good person underneath I know it but his dad fucked him up horribly..." I said softly as my dad stayed quiet just going wide eyed. He sighed and shook his head saying.

"Someone outta give that boy a hug..."