Looking After Max

The following day, Max tells Finn what happened. The drugs have worn off, but this also means the pain is returning. Finn fusses around Max, helping him dress and ensuring he’s comfortable. James visits and tells Max’s mum how he was not allowed to see Max when she arrived. She wasn’t aware and apologised. But with Finn and James around, Max has plenty of people fussing over him. It feels like he doesn’t need his mother.

A Nasty Tackle by David Heulfryn

Max gives everyone a scare as he is injured on the rugby pitch. James goes with him to the hospital but finds that he can’t stay with him, despite being his boyfriend. Finn waits with James while his parents are with Max as he gets treated. When Max is discharged, Finn helps him at home as the drugs he has taken, while helping with the pain, have made Max very drowsy and dopey.

A Fatherly Talk by David Heulfryn

Finn wakes up at night to the sounds of his parents having sex. The following night the brothers’ father comes into their room to talk to his boys. Their mother is still concerned that the teenagers sometimes share a bed when naked. Although the brother’s love is platonic, they realise it could be misinterpreted. Their Dad also takes the opportunity to talk to his boys about gay sex. It’s nice to see their Dad opening up.

Tantrums and Hormones by David Heulfryn

In search of himself, Finn decides to take a break from his gymnastics club. It goes well when he tells his coach, but it is different when he tries to explain to his Mum. Finn gets emotional and throws a tantrum, behaving like a little kid. Later that night, when talking to Max before falling asleep, Finn says he needs to apologise to their mother. His hormones are beginning to take over.

Insecurities by David Heulfryn

Finn has given up his swimming club and finds that he has more time on his hands. But his best friend isn’t free. Finn realises that his life revolves around his sports clubs and school, and now he has time to think. He doesn’t know what he wants. While he works it all out, Finn decides to be a better friend to Rick. As Max and Finn lie in bed, they talk, and Max helps put things into perspective.

The Best of Brothers by David Heulfryn

Min is a cheeky monkey, and Max is unsure of himself. Hopefully, through this series, both brothers have grown, particularly Max, who has blossomed with the encouragement of his younger brother.

I had initially intended this to be the final part of the series, but something changed, and I needed to carry it on. The brothers have helped me more than you can ever know. Writing about the brothers’ private and intimate conversations is special to me. This was never intended to be a series about sex but about growing and becoming.

Brothers will love each other to the end. Brotherly love is one of the strongest loves of them all. “I love you, Min. And I love you, Max.”

COCKAIGNE UPDATE: For those wondering what is happening in the wonderful world of Cockaigne, the follow-up novel, Discovering Kes, is finished, and I am now editing it. I hope to release it soon.