Page 65 of Off Court Fix

I enjoy that the conversation with Maxine is easy and not forced.

I like that even though the only other boat she’s been on was some sort of super yacht in the south of France, she’s excited to be on David’s small one.

I like that she snorts sometimes when she laughs and pretends she didn’t, the simplest, nonsexual touches that leave me oddly satisfied—her hand on my shoulder blades as she moves past, a bare foot bumping into mine while we tread water. But what I like most of all? These are happening in broad daylight with people around.

Granted, we’re not at a table in a crowded, popular restaurant. We’re on a boat with no close neighbors but enough traffic in the distance that it feels like, just for a second, this is how real life should be.

Maxine stands beside me, her palm canopying her face even with sunglasses on, looking east. With one hand firmly on the wheel, I wrap my other arm around her waist and tug her to me, catching her surprised gasp in my mouth. And damn, it’s not just the kiss itself I enjoy—it’s how her skin is warm from the sun, the gentle bob of the boat hit by the wake of a passing jet ski. It’s that I hear the sounds of seagulls and engines and people andlife, and for the first time, it feels like Maxine and I are a part of it and nothidingfrom it.

It’s a different kind of high that I won’t take for granted. So, when Maxine tilts her head back, I pull her in for another kiss.

“What’s wrong with you?”

There’s a hint of shock to her voice which leads me to believe my behavior is noticeably out of sorts.

I shake my head and mumble against her lips, “A lot of things.”

Maxine laughs and presses my stomach to pull back, looking around.

“What?” I ask, motioning behind her. “Can you see who’s on that boat?”

Turning, Maxine shrugs. “I mean, no, not really.”

“Good. They can’t see us either.”

I pull her in for another kiss, but this time the rhythm of our lips shift from playful. There’s a softness this time, and I’m unsure why at first. But when my hand leaves Maxine’s waist and floats up to cup her cheek and she lets out the sweetest, softest sigh at the same moment she leans into my palm, I know the reason.

There’s feeling in this kiss. A lot of it, and that should fill me with unease, because even though I know I care about Maxine, I’m not sure how much I should let myself care knowing we’re the lowest ranked underdog in this fight.

Leaning back, I run my thumb across her plump lip and watch her eyes flutter open after a few seconds. When Maxine’s eyes focus and lock on mine, I see by how she looks at me there’s trust floating atop the deep brown pools.

She trusts me to make her happy and keep her safe.

She trusts me to protect her reputation.

I’m both elated and terrified the thought of all those things. But today, as we bob at sea, I can.

“Come.” I step aside and pull her in front of me, so she can take the wheel.

“I don’t have a boating license,” Maxine says, holding her hands up for a moment before she finally rests them on the steering.

I press my lips to her hair. “Shit. Do you think we’ll get pulled over? Because neither do I.”

Maxine gasps. “Crosby!” She turns to face me, letting go of the wheel.

“Watch out!” I yell, pointing, and Maxine jumps, gripping the metal so tightly I see her knuckles turn white.

I lean forward. “I’m kidding,” I say, tapping the gear. “We’re in neutral.” That one lands me a firm elbow to the spleen.

“Jerk.”

“Ready?” I rest my chin against her hair and grip the gear.

Maxine tilts her head up. “I’m ready to figure out how fast I need to go to send you flying overboard.”

I slowly—with a hint of extra caution—begin to slide the throttle forward. “Would you really leave me to the sharks?”

“They’d be happy to see you... apex predator to apex predator.”

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