Page 19 of Lost Track

But Terry Crews would have been someone to get excited about.

Spoiler alert, he wasnotTerry Crews.

He was much younger, probably in his mid-twenties. But just as beautiful.

“Don’t tell me to shut up, Leslie. You know he’s far too trusting.”

“He’s an adult man. You’ve gotta stop mother-henning him,” Leslie warned like it wasn’t the first time he’d said something about it.

“I willnot!” Max snapped.

Sabine pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows.

Sunshine rolled his eyes and covered the smile on his mouth.

“Beer and wings, please,” Leslie said pointedly. “Whatever you have on tap.” His eyes narrowed at Max. “Dude, we havearmedsecurity. He’s literally the safest he’s ever been. You have got to chill.”

Max huffed and slumped back onto the couch. “Fine.” He lifted his eyes to Sabine. “Sorry about the missy thing.”

“It happens,” she replied with a wink. “I’ll be back with some beer, and I’ll put that wing order in.”

* * *

DAVE

“Do I need to crush up some antihistamines and hide them in your drink?” Dave asked his friend Max after Sabine had sashayed out of the lounge.

Max sighed dramatically. “Are you suggesting that I need to be sedated?”

“You’re a little more high-strung than usual is all.” Dave eased back into the couch, his eyes on the television screen. “I have Benadryl in my bag in case you need it.”

None of his teams were playing but that didn’t matter. Watching professional basketball was both relaxing and exciting. In a nostalgic sort of way.

Even the guilt that tried to creep in wasn’t strong enough to overpower his love for the game. That had always been as pure as anything.

“Yeah,” Max agreed with a huff.

Max had been jumpy since he’d arrived at the door of Dave’s condo the night before. Even Leslie, who had a high tolerance for Max’s enthusiastic anxiety, was already weary.

Max thought for a minute. “I don’t like you living up here by yourself. I feel like you’re exposed.”

Leslie crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes. But he stayed quiet, pretending to watch the game.

This wasn’t the first time Max had expressed such concerns.

When Dave had decided to move to Chicago after the Nora incident, he had been met with a lot of resistance.

But everything he’d been attached to in Texas was ashes now.

Literally.

It was time to start somewhere new.

Max had wanted Dave to move back to Long Island with him. Had set up numerous private real estate showings all over the five boroughs.

And as with anything Max did, they were all classy, high-end, and perfect for what Dave had talked about.

He was pretty sure Max had envisioned a true Taylor Swift-esque professional and creative renaissance by moving back to the city.

---