Not surprisingly, Sean stared right back—until he got a good look at Max’s face. He stilled, lips parting. “What the fuck happened to you?”
“Got in a fight. With a bus.”
“God-damn. Guess you lost.”
Max stiffly shrugged. “It happens.”
Sean studied his face intently, not even trying to be discrete, the concern in his gaze making Max anxious. He tightened his folded arms and deepened his scowl. “This is three fucking times that you’ve pulled this shit, Sean. Three times. You know the fucking saying.”
Sean’s lips quirked. He took another drag. “Three time’s a charm?”
Max glared at his cigarette. Another jab in the chest. He clenched his teeth. “Back to smoking, I see. Didn’t realize your gifts expire.”
Sean stilled again, then blew out with a frown. “They don’t. Not normally.”
“Ah. Just mine. Guess I’m special.”
Sean’s blue eyes flashed. “I was angry. You’ve been an asshole. Ignoring my messages. That shit’s rude, Max, not cool. Not to mention extremely unprofessional.” His heated gaze wavered. He sighed and looked away. “You made me feel like shit… And when you never got back to me… I wanted to make you feel like shit, too.”
Max’s chest squeezed tight—he was the bastard King. “It wasn’t an emergency,” he muttered. “And I was busy.”
Sean shook his head. “No, you weren’t, Max. Don’t lie. You were ignoring me. Being your typical stand-offish dick.”
Max stiffened, turning defensive, and shot Sean a glare. “I did nothing that I haven’t always done in the past, so I got no idea why you’re acting all surprised.” He gestured to Sean’s cigarette with a look of disdain. “You wanna keep smoking, keep being an idiot, that’s fine, but don’t put that shit on me. I didn’t make you quit. You said you did that for me.”
“I did, Max. I did. Wanted to do something nice for you.” Sean palmed the beanie on his head in frustration, then dropped his smoke on the ground and toed it out. “Can we please just put down our swords for a minute?”
Max scowled and looked away. Because he’d really rather not. He did better with weapons at his disposal.
Sean exhaled. “Believe it or not, I didn’t come here to fight with you.” His voice softened. “I came here to make sure you were okay.”
Max shot him a look. “I don’t need you to look after me. I’ve been doing just fine for thirty years.”
“Yeah, well, maybe that’s why. Maybe you need a breather. Someone to lean on for a change.”
Max’s heart twisted bleakly. Because that actually sounded nice. “No, Sean. Just stop it. I’m telling you, I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine, Max. Jesus. Look at your face. And you’ve been acting really strange. Something’s wrong.”
Max couldn’t argue that. Something was definitely wrong. The fact that he had to cut Sean loose. He stomped down the sad before it could grow, and tried to fan the flames of his ire. But he just couldn’t do it. Not with Sean looking at him like that. His big blue eyes all laden with concern.
He cursed and dragged a hand down his face. “There’s nothing wrong. I’m just a grumpy-ass fucker who likes to pick fights. This time with the wrong fucking guy. Hence, my face, which I assure you will heal.”
Sean’s lips curved a little.
Max glowered. “Go home, Sean. Come back tomorrow.” Please. So Max could form a real plan.
“Can’t. Got school stuff to do. You know, with graduation and shit coming up. Was kinda hoping that you and me could reschedule.”
He was so fucking full of it. Max could see in his eyes. That impish little glint gleaming bright.
“Sorry.” Max shrugged. “All booked up for the week.”
“What about now?” Sean graced him with a smile. “Tonight? Squeeze me in just this once?”
Max’s dick gave a kick, perking up immediately. Which Max supposed made sense since he’d just watched two guys get off, all while wishing he could bury his dick, too. But not in one of them. Hell, not in any of his clients. Minus one, of course. The guy standing before him now, asking Max to please have his way with him. Something that, mad or no, Max would absolutely love. Which was exactly why he absolutely shouldn’t.
Max shook his head. “I can’t. Not tonight.”
“Yes, you can.”
Max grit his teeth. “No. I actually can’t.”
But before he could tell Sean to hit the road, Sean reached out, grabbed Max’s wrist, then back-stepped to Tad’s Jeep, pulling Max right up against him. Max tensed, but for some reason, he didn’t fight it. Probably because Sean was nuzzling his cheek. His pulse broke into a dash. Sean so close made him crazy.
“Please, Sir?” Sean murmured. “I promise to behave. And then you won’t have to see me for a week.”
He said that like he thought Max would think it a good thing, being apart for so long.