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"More times than I care to remember." He places a hand on either side of where I'm resting against the railing and leans in close. "Please don't take out your frustrations on my junk, Piper."
"I swear to God, Max, if you get any closer to me, you’re not going to be able to use yourjunkfor the next week."
Deep laughter bursts from Max's chest as he takes a step back. When I turn to face him, he's staring down at me with a hint of a smile on his lips.
"I thought you were going to keep an eye on Evie for me."
"She's fine."
"Really? Any idea where she is?"
"Not at the moment, but she's a big girl, Max. She can take care of herself. Plus, this overprotective big brother act is played out. Let the girl have some fun. Stop being so damn overbearing."
Max raises an eyebrow at my small outburst. People don't stand up to him. Ever. Or, at least, not enough in my opinion. He's not scary. He's not intimidating. Not to me, at least. He's just a guy who knows how to lead and expects people to follow. He demands respect.
What he doesn't realize is he has to earn it.
He's earned mine, over time, which is why I don't sugarcoat the things I say to him. Not when we're alone, anyway. He's kept my secret for me, been a shoulder to cry on if I needed it—not that I've taken him up on his offer—and tends to find ways to make me laugh when I'm wallowing in self-pity.
Like right now.
Because it seems like if I'm not infuriated by the way I feel for Julian, or trying not to feel for him, I'm upset by my parents.
"I have a feeling things are not getting better, are they?"
"No and no. I don't want to talk about it. Don't you have better things to do at your party than annoy me?" I realize I'm taking my wrath out on him as the words swirl between us. "I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean that."
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again—I'm a good listener. Yes, I could be in there mingling, but I saw you standing out here, and I could see the defeat in the set of your shoulders."
"My mom's just—"
"There you are," a short, petite, blonde says, interrupting me. Her hands are on her hips, a no-nonsense look on her face. From where I'm standing, it's clear Max has pissed her off. Even if it wasn't, the tone of her voice and the cringe on Max's face would have told me all I need to know. "We need to talk."
Yikes. Those are two words no one ever wants to hear.
Stepping aside, Max doesn't bother to look in her direction, instead keeping his focus on me, as he makes introductions. "Mya, this is Piper. Piper, Mya, the self-appointed queen of the Zeta house."
Mya growls at Max before turning and smiling at me, her voice sweet as pie. "It's nice to meet you, Piper. Sorry to steal Max away, but he's been avoiding me all night, and this is a conversation that can't wait."
Pressing my lips together to keep from laughing, I nod at Max once and slip past Mya, closing the door behind me as I enter the house. But not before I hear Mya say, "You need to stop sleeping with my sisters."
Well, then.
