Page 57 of Maximum Dare
“Your mum must hate me.”
“She doesn’t know you.”
We both knew after tonight she’d be glad to get rid of me.
“Do you need a drink?” He chuckled. “Other than pool water?”
Chlorine was in my hair and my skin was coated with it. My sopping wet clothes were taking up space in his bathroom. I was a mess.
Then I saw his shirt and jacket.
“I’m so sorry.” I pointed to his chest.
“Anything to get out of this tux, Daisy. You gave me an excuse to change.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about Nick.”
“I didn’t know.” I shook my head. “I should never have come here. I wasn’t even dressed up enough.”
“You looked pretty.”
“I looked like a member of your staff!”
He cringed. “You did a bit.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“My worst flaw.”
“I failed him.” My lip trembled. “I let your brother down.”
Max wrapped his arm around me. “You can’t use yourself as a buffer so that the people around you have a better life than you.”
“I’d do anything to stop him from getting hurt.”
He stared at me. “Were you spying on them?”
“No! This was one of my dares.”
His eyes widened in realization and then he flinched.
“Obviously not the bit where I mistook a pool for the ground.”
He leaned back to peer at me with intense brown eyes, biting his lip as though to prevent himself from laughing. “Feeling better?”
“Yes, thank you,” I fibbed.
“Let’s go back.”
“What?”
“Why not?” He gestured towards the closet. “Find something you can dance in.”
I jumped as someone knocked on the door.
A female voice followed the sound. “Are you in there, Max?”
He got to his feet and strolled over to the door, opening it slightly. “Hey, Mum.”
“Is she in there with you, in my room?” she said. “That girl?”
