Page 115 of Maximum Dare
He brushed off my hand.
The door flew open. “Daisy!” Nick appeared on his crutches. “We have to take more photos.”
“I was just telling Daisy how happy I am that you came to your senses,” said Max. “You’re a very lucky young man.”
Nick hobbled closer. “Come get in the photos with us, Max.”
“I have to answer this.” He raised his phone. “Work always comes first with me. You know that.”
“I’m glad you’re finally following your dream to practice civil rights law.” Nick gave his shoulder a manly slap. “It’s what you were born for.”
I gazed at Max with tear-filled eyes, willing him to tell Nick the truth and admit we were in love.
He turned to Nick. “You’ve been through so much. Daisy really is the silver lining for you. You’re a lucky bastard.”
“I know, right?” Nick’s eyes crinkled with happiness.
Max didn’t have the heart to tell him.
He’d always put his brother first…
But surely, I meant more. Surely, I was worth it.
Max raised his phone in the air. “Reception is useless. Excuse me, I have to step outside.”
My throat tightened as I watched him go.
Nick was watching me. “You really like him, don’t you?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
“He’s quite protective of you. He made me swear I wouldn’t fuck things up with you again, Daisy. I promised him I’d take good care of you.”
I stared at Nick. “When did you talk with him?”
“After you arrived. You were chatting with Mum. I told him the truth…that for a while there I’d been depressed and not sure if I could go on. Told him the way you fought for me proved how much you love me.”
I did love you…once.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “I know you must be feeling a bit overwhelmed.”
“I don’t want to live with you,” I burst out.
“We can take it slow. I won’t let you down. I promise.”
“I have to go.” I hurried out, turning right and heading toward the front door, assuming Max had gone that way.
Standing on the front steps of the manor, I peered into the darkness, panic piercing my heart when I saw that his car was gone.
I could hear it speeding down the driveway toward the gate.
Clutching the hem of my dress, I kicked off my high heels and bolted after Max, hoping he would look in his rearview mirror and see me…hoping he would stop. I wanted to climb back into his car and go home with him.
The gates swung open and Max’s Tesla sped through them.
Out of breath, my chest tight with dread, I walked back to the house. I retrieved my shoes and slid them on, taking a few seconds to look at that intimidating door I would soon have to walk through, returning to their world alone.
I hated the thought that I would have to rely on Nick to take me home.
