Page 93 of Touch Me

“You can call me anytime, you know that,” he says with another wave of his hand, like it’s no big deal.

“How are you, by the way? With stuff?” I gesture to Mattie in the pool. Max has had a rougher road than most, and to be where he is and handling things this well is a damn miracle.

He waves me off but won’t meet my eyes. Which gives me a little insight as to how people feel conversing with me and the guilt causes a lump in my throat. Max is there whenever I need him, and I very rarely ask how he's doing. If he was really fine he would look at me, right? I think I read that somewhere.

“Why don’t I take this mutt off your hands for a few days? I’ll bring him back this weekend.” I bend to scratch Henry behind the ears.

“Sure. Thanks.” He goes inside to grab his leash and returns. “Mattie, come say goodbye to Jace and Henry.”

She swims to the stairs and runs over, wiping her dripping hair out of her eyes.

“Bye, Jace. Don’t keep Henry too long, ‘k?” She crouches down to give Henry a hug and jumps back. “Daddy?”

“Yeah, honey?” Max answers.

“Something’s wrong with Henry’s weiner,” she says curiously, never taking her eyes off of him. “It’s all red. I think he got a boo boo when he was dancing.”

If I had any beer in my mouth I would’ve choked. Max’s face instantly transforms into pure horror when he realizes what she means.

He looks to me for help. “Ummm.” He draws it out, stalling.

I mouthweiner?and cover my mouth with my hand.

Shut up,he mouths back, both hands on top of his head.I imagine he’s trying to keep his brains from blowing out the top of his head. “He doesn't have a boo boo, honey. He’s fine. That happens to dogs when they get tired.”

“Does it happen to your weiner when you get tired?” She looks from Henry, to Max’s face, and then down to his swim trunks.

I turn around so neither Max nor Mattie can see my face, barely containing my hysterics.

“Nope, just dogs. Let’s help Jace get Henry in the car.” Max unclips Henry’s line.

“C’mon, Henry. You get to go for a ride.” The dog immediately stands up, follows Mattie around the house to the driveway, and I burst out laughing.

Max just stands there, hand still on his head and shock all over his face. “Asshole.” He spits in my direction and follows Mattie and Henry.

“I’m sorry. I tried to hold it in.”

“Whatever. Go home.” He shoos me toward my car.

I grab my things and follow quickly before Max physically throws me out. I get Henry in the Jeep and settle into the driver’s seat.

“And, Jace?”

“Yeah.” I look up from buckling my seatbelt.

“Take your time, yeah? With Cassie.”

“Got it, thanks.” I wave and pull out of the driveway.

Take my time. Sound advice.

TWENTY-FOUR

STRIP STIR FRY

Walking out of the elevator,I’m both relieved and disappointed Ashley's emergency ambush waxing didn’t pan out. Seems her wax girl was inundated with a group of girls going to the Caribbean for the weekend. Apparently, they take the nude beach experience very seriously.

Oh well, at least my cookie isn’t red and inflamed after being stripped bare with burning hot wax and what looks like old t-shirt scraps. I like my little landing strip and Jace didn't seem to mind. Not that he has much to compare to, but I think I would be able to tell if it was somehow offensive.

---