Page 97 of The Chase

I nodded. “I should have talked to you before lashing out at TJ.”

She gave me a smug look. “Yeah, that’s some Roxanne Desjardins asshole behavior. Unusual for you, though.”

“I was having a panic attack. I wasn’t in a good place.”

“I get that, but you need to grovel. My brother’s distraught. I don’t think he’s ever felt for anyone what he feels for you. He thinks he’s messed everything up. You two need to work through it together.”

“Thanks, Rox.”

I stared down at the flowers in front of me as she left, and I pulled out my phone to shoot TJ a message.

ME: Let’s talk. My place. I’ll make dinner.

TJ: K!

“What are you gonna do?” Keiana asked.

“Make him that lasagna he likes. Grovel a lot. I don’t know, Kei.”

She pointed to the flowers. “It seems like he messed up too, and he knows it. It’s good he has his sister in his corner.”

I nodded. “Sometimes it’s like dating both of them. Good thing I actually like Rox.”

“You want help today? I have plans, but you know I’ll cancel for you.”

I shook my head. “Nah. I got this. Thanks, Kei.”

She gave me a hug. “Love you, Max. You know I’m always here for you. I think you need to fix this with your man, though. He’s the only person who has ever gotten you out of your shell.”

“What if he doesn’t want me back? What if he changed his mind after he had time to think about it?”

She shook her head. “Nah, you’re hopelessly in love. Apologize and then get it in.”

“Keiana!”

She laughed. “You know I’m right. Love you, hun. Now get to work on winning back your man.”

I shook my head at her, but I was glad Kei would always be in my corner.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

TJ

For the fifth time, I ran my hand through my hair and stared at my reflection in my bathroom mirror. I splashed the aftershave Max liked on my face and realized I was nervous. I might have been a dick to her when she texted today asking to talk. I hoped she didn’t want to break up. After talking with my dad in Toronto and being away from her for a couple of days, I knew what I wanted.

“Bro, you look fine!” Benny said as he leaned against the doorway of my bedroom with my sister at his side.

Rox came into my room and stood in front of me. “What are you gonna wear?” she asked.

I gestured down the length of my body to the button-down plaid shirt and dark wash jeans I was already wearing. “What’s wrong with this?”

“Nothing. You look fine,” Benny said. He gave my sister a stern look. “Angel, he’s fine.”

My sister bit her lip but nodded. To me, she said, “I want both of you to be happy. Don’t give up because of one fight.”

“Angel, it’s not your relationship,” Benny tried again.

She gave him the finger, and I smiled at how some things never changed.