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And I need to be there.
I’ve not been brave enough to return to the gym. There are too many people in the confined space. I’m not ready for it, no matter how much I miss the routine.
There’s a part of me that’s felt disconnected and unanchored. I need the tranquillity of the outdoors as well as the company of the animals that have been previously discarded and have now become my responsibility around me.
So last night I came up with a plan, and I stayed in Max’s room with him. When he got up this morning and used the bathroom to get ready, I quickly slipped out of his bed and got dressed. Just as I slip on my long, woolly avocado-coloured socks, Max walks back into the room.
Sleepy, toasted-brown eyes squint at me. “Honeybee?”
He’s not going to be the hardest one to persuade, but I still prepare myself for some resistance.
“I’m coming, too,” I announce.
“W—”
Panicked he’ll disagree, I cut him off and my hands land on his chest. “I miss Daisy. And Jerry. And Buttercup. All of them. I miss the outside. The smell of hay and grass. I miss the place that makes me feel like me.”
Strong arms wrap around me and lift me until we’re nose to nose. “Okay.”
I narrow my eyes, unsure what the catch might be. “Okay?”
It’s awkward just dangling in his arms, so I wind my legs around his waist, and his hands immediately land on my bum, supporting but also distracting me.
He considers me for a second, tilting his head so our noses brush. “It’s your choice. Plus, it means I can spend the day with you, so I’m not going to tell you no or what to do, honeybee.”
I deflate in his arms, the steely resolve I’d collected ready to enforce and demand what I wanted no longer needed. At least for now. I’m going to need all of it when it comes to Nate.
Max crushes me into his chest and smothers my mouth with an eager kiss. I tangle my hands into his soft, delicious curls and return his affection. I should’ve known Max would unwaveringly support me in this.
“Fuck. I love your kisses,” he mumbles against me, then pushes back in for more.
Our tongues dance and tangle together, neither of us trying to dominate the other. When we come up for air, we’re both flushed and breathing quicker. Max doesn’t bother putting me back down. He pats my butt as he walks us to his door, and I twist my arms more securely around his neck.
“Let’s go persuade grumpy bear.”
“What bear does that make you?”
He removes a hand to open the door, still managing not to let me slide or drop. “Sexy bear, obviously.”
I snort. “You can be snuggly bear.”
His mouth drops open with outrage. “You don’t think I’m sexy?”
So, it’s not that the conversation went badly, but it didn’t go down easily either. There might’ve even been some proverbial steam coming from Nate’s ears at one point. I think the kisses helped. Perhaps that’s what I need to do next time Nate’s surly and says no—just smother his face in kisses and watch as he slowly caves.
We’re currently on the drive there, so I’ll take that as a win.
Even if my insides are twisting over worrying Nate so much. I appreciate how he understood this is what I need, even if it’s really hard for him to accept.
“So if I take Rosy with me everywhere I go, then you’ll chauffeur us?” Max quips as he pokes his head between Nate and me from the back seat of Nate’s truck. “Because it’s kind of nice having someone drive me around everywhere. I could get used to this. Customer feedback, though; you should stock some refreshments back here. A nice fridge with some drinks, some decent snacks. Oh, maybe a detour option for a drive-thru? We could pick up some breakfast?”
“You had breakfast,” I remind him playfully.
“Fine, brunch then. We should get brunch,” Max suggests, leaning farther forward. His shoulder brushes against mine, and he grins at me.
“Don’t,” Nate huffs.
His left hand rises, and he shoves Max’s face back through the gap. Instead of placing it back on the steering wheel, he drops his hand onto my knee palm up and open.
