Page 78 of The Sidekick

“I’ll take you home,” Max laughs and pulls me towards his truck.

I finish the shake within minutes, and it shocks me. Max just found a ‘food’ that I don’t struggle with! I don’t have a problem drinking anything, and it never occurred to me before. I start immediately planning on finding recipes for shakes and smoothies.

“Can I have my phone back?” I ask excitedly.

“Sure,” he hands it over and frowns a little. “Did you even ask anyone to give the other one back?”

“Of course,” I roll my eyes. “When Andi and Shade team up, I throw in the towel. I’ve learned my lesson. They have no mercy.”

“That tracks.”

I give him directions as I flip through the internet, saving a lot of recipes in my new Happy folder.

“I need to get a blender,” I mutter as I scroll. “Oh, this is it. Number 27.”

His eyes flick between the road and what I’m looking at. “I have an extra blender if you want one. And some protein powder.”

“You drink smoothies?” I ask in surprise. It’s like I’ve discovered a whole new world, and he’s now my guide.

“Yeah, it helps fill me up after a workout without binge eating.”

“It’s like magic.”

“I’ll give you some of my favorite recipes,” he smiles back at me gently.

“That would be amazing! Thank you.”

It isn’t until I’m inside that I realize he’s followed me. He stands looking around the space for the first time.

I look around myself, trying to see everything through fresh eyes. There’s hardly any sign that I live here. All of the furniture is Shade’s, all of the decorations too. I haven’t put my signature touch on anything here. It’s all masculine and shades of gray and black with dark wood accents. I never really noticed until now.

“Where’s all the color?” Max asks tightly, hands shoved into his pockets as he watches me looking around.

“I haven’t thought about it, I guess,” I frown. I haven’t been in a neon color mood like I used to. It seems too garish and off-putting now.

His jaw clenches and unclenches as his eyes skate around again. “Is this all his stuff?”

“Yeah,” I shrug and open the fridge, checking to see what I need to add to the grocery list to make my new meals. I’m not giving up on solid food, but Shade is right. I need something to keep me going until I can handle the meals I’ll have trouble with.

I pull a pad of paper and pen out of the drawer by the stove to start making notes.

“It’s like you’re just waiting to leave.”

I look up at him in surprise. He’s staring down at the beige carpet, and I can’t see his expression, but his shoulders are so tight they’re hiked up near his ears.

“I’m not leaving,” I glance around again, trying to see what he did to make him think that.

His head comes up, and he watches me warily. “Are you sure?”

I stand up straight and look him in the eyes so he can see my determination.

“I have a job I like. I have a place to stay and stuff to eat,” when I feel like I can eat it, “there’s also the fact that Shade would just drag my butt back here. He’s convinced we’re best friends even when I tell him we’re not. He won’t let it go. He’s a dictator.”

“Is that what you need? Someone who won’t let go?” His grim tone shakes me a little. It isn’t grumpy Max or angry Max facing me right now. This man is determined to get answers to his questions, no matter how they affect him.

“I don’t know,” I answered him honestly. “I don’t think I’ve ever known what I need before. At least, not until someone tells me. Have you?”

“Some things, yeah. Not everything, though,” he admits, his shoulders beginning to relax.

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