CHAPTER 471: MAXWELL, THE ANDY EXPERT

It was clear that Noah had been keeping himself together through sheer will until Andrew showed his face because he gradually began to collapse in on himself after that. It was like watching a tower slowly fall over as he collapsed in on himself, ending up on the couch, slumped.

Nicole’s fiancé didn’t stop crying and so he was comforted. Wrapped in a blanket, he was comforted and gently put to bed in the second bedroom. Amir, Luis, Ford and Jenny tending to him as the sound of sobs could be heard through the door.

It was heartbreaking to hear, especially since most of the people standing around knew that there was more to the story than she was ’fine’. Andrew knew that she would recover faster as soon as he was at her side. There was no doubt in his mind.

He just hoped that she would be able to see him tomorrow.

Noah was a different case. He wouldn’t be put to bed in any context of the word. He was falling into how much alcohol he had drunk, but he wasn’t ready for bed. He was blabbering to Andrew, saying things that Andrew couldn’t understand or didn’t have the context for. There was a part of Andrew that wanted to film him, or record him just to see if Noah would be able to offer up some clarification about what he said last night in the morning.

He thought it was a funny idea. Even voiced it to the group that remained. Maxwell had absolutely vetoed it in a heartbeat.

"You wouldn’t like it, why are you even suggesting it, Andrew?" The fact that Maxwell gave him the full name treatment told him that Maxwell hated the idea. There was also the unamused look on his face that sold his feelings on the issue further.

Andrew was happy to stay and comfort Noah. He wanted to stay and help soothe them. After all, that was the whole reason that Noah turned to him for help. He wanted to be someone that they could rely on. At the same time, there was a small kernel of desire for Andrew to be back home instead of remaining here. That was followed up by a large kernel of guilt and anxiety.

Andrew knew that he was a ticking time bomb of a sort. He had pushed dealing with everything that he had encountered back so that he could be the person that everyone needed at the mansion. The strong man, separate from the true alpha aspect that everyone else saw, but just the Andrew that he had always been. He had made sure that he could do the hard part where others couldn’t.

Was that something to be proud of? Andrew was pretty sure it was. It was something that he always got praised for when he was younger, and even now. Maxwell had praised him. But, Andrew was also aware that his body had changed and it appeared he wasn’t as strong as he always thought it was.

So maybe it was to be expected that at some point May came over and placed her hands on Andrew’s shoulders, forcing Andrew to turn and look at her. She looked tired, but determined.

"We’ve got this, Andy. You should get going. Maxy’s already told me that he is going to call in for work tomorrow, and given that it’s almost the holidays I don’t think anyone will mind. Go. Rest. Noah is in good hands. I’m surprisingly adept at dealing with those who’re drunk." It could have felt like her scolding him if it wasn’t for the kind look in her gaze.

Andrew swallowed, his hands clenching on Noah’s shoulders. The man was barely even aware that Andrew was sitting next to him. Would it make a difference if he was here or not? Andrew’s heart was torn.

"Andy...you’re exhausted. You need to get to bed." Maxwell’s soft words washed over him and Andrew closed his eyes. Maxwell was pleading with him to go home. He was being kind, and had probably sent May over first.

The soft sound of Nicole’s fiancé still crying from the spare room made Andrew wince. He felt so responsible, like he had to be here. He had helped make this mess, Noah had even called him in to help clean it up. It didn’t feel right to leave.

"Andy. Please. Your eyes are bloodshot. You need to go to bed." Maxwell’s voice cracked and that was what did it.

Andrew’s shoulders slumped before he opened his eyes and looked up at May and Maxwell.

"What if they need me?" Andrew asked and May’s eyes softened.

"You’re a phone call away, and they have us to tend to them in the meantime. They’ll be fine. You, however, need some TLC that I can’t give you, and from someone who doesn’t like an audience." May told him and Andrew glanced towards Maxwell.

Maxwell’s expression was awash with concern and a fierce thread of determination that told Andrew that no matter what, at this point, Maxwell was not going to take no even if Andrew forced the issue. He didn’t want to argue with him, especially since Maxwell only started to look at him like that after he’d been here for a while.

What purpose was Andrew serving while he was here right now? Nothing, as far as Andrew was concerned. As he thought, Noah didn’t even really notice that it was Andrew at his side or someone else. He could check on them in the morning, as well as the other omegas.

Andrew stood up slowly, making sure Noah didn’t fall over. He slumped back against the couch, muttering to himself more than to anyone else and Andrew sighed. It was horrible to see him like this. He felt a little bit guilty that the others had seen Andrew like this before.

Glancing around the room once he was on his feet, he could tell how the others had made themselves at home while they were here. Ben had set up a little work station at the kitchen bar, Thomas was working away beside him. He had no idea what the father and son were working on, but it was clear that it was important. Kim was speaking in hushed tones on her phone nearby, and Ford was moving in between the spare room and the kitchen. Either updating everyone, or grabbing things for the others helping Nicole’s fiancé.

It was a shame that Andrew hadn’t even gotten his name. He would make sure to do so tomorrow.

Andrew closed his eyes and sighed again.

"This is so upsetting that this is happening before your family’s party, Max. Can’t they let us have one good thing?" Andrew muttered bitterly and Maxwell’s hand reached out, taking Andrew’s hand in his own.

"They have taken nothing from us and given away a lot of themselves. We’ll probably still go forward with the party. Mom and Dad already had it planned, and we have a team they can fall back on for the final details. Mom hasn’t had to deal with the little things in years, Andrew. They practically just get to attend the parties now as guests." Maxwell assured him and Andrew opened his eyes to meet Maxwell’s blue gaze.

Maxwell was urging him to stop asking questions, stop dawdling, and just get them the fuck home. Andrew sighed again.

"Okay." He agreed reluctantly and Maxwell wasted not a moment more. He tugged Andrew along, getting him dressed, his shoes on and didn’t even let him say goodbye before he had him the elevator and heading down to their car.

"I’ll drive. I don’t think you should be behind the wheel right now." Maxwell told him firmly and Andrew chuckled.

"I’m fine." Andrew said and received a scathing look.

"You are not fine, if you say that to me again, I’m going to bite your head off." Maxwell warned and Andrew blinked. He was...fine. He was. He wasn’t good, but he was fine. However, it appeared as if Maxwell didn’t want to hear it, so Andrew shut up. He followed the man to their car, at least opening the door for Maxwell before going to the passenger side of the car, hands up since Maxwell was glaring at him so seriously.

It would have been funny if Maxwell wasn’t so serious.

It was only when Andrew was away from everyone, the sky dark as Maxwell drove him that he realised how much his hands were shaking. He had thought he had done a good job hiding it, but from the few glances that Maxwell was casting him, that wasn’t the case.

They didn’t speak about it until they got home, and as soon as the garage door closed Maxwell turned off the car, slamming the door open and climbing out. He didn’t even wait, he went to Andrew’s side, yanking the door open before he wrapped his arms around Andrew’s shoulders, pulling him against Maxwell.

"You did enough." Maxwell’s voice was firm. "You did more than enough. Now come here, get some rest. You can do all of the hard things tomorrow, but you need to rest." Andrew was at a loss for a few seconds before he felt his eyes begin to water. His hands reached up, sliding over Maxwell’s thick coat before he yanked the smaller man against him. Maxwell’s knee came dangerously close to the family goods as he stumbled, trying to support himself as Andrew sunk into him.

Andrew sniffed, inhaling Maxwell’s scent without much regard for decorum now that he was away from everyone. Maxwell let out a soft sigh.

"This is why I wanted you away from everyone." Maxwell muttered. "You looked like you were holding yourself together with hope and a prayer. You don’t need to do that here." Andrew just nodded, taking Maxwell’s criticism to heart.

After all, Maxwell was right. How many times had Andrew hoped that he could just go home and immerse himself in Maxwell to get himself through that nightmare? And yet, when the time came to leave, he had dragged his feet.

What a damn idiot.

Andrew gave a soft chuckle before he squeezed Maxwell a little tighter, holding him against him for a moment longer before he released him. Maxwell looked confused when Andrew pushed him away gently, but Andrew cleared it up quickly.

"I want you out of that." Andrew told him, his pheromones leaking out of him. Maxwell’s gaze widened, before he nodded, reaching down to tug on Andrew’s hand.

"Come on then. I’m not getting into the shower alone." Maxwell said, and Andrew followed the man into the house. Honestly, Maxwell should have just told him that from the start.

Andrew would have left in a heartbeat.