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Max’s whole body stiffened. He needed to muzzle that fucker.
Jay grinned and looked at Max, then abruptly froze. “Or… uh… not.”
Probably because Max was glaring him down.
Sean chuckled, the sound both dark and soft. “Nope, that was… definitely me.”
He met Max’s eyes again. That blade gave a twist, lancing fresh misery through Max’s chest. He fought back a grimace and cleared his throat. Guess he might as well introduce. “Yeah, this is Sean. Sean, this is Jay. And that’s Ned. And this guy’s—”
“Breck Harland,” Sean finished for him. “Yeah, I know.”
Max paused and eyed him.
Sean cut him a harsh look. “I go to Mason, too, Max. Remember?”
“Ah. True. Right.” What the fuck was wrong with Max’s brain? Had Scott taken it for a spin in his blender?
Breck smirked and tipped his head to Sean.
Ned grinned. “Hey, man. Good to meetcha.”
Jay, however, puffed up and beamed proudly. “I knew it. I knew I recognized you. Although, seriously, how could I forget?” He coughed a small laugh. “You two were quite the spectacle. I mean, damn, the way you were…” He gave a little hip grind.
“Jay,” Tad interrupted, shooting his friend a pointed look. “No need for a recap. Time to go.”
“What?” Jay seemed genuinely confused by Tad’s block. Tad shook his head curtly. Jay pulled out his cell phone. “At least lemme get a picture for Marcie.”
Ned barked out a laugh and shoved him through the door. “Tact, dude. Tact. My god, you’re pathetic.”
“But Marcie—” Jay’s voice filtered back into the foyer, even as Ned ushered him down the steps.
“Don’t tell her. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
“Dude. She’ll know. She always fucking knows. It’s actually kinda creepy. It’s like she sees into my soul.”
Tad tamped down a groan.
Breck shook his head, then flicked Kai and Sean another look.
Kai offered him a cool and collected smile, stole a quick glance down Breck’s body. “Nice crossing paths with you again so soon. Hope this continues.”
Breck frowned and gave Kai a once-over of his own. “Not fucking likely.” He cut Sean a look. “Unless you two plan on being here every Tuesday.”
Sean stilled. “Uh… No. No, I don’t think so.”
“Definitely not,” Max muttered. “One time deal.”
Sean glanced Max’s way. His eyes looked sad.
Breck smirked at Kai. “How unfortunate.”
Kai’s eyes flashed, his lips curved, as if having just accepted some kind of challenge. “We shall see, jeja,” he murmured. “Fate has always had its own agenda.”
Breck’s grin faded. Warily, he averted his gaze.
Tad chuckled and clapped his shoulder. “Don’t leave just yet, man. Stay and have a beer. Your first class tomorrow doesn’t start until noon.”
Breck fidgeted for a second. Glanced toward the kitchen. “Yeah, okay.” He shrugged a little. “But just one.”
How fucking nice. Tad and Breck were staying. Max exhaled and looked reluctantly back to Sean. Sean met his stare immediately, eyes reeling. Churning with emotion so raw and palpable, Max felt like his heart was fucking choking on them. Anger. Hurt. Confusion. Spite. And a whole effing lot of determination. About what, though? Going through with it tonight at any cost? Max’s stomach turned again, more viciously this time.
He cleared his throat and spoke up before he could stop himself. “Sean. I’d like to have a word with you real quick.”
Sean glanced at the others, then shrugged. “Okay.”
“Thank you. My office.” Max motioned for Sean to lead the way. When they stepped inside, Max shut the door, his heart beating a million miles a minute. “You don’t have to do this, Sean. You don’t have to prove anything.”
Sean lifted his chin defiantly. “I know. And I’m not.”
“You sure about that? You told me you didn’t want to be his sub.”
“Yes, I’m fucking sure.” Now his eyes looked mostly angry. Max clutched his hips, itching to move closer. Sean shifted his weight and folded his arms. “Is that it? Are we done?”
“Sean—”
“No. You don’t get to fucking question me. You don’t get to ask me shit.”
Max clenched his jaw. Drew in a steadying breath. “You’re right,” he murmured. “I don’t. But, Sean—”
“No. Don’t do that. Don’t act like you care.”
But I do care. That’s the problem. “Fine. Makes shit simpler.”
Sean pursed his lips. “Fuck you… You and your ice cold fucking heart.”
Max nodded. He deserved that. And the last part was certainly accurate.
Sean frowned, shoulders slumping, and eyed the floor. “I need to ask a favor.”
Max stilled. Aw, shit. He didn’t like the sound of that. Hell, he didn’t like the sound of fucking any of this. “Name it,” he muttered. He owed Sean that much.
Sean fidgeted, chewed on his lip, then finally looked back up. “When I first started subbing, I’d already gotten to know you… But I don’t know Kai so... I’m kind of nervous… and would appreciate it if you’d maybe stick around.”
Max’s whole body tensed. Sean had to be kidding. “Stick around?” he all but choked. That’d be like psychological suicide.
