Page 107 of Wine & Whiskey
Even in her frustration, all she wants to do is wrap her arms around him and ease his pain. Her presence used to bring him comfort. Now, he won’t let her near him. “If he needed me, he wouldn’t have pushed me away.”
“It doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes, we do the opposite of what we really should.”
“Then tell me what I should do.”
“Talk to Max. He’s your friend too. You don’t have to do anything else, but at least listen to what he has to say.”
Shae nods, unable to refuse at her friend’s deep frown or the worry burning in her gaze. The covers slide down her body as Carrie sits up.
“You still have your dress on from yesterday.” Pity laces Carrie’s voice.
Yes, she is pitiful and feeling sorry for herself. Changing clothes and taking a shower too much of a bother when you’re busy trying to hold the pieces of your heart together. But she can’t take it out on Max.
Carrie climbs off the bed, and a few minutes later, a knock vibrates against the wood before the door opens. “Can I come in?”
Max’s hesitant voice stabs her heart. He stands awkwardly by the doorway, holding a white box, taking care of them even when they’re the ones to make the mess. She pushes herself up and leans against the headboard, wrapping the blanket over her shoulders. “You can sit down if you want. I promise not to freak out on you.”
“It’s okay if you do. I’d understand.” He sits on the end of the bed and lays the package next to him. “These are for you.”
The scent of sugar accented with more sugar fills the air as he lifts the lid. Chocolate covered long johns with whipped cream peeking out of the ends lay side by side like decadent soldiers. “You remembered.”
He winks and holds up a finger, mimicking her proclamation of pastry rules during their first visit to the bakery. “No custard. Has to be the real stuff.”
“Thank you. But you didn’t have to bribe me. I would have let you in.”
“I know, but I was in the mood for them, so this was my excuse.”
She can’t help but smile at his pretend ploy, trying to ease some of her heartache. “Ah, I see. So, you’re just using me to get your fix.”
He grins too before nodding, then his face falls slack. “How are you?”
Devastated. Shocked. Broken. But, she can’t say any of those without making the tears start again, without making him feel worse than he already does. She runs her hand across the bedspread and takes a deep breath. “Why did you want to talk to me?”
“Nick’s upset you left the house. He wants you to move back in.”
Her heart skips a beat. He’s sent Max for her. He wants her back. Yet, doubt hums in her subconscious. Nick would talk to her himself if he wanted to get back together. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s not safe for you to stay here.”
“He doesn’t want to be with me, but he wants me to live with him?”
He maintains his perfected emotionless expression, but his eyes reveal the embarrassing truth. “Not with him. He’s going to stay at the hotel I arranged for you when you almost broke up before.”
Humiliation stings her cheeks. She’s a pathetic fool. He loves her enough to protect her from his enemies and the unwarranted need from himself, yet not enough to be with her. “So, now that we’re really broken up, he’s moving out, and I get to live alone in his house. That’s crazy.”
“He’s not making much sense right now, but this I agree with. The threats from Juan and Spencer are still there. We can protect you better at the house.”
“No, I can’t go back there.” Not without him. “Besides, they won’t care about me anymore. I’m sure…” Her voice wavers at the thought. “Ex-girlfriends don’t rate high on the list of targets.”
“I don’t want to take the chance and find out. Please come back.”
Worry lines his face, but the guilt rolling through her is not enough to make her change her mind. Not powerful enough for her to endure any more pain from living without Nick. She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. You can guard my house or whatever you want to do, but I’m not going back.”
“Okay. I’ll make arrangements to increase the security here and when you go out.”
They sit in silence as Max rubs the back of his neck. The dark circles under his eyes reflect the strain all of this has been on him too. “He checked himself out of the hospital against doctor’s orders.”
Her chest throbs. Nick punishes himself for no reason, and she’s not there to take care of him. “Is he okay?”
