Page 42 of Property of Max
“Well, one’s bent sideways under me, slowly losing blood circulation. The other’s still outside the van, helplessly kicking around for traction so I can get myself the fuck out.”
Circling around to the other side, the sight burns itself into my memory: Skip’s long leg flailing desperately outside the van while the rest of him is twisted, contorted, and somehow stuck between the seat and the wheel like a pretzel that’s lost all dignity.
Trying to pull myself together, I reach for the seat controls. Nothing happens.
“You have to turn on the van,” I manage between breaths.
“Fucking how?” Skip practically yells, his voice muffled from where he’s folded up. “I’ve tried everything.”
That’s it. I lose it. My stomach aches from laughing so hard, tears spilling down my cheeks before I can even breathe again.
“Just press the big button,” I finally choke out. “If the key fob’s close enough, it’ll start.”
“Where the hell is the key fob?” he snaps, glaring at me like this is somehow my fault.
I dig into my pocket and dangle the keys where he can see.
He growls…actually growls…before stretching forward and smacking the button. The van roars to life.
Moving fast, I help shove the seat back, jaw dropping at just how much of his body he’d managed to fold into that tiny space.
“You girls better not tell a damn soul about this,” he mutters darkly once both legs are finally inside. He jerks his chin toward me. “Get in, woman. I want burgers.”
Then his eyes widen, darting past me. Straight to Max.
“Fuck,” Skip groans, sagging back in defeat. “Everyone’s gonna know about this before I even get home, huh?”
I turn just in time to see Max holding his phone, recording every second. He grins wickedly, taps a few buttons, and a text chime pings from Skip’s pocket.
Skip fishes out his phone, scowls at the screen. “You sent it to the whole fucking club? Dammit, Max. I’m gonna get you back for this.”
Max just laughs, leans down to brush a quick kiss across the top of my head, winks, and strolls away like he didn’t just ruin Skip’s social life.
“Now I want burgersandsteak,” Skip grumbles. “And tacos. Get in, woman.”
Sure, today I may have lost my job… again. My new friends may have gotten arrested for beating the crap out of my old boss. The sexy man I haven’t been able to stop thinking about just asked me to lunch. And a giant man got stuck in my van.
But I have to admit, today has been the best day I’ve had in a very long time.
“I know a place,” I shout as I run for the passenger seat.
“Can we have them delivered to your place?” Sunny asks as I get in the van. “I want to visit Bree and Micah for a little bit. I just know you guys are going to love them.”
“Yeah,” I say, soft and grateful. “Let’s do that. They love having company, and tacos happen to be Bree’s favorite. Not to mention, when you guys beat up my old boss, I took Asher back to the nurse, remember?”
“Yeah, I really should have left him with someone at the compound before I decided to go and assault someone,” Riley shrugs. “But it’s hard enough sneaking out as it is.”
Skip shakes his head, but his smirk is there for all to see.
“Oh, by the way,” I add, glancing at the girls in the back. “Max and I are going to lunch tomorrow.”
The van explodes. Riley shrieks, Abby gasps, Sunny squeals, and Skip slams on the brakes just enough to make us all jolt.
“You’re going to lunch? As in…a date?” Riley demands.
“Not what you think,” I insist quickly, cheeks burning. “It’s just… lunch.”
“Uh-huh,” Abby drawls. “Tell that to the look on your face right now.”
