"So you're moving out of this lads pad then, aye?" Harvey asked with a grin across his face as Max was mimicking the look.
"I thought it was about time. I didn't know how much longer I could deal with these twats." Max teased as he glimpsed over at TJ and Taj who responded with a middle finger gesture.
Even though living with TJ and Taj had been some of the best years of his life, max knew it was the right moment in his life to make the move. He had Brinley to think of and she needed space away from the guys and their crazy antics. In addition, things with Grace were beginning to progress but there was only so much progression that could happen while sharing a house with your two best mates.
"But seriously, I do just think I'm ready for my own space, as much as I love this party palace it's about time." He remarked while chuckling at the nickname their home had been given. It was a very accurate one too as this home had become the life of the party and there really was never a dull moment or silent night.
Although Max loved it and knew that he would miss it, he was also excited to start something new.
"What does Grace think of it all?" Harvey asked, already having his own ideas about the whole situation but wanting to hear it from Max himself.
"She's happy for me, yeah... very. I think there is a high chance that she'll be staying over enough to pay rent." Max joked and that had been exactly what Harvey had presumed.
Max getting his own place wouldn't only be beneficial for him but his relationship with Grace too. They were getting serious and constantly having the guys around wasn't always the best for them. There was never any peace and quiet and they didn't really get any time for themselves but that was all about to change.
"It makes a difference, trust me. It will be really good for you both." Harvey replied and knew himself how beneficial it could actually be. The dynamic between himself and Lottie was totally different when they had their own space.
"We're just going to miss our boy." TJ spoke up as Taj nodded in agreement.
"Yeah man, you're always the party planner. What are we gonna do without you?"
It was a big deal for everyone in this household as things were going to change dramatically. Max had always been known for his party ways and even though him moving out didn't mean that was going to stop, it did mean that it would change.
"I'll just be a phone call away, no need to get soppy about it." Max smirked, just as some footsteps were heard coming down the hall.
It didn't take long for the innocent face of Brinley to appear as she looked around at all the men before her focus zoomed in on her dad.
"Hey baby girl!" Max sang as he opened his arms to his 1 year old daughter.
She did not hesitate and immediately charged for his arms, flinging her body into his. As she landed on his lap, Max immediately began tickling her sides and throwing her up into the air causing her to erupt in fits of laughter.
"Stop, you're going to make her sick." Grace laughed as she entered the room shortly after and said a quick hello to the guys surrounding.
"Nah I'm not, am I Brin?" Max grinned as he continued to throw his laughing daughter around.
"Yes you are!"
As Max finally brought it to a stop and placed Brinley back down on the ground to also greet the guys, he turned his attention back on Grace.
"You're just jealous it's not you." He teased as she rolled her eyes back at him.
"No I'm not."
Although it wasn't true, she did feel desperate to be in his presence right now. She was utterly exhausted and fed from the day she had experienced so had been dying to get round here to see him.
"Come here." Max urged as he now held his arms out towards Grace.
Not wasting anytime, Grace let herself be guided down onto Max's lap, before she immediately wrapped her arms around his chest and buried her head into it too. Although the room was currently full of his friends, all she wanted to do was cuddle into him and pretend that none of them were there.
"You alright?" He mumbled as he pressed his lips to her forehead.
She wasn't. She felt far from it but although no one in the room was currently listening to them, it was still difficult to have any kind of real conversation with him right now.
"I'm just exhausted... and I hate work... I hate being back so much."
Max knew that was playing on her mind and had been since she went back at the beginning of the week. It was very rare to see Grace show nerves but the night before had been hard to miss and they had continued for the rest of this week too.
She had been off for so long, living in her little bubble at home with Brinley. However, now she was having to leave their daughter to go back to a job that she absolutely hated every single day. It wasn't how she wanted to be spending her days but she knew that she had to.
"Was it bad today?" Max asked as his hand ran up and down her back in a soothing motion.
"Yeah, I just hate it and I know I sound pathetic because it's a job but still..."
Wrapping his arms around Grace's body, Max then urged her more tightly into him. His warm and reassuring embrace was all she needed right now. Even though it didn't change her situation, it was the one thing that made her feel ten times better.
It was weird for Grace to suddenly allow herself to rely on another person. She had always been so independent and insisted she would never show vulnerabilities to another human being. However, it had been so different with Max and she was always more than happy to rely on him in these sensitive situations.
She had developed a love for this boy that she did not know existed and it was something she didn't want to ever let go of.
"Why don't you go and sleep for a bit? I'll look after Brin." Max muttered as he ran his thumb along the side of her face and guided it to look his way.
"No... no it's fine. I'm okay. I want to stay here." Grace replied, which was true but it wasn't because she didn't want to sleep.
Her job wasn't the only thing on her mind, there were other major things too and they were causing her that much stress that being alone didn't sound so appealing. Instead, she would rather remain here, laying in his arms where she could fall asleep knowing that she wasn't alone.
She would fall asleep in peace because of her boyfriend's protective embrace and it was one which she hoped would last forever... regardless of the situation they could find themselves in.
...
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