Infinity: Based on a True Story (10 page)

I fought a smile. “You didn’t say that.”

“I did. She gave it back. It came along with some fussing and bitching about wasting gas, but I got it back.” He pulled it out of his pocket, dangling it in the air. I stared at it as if it were made of pure gold—like it was worth more than just a typical, manufactured key.

Max did the unexpected. Grabbing my hand, he opened my palm and placed the key inside. “It’s yours now.”

I swallowed hard, whipping my head up to look at him. “Max—no, you don’t have to give it to me if you’re not ready—”

“I’m ready.”

God.
“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I’ve never been so fucking sure of anything in my entire life. If there’s anyone I want having a key to my home, it’s you. I honestly don’t even know how she got it. I never gave it to her. She must’ve taken it without asking and, knowing me, I never cared to ask her about it.” His lips pressed on my cheek, causing it to flush. “By the way, when you put that visual in my head of her coming in during the middle of the night and giving me head, it wasn’t her I was imagining. I was picturing you.” He tipped my chin, eyes gentle. “
You
, Shakes. When you left I ended up whacking my fucking meat just to get the thought out of my head… but I’m still thinking about it. What a dream come true that would be.”

Hearing that made my tummy thrash with butterflies. He was smooth, I could give him that. He knew what to say and just how to say it. He didn’t hold back.

I could have dragged him to the bathroom, had my way with him. Or in the break room… again. We’d used that place one too many times after our shift.

I clung to the key with a pounding heart. I was excited, but I still wanted to be upset with him. This was way too easy.

I needed him to work for me. So, like a petty girlfriend, I pulled away and turned to the customer walking up to the bar, asking him what he’d like.

I prepared the drinks and when he walked away, I looked at Max.

He’d never taken his eyes off of me. His arms were folded, one eyebrow cocked.

“You don’t forgive me?” he asked, his voice loud enough to be heard over the dubstep music.

“Oh, I forgive you,” I said blatantly. “But you should know things aren’t as simple with me like they would be with other girls you’ve dated. You aren’t winning with smooth talk. Not this time. That’s too easy.”

His head shook and dropped, a silent laugh causing his body to vibrate.

“Hey! Excuse me!” A customer flagged Max down from his end of the bar. He looked at her and then looked at me again for a brief second, taking off the next to prepare her drink.

I leaned against the counter, watching as his toned arms moved and he picked up clear bottles of vodka or whiskey.

He moved swiftly, effortlessly, like he’d done this most of his life. When the drinks were ready he took the money and went to the cash register, giving me a quick glance.

“Too easy,” he scoffed.

Max said nothing more to me after that... at least, not during the rest of our shift. Instead, he focused on his side of the bar, making drinks and collecting tips.

He passed by me several times without saying a word. It worried me. Maybe he wasn’t in the mood for games. Or maybe he was just tired of my bitching and complaining and was realizing just how annoying I could be.

I mean, I had the key to his home. What more did I need?

Before I knew it, it was three in the morning and our shift was ending. I cleaned the bar, counted down the register, and was out of there in no time.

“Goodnight, Max,” I said as I started to walk out of the break room.

He stopped chatting with Eugene to look at me, blinking with a question in his eyes, one that asked
why are even you talking to me right now?

I was humiliated from being completely disregarded, so I hurried out, rushed to my car, and slammed my door behind me, cranking my Buggy.

I pulled away from Capri, outraged, tears rimming my eyes.

I entered my apartment, slamming the door behind me, glad Emilia had spent the night at her boyfriend’s house that night.

I walked to my bedroom and sat on the edge of my bed, breathing heavily through my nostrils, doing my best to calm myself down.

Then I began to pace, drawing in thick breaths.

A knock sounded on the door and I rushed for it. I wasn’t shocked that it was Max. I knew he’d come, most likely to stir the brewing pot even more.

I yanked it open. “What the fuck do you want?”

He grimaced, lips pinching as he barged in. Caught off guard, I started to back away, but he grabbed me, picking me up by the waist and bringing my back to the wall after slamming the door shut behind him.

“What the fuck do I have to do to get you to realize that this is
not
easy for me? That I’m trying?”

I thinned my eyes, refusing to respond. He could’ve continued talking—started an argument or even slapped some sense into me maybe, but he didn’t use words to get to me. He used something else, a weakness of mine.

His lips came towards my neck, his mouth parted, and he suckled gently, causing heat to flourish in the delicate space between my hips.

I fought a moan, doing my best to push him away. He pinned my arms to the wall and then brought my legs up, forcing them around his narrow waist.

He carried me to the bedroom and my back landed on another wall.

I gasped as the kisses continued, his sensual and angry caresses.

“Max, stop! I’m not in the mood!” I was lying. He was turning me on by the second, my body heating up, blazing like a furnace. I was sure there was a wet mess between my legs. I felt it. I had no panties on and when he ran a finger between my folds, he groaned, his body flexing above me.

In seconds he snatched off his belt, unbuttoned his pants, and freed his dick. He left one of my legs down, the other hitched around his waist.

He gripped my hip, shoving my dress up, exposing my lower half.

Tilting my head with the gentle touch of his fingers, he crushed my lips. I tasted liquor on his tongue.

I sank my teeth into his bottom lip. I thought I was hurting him, but I wasn’t. He liked it. He wanted more. He clung to me, one hand cupping my cheek, kissing me deeply, holding me, fighting and loving me at the same time.

“Stop.” I shuddered against his lips. He lowered his head, trailing small kisses down my neck, my collarbone, and my chest.

Before I knew it, he was inside me, stroking hard, taking me like he owned every part of me. I gasped and then moaned, my sex showing no resistance.

My back arched against the wall as he picked both legs up and sank deep, grunting, groaning, and whispering dirty shit in my ear that I couldn’t ignore.

“I love your fucking pussy, you know that?” he asked gruffly. “I fucking
love you
. I need you and I hate fighting with you. I hate that shit, Shakes. Tell me you do, too.”

I could have, but I would have been lying because fighting always led to intense moments like this.

Rough, pleasurable sex. The type of sex I’d never gotten from anyone before.

When I didn’t answer, Max dragged my body to the desk, knocking papers and other miscellaneous objects onto the floor. My stapler went flying to the carpet, crashing and splitting.

My back pressed to the cool, brown wood as he spread my legs apart, slamming into me, groaning as he clutched my thighs and I clawed into his T-shirt.

The desk rattled, but didn’t break.

My body built up more and more, reaching climax.

I cried out.

And he did next, jolting a bit as he came. His body fell forward, resting on top of me. We panted, the feeling indescribable. I shut my eyes, feeling as if I was in some movie where the couple fights like cats and dogs one minute and make up the next.

I couldn’t lie or deny this— it was amazing and I wanted more.

And more is what I got.

We took it to my twin-sized bed.

Relentless.

Reckless

The room steaming up, our bodies glued.

Sheets hanging off the mattress.

Pillows on the floor.

Energy on high.

It wasn’t until we were done and cuddling beneath my sheets that I realized he’d said he loved me. That he needed me.

Max… he was never the type to express himself but he just had. I brought it right out of him. It was his first time ever saying he loved me. After what felt like five beautiful months, he finally said it.

“I love you too,” I whispered to him as I entwined our fingers. I could no longer deny it, because although we were only a few months in, I felt connected with him.

It was hard to explain, but I felt like I’d known Max for years—like we’d grown up together with this insane love-hate type of relationship.

Of course there was more love now and the hate had eventually faded, but I knew we would become a powerful couple. Unstoppable.

“I love you, Shannon. I promise my love for you is infinite.” He kissed my lips. “Forever, babe. We will last forever. To infinity.”

“To infinity,” I breathed, lifting my head and kissing him again.

Looking down at me, he smiled boyishly, and then he moved on top, taking me once more and showing me just how much he loved me before we fell into a deep, much needed slumber.

W
hen Max takes a left turn
, a mischievous smile on his lips, I try and fight mine, studying the familiarities of my surroundings.

“You think you’re a slick guy, huh?”

His head shakes, the Mustang whipping backwards into a parking spot, causing me to bump against the seat. “Don’t act like you aren’t excited about this.” He grins, pushing out of the car immediately.

I pull the door handle, stepping out and taking a look around. My head tilts up to view the large swaying trees. Birds fly freely, cawing, and flowing with the breeze that brushes past my bare shoulders.

I am excited about this. We’re at a park I haven’t been to in years—a park that contains unforgettable memories. Just being here is bringing them all back.

It’s vacant where we are. Not many people visit this part because it’s where the high school and college kids come to get high, skip class, or simply cause trouble. Well, that’s how it used to be when we came around years ago.

Luckily Max and me were a little older so we knew what to do. Whenever the cops would come rolling in, we found an escape, running for our lives and then laughing about it as we drove back to his apartment.

Locking his doors, Max extends his arm and meets my eyes, his soft and carefree. “Coming?”

I walk towards him, unable to control my giddiness. When we link elbows, he leads the way to the trail. The gravel makes my legs rattle and my bones achy, but I ignore it.

“I can’t believe you really brought me here.”

“Why can’t you?” He looks down at me, cocking a brow. “This place is special… sacred.”

“Yeah, with tons of memories.”

“Maybe the memories are what I want you to remember.”

I nudge his rib with my elbow. “Max, I told you no funny business!” I point a finger up at him as he knocks his head back to laugh. “I mean it!”

“Shannon,” he says, almost exasperated, “Do you think that if you meant it, you’d be walking this trail with me right now?”

Max stops walking, clinging to my hand. I pull away, staring up at him. I’m speechless for a moment, not only because he may be right, but because I realize now that I may have just made a mistake. I should’ve stayed in the car.

I shouldn’t be out here with him, in this special place that means so much to us. What in the hell was I thinking? I’m alone with a man that, not too long ago, was the sun in my sky.

“You’re right,” I murmur, turning around. “Let’s go back to the car.”

“What?!” Max rushes around me, stopping me with his hand on my shoulders. “Shannon, you can trust me. I swear I won’t try anything.”

My brows narrow, guilt eating me up as I witness the disappointment settling in his eyes. “You promise?”

“I promise. I would never put you in a situation like that.”

“Then why did you come back?”

“Because… you only have so much time. And because I would have regretted not making you smile again. I would have regretted not being there for you when I could have been.” Max’s eyes glisten, but I snatch my gaze away. I can’t… no. I can’t deal with his tears, too.

I turn around again, continuing the trail. “That was sweet and all,” I start, carefully stepping over the rocks, “but we have a lake to view. There have been enough tears shed over me. We don’t need anymore.” I wink over my shoulder and he stands tall, flashing a broad smile and then following after me, chuckling.

“You’re still the same,” he says.

“What do you mean?”

“You still act so nonchalant… like nothing bothers you.”

I shrug my shoulders. “It’s the way I have to be if I want to keep going.”

“Yeah.” He rubs the top his head, eyes wide as they focus on the ground. “I see that now.”

I decide to change the subject as we reach one of the bridges.

“Remember when I almost tripped and fell into the lake.” I laugh out loud, pointing towards the vast body of water. “I was so scared. I couldn’t swim for shit.”

“Yeah, I remember. And I told you I would save you—that you had nothing to worry about.”

“You caught me,” I tell him, walking backwards across the rickety bridge.

Max’s face stiffens as he watches me. “Hey—Shannon, chill. You have to be careful.”

I make a face at him, forehead creased. “I am being careful. I’m walking slowly.”

“No. Seriously. While you’re on my watch I have to make sure you’re okay. Sonny would kill my ass if she knew I was even letting you walk out here right now—and don’t get me started on how your husband would react.”

I roll my eyes, reaching solid ground and holding my hands out.

When he walks onto the dirt, I say, “See? I’m fine. You all worry too damn much.” I turn my back to him. “I know what I can handle.”

“You could hardly make it down your stairs, Shannon.” Max’s voice is no longer playful. He’s upset.

When I turn around I realize he’s stopped walking, his attention fully on me, his face as straight as a board.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you out here.” He waves a hand, gesturing for me to come back to him. “You were right. I should take you back.”

“You have to be joking.” I scoff, standing in place. “
You
of all people, I thought would understand.” He stares at me but doesn’t say anything, just continues gesturing for me to come as he walks backwards. “Max, I’m fine. When I start to feel bad I will let you know.” I pat my backpack. “That’s what this baby is for. Besides, I got some new pills and I’m too jacked up on energy right now to just chill.”

“All of this walking might take a toll on you. I don’t want to be the one responsible for making your condition worse.”

His face softens, and I don’t believe it but I spot pity in his eyes.

“Wow,” I breathe. “Not you too,” I whisper. He looks at me, confused. “You were the only one that still looked at me like I was strong—like you saw me and not the OP—like I’m not made of glass.”

I walk away as he comes towards me.

When he reaches me, he sighs, gripping the tops of my shoulders. He studies me for several seconds, the sound of nature drowning out the words I just said.

With his eyes trained on mine he murmurs, “Are you fucking crazy? You are the strongest woman I know, Shannon. It’s not pity that you see. I care about you. I just don’t want anything to happen to you on my watch—hell, I don’t want anything to happen to you at all.”

I nod in understanding, dropping my head.

“I tell you what,” he blows out a breath, “you give me an honest check of how you’re feeling every ten minutes and I’ll layoff. I won’t bug you about it again. I won’t ask you anything. I won’t look at you any kind of way. I will respect you. I know you won’t do anything to make things worse… but just let me know. All right?”

My head bobs as I step back. “You got it, chief.”

He laughs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. We take a slow, careful stroll around the lake but before we sit at the bench, Max stops me, tugging on my arm. “Look.” He walks ahead of me, going to a tree just a few feet away. When I realize just what tree it is, my stomach flips and I meet him there.

Max runs his hands over the words carved into the bark.

The words are:

And beneath it, an infinity sign partially made of flying birds. Max created this with a wood carving knife. He’s always been good at art, making it more of a hobby than something he takes seriously.

The birds look so realistic. In fact, the carving still looks the same, as if someone comes back religiously to keep it freshly carved.

“Remember that day?” he asks in my ear, pressing against me.

“Yeah,” I whisper. “Picnic. Wine. The sun.”

“Perfection.”

He places a hand on my shoulder and steps closer to my side

I expect him to do something that I know I won’t appreciate, prepared to stop him, but instead he grabs the back of my hand with his, placing my palm on top of the carving. “This was one of the best days I ever shared with you.”

“Why?” I whisper.

He’s quiet for a moment, his breath running warm across my shoulders. “Because I’d never done it before. A picnic? The wine? That wasn’t me. I’m no romantic.”

“But you did it.” I’m breathless. Why in the hell am I breathless?

“I cared… maybe a little too much.” Max’s hand runs down my arm, but it’s not in a way that would set my soul on fire. It’s calm and collected, as if he doesn’t know what to say next—as if, he wants to touch me a certain way but has been restrained. “What happened to us, Shakes? I ask myself that question everyday.”

“Life,” I say quietly, turning to face him. “Life is what happened… and something you couldn’t control or handle.”

His face tightens, brown gaze hardening as it drops. His jaw ticks but he allows himself time to calm down. “Yeah.” His voice is thicker. “Life. Life can be so fucked up.” He looks up again. “Do you hate me for it? How I treated you? What I put you through?”

I answer immediately when I hear the hurt in his voice; see it in his eyes. “Max, no. You ask me that all the time. I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.”

“Good,” he sighs as if he’s truly relieved, “because I can’t have you hating me right now.”

“I don’t think I can hate anyone. I don’t even hate my mother, even though she completely abandoned me and Sonny.”

“You got through it. That’s all that matters.”

“But what if I hadn’t?” I sigh, sitting down at the picnic table. “What if I would have turned out to be just as careless as her? Where would I be right now? Would I even have the Onyx? Would Sonny be dead? Would I be dead?” I look towards him as he sits across from me.

“There’s no way you could be anything like her, Shannon. You’re too good—a fucking gem.”

I drop my head, focusing on my lap. “I wrote to my mother once and that was to tell her I had OP. She completely avoided the conversation, continued saying how she was ready to make changes in herself.”

Max is unsure of what to say.

“She got out early for good behavior. She came by once and I told her never to come back again. I shouldn’t have done that. I mean, I want to see her, and I doubt she’ll dare to drop by after all I said. I was just so angry and hurt…” I swallow hard, biting tears. Then I shrug. “I guess it’s better for things to stay this way, though. Let her continue not to care. That way when I die she won’t feel too bad.”

“Don’t say shit like that,” Max snaps.

I avoid his eyes. I know they’re angry. “It’s true. I’m done lying to myself. I don’t have time for that anymore. Might as well face facts.” I finally look up at him.

He stares me down like I’m his prey, eyes vicious, lips pressed thin. “Stop making yourself out to be a burden.”

“I’m not worth anything, Max. I was before, but not anymore. I’m sick. The doctors don’t even want to replace any portion of my lungs because I could die right on the operating table. There are donors, but no one is willing to give up a good lung for a girl that will most likely die even if the surgery is attempted. Hope is no longer on my side.”

He balls his fists. Shutting his eyes, he breathes as evenly as possible through his nostrils as if he can’t believe I’m even talking this way. I guess I’m not surprised. I was never one to talk negatively before all of… this.

I always kept my faith, held onto hope during the darkest, most depressing situations. Unclenching his fists, he straightens his back, walking around the picnic table to sit by my side. Pulling me in for a tight embrace, Max groans and sighs at the same time.

“You know something?” he asks quietly.

“What?”

“If I had the opportunity to donate anything that could help you, I would.”

“John says the same. Sonny too.”

“Because we fucking love you and you have yet to get that through your thick fucking skull.” He presses the pad of his finger to my temple, resting his forehead on mine. My chest heats up, a strange sensation coursing through my veins as a smile takes over my lips. “When you love someone you will do
whatever
it takes to keep them happy. Safe. Healthy… whatever.”

I twist my lips, sitting back and fiddling with the strap of my backpack. “If only that was possible.”

“Anything is possible, Shakes. We don’t know what’ll happen. For all we know the device you’re using could help you. The medicine might work better. You could become a part of the success rate.”

My smile falters. “It’s too late… I’ve already been given an expiration date, Max. The OPX is controlling the disease… helping me breathe. That’s all it’s doing right now, but it only helps so much. Sooner or later my lungs will reject it and then give out.”

He refuses to accept that, gripping my hands. “Anything is possible, right?”

I roll my eyes at him, switching the subject yet again. “I’m starving. Think we can go catch a bite?”

I can tell he wants to go back to what we were talking about before, but I stand up, tugging him by the hands.

“Sure,” he sighs. “Let me go take a leak.”

My nose scrunches as he jogs off and steps behind a tree.

I turn for the trail, making my way towards the bridge. Looking up, I put my attention on the trees again, the blue sky.

The wind tickles my cheeks and comfort swims through me. I reach the first step, ready to take it on. I cough as I continue my walk, but then I cough again.

And again.

Terror immediately strikes me as I come to a rapid halt.

Why am I coughing?

I step back, hearing Max call, “You okay?” from a distance.

“I’m fine,” I call, but my voice is hoarse. Another cough arises.

And then another. Soon, my head is spinning.

I stumble backwards, trying to catch onto something before I collapse, but it’s too late. I land on my side, reaching for the jetpack.

A feeling of weakness spreads through me. I can’t pull the bag off. One of the tubes must be pinched. It has to be, because now, I can’t breathe.

Everything becomes hazy.

I struggle for breath and try to call for Max, but I know he can’t hear me.

I roll over, feeling the device pushing into my back. The blue sky and unusually puffy white clouds become one giant blur.