Page 228 of The Sidekick

“We are too,” Max says stubbornly.

“Damn it, Max,” Trevor snarls.

“What? It’s Tera, Trev.”

He lets out an exasperated sigh and doesn’t say anything else.

“Because of Andi?” I ask hopefully. “She bought the bar and gave you guys a good price?”

“Yeah,” Max grins smugly.

“I’m so happy for you,” I grin and give him a big hug.

“You’re all rich,” Asher says in a flat voice.

I look back at him with a smile. “You can be comfortable for a while. Take a break from work?”

He blinks at me, completely silent.

“Or not?” My smile wavers. “Whatever you’re comfortable with but the offer is there.”

“Angel,” he sighs as if he’s disappointed and shakes his head.

“What?” My eyes widen. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” he barely laughs. “Get your ass over here for a second.”

Max releases me as I hurry over and go to my knees in front of him. He doesn’t hesitate to pull me in for a thorough kiss that scrambles my thought process for a minute. When he’s done we’re both breathing heavier and Max is clearing his throat loudly.

“I’m not taking your money,” he tells me softly. “I’m going to work. We can mix up bills however you want but you aren’t footing everything alone between us.”

“Or us,” Max insists. “I bet we have more money than you.”

“Max,” Trevor barks.

We get quiet and take in Trevor’s expression of absolute rage.

I’m an idiot.

Money is a big trigger for Trevor. Here we are discussing it like it’s no big deal and he’s freaking out. Maybe somewhere in the back of my mind I thought he would be happier knowing that I don’t need to take anything from him. If so, the back of my mind is an idiot too.

“Is there a problem?” Asher asks, his voice going cold.

“No.” It pops out of my mouth and gets everyone’s attention. I flounder for a second and then my mouth moves without permission again. “This is something we can work on. We can reach a comfortable compromise, I promise. Something that will make everything even.”

Trevor’s green gaze slides to me as his jaw ticks. I give him a hesitant smile.

“I promise,” I insist.

A light bulb finally goes off over Max’s head and he grimaces. “Let’s discuss this kind of stuff later.”

“Or not at all,” Trevor grits out as he glares.

“Let’s focus on something positive for a second?” I ask hopefully. Asher grips my hand and pulls me closer to him, keeping a wary eye on Trevor.

“Yeah, revenge,” Max nods eagerly and I shake my head in confusion.

“I was going to say the spare room,” I mutter.

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