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“No. You do have it. I’ve felt it, Max. You do.”
Max shook his head indifferently. “No. You’re wrong. And I’m done trying to convince you. You’re like talking to a goddamn wall.”
“Max. Don’t do this. We can fix this. We can.”
“I don’t want to fix it. You’re a thorn in my fucking side, and I don’t want to deal with you anymore.”
His words were like a wrecking-ball punch to Sean’s gut. He sucked in a ragged breath. Tugged at his restraints. Max didn’t want to end them. Sean knew he didn’t. He was just putting up his stupid icy front. But that did little to comfort him, because Max had made up his mind. Sean could see it in every inch of his bearing. Anger and devastation shook his frame.
“Don’t say shit you don’t mean, Max.”
“Oh, believe me, I mean it. Been planning it for a while. And your visit tonight gave me the push I needed.”
“Bullshit!” Sean shouted, a lump forming in his throat.
“No. Not bullshit,” Max muttered calmly. “I’m done with you. I’m done with the hassle.”
Pain speared through Sean’s chest, like Max was stabbing him with knives. Knives that could never be unspoken. “Please, Max. Stop talking. You’re saying shit you’ll regret.”
A morbid chuckle. An idle shrug. “Not really worried about it. I burn bridges a lot. Easiest way to get some fucking space.”
Sean could feel his insides crumbling. Could feel his face twist in pain. He couldn’t believe this. Felt so utterly blindsided. And stupider than a bucket of goddamn rocks. To believe that Max wanted him, as a lover, as a partner, when in reality, all Max wanted was to dump him.
Like yesterday’s trash. Out on the curb.
Sean’s head spun. How could Max do this? And why be so mean? Talk about an all-time dickhead low. Sean seethed amidst his hurt. He didn’t deserve this kind of cruelty. Max was an asshole for getting his hopes up just to crush them. Talk about a low blow. Fury overpowered Sean’s pain. Now he just wanted to punch Max in the face.
Clenching his jaw, Sean glowered. “Untie me.”
Max shook his head. “We’re not done with our—”
“Untie me!” Sean shouted.
Something flashed in Max’s eyes. “This is our last session, Sean. Let me at least make you—”
“No!” Max wasn’t listening. Sean needed out. “Red!”
Max stilled. “But I’m not even touch—”
“RED!!” Sean bellowed. “FUCKING RED!!” He yanked at every restraint, his heart pounding riotously. He needed to get away from Max now.
Max’s lips fell open. Even his stone-cold face paled. “Okay.” He nodded. “You’re done. We’re done.”
Goddamn right, they were done. In all of Sean’s life, no one had ever humiliated him, wrecked him, so fucking viciously.
Max freed Sean’s knees first, then reached for his wrists. Sean fought not to tremble, but failed. Didn’t do much better with controlling his breathing. A split-second later, Max finished unfastening him. Sean snarled and shoved him away with all his strength.
Max tumbled backward, off his knees, onto the floor. Sean lurched up, swayed, then high-tailed it for his clothes. Didn’t try to put them all on, though. Just his jeans would suffice. The rest he snatched up with shaky hands.
Max stayed silent behind him. Didn’t try to approach. And he certainly didn’t attempt to apologize. Sean glanced his way as he stormed toward the door. Max watched him with apathetic eyes. Another punch in the gut. Another knife in the chest. Because walls up or not, Max just ripped out his heart, and didn’t appear to even care.
Sean fought back the tears and pointed at him furiously. “You, Sir, can go to fucking hell.”
* *
Max stood in the darkness at his living room window, watching Sean tear down the walk. Heart hammering, torso covered in cold sweat, he teetered on the brink of a meltdown.
He’s leaving.
Good.
He never should’ve come.
Stark, emerald eyes tracked Sean to his car. Watched him climb in. Watched him fight with his lighter. Max rubbed his sternum with a shaky hand.
I did it all wrong.
I should stop him.
I should fix this.
Tell him I didn't mean to—
He cut a sharp head shake. Yanked his hand from his chest.
No. This is better.
Now he won't come back.
Jesus, just the thought of that made him nauseous. Jaw ticking, his eyes turned desolate. Bleak.
But I don’t fucking want that.
I’ll miss him.
A lot.
Sean chucked his lighter and started his engine. Max’s hands fisted anxiously at his sides. Open. Closed. Open. Closed. Desperate to go after him. Muscles vibrating the shit out of his bones.
No. That's exactly why I cut him loose.
He’s a risk.
A liability.
A luxury I can’t afford.
Sean pulled from his parking spot and sped away, his taillights like blades in Max’s heart. Another vicious shudder wracked his frame. He clenched his jaw till it screamed.
I hurt him.
God, I hurt him.
So fucking bad.
Shouldn’t’ve been so cruel.
Max stared at the space where Sean’s car had just been. Then glowered and lifted his chin.
