Good Guys Don't Date Bad Boys

Chapter Forty-Two -- Meeting The Future In-Laws

Maddox couldn't tear his eyes away as he watched Jonathan elegantly dismounting, as if he was starring in a movie about the wealthy offspring of an affluent family... which he totally was, of course. For Jonathan, this wasn't a role; it was his life, and seeing him here, at his parents' home, made the picture complete.

Jonathan smiled at him as he took off the riding hat and tried to civilize his hair. Maddox smirked and walked over to him. It was a real pleasure to run his hands through Jonathan's usually neat hair that was now tousled and displayed a tiny bit of rebellion in the making.

"What?" Jonathan asked and cleared his throat, after a few moments spent staring into each other's eyes.

"Did I already do this?" Maddox leaned in and brushed his lips against Jonathan's. A small, soft sound escaped from that beautiful mouth and told him his attentions were much appreciated.

"A reminder is always nice," Jonathan replied. He was the one to lean forward now, eager for another kiss.

Maddox let his arms slide around Jonathan's waist. It felt good to have him so close again. Jonathan appeared to think the same as he moved his hands around Maddox's neck, pressing his thumbs right under the earlobes. Maddox appreciated the thought, and especially how firm Jonathan's touch was.

"Ahem," someone said loudly, startling them.

They didn't pull away from each other, though, their only compromise was stopping their kiss. Maddox saw the butler's wrinkled face lit up by a big smile as he took them in.

"Maddox, this is Mr. Simmons," Jonathan was the first to speak, stuttering in the most adorable manner, but without moving his hands away from Maddox's neck.

"We met," the butler confirmed. "I'm the one who gave him the UTV."

"Of course, of course," Jonathan said quickly and bit his bottom lip. "How is Rusty doing?" he asked, only then realizing that they had both forgotten they were supposed to rush to their friend's assistance.

"Entertaining your parents, I believe."

"Oh," Jonathan managed.

"Nothing outrageous, I suppose," Simmons said. "Although he has a tendency to put his hands everywhere." The old man gestured vaguely. "He's probably giving your mother a surge of emotion by examining some old vase from too up close right now."

Maddox decided it was a good moment to intervene. "That's Rusty for you. He never keeps his hands to himself, but he's a good guy, I swear."

"Well, I hope he breaks that ugly old thing," Simmons murmured under his breath and shuddered in feigned disgust.

"What old thing?" Jonathan asked.

"Nothing, nothing, don't pay me any mind," Simmons replied brightly. "I was ordered to bring you, along with the tea."

"I need to get out of these clothes first," Jonathan said.

"I'll help," Maddox added brightly.

The old butler quirked an eyebrow. "You're only allowed to wash your hands," he said promptly.

"But--" Jonathan tried to reason.

"Your father promised that he would fire me today if I failed to bring you as quickly as possible. For all I know, it could already be too late."

Jonathan groaned, apparently not in the least disturbed by the prospect of losing Simmons. "All right, we're coming. Just let me take Asta back."

"Very well," Simmons acquiesced. "But don't take long."

"This dude's a slave driver, isn't he?" Maddox murmured as he followed Jonathan into the stables.

"I heard that," the butler said affably.

"And I see no sign of failing hearing," Maddox said under his breath, as well.

Jonathan was smiling at their exchange. "Don't worry, Maddox. Mr. Simmons must like you very much. He doesn't lend his noble steed, and by that I mean the vehicle you used, to just anyone."

"I'll take that," Maddox admitted.

***

Jonathan had an inkling that it was only Mr. Simmons's wish to whisk them away like that, not even allowing him to get out of his riding clothes. But he had proven quite rebellious in front of his parents by their standards and, now that Maddox was here, he wanted nothing else but for them to like him. It was a sort of secret wish, and he could live without their approval of Maddox, of course, but it would be nice to have it.

They both hurried after the impatient butler, who certainly didn't look his age by how fast he sprinted in front of them, balancing the tea tray with flawless professionalism, as usual.

"Now I'm starting to get Rusty's fears about drinking tea," Maddox whispered.

"What fears are those?" Jonathan asked.

Maddox didn't get a chance to reply because they appeared to have arrived at their destination. The double doors to the living room opened wide, and Jonathan stopped for a moment, confused, just as Maddox was. The musical notes of what could only be interpreted as someone vocalizing poured out of the room. Only that it was a male voice... and, of course, it dawned on him.

The surprise wasn't that Rusty was doing his best to attack impossible notes, but his mom, who unceremoniously grabbed the college kid's cheeks and forced them apart. "Stick your tongue out more, let it all flow," she ordered.

Rusty was already leaning back in fear, grimacing in every possible way. That was no impediment to Jonathan's mother, of course, who seemed keen on making him bend to her will.

"Don't act so weak," she chastised him. "You must be over six and a half feet tall. Your voice must come out a lot more powerfully than this. I'm not even a vocal coach, and I can count ten different mistakes you make."

Jonathan hurried toward his mom. "Ahem," he cleared his throat, "mom, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Maddox."

She turned her attention to him with her eyebrows raised and released Rusty from her clutches. The poor thing walked backward quickly, rubbing his cheeks and staring at her, all wide-eyed, as if she was going to attack him again at any moment now.

Jonathan took Maddox by the shoulders and gave a strained smile to his mom. Somehow, he felt that her opinion mattered more than his dad's. She zeroed in on Maddox, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm Francine," she said and offered him her hand, "Jonathan's mother." She let the last word drop as if it weighed a ton.

Maddox shook the offered hand with a straight face. "Nice to meet you, Francine. I'm Maddox, Jonathan's boyfriend." He spoke in the same manner as she had, emphasizing the last word.

The two opposing sides stared at each other for a moment, neither of them breaking the handshake, as if they needed time to assess each other. In the end, it was Jonathan's mom who withdrew her hand. Then, she turned her eyes to her son. "He's awfully pretty, isn't he?"

Jonathan twisted his tongue into a knot in an effort to keep quiet.

"Mrs. H, I assure you," Maddox said with the most dazzling smile Jonathan had ever seen, "I'm more than just a pretty face."

"I'll vouch for that," Rusty added. Somehow, he had ended up behind the sofa and appeared to consider himself safe there. "He can touch his nose with his tongue."

"No, I can't," Maddox contradicted his friend.

"Oh, yeah, that's me," Rusty agreed and began demonstrating that particular skill.

Jonathan pretended to be suddenly fascinated by an invisible crack in the ceiling. His mom didn't seem taken aback by Rusty's antics, however.

"Can you also sing?" Francine asked, examining Maddox with interest. Then, turning toward Rusty. "Not that you can, dear. There's a mountain to climb until you get anywhere near that destination."

Jonathan considered it a good moment to interrupt. "Mom, Rusty has a wonderful voice."

Francine smiled, all-knowingly. "A so-called diamond in the rough has no value and no room to be displayed for people to see. It needs a lot of work first."

Jonathan groaned. "That was a compliment, Rusty, trust me."

"Taken," Rusty agreed, with one hand up, after giving up on forcing his tongue out and up toward the tip of his nose.

"Tea is served, madam," Mr. Simmons intervened.

"Can I skip the tea?" Rusty asked, with his hand still up.

"No. Simmons, I'm sure, bent over backwards to make it," Francine said in an airy tone.

Hmm, Jonathan thought as he examined his mom briefly. That was a joke, which meant she was pleased.

"Don't stand over there, come sit here," she ordered Rusty, who had no choice but to obey the order and walk around the couch to sit by her side.

She said nothing while she poured each one a cup and handed the tea around. Rusty sniffed his cup and made a face but smiled broadly right away. "Smells like rich people's tea," he said.

Jonathan grinned and watched his mother's reaction. Francine, however, seemed perfectly undisturbed, as if she was accustomed to treating college kids to tea every day. "So," she started, "what are your intentions with my Jonathan, Maddox?"

"They're of the best kind," Maddox replied, without flinching.

"Mom, let's not make this awkward. Don't interrogate Maddox like this."

"Ah, I see. What do you two have to hide?"

"Nothing," Jonathan said defensively. She was an expert at dragging defensiveness out of him. Now, it seemed as if there was something to hide.

"Mrs. Hamilton--" Maddox began.

"Francine, please. No need for formalities since you're interested in becoming one of us."

"Mother," Jonathan said a bit more pointedly to draw her attention.

"Maddox and Jonathan did it," Rusty blurted out while fidgeting nervously in his place. "I mean, they're in love and all that. I can sing at the wedding."

The strange outburst from Rusty seemed enough to redirect the eye of Sauron. Francine turned toward the troublemaker. "You'll sing at the wedding if I approve."

"Maddox is just my boyfriend," Jonathan decided that he needed to get the conversation back on a normal track. "Let's not jump the shark here, all right?"

"Ah, and I thought this impromptu visit had a somewhat romantic reason behind it," Francine said and sipped from her cup.

"We're too young for that, don't you think?" Jonathan hurried to say.

"So, romance is for old people nowadays?" Francine asked.

"We're practical people," Maddox intervened. "First, we need to finish our studies."

"I see," Francine said.

"And get jobs," Maddox added. "And get to know each other a bit more."

"So, you're not sure," Francine concluded. "That means that Jonathan can remain open to other prospects."

Jonathan leaned forward, ready to contradict his mother, but Maddox was faster. "I'm completely sure. I just wanted you to know I'm responsible. But, heck, I guess there's no point in hiding it. I'm here so that we can announce our engagement."

That bombshell seemed enough to render his mother speechless for a moment. "Engagement? When did this happen?" Her inquisitive eyes rested on Jonathan again.

"It didn't," Jonathan decided to stop the madness. His mom and Maddox were like two poker players trying to bluff each other out of the hand. "We're taking things as they come. I assure you that I'm not interested in other prospects," he said the word and a tiny scoff for good measure, "and that Maddox is the one and only for me."

"Same here, not in so many words," Maddox chimed in.

"Can I sing at the engagement party?" Rusty intervened with a question of his own.

Good thing his dad walked in at that very moment. Usually, it wasn't the kind of thing Jonathan was looking forward to, but his mom needed to be stopped somehow.

***

Maddox tried to maintain a reassuring smile the entire time, especially when Jonathan was looking at him, but on the inside, he was wound tight as a spring. Jonathan's mom was a tough cookie, for sure, examining him with those unnerving eyes that looked exactly like his boyfriend's. It was clear as day for anyone who looked that Jonathan took after her. The same aristocratic nose, the same slight frown, were shared by both mother and son, only softer in her. However, while Jonathan had a certain wariness he carried like a cloak, Francine Hamilton was the picture of self-assurance.

Therefore, he had no idea if he was even ready to meet Mr. Hamilton, now that he had met his wife. If she was a force to be reckoned with, how much of a hard-ass was he?

No time like the present to face his future in-laws, it seemed, because the doors opened, admitting a man in his fifties with a sour expression on his face. While his shoulders were stooped by age, he had a commanding presence, and Maddox could totally see where Jonathan picked up some of his mannerisms.

"We have guests, my dear," Francine said in a suave tone, offering Maddox a sly smile.

Oh, so now she was eagerly waiting to see how he would fare against the big boss. Well, he was ready, as much as that mattered. Without waiting for another cue, he jumped to his feet and hurried toward Mr. Hamilton with his arm extended. "I'm Maddox Kingsley, sir, Jonathan's--"

"Boyfriend," Mr. Hamilton completed his sentence and shook his hand very briefly. "Of your friend," he gestured vaguely at Rusty, "I'm already aware."

Rusty grimaced like a kid caught doing something frowned upon and put his cup on the saucer on the table using both hands with infinite, comical, care.

Mr. Hamilton sat opposite him, which gave Maddox free rein to watch his opponent's every move. Jonathan was the only one still standing, and it didn't look like his parents were bothered by that in the least.

"Have you seen the Kincaids out, dear?" Francine asked and sipped her tea. Rusty was watching her with disturbing intensity. Maddox barely kept himself from leaning over and slapping his friend upside the head. After all, he had dragged Rusty there, and Rusty was Rusty, regardless of circumstances. Something told him that it would do the Hamiltons a bit of good to see someone so out of their social circle drinking tea in their giant living room.

"Of course," Mr. Hamilton replied, his eyes never leaving Maddox. Maybe the man expected him to squirm under that scrutinizing gaze. No luck there, though. Maddox was sure he was the picture of chillaxation, without looking too loose-limbed. "They were disappointed that they didn't have a proper chance to say goodbye. To you and Jonathan." For a fraction of a second, Mr. Hamilton turned his hawk-like eyes to his son.

By how Jonathan straightened up and cleared his throat, that was some kind of scolding. The Kincaids, right. Those were Drew's parents, plus the asshole. Good thing they were gone.

"We've said enough goodbyes to one another to last us a lifetime," Francine said and smiled.

Her husband didn't appear particularly pleased with her reply but said nothing. Then, his attention turned to Maddox. "So, Maddox, what do your parents do?"

"They run a construction company together. My oldest brother, Vern, is mostly in charge now, and whenever we have the time, the rest of us help."

"How so?" Mr. Hamilton asked.

Maddox took a look at his hands. Jonathan had told him that he loved his hands. "I work on site, depending on the project. Yes, I'm talking about the grunt work," he said without hesitation. He had no reason to pretend to be someone else.

"You're majoring in--" Mr. Hamilton changed tack.

"Economics," he supplied.

Mr. Hamilton nodded. "Jonathan says you're doing well in school."

There was no question mark anywhere, so Maddox didn't say anything, waiting for more than that.

"He used to be the king of Sunny Hill. Now I'm the king," Rusty broke the unnerving silence.

This time, Maddox moved one foot and kicked Rusty in the shin, hopefully quick enough that no one would notice. Rusty gave him a panicked glance.

"Is this title related to some popularity contest?" Mr. Hamilton asked.

"Obviously," Francine said, although the question couldn't have been directed at her. "Today, our son brought home two handsome young men. This one," she pointed at Rusty, "even shows some promise. You'll listen to him sing later."

"Oh," Mr. Hamilton replied and frowned. "What kind of promise do you show, Maddox?"

Maddox was about to start selling himself hard, when Jonathan intervened. "He's a good man, and that's not a promise, it's a reality," he said sharply.

The tone of his voice must have been unusual because both his parents strained their necks to glare at him. However, Jonathan, although still a bit disheveled from his earlier ride and Maddox's kiss, stood his ground. "That is the most important thing I care about. If you don't approve of Maddox, say it now. I've discovered recently that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, so--"

Mr. Hamilton interrupted. "No need for dramatics, Jonathan. Your friends are welcome for as long as they wish to stay. As for your future, which seems so cloudy to you at the moment, we will speak of at length once you can spare a moment for us to talk alone."

Was that it? If the way Francine offered her husband a cup of tea and steered the conversation toward some generic topics was any indication, so it seemed. Maddox had to admit that he was a bit disappointed, seeing how he had been so valiantly prepared to go to war with the final boss.

***

"Rusty, I'm so going to kill you," Maddox groaned as soon as they were out of the room.

"Sorry, man, I got nervous and shit," Rusty replied. "Hamilton, dude, your folks are downright scary."

"You've seen nothing, Rusty, trust me," Jonathan decided to pour some more gasoline over the fire.

"For real? Ah, man, this is like the weirdest winter break ever," Rusty complained.

Rusty was right, of course. His parents were difficult to talk to and kept to themselves and whoever they considered their own. Jonathan stole a glance at Maddox, waiting to see the first signs of disappointment. But Maddox just looked back and hooked one arm over his shoulders. "What do you think, babe? Did I knock them off their feet or what?"

Jonathan let out a sigh of relief. "Totally. But you know it doesn't matter, right?"

"Did I get you in trouble by saying that you two did it?" Rusty intervened.

"I'm sure they have no doubts about the 'doing it' part," Jonathan said. "After that whole thing with Drew--" He swallowed his words.

"Who's Drew?" Rusty asked. "Did you do it with him, too?"

Maddox took both of them by surprise by swatting Rusty upside the head. "That's none of your business, dude."

"All right, all right. But I was just trying to help."

"Really?" Maddox asked, still keeping one hand wrapped tightly around the back of Rusty's neck.

"Yeah. I mean, these dudes are really old-fashioned, right? Sorry, Jonathan."

"No worries," Jonathan said and bit his bottom lip trying hard not to laugh. He had a feeling Rusty held the key to rattling his parents' conservative ways.

"So, if they find out that you two did it, they'll pull a shotgun wedding on you. Problem solved," Rusty offered in what seemed to be quite a serious tone.

"We're not at some redneck ranch, Rusty," Maddox insisted and shook his friend by the neck hard enough to earn a heartfelt 'ouch' from him. "These guys might sue me for millions for taking Jonathan's V-card."

"V-card?" Rusty perked up right away.

"Shut up, you ass," Maddox said quickly and threw a guilty look at Jonathan.

Jonathan kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Well, for all that's worth, it went better than expected. Mr. Simmons is readying your rooms. And truly, you two can stay for as long as you want."

"Can we stay for Christmas? Will we get some really cool expensive gifts? Like a Ferrari or something?" Rusty asked, bouncing up and down on his feet, regardless of how Maddox tried to keep him still.

"My parents don't know you that well yet," Jonathan played along with the joke. "Maybe next year, who knows? But Rusty, how come you sang in front of my mom? I thought it was a very well-guarded secret."

"I had no idea what to do. And I touched the piano, and your mom thought I was not all here," Rusty pointed at his temple, "so she might have wanted to calm me down by playing that huge thing, so I thought that I had no choice but to sing, shock her with my uncanny abilities, and then... well, it wasn't like I had a plan or anything. The moment I started singing, she jumped up from behind the piano and started shouting all kinds of things at me."