Because today could be that day.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I reach for it without loosening my grip on her.
Hey, dickhead. I’m back. Did ya miss me?
I grit my teeth.
Yeah, it looks like that day is coming sooner than I thought.
I pull my truck into my parents’ driveway a couple of hours later only to find my dad’s car sitting there. I rake a hand through my hair, my mind still on Sloane and what the hell I’m doing with her. The conversation this morning didn’t go much beyond our latest Victory Royale in Fortnite. I’m not sure there was much else to cover. Can I even offer her anything else right now? Will she be okay with my lifestyle?
I mean, the sex was insane, but she won’t be happy with that for long. She’s not that type of girl. But how much can she actually handle? That’s the real question…one I don’t know how to ask.
I get out of the car and jog to the front door, sticking my key into the lock. I walk inside to find Shaye sliding into a pair of boots. She looks up with a surprised smile. “Hey! What brings you here so early?”
“You ordered an Uber. Here I am.”
She clasps her hands together. “Wow, front door service! What did I do to get so lucky?”
I shrug. “I know you hate driving in this slushy shit, so here I am.”
“Thanks. But seriously, how’d you know I was ready to leave?”
“Nico texted me and asked me to pop over. That boyfriend of yours wants to make sure you’re safe.”
“Then why’d he send you?” She snickers and gives me a little punch. “Just kidding. I appreciate it. The roads are so bad right now. Ice totally freaks me out.”
“Maybe you need an all-wheel drive instead of that stupid little sports car.”
“Or maybe I just need a permanent driver for the winter.” She winks then scrunches her nose. “You smell weird. Like, coconutty. Did you change your shampoo?”
“Not exactly.” But I was very open to being rubbed up and down with Sloane’s coconut body wash this morning.
She narrows her eyes. “What’s up with you? Where were you last night?”
Damn, that sister of mine is perceptive. It must be because of all of those damn psychology classes she takes. I don’t like anyone to see through me. Ever. But somehow, she manages to do it all the time. “I was out.”
“With whom?” Her eyes widen and she claps a hand over her mouth. “Oh my God…no, don’t tell me…”
“Would that be so bad?”
“It would be if you’re just dicking around with her! Tell me you’re not just dicking around with her!”
“Look, you can relax. I’m a big boy, and she’s a big girl. We can figure shit out.”
Shaye wags a finger at me. “Max, I swear to God, if you hurt her…” She pauses, and I can tell her brain is working overtime to figure out an apt punishment. “I will paint every room in your house pink and shred your lucky leather jacket.”
I clutch my chest. “Wow. Then I’d better watch my ass. Can’t be living in a pink house without my lucky jacket.”
“Don’t be a jerk. I’m serious. I love her, and I love you, but you guys can’t seem to get your shit together. Can you blame me for being nervous?”
“There isn’t anything to be nervous about. It’s not like anything is happening. I mean, something did happen, but—”
“Stop!” She puts up a hand. “I don’t want to hear about it.”
I flash a mischievous smile. “Oh, but you will. Why should I be the only one who suffers? I’ve seen enough of you and Nico to make me want to consider a lobotomy.”
“That was different. Nobody asked you to barrel into his bedroom with a baseball bat!”