Page 122 of Maximus

When Declan had shown up with three bags from a local sporting goods store filled with baseball and football gear, I had two choices: pitch a holy shit fit Max was asking his friends to run errands for him and still spoiling the boys, or delight in their joy as Max showed Liam and Elijah the purchases. I decided on the latter. I also decided that seeing Max’s boyish smile when he explained to the boys how the game of baseball was played was the next best thing to my boys telling me they loved me.

I’d never seen Max so carefree and happy as he was when he played with the boys. It was a different kind of love that he shared with them—it was unconditional, pure, and paternal. There was nothing better than watching Max and my boys fall in love.

“Liam, please go make sure Elijah’s not swinging the bat in the house. Especially near the sliding glass window.”

Max chuckled as Liam darted out of the room.

“What’s funny?”

“You are.”

“I don’t see how.”

“No, honey, there are a lot of really great things about you, you don’t see.” He leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. “You’re a good mom.”

I loved he thought that. Maybe if he told me another five-million times I’d start to believe it. I’d made so many mistakes sometimes it was hard to see past them.

“You’re doing it again, honey.”

“Huh?” I looked up at Max to find him gazing down at me, watchful.

“Stay out of the past.”

“How do you always know what I’m thinking?”

“Magic.” He chuckled. “C’mon, let’s get this show on the road so my woman can go dazzle her new employers so she can hurry up and come home so we can celebrate.”

“Do you want kids?” I blurted out.

My question sliced through the air, electrifying the atmosphere. My hand flew to my mouth as if I could somehow shove the words back in.

What in the hell was wrong with me?

“Forget I asked. Hell, I don’t even know why I asked.”

“Babe—”

“Please, Max,” I begged. My face flamed with embarrassment. “I have to get to my interview so just forget it. I swear, it’s like I was possessed for a second and I wasn’t in control of my mouth. Just walk me out.”

Ohmigod, it was like an alien spirit had taken over my mouth and I was spewing the most humiliating shit.

I needed to leave.

Max clenched his jaw before he forced himself to relax. “Okay, Eva. Let’s get you on the road.”

After hugs and kisses from the boys and Max making sure I had the directions, my phone, and understood how to use the navigation system in his truck even though he’d printed the instructions, because one could never be too prepared—those were his words—I was on the road.

It wasn’t until I was crossing over a quaint bridge that it hit me—not only had I left my boys with Max to watch but he’d loaned me his car and I was driving in Maryland for the first time. Hell, it was the first time I’d been out of the house alone since I’d moved.

My freak-out was cut short when the nav system blared through the speakers for me to turn. Two minutes later, I was pulling down a long driveway, an elegant house stood proudly at the end of the drive and my breath caught. Insurance brokers in DC must make a pretty penny if the couple could afford a huge brick home on the water.

Thankfully, the door opened as I parked and I had no time to talk myself into believing I wasn’t good enough to nanny for Audrey and Michael.

An hour later, I was back in the truck, gainfully employed.

I dialed Max’s number and waited for him to pick up.

“Hell—”