Page 6 of Surviving the Break
Finally arriving, I gawked at the building in front of me. “Thisis a community center?” I closed the car door, whistling low in appreciation. The place looked like an enchanted cabin in the woods.
Damon came around, walking to the entrance. “Yeah, built byMax.”
“Oh…” was all I said.
Damon had mentioned on the car ride over that he and Max had gotten off on the wrong foot—my words, not his. Their rift, which sounded one-sided, kicked off after Damon witnessed Max and Justin kissing. It didn’t matter to Damon that Max was innocent in the situation. Justin, heartbroken from an exposed betrayal, had returned to Chadwick, striking up a sort of instant friendship with Max but forgetting to mention he was married. When I’d pushed for more details, Damon had said, “Not now.”
My pager went off as I made a move to follow. The hospital. “I’m right behind you,” I called out, already pulling my phone from my jacket’s inner pocket and dialing. None of my patients were due to deliver this week, but sometimes babies made their own plans.
Stepping onto the second floor, I put my phone away and quickened my pace to catch up with Damon’s long strides down the corridor. We followed the cheerful voices of children coming from a room at the other end. Damon stepped right in, instantly seeking out and finding Justin. I stood in the doorway, opting to observe the fray instead of diving into it.
Leaning against the doorway, amused by the display of hyper activity before me, my gaze roamed past the kids, to land on a pair of molten brown eyes. I straightened.It’s him.The man I’d been fantasizing about for months. The one I’d made more than one repeat trip to Hunt’s Bar for in hopes that he’d return. The one who never called.
My stomach cartwheeled as my brain worked to assemble what this meant. What was he doing here? Who was he? The man watched Justin and Damon from his spot in the middle of the room. Several emotions flickered over his face. Sorrow? Longing?Jealousy?
I somehow didn’t believe that last one to be true. His expression was too soft for that. His lips thinned, and his eyelids squeezed shut as if he were in pain. When his eyes eventually collided with mine, he stiffened, and no more than a second later, his once-soft stare hardened. Maybe in anger? No, more like a mask being donned. But not before a hint of something slipped through. Lust. I couldn’t help my smile because the tightening of my pants said we were on the same page.
The spell broke when a few of the kids surrounded him, shouting “Mr. Max! Mr. Max!”
Ah. So this is Max.I squinted in his direction, feeling oddly envious that his lips had been on Justin’s. If he needed someone, he could’ve called me. My feet were moving before my brain registered the action, taking me right into his personal space. The kids ran off to get sized for their dance attire, leaving me alone with Max. “You must be Mr. Max,” I said, unable to contain my grin.
He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “Just Max is more than fine.”
“Okay,Just Max.” I slid a hand from my trouser pocket. “Nice to meet you, formally.”
He gave a disapproving stare but took my outstretched hand, and we froze; his eyes widened before he released me as if I’d burned him. He cleared his throat. “Well, this is awkward.”
“It doesn’t have to be. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we cross paths.” My statement did not bring him relief.
“Listen, no one needs to know. Okay?” He lowered his voice, his eyes searching the faces around us.
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
He nodded, blowing a breath through his red lips. Seemed my appearance, or rather, reappearance, in his life left him agitated. “You’re Damon’s best friend,” he said with a touch of disappointment.
“Uh-oh. Does that automatically make me a bad guy?”
His spine lost some of its rigidness, and he gave me a look of apology for his insinuation. “I’d like to think I’m fairer than that. It’s just—I hadn’t expected to see you again.”
“Seems we hoped for different outcomes.” We stared at each other while chatter continued to erupt around us. “So, did you donate or toss?”
“Excuse me?”
“My jacket that was left behind. You didn’t call to return it, so did you donate it or toss it?”
He shifted his weight to the opposite foot. “You gave me options, I didn’t think you’d care which one I took you up on,” he deflected.Interesting.
I’d come back to that another time. Now that I knew where to find him. “This place is amazing. But I’m sure everyone says that.”
“Some,” he said modestly.
“Well, I’m needed at the hospital now, but I’d like to swing by another day for a tour.” A young girl with pigtails came over, taking hold of Max’s pinky and eyeing me with curiosity. “We can discuss how I can contribute in some way.” I had no idea how I’d squeeze volunteering here into my already jam-packed schedule, but it was an opportunity to get to know him. Maybe he hadn’t planned to see me again, but I’d all but prayed for it. Why couldn’t I shake him from my thoughts?
“I’m sure your day job keeps you busy,” Max said.
“That’s not nice, Mr. Max.” The little one sucked in a breath. “He wants to help. You said living in service of others builds great character.”
My shoulders trembled with laughter, and he gazed down at her, effectively chastised. “We’re always looking for more volunteers,” Max said, giving me a tight smile.
