Page 25 of After Felix
My cheeks flush as the memory surfaces of me describing Max’s rimming technique.
Zeb swallows hard, looking slightly sick. I’ve got a feeling he remembers that conversation too.
“I can’t believe it,” he says again.
An uneasy silence falls. I look between the two brothers and feel a deeper twinge of anxiousness.What is going on here?
Patrick edges around Zeb in the doorway and glares at Max. “Max,” he says frigidly.
Max’s lip curls. It’s strange. I’ve never seen a look of disdain on his face before. He’s usually open and welcoming and friendly. It’s part of why I feel so safe to be myself around him.
Zeb coughs, and Max attempts a smile. “Patrick, what an adorable surprise,” he says smoothly.
“I suppose it must be,” Patrick says modestly. He looks between Max and me with an avid stare. “So, you and Felix are…?”
“They’re together, yes,” Zeb intercedes quickly.
“Really?” Patrick looks far too entertained for my peace of mind. “Together. What a complete surprise.”
“Oh, are you surprised?” Max says sweetly. “It’s hard to tell on a Thursday after the botox has kicked in.”
I want to high five this man and kiss his face off.
Patrick reddens. “Well, it’s something you could do with, Max. Faces give away so many things that we try to hide. Just think of what you could let slip with your lined complexion.” He directs a sweet smile at me. “It makes a man think. Wouldn’t you say so, Felix?”
“I thought you’d been told not to think because it gave you wrinkles,” I say, trying to stifle my unease. Something is going on here, and I have a suspicion it’s got something to do with me. My face gets hotter. It really isn’t fucking nice to be the only person who hasn’t got a clue about what’s going on.
My suspicion is confirmed when Max shoots me an awkward look and then stares accusingly at Zeb, who immediately reddens.
“Really, Patrick?” Max says, still staring hard at Zeb. "It’s so nice that you’ve been allowed an opinion on things.Personalthings.”
Zeb reddens. “It’s not what you’re thinking,” he says.
“Save it,” Max snaps. “You ready?” he asks abruptly, glancing at me. There’s something working behind his eyes. He raises one eyebrow.
I jump hurriedly to my feet. “Yes, of course.”
“Aww, that’s lovely,” Patrick purrs. “An accommodating man. God knows, Max is in need of one after all these years of being in?—”
“That’senough,Patrick.” Zeb’s voice is like a gunshot.
Patrick jerks but doesn’t exactly look chastised. “As you wish, Zeb.” He shoots me a spiteful look. “It’s good to see you getting what you deserve, Felix,” he says sweetly.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Max says angrily.
Patrick holds up his hands in defence. “Just that it’s great to seeFelix with someone. He’s very young, and he’s been on his own for so long. What he really needs is a decent man. Do you know any, Max?”
Zeb grabs his arm. “We need to talk,” he says grimly.
Patrick laughs as he follows Zeb into his office, and the door closes behind them.
A brief but very full silence falls, and then Max turns on his heels. “You ready?” he asks curtly.
I scurry after him as he walks out. Neal’s Yard is full of sunshine which seems to bounce off the psychedelic colours of the buildings’ paintwork. It has a busy, cheerful vibe with people sitting at tables chatting and laughing or wandering around taking pictures. I follow Max, who’s walking with a fierce sort of determination out of the yard towards the main road.
“Max.” I finally catch up to him, and, for some reason, I make a grab for his hand. I don’t know what I expect. He’s never initiated this sort of romantic gesture before. He’ll hug me, but that’s about it outside of the bedroom.
Maybe I’m hoping he’ll return my touch, give my fingers a squeeze and tell me what’s going on because Zeb’s words are still ringing in my ears about how Max might be developing feelings for me.
