Page 21 of Surviving the Break
TIME ELAPSED HAD NOT QUELLEDmy feelings. It did enable me to step back and analyze my tactics. Max wanted me; I was sure of it. Something bigger than himself prevented him from acting on it. My forthright personality didn’t work in my best interest with him, but I wasn’t one for timid or reserved overtures. I needed to reevaluate. I needed insider information, which was why I found myself knocking on Justin and Damon’s front door.
“Ash! Come in,” Justin said. Crossing into the foyer, we embraced. “You missed Damon.”
I knew before coming that Damon had a work meeting in the city. “I actually stopped by to see you.” Justin noticed I lacked my usual lightness and gestured with a jut of his chin to go ahead of him into the living room.
“Is everything all right?” he asked. “Is Paula—”
“Mom’s fine,” I assured him. “I’m here about Max.”
Justin’s confusion gave way to understanding; he went into the kitchen, bringing back two beers. “Let me guess, Max won’t give you the time of day?”
“How’d you know?”
“Because you’re you,” he said, waving a hand in my direction, “and Max is Max.” He shrugged as if that explained it all.
“Care to translate that in English?”
His face screwed up. “How do I put this delicately? You're arrogant—”
“Confident,” we said at the same time.
“More like… Obnoxious—”
“Charming.” I paused with the beer bottle halfway to my lips. “Wow, what do youreallythink of me, Justin?” I had to admit that hurt.
“Ash, I love you. You’re one of the best people I know. You’re good-looking and successful, and youknowit. You snap your fingers, and all sexes fall to your feet. You drive a cherry redTesla X, Ash, and Max plays with wood and dirt for a living. He drives a pickup truck!” He watched me with raised brows.
“Are you calling me vain?” I came from humble beginnings. I worked hard for what I had, and I never flaunted or boasted about it. Never made anyone feel less than because I had more of. I hated those types of people. “I came here seeking advice and support, and instead I’m getting a character assassination.”
“Ash, come on. That’s not what I meant at all. Max grew up on a farm, and here you are this...this Dr. McSteamy god in his fine tailored suits, his fancy car, and come-hither attitude. You’ve done nothing but aggressively flirt with him and challenge who he thinks he is as a man. Even if Max wanted to, he wouldn’t give in to you.”
“You think I’m a steamygod?”
He hit me with a pointed look.
Justin didn’t know about my past history with Max, and I’d bet money he was unaware of all that had transpired between us since we’d met,again,outside of my flirting. We were working under different realities of where things stood between Max and me. There could still be insight to be gained, though. “Look, Justin, had we been talking about this a few months ago, I’d agree with almost everything you’ve said. The problem is bigger than what makes us different. There’s something else holding him back.” I wasn’t sure if Justin knew about Max’s past relationship. I didn’t want to betray what little Max had told me.
He dipped his chin, eyeing the label on his bottle. “Max is stubborn. He’s a tough cookie to crack once he’s made up his mind about something, and it seems he’s decided that getting involved with you isn’t in his best interest. You’re digging yourself a deeper hole if your intentions are to apply pressure to his decision. That’s not the way to win him.”
I rubbed at my chest, which suddenly felt tight.
“I’ve put in a good word for you a time or two, but Max can’t be led. He digs his heels in more when you try. You need a new angle.”
I rolled the beer bottle between my hands. “What do I do?”
Justin appeared thoughtful. “Lay off the propositioning and start with friendship. Basic friendship, Ash. I’ve seen you in action around him. You watch him like you can see through him. You speak as if you can read his mind. Be easy. See what you have in common. Chadwick is a small town, and we’re all friends. Max doesn’t want things to be awkward. His goal is not to make a rift in our circle, but it sounds like you force him to constantly play defense.”
“We don’t have to say a word to each other. The air in the room thickens when we’re both in it.” How would not advancing on him help that? “And what if we don’t have anything in common? You just pointed out how different we are.”
“Your life is about helping people; it’s part of who you are. You can’t get more in common than that. Max sees that, and when it comes to him, it will mean everything.” He sat back, draining the last of his beer. “I never said not to be honest. Lay your cards on the table because he’ll be on the lookout for tricks, but relax, Ash. Stop looking to trip him up.”
I’d never had to chase anyone before. In chasing, one was perpetually on the go, working the next move, never obtaining the luxury of sitting back without a game plan. New, but welcomed. It stirred something in me, something more predatory in nature. But in showing an aggressive eagerness, my attempts at establishing a connection continuously backfired.
Some of what Justin said had merit, but I wouldn’t be outright dishonest or play mind games. I wanted Max; that had to be clear. Starting fresh and from a foundation of friendship could work. If I was strong enough to keep my shit together.
“SIR!Sir! Mr. Daniels, you can’t go in there.”
Debra’s indignant reprimands coming from outside my office were all the warning I got before the door flew in, rebounding off the wall behind it. Damon’s dark, intimidating presence filled the frame.
