She nodded, sighing. “My Max is stubborn.” She peered around as if searching for him, then donned an optimistic smile. “Perhaps one day he’ll let life give him joy.”
Kai chuckled. “Well, if anyone could foster that end, it’d most definitely be Sean. He’s very determined.”
“Max said they don’t talk anymore.”
Oh. Well, that answered the question of whether they’d ever managed to work things out.
“I’m sorry to hear that. They had a very strong connection.”
She looked back at Sean’s sculpture sadly, her eyes lingering on his face. As if beseeching him through his statue to not give up. To keep fighting to break through her son’s defenses and finally free his safeguarded heart.
She looked back at Kai a moment later, donned another smile and drew in a nice big breath. “It was lovely talking to you, Kai. I won’t keep you any longer. Enjoy the show. So much wonderful art.”
He tipped his head and watched as she disappeared into the crowd, then recommenced with his leisurely perusal. Down the corridor that circled the gallery’s perimeter, inspecting the pieces professionally illuminated on the walls.
“Kai.”
Speak of the devil. He turned around. “Max. Nice to see you again.”
Max crossed his arms and smirked. “Don’t fuckin’ lie.”
Kai chuckled. “How’ve you been?”
“Busy.” Max glanced around. “Events like this take a lot of time to plan.”
“You did good. Looks like quite the success.”
Max nodded and scratched his cheek. “Yeah, it does. Not sure why the turnout’s so big, but I’m not complaining.”
“All that hard work, paying off.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” Max shifted his weight, then dropped his voice a little. “So, listen, I’ve been wanting to thank you.”
Kai quirked a brow. “Thank me? For what?”
“Having my back at that bar fight, for one. The bouncers grabbed my ass and threw me out before I could properly extend my gratitude.”
They’d thrown Kai out, too, but Max had already split. Kai inclined his head, “You’re welcome,” then grinned, “although, maybe next time go a bit easier on the whiskey there, Irish.”
Max chuckled darkly. “I would’ve been worse without that whiskey.”
Kai smirked. “If you say so.”
Max sighed and shifted his folded arms. “And thank you for trying to take Sean off my hands. Though it didn’t go even remotely as I’d hoped, the gesture is still appreciated.”
“Not a problem. Sean seems great. Maybe the two of you can figure a way to make it work.”
Max was shaking his head before Kai even finished. “Not likely.” A frown shadowed his face. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject with a jerk of his chin. “I assume you’re looking for Scott. He’s at the bar. I’ll walk you over.”
He led the way to a modest-size lounge area. Kai quickly spotted Scott and Tad. Only, it wasn’t just the two of them. Evidently, Tad had invited his friends. Kai’s body tightened as he caught sight of Breck. He hadn’t expected to see him tonight, although he realized he probably should have. Any time he’d ever seen Tad, he’d been with his crew.
He took Breck in as Max ushered him closer. And damn it, if he didn’t look really fucking good. Snug black jeans and a long-sleeved burgundy polo, untucked and hugging his torso so incredibly right. Kai’s presence still outside of his radar as he shot the shit with Ned.
Tad was actually the first one to notice him. He stilled, then smiled a little and gestured for Scott to turn around. Scott grinned as they came to a stop.
Max smirked and tipped his head toward Kai. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
Scott’s grin spanned wide. “Hey, you made it!” He clapped Kai’s shoulder. “Thanks for coming. You want a drink?”
Kai lifted his champagne glass. “Nope. I’m good.”
“S’up, Kai.” Tad smiled.
“Tad.” Kai tipped his head.
Marcie and Jay were the next to notice them. “Karate man!” Jay greeted.
Kai chuckled and gestured hello.
Then Ned and Breck looked over, too.
“Heyyyyy.” Ned grinned as he bumped Breck’s shoulder. “Dude, look who’s here. Your bestie boo.”
Breck stiffened and shot Ned a glare, then turned back to Kai and gave a chin-lift hello.
Kai smiled, returning the sentiment, but left it at that, resolving to give Breck a pass. No pushing his buttons tonight. No ruffling his feathers. Although, in truth, a little bit of uncomfortableness might serve Breck well. Make him think twice next time before getting wasted and storming over to his apartment.
Heart thumping, he held Breck’s gaze, confident he was thinking about that night, too.
Breck cleared his throat and averted his gaze.
Ned flicked a look between them while swigging on his beer.
But then a couple of women suddenly shuffled past to get to Max. “Professor Kelley?” One of them beamed. “Do you have a few minutes? We’d like to ask you about the sculptures.”
Max forced a smile that was hardly convincing. More like the grin of someone in notable pain. “Sure. Let’s go take a look.” He glanced at Scott and muttered, “I’ll catch you later.”