Page 8 of The Young & the Sinner

Max got this faraway look on his face then. I knew he was thinking about my mom. If he had a choice, would he have chosen to not fall in love with her?

He looked back at me, and his eyes cleared. “I’ll only be gone for four days. And I promise, I will come back to you. Besides, four days is nothing. I bet you won’t even notice I’m gone.”

“Doubtful.”

He grinned. “And anyway, how else are you going to throw a party if I’m always home?”

I frowned. That had never even crossed my mind. “I don’t want to throw a party.” Me and parties don’t mix. I went to one at the beginning of my junior year with Lizzie. By the end of the night, I had to carry Lizzie home because someone had put roofies in her drink. Thank God she had never left my side that night.

He tugged at my hair, unaware of the dark thought swirling inside my brain. “We’ll talk every night, okay?”

I nodded, because, really, what choice did I have. “Okay.”

“Good girl. And when I get back, I want us to go to family therapy together.”

I stiffened. “Therapy? There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Of course not,” he said with conviction, his arms tightening around me. “You are absolutely perfect, just the way you are.”

And I knew he meant it. Max really was delusional if he thought I was perfect. If I were, both of my parents would still be here. “Then why do I need to see a therapist?”

He shook his head. “We need to see a therapist. We both have gone through some pretty big changes and are both affected. As for me, I can’t have you out of my sight for long, afraid something might happen to you.”

“Then don’t leave,” I begged and wished I could take it back immediately.

He shook his head. “I think it’s important that we try this. Okay?” His large hands grasped my shoulders, and I resisted the urge to burrow into his chest.

Putting on my brave face, because Max was looking at me like I was the bravest girl he’d ever met, I nodded. I couldn’t stop my lips from trembling though.

His smile widened, even as I saw how his eyes looked watery too. “That’s my Olive-girl. Now, why don’t we put on a movie before dinner? I’ll even let you pick.”

Again, I nodded, and while I went to pick out a movie, Max got up and made some popcorn. I tried not to stare at him. I failed.

* * *

On the dayMax was due to leave, I woke up a little earlier than I normally would and watched him do his last-minute packing while I sat on his bed in my pajamas. My hair was a mess and my eyes were barely open.

I focused my eyes on Max’s hockey memorabilia from his college days to keep myself from falling asleep.

He had an early flight and, despite having gone to sleep much later than me the night before, Max was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed perfection. I couldn’t remember a time in my life when Max was anything less than put together.

I think this was what attracted Lizzie to him in the first place, aside from the fact he was insanely attractive. He was steady, dependable and solid. He took me in when most men in his position wouldn’t. Some, who had the same resources Max did, would probably have paid someone to do it for him.

But Max was still as involved in my life as he’d been when I was still living with my mom, if not even more so now. And he was leaving for the next four days…

A thought occurred to me then. “You’ll be gone on your birthday,” I said, sitting up a little straighter.

“Ah, it would be my last day there. However, I think I can get all of my work done early and take the afternoon flight home. I’ll be home in time for dinner, and perhaps we can go out? Somewhere nice.”

“But you’ll be gone for most of the day.” I had his birthday celebration planned for months. A lot of it included spending the day together. Since it was on a Friday, I was going to skip school and work and take Max to some of his most favorite places in the city. Now that wouldn’t be possible.

He took my hand and squeezed it affectionately before letting go. “We can spend the whole day Saturday celebrating as well. How about it?”

“You’re trying to comfort me about having to spend most of your birthday in another city? And I’m being a brat about it, aren’t I? I’m sorry.”

“Hey, you’re not being a brat. You just want to celebrate my birthday with me.”

I gave him a small smile and relaxed a little on the bed. “Okay. Birthday dinner, then we’ll go out to celebrate on Saturday. And I promise, I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about me here.”

He ruffled my hair affectionately. “I know you will be.”

Then he stood up and pack the rest of his things. I walked him out to the front door and watched as he drove away to the airport. I stayed where I was until I couldn’t see him anymore, then I walked back inside and got ready for school.

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