Teddy shook her head, obstinance written all over her expression. “No. Hell no, absolutely not.” She tilted her head my way and smiled. “Well you can suggest it, but if he shuts you down, then you have your answer. Don’t push.”
Well shit, that’s not at all what I wanted to hear. But, I suppose that meant it was just what I needed to hear. “Thanks, Teddy. I think I’ll take that cocktail now.”
“Sake,” she asked with a cheeky grin.
I glared at her. “A real drink, smart ass.” She laughed and I joined in, happy the ease with which we could go from serious topics to silly. “What’s new with you?”
Her face lit up the way it always did when she talked about work. Teddy saw men, dated them, but she never got involved. They never made her smile, other than in amusement at them, but it wasn’t the same. “With the wedding from hell behind me and bringing me more business, I’m feeling better. Especially with two newly rich reality stars who want lavish ‘Vegas, Baby’ weddings. They’re nice, down to earth and out of their depth. They are absolutely adorable, so I have nothing to complain about,” she said, sounding a tad pissed about that fact. “Oh, and someone recognized me at the Wynn.”
Uh oh, I knew Teddy hated when she was recognized from the decade she spent as one of the most sought after models in the world. People, complete strangers, were quick to tell her how pretty she still was as though somehow that was a compliment. And I knew how she seethed over her least favorite sentence in the English language. Too bad about the leg, but you’re still hot. “I’m sorry, Teddy. Was he nice, at least?” These days, that would be considered an improvement.
“It was a woman, actually. She had big dreams of being a model as a kid, just like me. But after seeing what happened to me, she decided to skip it altogether. She’s in town for some big conference as the keynote speaker.”
I laughed. “Your life is completely unbelievable. Let me guess, she invited you to attend?”
“If I want to,” she added reluctantly. “I might go. I mean, she dodged a bullet I ran towards at full speed, and she did it because of me. It feels like it balances out the shitty karma scale. Or something.”
I repeated her words with a smile. “Want to get out of here and have some real cocktails?”
“Do you even have to ask?” She was on her feet as she pulled cash from her purse and left it on the table. I did the same and left the tip before following her out, ignoring the few people who found my face more interesting than their lunch.
I drove us home as I always did, because driving allowed me to decide when I left anywhere. I needed that control and I didn’t give a damn how it looked to the outside world. I drove a little faster than necessary and kicked my shoes off the moment I stepped inside. My whole body relaxed and I was ready for a drink. “Gin, grapefruit and mint?”
“You had me at gin,” Teddy joked and kicked off her red stilettos before she dropped into a kitchen chair. “Have you thought anymore about that art show?”
“I have and I think I’m going to do it. But Moon wants a series of at least five and I’m working out an idea in my head.” I had the idea clearly defined but I wasn’t brave enough to ask the subjects, especially Teddy. “I’ll figure it out.”
“You always do, Jana.”
I smiled at Teddy’s words, but they stayed with me long after she’d gone. I always figured it out because I had to, there was no one else to figure it out for me.
Chapter 13
Max
“Are you still seeing your lady friend?” Dr. Singh had put his notepad down as he looked at me, hands rested in his lap the picture of calm.
I smiled at his old fashioned term and nodded. “I am, and things are going well.” They were going well, but over the past week I had a feeling that Jana was having doubts. About me or us, I didn’t know.
“And the nightmares?”
I sighed and let my body sink into the plush leather chair. “Yeah, they’re still going on. But I have it under control.” I stayed with Jana until she was deep asleep and oblivious to the sounds I made as I got dressed and went home. It was the best option, giving me some time with her in bed before the nightmares returned.
“Are you letting her help with them?”
I didn’t want to tell him the truth, but this was fucking therapy. “She doesn’t see them. I go home after she’s asleep. Jana doesn’t need to deal with my bullshit.”
He let out a deep sigh and flashed a smile tinged with disappointment. “We’ll talk more about this next week, but just do me a favor Max, okay?”
I nodded and motioned for him to continue.
“Imagine how Jana feels. You presumably have sex with her and then sneak out in the middle of the night.”
“Dammit, Doc.” I stood and shook his hand, ignoring the amused smirk he wore as I left his office. His words wouldn’t leave my mind as I hopped on my bike and made my way to Mayhem Burger where I was meeting Tate. He was still staying at my house and keeping his distance from the club, for some reason. But he wanted to talk and I would be there.
We already lost too many years.
Tate was already in a black and white checked booth when I arrived, sipping a beer and looking casual as fuck, not at all like a man who’d spent six years in prison. “Hey man, what’s up? Haven’t seen much of you.”