Page 73 of Surviving the Break
And there’s the Damon I know and love.“Max and I are on a break, I guess. I never said the words, but I asked for space and haven’t seen him since I got back.” I raised my drink.
“Yeah, I know. Justin told me.”
Lowering my glass from my lips, I asked, “Why ask if you already knew?”
He shrugged and stared at me as if I’d said something stupid. “Isn’t that what friends do?”
“Can I get the other guy back? The one from two minutes ago?” I threw my drink back, then got up and walked into the living room. He followed.
“You need a dining room table here.” He took in the large, desolate space adjacent to the couch.
“Well, you and Max agree on something after all.” I lay on the sofa, throwing an arm over my eyes.
“Would it make you feel better to know he isn’t doing so well?”
I removed my arm and opened my eyes to find him sitting on the navy tufted ottoman across from me. “No, it wouldn’t. I love him, Damon.” There would be no scenario where I took relief in Max’s pain.
“So then why are you here, alone?”
“You know what happened, Damon.”
“Don’t tell me this ‘break’ is about the kiss because it’d be a total lie.” He shook his head in bemusement. “You're not an unforgiving guy, Ash. What’s going on?”
I remained silent, and when it looked like he wanted to shake or hit me, I said, “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh, yeah? Are you forgetting about the time I caught Justin andMaxkissing? I think I know a thing or two about what seeing something like that feels like.”
Touché.
“You know he doesn’t want Hayden. So tell me what bullshit that kiss has you believing about yourself so I can run right over it. ”
“You’re right, it’s not the kiss. Well, not completely.” I sat up when the pain in my chest intensified. “It’s how the kiss made me feel.” How had Max held up as well as he did from Hayden’s betrayal? He was a stronger man than I. “And I didn’t like who it turned me into.” I could’ve killed Hayden. It chilled me to know how much I wanted to. I couldn’t tell Damon that. Murderous was his default setting, especially when it came to Justin. He wouldn’t understand my issue.
“Uh-huh. So you got a little taste of pain with your love, and now you’re throwing in the towel? Makes sense,” he said with heavy sarcasm. “For a man that doesn’t believe in wasting time, you sure seem to have a lot of it to spare now.” Damon didn’t pull punches. “You’re scared. Welcome to the club. We’re all scared of something. Doesn’t being without him hurt just as much, Ash?”
“Yes. It does.”
“I get it, Ash.” He spoke gently. “But you fought tooth and nail to get him. Don’t toss it all aside now. You’ve had your space. Make a decision andtalkto him. Dragging this out isn’t right.”
“Blake told me once that I deserved better than wondering if someone wanted me,” I said petulantly, knowing I was reaching. At Damon’s silence, I chanced a look at him from under my lashes.
His mouth twisted in disgust. “Idiot doesn’t look good on you, Ash. You know damn well that was in reference to your father and him only.”
I went back to eyeing my finger nails.
“I’ve gotta go. Tomorrow, you’re going to shave that despicable beard and show up at the apartment construction site at noon sharp.” He got up to leave.
“Wait, what?” I sputtered, catching up to him at the elevator and pulling him to a stop. “Why do I need to be at the construction site?”
“Because things are nearing completion, and your input is needed on something. Or things.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s what Justin told me.” He rolled his eyes at my expression. “This project means everything to you. You’re not going to jeopardize it because you're afraid to face Max, are you?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Good.” He got on the elevator, smiling at my scowl as the doors closed.
30
MAX
