by Rebel Hart
“Text message from Mom. Do you want me to read it?”
My SUV came alive with the Bluetooth automation voice. I peeked down at the dashboard and reached over, pressing the red ‘X’ button. I didn’t need to be speaking with my mother right now. Especially since I knew what she was calling to talk about. I mean, it was eleven o’clock at night! What did she think I was doing right now?
“Incoming call, Mom.”
I rolled my eyes. “Really?”
“Incoming call, Mom.”
I groaned. “Come on.”
“Incoming call, Mom. Do you want me to pick up?”
I sighed. “Yes. Pick up the call.”
“Danika?”
“Yeah?”
“Oh! Hi, sweetheart. Is now a good time for a quick chat?”
“Is that what your text was about?”
“It was, yes.”
“So since I didn’t answer, you decided to call anyway?”
She paused. “Are you busy?”
I sighed. “I’ve just got a lot on my plate. There’s a reason why I didn’t answer your text in the first place.”
“Well, I promise I’ll make this qui--are you in the car or something? You sound a bit echo-y.”
“I am in the car. I’m coming back from a new study place I found. I need to catch the library before midnight.”
She snickered. “My busy little bee. I won’t keep you very long, then. I’m on speaker, right? You’re not holding the phone and driving?”
I rolled my eyes. “What is it, Mom?”
“Fine, fine. So testy lately. So Kline’s mother called me this morning.”
“That doesn’t shock me. Kline called me very early this morning. Not sure if it’s rude or pretentious.”
She gasped. “Danika! What in the world? Are you stressed or something?”
“Mom, we’re almost at midterms. I’m a bit stressed, yes.”
“Well, why don’t you try to tone down the attitude a bit. I’ve never had to worry about that with you. Don’t make me start worrying about it now.”
Dani, the good little girl. “Mom, I can’t really talk about this right now. Can we do this some other time?”
“I said I’d make it quick. I just want to talk about what happened. She told me a very interesting tidbit that I wasn’t sure about and wanted to confirm it with you.”
I turned on my blinker. “What did she tell you?”
Don’t get me wrong, I adored my mother. But I was tired of playing this ‘good girl’ shtick. I was tired of my mother constantly being in my business. Constantly trying to force me into things. Granted, I hadn’t made things easy on her. I practically shoved that poster board of my perfect life in her face every day after high school. All she was doing was trying to help me achieve it.
Keep your cool, Dani. It’s as easy as the lie you just fed her.
Holy hell, I was lying to my parents now. That wasn’t a thing I ever did. I didn’t want to make it a habit, either. I gripped my steering wheel as I heard my mother whispering in the background. To my father, no doubt. I heard a small click sound on my side of things and I knew I was on speakerphone. Which meant I had to be overly careful about what I said.
Dad could suss out lies from a mile away, after all.
“Mom, look. I’m almost at the library and I need to hop off soon. But I know you’re disappointed. I know you were banking on this. I never said I’d agree to go out with him, though. I told you I’d think about it, and I did. I decided not to get coffee with him. That’s all that happened.”
She sighed. “Is it because you’re already seeing someone? Because that’s what Kline’s mother told me you said to her son. That you were seeing someone.”
I bit my tongue. “Oh.”
“Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Seeing someone.”
I held my breath, wondering what in the world I needed to do. I mean, I was almost at Max’s place. What would happen if I was still on the phone with her and Max saw me outside? The lie I had already told would be blown out of the water. It would be an absolute nightmare. And I didn’t have the stomach to lie to her again. Especially with my father secretly listening in.
So, don’t lie.
“Dani? You still there?” Mom asked.
I sighed. “Mom, it’s nothing serious.”
She gasped. “Oh. My. Gosh. You are seeing someone!”
Dad butted in. “What’s his name and where did you meet him? I want to shake his hand before you two go any further.”
I rolled my eyes. This incessant helicopter parenting was getting very, very old.
“No one is shaking anyone’s hand when I’m still trying to figure things out myself,” I said.
Mom squealed. “Have you been on a date with him? What’s his name? What does he look like? Have you two had coffee yet? Has it progressed to dinner? Oh, I bet he took you out somewhere nice, didn’t he? Tell us everything.”
Dad harrumphed. “I still want to shake his hand before he takes you anywhere.”
I rolled my eyes. “His name is Max. Everything is fresh and new. We’re still just talking. I just didn’t find it fair or proper to accept a coffee date with some other guy while I’m talking to another. I don’t like that.”
“Oh, no no,” Mom said hastily, “you made the right decision.”
Dad sighed. “Max who? What’s his last name?”
I pulled into Max’s driveway. “I gotta go, guys. I’ll call when I can.”
“Wait, at least tell us what you--!”
I hung up the phone call and turned off the car. Then I decided to turn my phone off, too. I noticed there was a truck in Max’s driveway. A truck that looked oddly familiar. It wasn’t John’s. He drove a beat-up hatchback.
Who in the world is at Max’s place?
I turned my car off and slipped out. I headed for the front door and didn’t even bother knocking. Mostly because the door was already ajar in the first place. I softly pushed it open and stuck my head in, and the smell of booze filled my nostrils.
“Max? You here?” I called out.
“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.�
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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 against 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 plucke
d 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.”