Page 137 of Invisible String
“What can I help you with, Rainey?”
“Well, I know this is probably not my place, but…” I blow through my cheeks. “I wanted to ask you for Max’s father’s address. Where can I find him?” He raises a brow, so I continue. “It sounds crazy, and I know that time has passed, but I want to tell him what an amazing son he has. He missed out on so much, but most of all, I want to shout at him for causing him pain. I have so much I need to get off my chest.” I press my lips together and Carlos pushes off the wall.
“Did Max ever tell you that Hector never found out his son was placed in foster home after foster home and mistreated? Hector was too sick of an alcoholic to search for his son. He just assumed Max was in a great home and was adopted. And still, Max never says a word to him. He goes to his house every few days to check on him and drop off meals. There are days he has to clean Hector up because he’s too drunk.” He runs his hands through his short, trimmed hair. “I’ve been there once, but he was too drunk to remember a word I said. I offered him help, but he shrugged. He doesn’t want it.”
“Maybe I can get through to him. Deep down, I think Max is waiting for his dad to come back. I know nothing will be the same.” The pain his father caused is unforgettable. It’s been in my mind, wondering, what if Hector changed? What if he became sober and became a father to Max? They would have a long way to go before they felt comfortable with one another. But at least he would be around and be able to care for himself.
“I love Max. You’ll always be the most important figure in his life, the father he never had. His biological father could nevertake your place. You provided him with love, confidence, and a safe haven. What I want, Carlos, is for Max to realize that the darkness he talks about isn’t truly there. We are each other’s light, but I sense he’s missing something. It’s painful for him to see his dad drunk every day and feel responsible for cleaning up after him. Perhaps if his dad cleaned up his life, a weight would be lifted off his chest.”
He reaches for a blue notepad in his desk drawer. “I’ve known Max since he was sixteen. He’s a strong-minded man. Very determined.” He scribbles something on it. “He was a boy with walls so high that you couldn’t see where they ended. It took him some time to trust me. It was hard to watch him struggle around others, but I later realized that’s who Max was, someone who keeps his circle small. He’s never been much of a talker.” He laughs. “Then that one summer, he left for Tahoe, and when he returned, he was a different man.”
My eyes avert to anywhere but Carlos.
“He returned with a purpose. You gave him hope. Even though he lost you, he knew it wasn’t going to be forever. He was determined to find you.”
My gaze goes back to Carlos.
“I’m a destiny type of guy and a firm believer in this. Have you heard that saying, ‘if you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it is yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.’ You two have found each other not once, but twice.”
My family has never been superstitious, but for some reason, I always have. A little lightning bolt strikes in my stomach. He is right. Max and I have something special.
I nod. “Yes, I’ve heard it. I’m a firm believer in destiny as well.”
“We have something in common.” He smiles. “When he came back from the cabin, Max got involved in the Underground for four years. He was fighting men twice his size, older, younger,and his own age. The crime organization sets up the fights. He would destroy them. He could have stopped those fights a long time ago, but I think he liked the rush it gave him. It’s like fighting on the streets. I also think the other reason besides the money was that he needed you to be here when he goes pro. These last months, since you found one another, he’s been happy. Grinning so much.” He laughs, and my heart flutters. “It’s weirding me out. Nah, just joking. I love it. Thank you, Rainey, for being his rock. For being there for him. For giving him hope.”
A tear slides down my cheek. Carlos grabs a tissue and hands it to me.
“I’m sorry. Thank you for being his father.”
“Ahh, fuck. You’re going to make me cry.” We both laugh. He hands me the blue paper he ripped off the notepad. “This is his address. I can go with you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
He nods, unsure. “Max will kill me if something happens to you.”
“I promise I’ll be fine. If he doesn’t want to talk or is too aggressive, I’ll leave. But I’m going to keep going until he hears me out. Also, I’ll have Johnny or Gary with me, whoever can keep a secret from Max.”
He scratches his chin and sighs. “You’re just as stubborn as Max.”
We walk out of his office when I look at the watch on my wrist. Max should arrive shortly. The last thing I need is for him to see me here with his father’s address in my hand.
The gym looks even busier. Xander is working with a group of teens hitting paddles. Then I spot Leo, who waves. I groan when he gets punched in the side.
“Pay attention,” someone tells him.
“Thank you for seeing me and for the address.”
Carlos slips his hands into the pockets of his joggers. “Anytime, Rainey. I’m always here. I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve been wanting to meet you. We’ll have to plan a cookout. Van would love to meet you?—”
We both look when the door swings open. Max walks in. He doesn’t see me yet from where I’m standing. Quickly, I shove the paper in my pocket. His tote bag is over his shoulder. Every step is a cool, calculated move. With an air of confidence, Max strides into the room, his chin lifted and his posture commanding. He scans the room as if he owns the place. I guess he does. He dominates it—no smile, his usual expression on his face, the IDGAF kind of look. Then he spots me, and a corner of his lips lifts until a full-blown smile blossoms on his handsome face, showing his white teeth.
“Hey, baby,” Max says, and every head turns his way. His focus doesn’t drift from mine. The audience behind us watches the man with the typically neutral face turn into a ball of mush forme.“Is everything okay?” He frowns, his eyes searching like he’s scanning me for any signs of distress. He then wraps me in his arms, kissing my cheek.
“I’m fine.” The palm of my hand lies on his hard, masculine chest.
“Rainey wanted to surprise you. And I finally had the chance to meet her,” Carlos chimes in with a huge grin on his face, his gaze on Max. “It’s about time I met her. You’ve been hogging her. I was telling Rainey we need to plan a cookout this weekend. Van’s not happy you haven’t brought her over. She needs some girl time with her.”
I love Carlos already. He didn’t turn us in.
