The Maxwell Series Boxed Set - Books 4-6

by Alexander, S. B.

  Mr. Robinson checked on me one more time. “You’re going to do great.”

  From where I sat, the crowd was on my left, and I couldn’t exactly see Kody until he brought his mic closer to the piano along with a barstool.

  “Don’t look at the room,” Kody said, settling into his seat directly across from me. It looked as though he was sitting on top of the piano. “Look at me if you have to.”

  If I were going to play and sing, then I had to be in my zone exactly like that night at The Cave when I’d sung a Sarah McLachlan song. Head down, fingers on the keys, and just get lost in the lyrics.

  Kody nodded as he strummed two chords. Then I pressed on the keys. The voices quieted as I shifted my glance between Kody and the piano. Both of us kept playing, but no words were coming out of my mouth. Kody cocked his head as he started the second line of the song. “Let’s catch fireflies in my backyard.” He nodded at me once again.

  Singing in the confines of Mr. Robinson’s basement was one thing. In front of a large crowd, it was nail-biting. I drew in a large breath and began with the third line. “Let’s feel the rush of the wind at our faces. Let’s take a chance on us.” That last part resonated so deeply as I fixated on Kody. Instead of “let’s take a chance on us,” I should have been singing, “let’s be frightened together.” Nevertheless, my fingers cooperated as the words flowed out of my mouth. Before I’d even belted out the end, the crowd was applauding. When I finished with “dare me to live again,” the room became deafening.

  I didn’t know if I would ever get used to playing or singing in front of so many people, but one thing was certain—I wanted to give everything I had to singing if it meant I could see the smile on Kody’s face each and every time.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kody

  A week and a half had passed since I almost declared my love for Jessie in the bathroom at Rumors. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell her. The trepidation that had been written all over her face had stopped me in my tracks, mainly because I hadn’t wanted to scare her away. Hell, I had scared the heck out of myself when the words sat on the tip of my tongue, even more so after she’d sung. She had that raspy voice that made my insides do back handsprings over and over again. I would guess the club-goers felt something too since they had given her a standing ovation along with Mr. Robinson. It was a no-brainer that his partner would also love “Dare to Live.”

  Since that night, we hadn’t spent any time with each other. Jessie had picked up extra shifts at the hospital, so her time had been limited, and when she wasn’t working, she was sleeping. We did talk on the phone, and every fiber in me wanted to slip into her bed, but I nixed that idea. I wasn’t sure what I would do if I ran into Donovan. I had, however, asked her for Donovan’s number. He needed to pick up his Harley. My old man wasn’t complaining, but I was. Every time I walked into the garage and saw the hunk of metal, I wanted to smash it, particularly since he hadn’t made an attempt to apologize to my mom. That was bugging the fuck out of me. I couldn’t try to settle anything with the asshole if he wasn’t man enough to say he was sorry. Sure, I wanted to be an adult like Lowell had suggested. I wanted to make Jessie happy.

  She knew it took two to make things work. Yet she wasn’t willing to give me his phone number. “I don’t want Mack coming over to your house alone,” she’d said. “I don’t trust the both of you together.”

  I didn’t blame her. I couldn’t promise her I wouldn’t get into a brawl with Donovan. I certainly wouldn’t start anything, but if he threw the first punch, all bets were off. Nevertheless, I’d promised her that I would let him know he needed to pick up his Harley when my parents returned, and nothing more. So she acquiesced.

  My dad had the keys to the Harley, anyway. He’d said that if Donovan wanted his bike, he had to wait until they returned. Dad didn’t want us tearing each other’s heads off. I hadn’t argued.

  Not surprising, when I’d called Donovan, all I’d gotten was voice mail.

  Releasing the nozzle on the hose, I wiped the sweat off my forehead. The humidity had been unbearable the last few days. I was just about to continue hosing the soap off my truck, when a car came down the driveway, the engine growing louder.

  My dad parked one car length away from my truck, then he and Mom got out. My mom had gone with him on a business trip to Arizona for the last week. She appeared refreshed and relaxed, with more color to her face, as though she’d been basking in the hot Arizona sun, which I imagined she had while my dad attended his conference.

  I grabbed one of the suitcases out of the trunk before Mom kissed me on the cheek and vanished into the house. “Mom seems more relaxed. You, however, don’t.”

  Dad loosened his tie. “Conferences always zap the wind out of me, especially with the time change.”

  I set the suitcase on the ground. “I’ll get you a beer.” I darted into the garage and snagged two beers out of the fridge.

  Dad followed me then took a bottle, twisted off the cap, and chugged. “Nothing like the first sip of a cold beer on a hot day.”

  I raised my bottle to him. “Cheers.” I also drank a few gulps. After I finished washing my truck, I was planning to jump in the lake. “Dad, I know you’re tired, but can we chat for a minute?”

  He pressed the cold bottle of beer to his face. A road map of lines and wrinkles traveled around his eyes and forehead. “Of course.”

  The last week with no one around had given me time to think about Jessie and me. I couldn’t get past Donovan and how he was a part of Jessie’s life. More than that, I was scared out of my fucking mind that Jessie would be taken away from me like Mandy had. Sure, I’d told her I would fight for her, but I couldn’t fight with fate. Yet the woman made my heart race, my palms sweat, and my stomach a roller coaster of emotions.

  “I’m afraid of my feelings for Jessie,” I said.

  Dad gave me one of his fatherly looks as he studied me. “What exactly are you afraid of?”

  Me. Her. Donovan. I glanced at the Harley.

  My dad followed my line of sight. “Because of Mack?”

  I lifted a shoulder. “He is in her life, and he’s also in love with her.”

  He scratched his chin. “Is she in love with him?”

  I shook my head. “She isn’t. My problem is I can’t take seeing Donovan around her. More so because of what he did to me in high school.”

  Dad took a swig of his beer. “Is Mack the only problem you’re having? Or are you worried Jessie might end up like Mandy since she rides a motorcycle too?”

  My mouth opened slightly, then I closed it. I shouldn’t have been surprised. After all, my dad was a psychiatrist, and an extremely intelligent and perceptive individual. Besides, my fear wasn’t a secret. I just hadn’t broached the topic with my dad. In fact, I’d hardly discussed much with my dad since I’d had Dr. Davis to talk to in the past. At the time, my dad had recommended someone other than him to talk to. He’d felt that an unbiased person, one who wasn’t a family member, would help me to open up more. Looking back, I had to agree. It had taken me a year to open up to my brothers about how I felt over losing Mandy.

  “Son, I’ve known for years your fear of getting too close to another girl. I knew Mandy’s death would affect you long into your adult life. You’ve been through a great deal. It’s normal to feel that fear that someone you love will be taken away from you. That’s the same fear your mom had after Karen died. She always worried that her boys would share the same fate—one of the reasons I got rid of the guns in the house when we lived in Texas. She still has the same fear, but it doesn’t get to her as much anymore.”

  I remembered my dad getting rid of the guns right after Karen had died. “But we do have guns in the garage.”

  He’d purchased a couple after my mom had entered a mental health facility. For one, he didn’t want us boys to be afraid of guns because of what had happened to my sister, which was why he’d joined the local gun club and enrolled us boys as well. I wa
sn’t into shooting like Kade was, but I knew how to handle a gun and wasn’t afraid to use one if I had to.

  Still, I wouldn’t force Jessie not to ride her motorcycle. She was who she was because of the things she loved to do.

  “Part of your mom’s recovery is learning how to use a gun and gun safety,” he said.

  I reared back. “Since when?” I hadn’t seen her with one, and she hadn’t talked about it.

  “She doesn’t want you boys to know. She’s been going to the gun club with me on Sunday mornings.”

  “That’s fantastic, Dad.” I never thought in a million years my mother would ever pick up a gun. She hadn’t been interested in them even when Karen had been alive.

  He got this faraway look in his eyes that screamed how much he loved her. “I’m extremely proud of her.”

  “So, wait, are you saying I should learn how to ride a motorcycle?”

  He pushed out a shoulder. “It wouldn’t hurt. It might get you over your fear.”

  I wasn’t sure I could get on a motorcycle. “So how do I get past Donovan?”

  A blue SUV caught my eye, coming down the driveway.

  Speaking of the ass, Donovan was behind the wheel, while Jessie was in the passenger’s seat. My blood began to boil just seeing them together.

  Dad dumped his empty beer bottle into a trash can near the open bay door. “They weren’t supposed to be here for another hour.”

  I whipped my head at Dad. “You knew they were coming?”

  The SUV stopped at the tail end of my truck. I had the water hose in the way, so Donovan couldn’t go any farther.

  “Jessie called me and asked when we would be home. She wanted to make sure I was here when Mack picked up his Harley.”

  I wondered if that was the reason Donovan hadn’t returned my calls.

  Jessie hopped out and appeared eager to run into my arms, but then she checked on Donovan and didn’t move.

  What the fuck! I felt as if she’d just shoved her hand inside my chest, grabbed my heart, and squeezed it until it stopped beating.

  Once Donovan turned off the engine, he got out as though he was reluctant to even step foot on our property. As he should be. He ran a hand through his unruly blond crop as he lifted his shoulders up to his ears with a hard glint in his eyes. His thick legs carried him closer to Dad and me as he regarded his Harley. “Thank you for tuning her up.” His tone was devoid of any emotion even though his hands were balled into fists.

  I shook my head. The dude couldn’t be serious to think he would fight me in front of my dad or with my mom in the house. You attacked him at his place of work. So what’s the difference?

  I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans. That way, I wouldn’t be tempted to fight back. I wouldn’t, anyway. Jessie stood with her body frozen and anxiety written all over her pretty face.

  Dad strode over to the Harley with Donovan. “You’re welcome. I used to ride one in my college days.”

  Donovan’s eyebrow quirked up, and his tone softened. “What model?”

  “I had a sixty-seven Sportster,” Dad said. “I sold it when I got married.”

  Donovan flipped a thumb at Dad’s car. “Is that your Chevelle?”

  Dad nodded. “I restored her two years ago.”

  Donovan dropped his shoulders as he went over to inspect my dad’s car. My dad joined him, chatting away as he popped the hood.

  Shock rippled through me, seeing how Donovan went from cold and ready to fight to friendly with my dad. But my bigger concern at the moment was the beautiful woman who was entranced as she too watched the interaction between Donovan and my dad. I wanted her to come closer to me. Yet for some reason, she was keeping her distance, and that didn’t sit well with me. Then go over to her, you idiot.

  I did as my conscious ordered me to. “A penny for your thoughts.”

  “I’m waiting for you to—” Her voice shook.

  “Throw the first punch,” I said.

  “You’ve been the one to start every fight with Mack,” she said decisively, as though she’d been dying to get that off her chest for a while.

  I hadn’t started every fight, but arguing wouldn’t have gotten me anywhere. The bottom line was Donovan and I had been in each other’s face regardless of who had started it.

  “So it’s okay for him to push my mom?” Fury colored my words.

  Dad began pointing out certain things on the engine, while Donovan inspected each one.

  “Not at all.” Jessie’s tone evened out as she turned to face me. “Please resolve things with Mack.”

  “Or what?” I raised my voice. “Are you going to call my dad again and tattle on me?”

  She pursed those sweet lips together as her body went rigid. “I don’t trust you two together.”

  I couldn’t argue with her on that one.

  “Is there a problem over there?” Donovan asked as he started for us.

  My dad caught his arm. “Easy, big guy. I don’t want any trouble.”

  Donovan shrugged out of Dad’s hold. “Tell that to your son.”

  Jessie rushed to get in between us. “If the only way both of you are going to settle your differences is to fight, then use that ring over there.” She jabbed a finger at the boxing ring inside the garage.

  Dad sidled up to Jessie. “That won’t happen. No one is fighting. In fact, I would like Jessie to see how Mrs. Maxwell is doing inside.”

  Jessie flared her cute nostrils as she considered all of us.

  Gently, Dad placed a hand on Jessie’s back. “I promise you they will not touch each other.”

  “I think they should. Maybe then both of them will wise up.” She stormed off and into the house.

  She hadn’t wanted us to fight, and now she did. Whether in the ring or out, nothing good could come from feeling bone against bone. When I’d hit Donovan at The Cave, it hadn’t helped wash away the past. It certainly hadn’t taken away my hatred toward him when he and I had gone at it in Jessie’s shop the other day.

  When the sliding door closed behind her, my dad grabbed my arm and Donovan’s. “In the garage, both of you.” His tone was sharp as a knife, and one I hadn’t heard from him since he’d found out that Kross and I had ganged up on Greg Sullivan—the very reason he’d sent Kross, Kelton, and me to Greenridge Academy during the tenth grade.

  Donovan obeyed rather quickly. Maybe he was hoping we would get in the ring. The only thing boxing him would do would be to give me a moment of satisfaction that I got to punch him again.

  Gritting my teeth, I planted my ass down on the cushioned floor of the ring. Meanwhile, Donovan was seething as he paced near a workbench adjacent to me.

  Dad pointed to an empty spot next to me. “Mack, sit down.”

  Donovan grunted as he obeyed my dad.

  I was a little shocked that he listened to Dad once again.

  My dad rolled up his shirtsleeves. “Mack, I can’t say I’m not angry with you for what you did to Kody several years ago. I understand that boys will fight, but not to the point where you and your buddies beat my son into a coma. If I would’ve known then who you were, I would’ve pressed charges. But my boys wouldn’t tell me who was responsible until your friend got hurt. They thought they could handle the situation on their own,” Dad said curtly. “So here we are.”

  Mack motioned to stand. “I don’t need to be ganged up on again. Your older son and Kody did that already.”

  Dad tilted his head at me. “Seriously?” Disappointment rode that one word. “Well, this hostility you both have ends today.”

  Mack sat back down.

  I kept my mouth shut. Sure, Dad couldn’t ship me off to another boarding school, but he could kick me out of the boathouse and tell me to find my own place. I wasn’t opposed to the idea. I just wasn’t ready financially.

  Dad folded his arms over his chest and began pacing. “Mack, I sense you’ve never had a male role model in your life, and I’m not trying to be one. But you’re on my property. Y
ou almost hurt my wife. So therefore, you will listen.” Dad’s tone was venomous. “I believe in second chances.” He wagged his finger between us. “I don’t think you two will ever be best buds, but it is time for both of you to move on. If you both want to make Jessie happy, then I would suggest that you look forward and not back and start talking to each other. No throwing fists, or I’ll be forced to throw a few of my own. Are we clear?”

  My eyebrows shot up. “Dad?”

  Dad was as tall as all of us boys but not as broad as Kade or Kross. Regardless, I was certain he could put a hurt on Donovan and me even though I’d never seen him box or throw a punch. But he was retired Special Forces, so I had no doubt that my old man could fight.

  He held up his hand. “I’m talking,” he said through clenched teeth.

  Snickering, Donovan’s shoulders slumped as though the fight had left him.

  I snarled. “Why are you even listening to my father?”

  He puffed out his chest. “Because I do want Jessie to be happy. I’m also finding I respect your old man.”

  I wanted Jessie to be happy too. Hell, I wanted to make all her wishes come true.

  Dad pinched his chin in between his fingers. “Mack, tell Kody why you participated in ganging up on him back in high school.”

  “Because Kade was an asshole,” Donovan said as sure as the sun was shining.

  “So why did you take it out on me?” I asked.

  Mack’s nose ring moved when he flared his nostrils. “You were the weaker of the brothers, and we wanted to send a message to Kade.” His tone was rough as though he were remembering that day. He turned to my dad. “We never intended to beat Kody senseless. We were high on some prescription drug that day.” Then he gave me a sidelong glance. “Let’s not forget you did a number on Sullivan.”

  My dad lifted his eyebrows in agreement.

  I ground my back teeth. “I never said I was innocent. But we didn’t go after you.”

  “Why not?”

  I leaned my elbows on my thighs. “Because Sullivan was the leader. When the leader falls, his teammates fall too.” I stole a look at my dad.