Page 8 of Primary Seduction
Max stood and walked into the hallway, glancing around him in pride as he always did. His house could have been used as his business card. It was showroom perfect with wooden bannisters going up the stairs, solid wood floors throughout the downstairs and, going up the stairs, wood softened down the centre by a soft luxurious carpet in dark blue.
His furniture was mainly solid wood—thanks to Zak—and whatwassoft upholstery was in blues and browns and greens: his favourites. The white, faintly textured wallpaper was a background to artwork, family photos and shelving. In his lounge, he had four floor-to-ceiling bookcases, full of books on a huge variety of subjects. He had always loved learning and had never stopped, even when he had chosen interior design, he still learned new things on the side. Recently, for instance, he had been interested in the history of artists and had been speaking with Josh about it—Josh had overheard him talking to Sean and explained his career and his love of the same. They had spent many an evening since, conversing about the subject when Josh had been working at Crush on his university breaks.
Max grabbed his wallet, phone and keys as he headed for the door, locked up and drove towards the town centre. His favourite shops were charity shops because they were not only a bargain but sometimes you found some amazing things in there; those were the diamonds in the rough he lived for discovering.
Parking up behind the main road, he walked the short distance, beginning his bargain hunting therapy at the far end of the street. He knew exactly which shops the best ones were to look in, but he still went in every single charity shop, second-hand shop or pawn shop he could find.
Browsing the third place, he stopped when he saw an identical set of bookends. They were ceramic, mainly white, heavy and in the shape of a stack of multi-coloured books. He knew right then, he had to have them. Even though he had told himself not to buy anything for Trent, he just couldn’t resist these. He knew Trent would appreciate them—eventually. He wasn’t sure how he planned to get them into Trent’s house, but he’d find a way. He bought them for the grand total of five pounds and made sure to get a receipt. If he knew Trent at all, when he realised Max was buying things for him, he would insist on paying him back. At least this way, Max could prove how much he spent on each item.
Smiling at the shop assistant, he grabbed the carefully wrapped bookends and walked out of the shop with a grin.
“What’s that smile for?”
A familiar voice roused Max from his thoughts, and he looked behind him to see Zak walking towards him with his son in the pushchair.
“Hey! How’re you?” Max leaned down to say hello to Dane. “Hey, buddy. What’cha doing?”
Dane smiled a toothy grin and waved a chubby hand. He was still losing his baby fat at two years old, but he looked so cute with it all.
“Yeah, we’re all right. Just getting some fresh air.” Max noted the tone of Zak’s voice didn’t match the lightness of his words.
He canted his head. “What’s up?” he asked.
Zak blew out a breath. “Having a few issues at home, that’s all.” He tried—and failed—for a smile.
“Come on, Zak. You know me better than that. Tell me.”
Zak hitched his head to indicate they start walking, and then he began, “Ashley is…” Zak shook his head. “I don’t know. Her usual self. In all honesty, Max, I’m thinking of leaving.” He blew out another breath. “And taking Dane with me,” he continued quietly.
“Christ, Zak. I didn’t realise things were so bad. I must admit, I thought it was a bit strange you had to account for your whereabouts wherever you went, but I didn’t realise anything else was wrong. How long has this been going on?” Max was dumbfounded. He’d never expected Zak and Ashley to split up; they always seemed so tight. And he was pissed he’d not realised something was wrong.
“Since Ashley found out she was pregnant. I believe she has suffered—quietly—with postnatal depression, but the doctors said she wasn’t. She’s just angry all the time. Nothing I do appeases her. She gets angry when I work, angry when I’m there, angry when I go out.” He shrugged. “I’ve got no idea what to think.”
“Jesus.” Max shook his head. “What’s tipped you over the edge for you to make the decision?”
“I haven’t made any decision yet, Max. I’m trying to figure out what’s best for Dane. The books all say that a child develops best being around both parents, but I’m beginning to get concerned for his safety when I’m not there. She takes no interest in him when I’m at home. At all. I’m doing everything for him. I worry that she’s not looking after him properly when I’m at work, because his nappies always need changing and his clothes are dirty. I know kids get dirty, but this is a different kind of dirty. God, Max, I sound like an awful husband.” Zak’s voice hitched, and he looked away from Max.
Max gave him the reprieve and kept quiet, allowing him to collect himself. He’d never imagined things were this bad. When Max had gone out with them both, or in the group, they’d seemed fine. Although Max had noticed Ashley was very reliant on Zak and often cut him off or talked down to him, he’d brushed it off as a married thing. He’d had no idea there was anything else behind it.
“I don’t know what the best thing to do is.” Zak sounded beaten down.
Max was lost. “I don’t know what…” Max suddenly had a thought. “Hold on. What if you could get some off the record advice without anyone finding out?”
Zak frowned at him. “If it would help me figure out what I needed to do for the best, sure.”
Max pulled out his phone and searched for the number he needed. “Hey. I wondered if I could ask a favour?”
“Okay.” Max could hear the hesitation in Trent’s voice.
“Would you be able to arrange a meeting with your brother for…a friend of mine. Just a chat if you will. He’d like to know his options.”
“Regarding?”
“A potential custody case.” Max didn’t want to say too much. He wasn’t sure how much Zak wanted to say so he’d let Zak decide that himself at the meeting.
“Okay. I’ll ring Samuel and ask him. Shouldn’t be a problem, but I’m not sure when. Can I call you back?” Trent took on a more formal tone as if he was making an appointment.
“Sure. And thanks.”
