Page 82 of In The Dark
A colleague congratulating her for an accomplishment at work?
Someone flirting with some a woman that isn’t theirs?
I grind my teeth together, relieved when she finally picks up.
“Hey,” Max says, out of breath. “Sorry. I’m changing laundry over. If you ever feel like washing all my dirty clothes and folding them nice and neat for me again, I wouldn’t be upset.”
“Noted. I love doing chores. Hey, listen, sweetheart. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn’t send you those flowers. Was there a note?”
“You didn’t? Hang on.” There’s rustling on her end, and a muffled noise. “Let’s see. There’s a card that saysI miss you. Are you sure you didn’t send those?”
“Positive, but now I’m going to make up for it with an even bigger bouquet. Who do you think they’re from?”
“I’m not sure. There’s—hang on. What the fuck?”
“What’s wrong?” My spine straightens. I’m already reaching for my knife and moving toward the door, ready to head to her house. “Max?”
“Sorry.” She laughs and I relax, setting the knife on the coffee table next to a water bottle. “They’re from Brian. I wonder if it’s an old delivery that got lost in the system.”
“He sent youI miss youflowers?” I pick up my knife again, disappointed this mother fucker hasn’t gotten the hint. I guessI didn’t make myself clear during our bathroom run-in. “When did the delivery come?”
“Sometime while I was at school. They’re beautiful, and I feel bad throwing them away. But I don’t want to look at something someone I hate sent me.” Max sighs. “Is there a flower burial ground anywhere?”
“You don’t want them?”
“God, no. Any suggestions?”
“Yeah, actually. I’ll pick you up in fifteen. You’re taking the bike for the first time, sweetheart.”
“I get to be a backpack?” she asks, and I put her on speakerphone so I can flip over to the camera of her bedroom. I smile when I see her sitting on her bed, a hand over her chest.
“You know what a backpack is? I’m impressed.”
“Only because I’ve been watching videos in anticipation of this moment. You’ve done so many things for me that I wanted to try, and I want to do the same with you.” She heaves a deep breath. “Hunter Wilder. I will ride on the back of your motorcycle.”
“Fuck, baby. I’m so excited. I promise I’ll go slow. We’ll take the backroads, and I’ll keep you safe the whole time.”
“I know you will. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“It’s a surprise, but I think it’s time for you to meet the most important person in my life.”
“Oh, no. Am I the other woman? You have a wife and kids, don’t you?”
“The only person I want to knock up is you,” I say, watching her roll onto her stomach and cradle her chin in her palm. “If you want kids, of course.”
“I’m open to the discussion of children.” Max grins. “I’ll see you soon, biker boy.”
“I can’t wait, angel.”
Twenty minutes and a lesson on how to ride on the back of a motorcycle later, Max has her arms wrapped around my waist. Her laugh is loud in the headset I had installed in our helmets so she can communicate with me, and she briefly lets go so she can draw hills in the wind.
“Doing okay?” I ask, and I feel her nod against my back.
“This is so invigorating. I feelfree. Like I could fly!”
“That was my exact reaction the first time I got on a bike. It’s dangerous. Soon you’ll want one of your own, and we’ll spend every weekend riding across the state.”
“I’m so onboard. I thought having my head confined would make me feel claustrophobic, but being able to talk to you helps. Seriously, Hunter. This is so much fun.”
