“What does that mean because it sounded like something else was going on?”
“Look, Lattimore, whatever happened was between PJ and me. It really isn’t your business. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some sleep.”
“Make sure you wipe your chin. You got something on it.”
Fuck!
The drive home was painful. PJ sat on her side of the car looking out the window. She was wearing her earbuds and quietly singing her playlist instead of sharing it with the rest of the car. Max was forced to listen to classical music the entire ride back. It was Carla’s favorite so even if he protested, he would be outvoted.
Upon arrival at their apartment building, Max tried once more to communicate with PJ. He really needed her to understand where he was coming from. He needed to apologize and for her to understand why he did the things he did. As they exited the elevator, he caught her arm and quickly dropped it when she glared at him.
“PJ, can I talk to you at my place? Please?”
“Yeah, okay. Let’s talk.”
Max watched as Lattimore gave them the side eye. They waited until he made his way to the penthouse before turning down the hall toward Max’s place. They sat down on the couch facing each other as he began the painful journey of why he was a prick to the woman who held his fate in her hands.
“I feel like you hate me right now and it’s killing me. I need you to know how sorry I am that I made you feel invisible.”
“That’s exactly how I felt, Max. I need to know why.”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I was shocked by my ex showing up out of the blue. She’s the type that goes for what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“And it was obvious that she wants you. The question is, do you want her?”
“Until last night, I wasn’t sure. I think that’s another reason I froze. I had all kinds of emotions flowing through me. That’s still no excuse. I should have at the very least, introduced you. I am so sorry.”
“Thank you for explaining that to me. Now let me explain to you a few things. When I was growing up, I lived in a mansion with Latti and his family. My mom was their maid. Even though I went to private school, I didn’t belong there because I was poor, and the kids never let me forget it. Latti was my only friend, so when he wasn’t around, I felt invisible. What you did just brought back those feelings in droves. Especially with your ex. She looks like the poster child for a private school mean girl.”
“I had no idea, PJ. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
“You keep saying that, but you haven’t said you would never do it again. I don’t know if I can be with someone who doesn’t think I am important enough to acknowledge. In fact. I know I can’t.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I think you should take that job offer with your ex. See how you feel and find out who you want to be with.”
She got up and left without another word, breaking Max’s heart in the process. He didn’t know what to say to make her stay, but he couldn’t blame her. With everything she had been through in her past, she had every right to walk away. He hadn’t made it clear that he chose her over Simone. He meant to tell her everything he was feeling, but then he clammed up and let her leave without saying anything,
He hoped he would find the nerve to tell her at a later date, but right now he was going to take her advice and accept that job offer. The last thing he wanted was to get back with Simone, but what could he do? He had to make a living and if PJ no longer wanted him in her life, he had to move on.