Page 81 of Rematch
Before I could blink, his arms were around my waist and my feet were being lifted off the ground.
“Max!” I squealed, kicking my feet. “Put me down!”
He firmly plopped my ass down atop the counter. He slid his torso between my legs and planted his hands on either side of me, pinning me between his body and the cabinets behind my head. “When are you gonna let me take you on a date?” He asked.
“The other weekend wasn’t a date?”
“Arealdate. You know, when you get all dressed up and I take you somewhere nice.” His hands slithered from the counterto my legs. Rubbing his palms on my thighs, he added, “A lady as fine as you deserves to be wined and dined.”
I shook my head. “Alright, Casanova. Tone it down.”
He chuckled. “I’m serious, though. When’s the next time you’re free?”
“Saturday night. I’m working during the day, but afterwards I’ll be all yours.”
Grinning, he leaned in closer. “Mm,” he hummed. “I like the sound of that.”
“Aht, aht.” I put my hand over his mouth and pushed his head back before he could kiss me. “If Dad catches us making out on his good counters, he’ll kill us.”
Max dramatically rolled his eyes. He mumbled something underneath my hand, but I couldn’t make it out.
Before I could move my hand to hear him better, a soft knock rang at the door.
“I’ve got it!” I called, so our parents wouldn’t have to move from their seats. I playfully pushed Max away and hopped down off of the counter.
He gently shoved me back, sending me a few steps forward towards the doorway.
Giggling, I continued my trek towards the front door. The smile on my face fell almost instantly as I opened the door.
Behind it was a face I knew well, but didn’t. This one was etched in darkness, lit only by the red butt of the cigarette hanging from his mouth. “Buenas noches,” he greeted, offering me a half-smile. “Is Max around?”
Chapter 32
Max
“Max?” Audrey’s voice echoed through the hall. I didn’t like how small it sounded.
“Coming!” I yelled back as I hurried through the hall. My brows stitched together at the sight of Audrey’s face, pale and spooked as if she’d seen a ghost. Stopping at her side, I followed her gaze out the doorway and onto the porch.
My stomach knotted at the sight of my father. Seeing him standing on our doorstep, casually puffing on a cigarette like he belonged there, wasn’t unfamiliar, but it has been a while. After I turned eighteen, he stopped popping up around holidays. I figured he finally got tired of having the door slammed in his face. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked.
“Dropped by for Thanksgiving dinner,” he replied. “I think my invitation got lost in the mail.”
Scoffing, I refrained from muttering something smart under my breath. “Go back inside,” I told Audrey.
Her brows curled up. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “If our parents ask, say it was a friend of mine.”
“Okay.” She spared another weary glance at my father before obeying my command.
“Nice seeing you again, Audrey,” my father said, making sure his voice carried through the house.
I quickly stepped outside and closed the door behind me to avoid the echo traveling too far down the hall.
“I understand the commotion you caused over her now,” my father commented, still staring at the door where Audrey once stood. “She’s grown beautifully.”
“Don’t start,” I snapped. “What do you want?”
