by Hart, Rebel
“Bambi?”
Rupert’s voice came around the corner and it hit me. That’s why the truck looked so familiar. It was Rupert’s. I walked inside and closed the door behind me, locking it for good measure.
“Rupert? Where’s Max?” I called out.
I watched him duck around the corner with a cocky grin on his face.
“Hey, Max! Your girl’s here!”
I winced. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“Dani!?”
I paused. “Uh oh.”
Rupert nodded. “It’s been a night.”
“Da-ha-ha-haaaaa-niiiiii!”
My eyebrows rose. “Oh, boy.”
Rupert chuckled. “Did I mention it’s been a night?”
I watched Max stumble around the corner before Rupert held out his arm. He caught Max just as he tripped, saving him from falling flat on his face. I put my hand to my mouth and tried to hold back my giggles. Max’s hair was disheveled and his eyes were half-hooded with drunkenness.
That explains the smell of booze.
Max held his arms out. “Dani, dear. You sexy little thing. Come give me a kiss.”
He threw himself headfirst down the hallway and it was all I could do to get underneath him. I caught him just before he tumbled to the floor, with Rupert rushing up behind him. I pressed my hands against his chest. I helped him stand up as he practically pawed me in front of his best friend. He squeezed my ass. Massaged my tits. Licked his lips as he rubbed his pelvis against my own.
I crooked an eyebrow. “Someone’s a bit frisky tonight.”
Max winked. “I’m always frisky when you’re around.”
I peeked over at Rupert. “Did the two of you have a little too much fun tonight?”
Rupert frowned. “Actually, not really. Max here had a bad afternoon. Been chronically drunk since dinner time. I’m actually glad you’re here.”
I paused. “A bad day? What happened?”
Max took my hand. “Bah. Who the fuck cares? You’re here, and that’s all that matters. Come here.”
“I’m com--oh!”
Rupert waved at us. “Have fun, you two!”
Max dragged me down the hallway before we stumbled into his bedroom. I barely got the door closed behind me before he ripped my leather jacket down my arms. I spun around, watching as he fought his own arms to get out of his coat. He spun around like a dog trying to catch its tail, shrugging the leather off. Only for it to fold over onto itself and pinch his skin.
“Ah. Shit. The fuck? What the--who the hell made this? I need a new coat!”
I giggled. “Here. Let me help, Drunkie McDrunkerton.”
He stumbled around and could hardly stand up as I helped him out of his things. I tossed his jacket to the floor. I peeled his shirt over his head. I tried not to stare at his tattoos too much as I pulled his belt through its loops. I tossed the leather to the ground before leading him over to his bed. I crouched down, feeling him fist my hair as I helped him out of his boots.
“These jeans are next, beautiful. And when they come off? You’re gittin’ it good.”
I snickered. “Gittin’ it, huh? Can’t wait, hot stuff.”
I slid his socks off before I stood up. I pushed his chest playfully, watching his back fall to the mattress. I stepped away from his body, walking around to the other side of the bed. And as he rolled over to keep me in view, I started taking my own clothes off.
“Hell yeah, gorgeous. Show me that body.”
I grinned at him. “That’s what I plan on doing if you can stay awake long enough.”
The truth of the matter is that I already saw his eyes fluttering closed. As much as he wanted to stay awake, he simply couldn’t. I only got my shoes and my jacket off before his soft snoring filled the room. And just to tickle my own funny bone, I took off my bra and tossed it at his face.
Startling him awake before he held it above his eyes.
“Nice,” he murmured.
I snickered. “Come on. Let’s cuddle for a bit.”
“You know I want more than a cuddle, gorgeous.”
“I know, I know, you big lug. But cuddling always leads to the best sex, don’t you think?”
He chuckled as he barrel-rolled himself to the top of the bed. Watching him trying to get beneath the covers made me snicker and giggle to myself. He looked like a fish out of water. Or a fully grown adult having to learn how to use his arms and legs again. I slapped my hand over my mouth as he finally got beneath the covers. Because the satisfied groan he let out sounded like he had exploded in his pants.
“Feeling good there, Max?”
His eyes fell closed. “Better if you’re here.”
I smiled softly. “Coming right up.”
Still in my jeans and my blouse, I slipped underneath the covers with him. I scooted close, pressing my leg between his. His hand cupped my cheek. His lips found mine. And even though the taste of beer was overwhelming, it didn’t stop me from indulging. It didn't stop me from tasting him. It didn’t stop me from rolling on top of him, settling between his legs, and letting our tongues fall together.
“Mmmm, Dani.”
I giggled. “Hi there.”
His hands fell to my ass cheeks, giving them a bit of a squeeze. And as I rested my ear against his chest, his hand started stroking my tendrils. I felt my own eyes slowly drooping. I felt myself melting into his body. He pulled the covers over us and kissed the top of my head, then resumed untangling the curls in my hair with his fingertips.
“It’s good to see you, Dani.”
I nuzzled against his chest. “It’s good to see you, too.”
“What made you come over?”
I can’t tell him now. He’s plastered. “I missed you, is all.”
“I missed you, too.”
I kissed his chest. “You sure you don’t want to talk about what happened today?”
“Nope. Really don’t.”
“Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. Okay? Believe it or not, I’m here for more than just sex.”
He paused. “Is that how you feel?”
I looked up at him. “What?”
He peered down at me. “Do you feel like you’re here just to be my sex doll?”
I snickered. “I suppose I wouldn’t quite put it like that.”
His voice hardened. “Dani.”
“No, Max. I don’t feel like that. I feel like you genuinely care about me.”
“Good. Because I do.”
My heart soared with his words. “I do, too. I’m pretty awesome, you know.”
He snickered. “Smooth.”
I kissed his chest again. “I care a lot about you, too. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m okay. I promise.”
“I don’t take promises lightly.”
“Neither do I. Promise.”
I giggled. “You thirsty or anything?”
He gripped me tight. “Don’t you dare get up.”
“Okay, okay, okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
He sighed. “Good. I’m glad.”
Something had him worked up. I wasn’t an idiot. He was drunk, uncontrollable, and an absolute pile of mush right now. This wasn’t the Max I knew. And while this side of him wasn’t a bad thing, I knew that whatever happened had to have been rough if he’d gotten himself this drunk.
“Max?”
He didn’t respond, so I peeked up at him.
“Max, there’s something I need to tell you.”
His soft snores graced my ears again and I sighed.
“I guess it can wait until tomorrow.”
But I didn't want to put off telling him about Kline any longer than I had to. I didn’t want it to come off as if I had been hiding something from him. Clearly, he had enough on his plate right now. So, clearing the air as soon as possible would be good for the both of us.
Preferably sooner rather than later.
26
Max
My head pounded a
gainst my skull. Wait, that didn’t make sense. My brain pounded against my skull. My body felt as if it were sinking into the bowels of hell, never to return, no matter how much I clamored for the surface. I tossed my arm over my eyes. My stomach felt as if it were in the Olympics for gymnastics. It tumbled and twirled and swirled and kicked. I felt like I was going to be sick.
“Shit.”
I rolled over as I heaved. I hung my head off the edge of the bed, but nothing came up. Just some spit that dribbled onto the carpeted floor and a bit of bile that fell from my mouth out of nowhere. And with every heave, my stomach shook. It trembled with the need for an apology. I hadn’t felt sick like this after drinking in years. Ever since I’d stepped into the role as president of the Red Thorns, I didn’t do anything that made me feel out of control.
“You’re an idiot.”
I murmured the words before I heaved again. Only this time, I felt something cool against the nape of my neck. I reached up to grab at whoever was in the room with me, but my reflexes were off. I felt as if I were moving at the speed of a panther. With excessive reflexes, quick as lightning.
In reality, though, I barely got my hand over my head. Much less in a position to grab at someone.
“Here. Drink.”
Dani’s voice hit my ears and the night came flooding back all at once. My head felt like it was in a vise grip as I groaned and screwed my eyes shut. I felt something dancing against my lips and I wrapped them around it. A straw. It was a plastic straw that…
“Mmm, my God.”
Holy shit, the ice cold water tasted fantastic.
Dani stroked my hair. “Not too quickly. You’ll throw it back up. Slow gulps. There we go.”
I breathed through my nose and swallowed with my throat. I timed it just right, and my body groaned in disappointment when the cup was empty. I felt the cool washcloth being plucked from my neck and I saw it appear beneath me, wiping up the small stains I made on the carpet beneath my face.
“Can you get to the kitchen? Rupert’s cooked breakfast.”
Her voice was so soft. So breathless. So… kind. I gravitated toward it as her hands threaded underneath my arms. She helped me up as the room spun around me. I draped myself over her as I stumbled out of bed. We fell against the wall and I heard her grunt, shooting me into protective mode. I gripped her hips and pulled her against me before the two of us fell back to the bed.
With her body falling right on top of me.
“Max! Max, are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
I chuckled. “You could never hurt me, gorgeous.”
She sighed. “Okay. Let’s try this again. Rupert! We’re really coming this time!”
He chuckled. “Good! Because shit’s getting cold!”
“All right, Max. Come on. Up we go, big boy.”
I grinned. “You know you like it.”
She giggled. “Never said I didn’t.”
She helped me stumble into the kitchen where the smell of eggs and toast made my mouth water. She sat me down at the table next to John, who stared at me with a look I didn’t even want to process right now. And as I watched Dani go back over to the stove, Rupert handed her the spatula.
“Did you turn them already, Rupe?”
“Nope. Didn’t need it. Does he need anything?”
“Water, for right now. I’d like to get him to eat, too, if possible.”
“You think you made enough food?”
I cleared my throat. “Dani, you said Rupert cooked.”
She peered over shoulder. “He did.”
John snickered. “He cooked the eggs. Dani threw together everything else.”
She waved the spatula around. “So I cooked up some bacon and pancakes. Sue me.”
Rupert nodded. “And toast.”
John put his hand on my shoulder. “I made the coffee, though. Don’t worry.”
I nodded. “Good. Rupert’s coffee is shit.”
Dani giggled as Rupert tossed me a glare, and the entire scene made me smile. Like a goofy little schoolgirl. Dani, standing at the stove throwing down a breakfast that made my stomach growl in hunger. My brother, sitting next to me, looking as spry as ever. My best friend, hanging out with us. A house full of people who cared about one another.
In another life, maybe, I would’ve actually thought I deserved something like this.
“So! How you feeling, champ?”
Rupert’s voice made me wince. “I’m good. Though you can bring your voice down a bit.”
Dani giggled. “He’s not yelling, Max.”
I pointed. “You, too. In fact, everyone whisper. That’ll do just fine.”
John leaned against my ear. “Like this?”
I pulled away from him. “You spit on me, you fucker.”
Dani turned the bacon. “Settle down, you two. The food’s almost ready.”
Rupert shook his head. “I swear, you two are like kids.”
Dani snickered. “Three, you mean.”
And the look she gave ‘Rupe’ made me chuckle until my stomach protested the movement.
I watched as Dani filled the kitchen table with food. With drinks. With ice water and coffee and orange juice. Since when the hell did we have orange juice? Rupert passed out silverware and John got up to get the syrup. The butter. The salt and pepper. We all sat down to a wonderful meal, but even though I needed the food and the water, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Off Dani.
Off this incredible young woman that had come into my life.
“So, John? What do you think? As the resident breakfast maker, of course,” Dani said.
I watched John take a bite of bacon and eggs before practically inhaling a pancake in one breath. All he could do was hold up a thumb and nod his head before he got back to devouring his plate. That was the most praise I’d ever seen him give anyone on their cooking. Because John was incredibly picky about how his food was cooked.
Could this girl get any better?
“Max?”
“Hmm?”
Dani pointed to my water. “Drink. Please. You need to hydrate.”
I reached for my glass. “As you wish, gorgeous.”
I winked at her and watched her blush as Rupert chuckled.
“To what do we owe this feast?” John finally asked.
Dani shrugged. “I don’t know. No reason, really. I got up around seven and decided Max might be hungry once he woke up. I was certainly hungry. And if I was cooking for us, it seemed rude not to cook for everyone else. Though, Rupert, you should have someone check out that snoring issue. You were pulling the curtains in from the other side of the house.”
My eyes widened as John practically choked on his food. He barely got it down before he started laughing, and I couldn't help but join in. Dani shrugged and went back to eating her food while Rupert’s jaw swung against the table.
“Did you guys hear what she just said to me!?” he exclaimed.
Dani nodded. “They did. But it’s true. You should have a doctor look at that. Not good for a man your age.”
John roared with laughter and I had tears springing to my eyes.
“I told you!” I managed to say.
John pointed at him. “We fucking told you that you snore like a damn chorus of chainsaws.”
Dani cocked her head. “I thought it sounded more like a wood chipper. You know, he’s got those little breaks in it. Like this.”
She tried to mimic the sound of his snoring and I couldn't take it. I wiped the tears away from my eyes as Rupert sat there, angrily stuffing his face with food. That’s how good Dani’s food was. No one wanted to stop eating it. They just wanted to experience whatever emotions they felt while eating it.
“You guys are asshats.”
Dani playfully gasped. “Why, I never in a million years thought I’d hear some old crotchety bastard say such awful things.”
“Oh my God!” John bellowed.
I bent over and let my forehead rest against the table. The la
ughter was killing me. I needed water, but I couldn't drink it. I needed food, but I couldn't eat it. I felt Dani slip her foot beside mine beneath the table and it shot chills up and down my leg. And after we were all finally done laughing, even Rupert was chuckling along with us.
“You’ve got spunk. I see why Max likes you,” he said.
I eyed him carefully. “Down, boy.”
Rupert held up his hands. “What? Just stating the obvious.”
Dani smiled. “I like you guys anyway. You’re nice company. And I like cooking for people, so I’m glad you’re enjoying the food.”
“It’s great,” John said with his mouth full.
Before he went back in for a second plate.
I couldn't believe how seamlessly Dani fit in with the two most important people in my life. We did more laughing at the breakfast table than anything else, and it felt fantastic. It was absolutely what I needed, and I felt refreshed after it was all said and done. We cleared out any hope of having leftovers. I drank more water than I could possibly stand. And I even managed to top it all off with a wonderful cup of John’s coffee.
“So, Bambi.”
“Yes, Rupe?”
Rupert snickered. “Nice nickname. Anyway, what made you stop by last night?”
John put his silverware down. “Yeah, I’d like to know that, too. Just a surprise for Max, or something?”
She shrugged. “Well, there was something I wanted to talk to Max about. But I figured it could wait until he was a little more sober.”
Rupert snorted. “Good plan.”
I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t that bad.”
Dani’s face fell flat. “You were heaving over the edge of your bed when you first woke up.”
Rupert nodded. “And you were trying to strip me down last night.”
John cackled. “He was what!?”
I pursed my lips. “No I wasn’t, asshole.”
Rupert held his hands up. “Bible. Fucking hand on the Bible, dude. You were trying to strip me down because, and I quote! ‘You wanted to make sure things still worked for Dani.’”
Everyone fell apart in laughter as I slumped back into my seat. Fucking hell, I’d never live this shit down. But their laughter didn’t deter me from the point I’d caught.
Which was the fact that Dani wanted to talk.