Page 8 of Blurry Little Lines

“You’re my best friend.” She giggles, pushing off the squat rack closer to me. “You’re supposed to tell me I look perfect when I don’t.”

I have managed to keep my cool about how she affects me over the years, but lately it’s becoming as difficult as not breathing. Not only is she my best friend, her brother is mine too, and that would break a major bro code.

“Kels, your best friend is supposed to be there for you and rise up when the world knocks you down. I plan to watch you flourish at the life I know you are capable of achieving.” Her thick lashes peer up at me and her parted lips tempt me to taste them. “These sessions are supposed to be a way for you to relieve stress and feel empowered about yourself.” I force a swallow as she slowly nods and remains frozen in place.

“Help me get my toned body back,” she whines, and I shake my head with an eye roll.

Kelsie has always been fit. Even after her two kids, she bounced right back. But not without a little more curves to her biteable hips and thighs. She’s grown into a more womanly figure instead of her slim, boney body.Not that I pay much attention, of course.

“Max.” She takes a seat on the weight bench. “What do you do to relieve built up stress?”

I bite back my answer, holding anot tellingglint in my blue eyes. If she really knows me well enough, she is aware I won’t publicly voice the number of women I’ve taken home to bed and made scream my name. I was well known as thepleasure pullerat past parties and through university. Getting off from a woman’s intense pleasure is my favorite escape. Of course, I only fuck women who look nothing close to the brown-eyed cutie sitting in front of me.

“Are you working out tonight, or going to sit and play twenty questions?” I switch things up and walk to the rack of weights.

“Get my ass in shape, Max Dawson.” She always uses my last name to get a point across. I hate my last name, mainly because I grew up with girls obsessing overDawson’s Creek.

I let my mother’s call go to voicemail once again, because I never know how to respond to her nosey questions. She spent almost my entire life wanting nothing to do with me. Her bi-annual visits became a dread when she’d only comment on my looks and ask for personal details about my life. She lost the right for answers when she walked out of my life twenty-two years ago. Finishing off my last client of the week, I head to Kelsie’s. I’m looking forward to seeing her and the kids.

“I was wondering whose turn it was to bring the pizza this week.” Kelsie smiles as she opens the door wider and invites me in.

“I wasn’t sure if it was me or Adam, so I came prepared either way.” Fridays are when we all get together and have a movie night with the kids at Kelsie’s. When the kids go to bed, us adults catch up on our week.

“Mallory and Lauren should be—” Kelsie begins as the door flings open and Mallory drops a few shopping bags.

“Oh my goodness! I am all shopped out for today.” Mallory walks over to her mother and wraps her arm around Kelsie’s waist. “Aunt Lauren is great. She almost never says no.”

“Go put your stuff in your room.” Kelsie shakes her head at the armful of shopping bags.

“Thank you, Lauren!” Mallory calls out down the hall.

“Love you, kiddo!” Lauren shouts nonchalantly, as Kelsie and I break into a shared smile. It was only months ago when our friend was dealing with her own personal issues and couldn’t bring herself to say theL-word to anyone.

“I hope you didn’t spoil her too much.” Kelsie reaches for the plates.

“I will admit, Mallory has made me consider Adam’s offer to start using his bank account.” She laughs as her green eyes light up. “But I’m not having children, so I don’t mind spoiling yours.”

“I hear ya, Lauren.” I raise my beer to her. It’s not that I don’t enjoy kids, or love Mallory and James like family, but I’ve been the child who was let down from the split of a relationship just like Kelsie’s kids. I wouldn’t risk putting my heart or a possible child through that.

“Hey, you two,” Kelsie begins. “I understand you both came from dysfunction, but Iwanteda happy family life. Look at how perfect my parents are.” She sighs and pours a glass of wine. “Now, I’ve let my own kids down.”

“Your children freaking love you,” Lauren pipes up. “Mallory spent all afternoon talking about how lucky she is that you care about her and how much she gets to see you. Her other friends just get dropped off at different places and spend their parents’ money by themselves.”

“I care so much it stresses me out.” Kelsie laughs.

“I know what you need.” Lauren shoots me a daring side-eye, but I know she won’t directly speak her mind. For a girl who grew up in rough foster homes, void of emotion, she is still the only damn person who pegged my underlying emotions for Kelsie.

Immediately.

“I need my workouts to be even more intense?” Kelsie’s voice raises in question, looking between the both of us.

“That’s still not the same as a night full of earth-shattering orgasms.” Lauren reaches for Kelsie’s wine and takes a sip. “You can never go wrong with those.”

“I don’t have time to let loose and be irresponsible. Plus, a one-night stand doesn’t seem like it would be my thing.” A red blush paints her cheeks. “I don’t have much faith in a guy to deliver.” Her eyes drift to the side, and I wish this was a look I could easily read.

“We can work out an extra day if you have time. If I mix in more cardio, you should feel your stress melt away.” I smile at Kelsie before shooting a glare at our friend for suggesting Kelsie do such a thing.

“Speaking of earth-shattering orgasms, Adam should be off work by now.” Lauren glances around to see if any little ears are close by.

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