“Max. Seriously, I'm not joking. I'm not driving you anywhere,” Steve exclaimed, trying desperately to keep the redhead away from any more trouble. Max was already halfway out the door, Walkman dangling around her neck.
“If you think I'm going to spend what is likely the last day of my life in the armpit that is Mike Wheeler's basement, you're out of your mind. Either take me where I need to go or tie me down, which is technically kidnapping of a minor,” she said with a sarcastically pained smile. “If I live to see another day, Steve, I swear to God, I will prosecute. Open the door.”
“Uh, no,” he said, standing his ground.
Max crossed her arms. “I know a good lawyer.”
Steve stared at her, thinking through his options as her blue eyes bore into his head. God, these stupid little shits were his weakness. He opened the car door.
–
Jiggling his knee, Steve furiously checked his watch every two seconds. The sun was lowering and Nancy and Robin still hadn’t radioed about where Nance’s hunch had led them. They had to go.
“All right, it's been long enough,” he broke the silence, hopping out of the car.
“Steve, just give her some time,” Dustin said sympathetically.
“I have, all right? I'm calling it. She wants to get a lawyer, she can.” he declared, and climbed the hill towards the gravestones.
–
Steve had no idea why he was called to the Wheelers. Dustin had radioed and said Max had an urgent matter they needed to attend to, but Steve had no clue what the kid meant.
Nevertheless, he entered the house and made his way to the basement. On the couch sat Max and a well-dressed man wearing sunglasses. Inside.
Weird, Steve thought. Then he noticed the white cane leaning against the arm of the couch. Ok, slightly less weird, but still. Is this some bad government trap?
The man stood up and held out his hand for Steve to shake. “Matthew Murdock of Nelson, Murdock, and Page. You must be Mr. Harrington.”
Steve took his hand hesitantly. “Hi, yes. Um, sorry man, no offense, but why are you here?” He turned to Max and mouthed, “Are you replacing me?!”
Matt grinned a bit and Steve swore the lawyer had heard him.
“What!?” Max mouthed back with accusatory eyes. Standing up to join them, she said, “Steve, Matt is here to talk about last week? Remember? I told you I was going to get a lawyer.”
Oh shit. The driving trip. Was he going to jail for child endangerment? Kidnapping? Why did he always have to be the goddamn babysitter!
“Woah, Max. Are you serious? My hair won’t survive jail!”
“It’s okay, Mr. Harrington. My client and I just wanted to ask you a few questions about the nature of your apprehension towards trusting her ideas. She will need, in writing, your full cooperation in future endeavors, as she just simply knows better than you. Her words, not mine,” Matt added.
Steve looked from Matt to Max and back to Matt. “I’m not following.”
Look, Mr. Harrington, I’m going to be straight with you. If you do not agree with these terms, we will have to press charges.”
Steve let out a pained sigh, letting the situation wash over him. He should’ve known this would happen. Max would be one to keep her word.
“Alright, kid, let’s get this over with. Do you have a pen?”
There was a pause, and then Max burst out laughing.
“Oh my god, you should’ve seen your face!” she said, tears streaming down her face. Even Matt broke into a wide smile. Steve was very confused.
“Wait, what? You’re not pressing charges?” he exclaimed.
“No, dummy! I wanted to screw with you, lighten the mood of the past week. You wouldn’t last a day in jail,” explained Max, chuckling.
Steve was still in shock. “Matt, are you even a lawyer?”
“Yeah, but Max is just a family friend. Thought it would be fun,” The lawyer laughed, handing over his card. “If you ever need an attorney, call me. Seriously, this town is more messed up than Hell’s Kitchen, and that’s saying something.”
Steve took it apprehensively. “Max Mayfield, you are so dead!”
Max shrieked happily, and ran up the stairs as Steve barreled after her.