Sixteen years before...

Max stared at the clock on the wall. Ten more minutes of calculus before Thanksgiving break. He packed his senior year with classes including double lab sciences. Advanced placement Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology. AP A&P was his absolute favorite class. His interest in pre-med hadn't changed, and he had applied to the four New England Ivy League schools with Brown as his first choice. He wanted to go away, but not too far. He also applied to Middlebury in Vermont, Bowdoin in Maine and UMass, just in case all else failed.

The clock ticked, and he didn't want to hear the term derivative again until after a trip to New York with the parade and turkey. Ms. Gowey had a nasal voice which was irritating over the course of the hour class. "Practice is how we become proficient. So a week without practice will benefit none of you. Be sure to copy down your assignment due the day we return from our break. Groans filled the room as Max wrote the exercises for each page.

There wasn't a bell at their private school. Students sat antsy waiting for Gowey to announce it was time. Noise in the hallway meant other teachers had let out their classes.

"And time. Happy Thanksgiving everyone."

A few murmured back, but most rushed for the door like someone had yelled fire. Max took his time getting his things together. He didn't need to be first. Even in class ranking, he wasn't competing for valedictorian. His goal was a good pre–med program to lead to medical school and residency.

On his way out, he smiled. "Happy Thanksgiving, Ms. Gowey."

"Thank you, Maxwell."

As he stepped outside his classroom, the halls were practically deserted. He flung his heavy backpack over his shoulder and walked towards the stairs. Just as he turned the corner into the stairwell, two arms flung around him.

"What took you so long?" Erin whined.

He put his arm around her. "I had to copy my assignment."

"I'm so glad we have a week off. What're we doing?"

He chuckled. "We? I told you I'm leaving for New York in the morning."

"I thought you were going for Thanksgiving. It's practically a week away."

"I know, but we're going for the week."

"Fine. Tonight. What are we doing tonight?" She pouted.

"Come to my house. My cousin is coming for dinner."

She nodded. "Let's get outta here."

When they reached the parking lot, Zach was leaning against their Toyota Rav4 talking to JJ, Connor and Troy.

He sauntered over with Erin at his side. "Hey boys. What's up?"

Zach said, "JJ's coming over to see Gilly. I'm driving with him. Erin, you can have the front seat. Hands to yourself."

JJ laughed. "No distracted driving."

Max laughed too, but Erin needed a reinforcement of the rules. When he drove Erin to or from school, Zach sat in the front claiming safety. It was his car too.

A girl like Erin had its perks. The number one reason was sex. She really liked sex. Having a girlfriend upped his cool factor. He wasn't an outstanding athlete and most everyone, except Troy, got good grades. Parents didn't pay the pricey tuition for their kids to flunk out.

Erin's dad was a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mass General. Max impressed his girlfriend's father when he talked about his goals. He might not like him so much if he knew what they did alone, usually in the back seat of the car.

Once in the car, Erin leaned over and kissed him. She had a talented mouth. Max was happy to reap the benefits but was aware others had before him. They had been going out since October and she had dated another senior at the start of the term.

After he dislodged her tongue from his mouth, he straightened himself in the driver's seat and started the engine.

"Why is your cousin coming tonight?"

"Because he has a birthday present for his mother. Her party is tomorrow and he can't be there."

"Why?"

"He's in college and has tests and classes. I think he's splitting Thanksgiving weekend between us and his dad's family."

"Sounds complicated."

It wasn't, but she said that about things that didn't interest her. She was a good student, but a little self absorbed. Max's highschool was full of wealthy kids. Many never lifted a finger at home and had no consequences for their behavior. He looked forward to graduating and moving on.

When he parked in his driveway, she asked, "Is your mother home?"

He shrugged. "Probably, but it doesn't matter. Zach and JJ will be here."

"Like they would tattle if we went to your room."

They had only been in his room once. His parents were at an event, and Zach went to the movies. No one knew he and Erin weren't at a party. It was his first time, not hers.  Since then they fooled around in his car.

When they stepped in the house the scents from the kitchen verified his mother was home. Lois smiled when she saw them.

"Hi, Erin. How are you?"

"Okay. Thanks, Mrs. Steele."

His mother focused on him. "Are you packed?"

"Mostly, I'll finish later."

She shook her head. "You stay up too late."

"I can sleep in the car." He and Zach in the backseat without enough legroom was the worst part of the drive.

His brother and his friend came into the kitchen, and Max escaped to the basement in the commotion. He and Erin made out until they heard a herd of elephants thundering down the stairs.

Annoyed, he asked, "What are you guys doing?"

Zach cackled. "Not what you were doing."

JJ teased. "You can this weekend with the beautiful Olivia."

Zach punched his friend's arm. "No way. It's not like that with us."

Max could never figure out Zach and Olivia's relationship. Erin said, "Who are you talking about?"

JJ chuckled. "Their cousin."

"That's gross. Sex with your cousin."

Max wanted to scream. He hated advertising they were having sex. Olivia deserved more respect. "She's our step-cousin, and she's not like that."

"So she's ugly."

"No!" All three boys barked in unison.

She waved her hand. "Sounds complicated."

Zach shook his head and rolled his eyes. Because he had chaperones, Max took the game controller Zach handed him. The three played while Erin watched. After she sighed a few times, he quit. Hanging out with her was boring when they weren't kissing.

When he heard his name called down the stairs, he went to find out what his mother wanted, with Erin at his heels.

"Max, hun, will you go pick up Ian? Erin, you can stay with the boys."

"If it's okay, I'll go with Max."

Lois nodded. "Let Ian sit in the front."

Max nodded and held in his reply. Erin complained on the way to the train station. If their school didn't have a December semi formal, he might break up with her, but she already bought a dress. After the new year, he would decide if he still wanted to date her. It wasn't fair to dump her before the holidays.

"Max, Max! You aren't listening to me."

"Sorry. I'm driving."

"I was saying, Maverick is having a party tonight. We have to go!"

"I can't. Ian's coming."

"Won't you see him at Thanksgiving?"

Max had turned into the station. "There he is." He pulled to the curb. Ian opened the back door. "My mom said you should sit up front."

"No big deal. I take cabs. I'm used to the backseat."

Max laughed. "That's what I wanted to say. This is Erin."

Ian said hello. Max talked to Ian about school and his college applications. "You're going to be in school forever!"

It did not deter Max. Once home, all five kids sat in the kitchen and talked. Lois joined in, asking questions. Most kids didn't like to talk to their parents but not Max and Zach.

"Dinner's ready. Let's eat without your dad. You know how hard it is for him to get away before a vacation."

Lois dished out plates of penne and sauce. A big tossed salad and a bowl of meatballs were on the table. They settled at the table while his mother was busy texting by the sink. "Eat."

Zach passed the meatballs to Erin. "Do you like Max balls?"

The other two boys laughed while Zach smiled at his own joke. Erin glared as Max whispered, "Ignore him."

She passed the bowl to him without taking any. Lois said, "I love to hear laughter."

The joking continued through the meal. Ian suggested cards, and they stayed at the table playing. Michael came home and ate at the counter while they played. The game continued until eleven when Michael drove Ian home.

Erin's curfew was midnight. So Max drove Erin home with a stop at the school. Although there were other cars, the parking lot was dark at night. Erin climbed into the backseat. Max had to get out and walk to the backdoor. It wasn't comfortable in the confined area, but they achieved their goal. Max would dump the used condom at home. If Zach found evidence in the car, he would tease him even more and would never sit in the backseat.

No one saw Max when he came home. He finished packing and went to sleep. Even though it was Saturday, they woke early. After a shower, Max was in the car ready to sleep for the drive. The Steeles didn't go to New York as often as his uncle came to Boston.

For the first time, Olivia didn't stop on her way home from camp. They hadn't seen her in five months, and she had grown in some specific ways. She looked like a woman, not a fifteen-year-old.

Within minutes of arriving, they went to the third floor where he and Zach would sleep. There was a choice of sofas and air mattresses. It had the feel of one large slumber party.

Zach said, "Ian met Erin."

"Who's Erin?" Olivia asked.

"Max's girlfriend."

Olivia frowned. "I didn't know."

As Max watched her frown, his heart felt heavy. He hated to make her sad. Why would Erin make her sad? As their stay progressed, Olivia was on his radar. He watched her and smiled when she smiled. She watched him just as much.

When they walked around Times Square, Zach entered the M&M store, but Olivia held back. Zach turned. "What?"

"It's too crowded."

Max whispered, "You don't like crowds?"

She smiled. "No, silly, you don't."

Her words shot through him like a cupid's arrow. Erin never noticed, but Olivia had. He liked to leave the theater last or find a quiet place at crowded parties.

He immediately panicked with his newfound revelation. She was his cousin; he couldn't love her. It was something he felt with his heart, but not his dick. That changed later when she wore a tight sweater. His mother and uncle would kill him if they could read minds.

Olivia wanted them to meet her friends. "You already met Mandy, but Lindy is my best friend in the city."

Zach said, "Mandy and Lindy."

Olivia giggled. "Ian calls them the two Dees."

Zach laughed, but Max waited until Olivia did before he joined in. When she talked to Zach about books, Max sat back and watched her mouth. He remembered how surprised he was when she kissed him. Her lips wouldn't taste like lemon, but he thought of her the last time he had a candy.

Zach whined. "Sounds complicated."

Olivia frowned. "It's not complicated."

Max sat up. "He's just being a jerk."

"I was joking. Max's squeeze says that anytime she wants to change the conversation. No lie, I was talking about how I only eat cereal at night and she said 'sounds complicated' like cereal is complicated."

Olivia looked at Max. "You like her?" He shrugged.

"He likes what he does with her."

Max felt angry and embarrassed Zach said it in front of Livvy. He lashed out. "You're just jealous because you haven't found a girl who, um." He cleared his throat.

Olivia looked sick, and Max regretted his words. Zach stood. "Come on, Livvy, let's leave the jerk alone."

Max hated when they excluded him. Instead of wallowing, he took out his calculus homework. Maybe the problems would make him forget the new feelings he had for Olivia.

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