Stand (Black Addiction Book 3) (18 page)

Of course getting home introduced a whole new set of problems.

Did I call him? Was I going to see him tonight? When was the next time we were going to have sex again? See, we really did have issues, me taking out my phone and scrolling through to his number no less than five times.

Gah.

I should probably not call.

My eyes were still locked on the screen when it started ringing in my hand. The name of the caller displayed on the screen. Max.

“Hey.” I tried to sound cool, vowing to not bring up the should-I-call debate with him. “How are you?”

Oohhhhhh because
that
sounded cool; my saving grace was he didn’t see my face palm.

“I’m good, tired.” He yawned followed by a laugh. “
Someone
kept me up most of the night and I’ve been at Angie’s all day. Just getting into the car now actually; thought I’d call and see if you wanted to do dinner.”

Whatever concerns I’d had eased when I spoke to him. He had a way of pushing back any lingering doubts and questions and for everything just to
be
with us. It was a calm that I couldn’t explain, a stillness that I craved. Like he was able to center me just with words.

“Dinner sounds nice, but Jules and I were about to make something here.” I cringed wanting to spend another evening with Max but being aware I’d been MIA all weekend. “I kind of don’t want to ditch her.” Especially as I had already offered to cook to make up for being gone while she was sick.

“That’s cool, have you got enough for one more?” Max asked without any hesitation.

“You want to eat dinner with us?”

“Sure, I’m game. I mean what’s the worst thing that could happen.” He laughed, not needing to remind me what was the worst that could happen.

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” My head fell in my palm, still horrified about my own stupidity.

“Nope, are you cool with a house guest, or am I forced to fend for myself?” The amusement playing in his voice as he spoke. “I would like to point out that I will happily pick up any ice cream of your choice for dessert.”

“Ice cream, huh?” Not that he needed to sweeten the deal, but who could ever say no to a good-looking man with ice cream. That was a no brainer.

“Deal.” Who was I kidding, even if he showed up empty handed, I was going to want to see him. He’d just made it a whole lot easier. He was great like that.

“See you soon, text me what flavor you want.” The ignition started, the roar of his engine making it harder to hear.

“Sure, will do. See you soon.” I ended the call; the grin I was wearing threatening to split my face apart.

“Jules, we’re having company,” I called out, the night taking an unexpected up turn. And I couldn’t wait to see him.

I’d made the decision
when I kissed her goodbye on Monday morning that I’d be seeing her as much as possible. Why? Because I wanted to, and it felt like she’d wanted that too. And as far as I could see there was no reason to hold back.

I didn’t care if inviting myself to dinner made me seem desperate. My life wasn’t a fucking national survey, and I’d do what I wanted. Completely no fucks given on what anyone else thought, unless it was her. So, as long as she had no problem with having an extra mouth to feed—which she didn’t—I was party crashing.

Dinner had been really nice. Nothing fancy, just some Hamburger Helper, crusty bread and a salad but it tasted amazing. Sitting in her kitchen, just the three of us, talking felt good. sort of like old times when she used to crash with me and Joey. Except this time it had been reversed and it was me who was crashing. Which was completely cool with me. And it was fucking awesome having a home cooked meal instead of take out.

The conversation had been easy too.

“How’s the song writing going?” Beth asked in between mouthfuls, the question lacking the usual obligation it normally attracted when asked. It was like she genuinely wanted to know and not fishing for when the album would be done or needing a conversation filler.

“It’s going well. Lots of material. I’m writing this particular song about a girl who drugs this guy.” I couldn’t help but grin watching her face morph from the smile she’d been wearing into horror. “I think it would sell well.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Her eyes narrowed, my laugh spelling out I had been joking. “And it’s still not funny.”

“I disagree, I think it’s hilarious.” Jules weighed in, her head nodding in agreement. “Go ahead, Max. Number-one hit for sure.”

Jules having an opinion was nothing new and I loved how both of them seemed real when they were around me. In a sea of people trying to please me, it was a welcome change.

“So, what about you ladies? How’s school?” And I genuinely wanted to know, finding out what had happened during Beth’s day pretty high on my priority list.

“It was fine.” Beth gave me a tight smile, part of the conversation obviously missing. The sideways glance at Jules a hint, I was probably right.

“Really? Just fine?” I probed, curious as to what the story was. And when Beth was cagey, there was always a story.

“Yeah, everything was great,” she added, the smile and the words not convincing.

“I’m going to go, and . . .” Jules rose to her feet and looked at us both. “Yeah, something needs doing surely.” And if that wasn’t a big freaking sign there was something that needed discussing then I didn’t know shit.

“Something you’re not telling me?” I didn’t bother continuing the charade. More than just a little curious as to why she was being evasive.

“Some pictures of us are online.” She hesitated before adding, “Together.”

Pictures of me and who I was with often turned up online. It was par for the course. I didn’t even notice the cameras anymore so it wasn’t even on my radar. I didn’t even think to give Beth a head’s up that it might happen.

“Does that bother you?” I’d never cared on whether a girl gave a shit about it or not, but with Beth it was different.

“No, I mean. It’s just weird because it’s just me.” She shrugged, not offering more of an explanation. “I guess it’s a slow news day.”

I was fairly sure there was more to it than one picture but I didn’t push, figuring I had all kinds of time to get more info. I wasn’t in a hurry; nope I want to savor every second I had with her. So, while she seemed to be done with that, we moved on to random every-day shit. Everything and nothing, at no time did it seem awkward.

And when it was time for bed, rather than kiss her goodbye and head out the door, I extended my invitation.

“I’m thinking I should stay.” My lips traveled up her neck, our feet moving towards her bedroom. “I have something important I need to do.”

“Oh really?” She didn’t fight me, pulling off my shirt as we made our way to her bed. “And what’s that?”

“Making you come.” I licked my lips, wanting to taste her more than anything. “Don’t get me wrong, dinner and the conversation was awesome, but I promised to bring dessert and I’m a man of my word.”

“We ate the ice cream.” She whimpered as my hand lowered to in between her thighs, my fingers desperate to get to skin.

“Then consider this the cherry on top.”

Leaving her wasn’t an option, and if I was honest, it wasn’t just about sex. I didn’t give jack about whether it was her mattress or mine that got the pleasure; feeling her beside me when I fell asleep, the only criteria I needed.

I could have gone home sometime in the early morning. Got a couple of hours more sleep, her alarm sounding way earlier than mine. But I would trade a few less Z’s for more hours with her any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Even woke up a little before we needed to be so I could give her a wake up of my own.

Best. Start. Ever.

And I only agreed to let her shower by herself, because I knew if I got in there with her, it would end up taking three times as long. Her schedule not as flexible as mine.

“Hey, big guy.” Jules punched me in the arm. “Sleep well?” The grin on her face told me she was more than aware that not a lot of sleeping had gone on.

“Great actually.” I took a mouthful of coffee as I stood in the middle of their kitchen. It was how I liked to enjoy my morning cup. On my feet, the cold tile underneath—substituting kitchens didn’t bother me. “Never better.”

“Riiiiiiggggghhhht.” She nodded, probably having heard more than she should. And if I’d had any decency, I might have been embarrassed. Not that she seemed to be. Looked like it was a win/win all around.

“So, I was wondering if you have plans for Friday night?” She rocked back onto her feet, her work gear already sorted as she waited for Beth to get ready.

“You asking me out on a date?” I bit back a grin. Not that there’d been a chance, but it was fun to watch her squirm.

“Hahahahha. No.” The exaggerated laugh proving she knew I’d been kidding. “I need a tiny favor.” She pinched together her fingers giving me the visual cue. “It’s actually more for Beth than me.”

Well, wasn’t that just the magic word.
It’s for Beth
would pretty much guarantee I’d do anything. Need a spare hand? Sure, let me cut off mine.

“This Friday?” I waited for her to nod. “Nope, nothing solid. What did you need?”

Jules took a deep breath, which meant she was either going to spill one hell of a story or she was nervous, and I wasn’t sure which was better.

“We have this thing, sort of like a fundraiser—a bowl-a-thon.” Her mouth raced without taking a break. “And we both volunteered to go; Beth’s really excited about it. It’s only a couple of hours, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it which means she’ll be without a partner. I know she’d be so disappointed if she didn’t get to go, you know. So, I thought maybe I’d just find a replacement for me. There’s a cute single dad at school; I could totally ask, but I figured I’d see if you were interested first.” She took a big suck of air, almost passing out from her detailed rundown.

I chose to ignore that part about the
cute single dad,
because that shit just pissed me off. And it was too early in the morning for me to be throwing back some verbal gymnastics of my own, so I let that slide. Plus, I knew when I was being baited, and Jules had the line out, lured and hooked just waiting for a nibble.

Wasn’t happening.

She also seemed to have a case of motherfucking amnesia, failing to remember I’d known Beth a long time. Bowling? Please, I’d have a better chance getting her excited about going to a car wash.

“Beth doesn’t like bowling.” My arms folded across my chest wondering where the fuck this was going. Like it or not, I was interested so dismissing it wasn’t an option.

“Well, of course she doesn’t,” Jules threw back her hand with a complete lack of surprise. “No one really
likes
bowling, but it’s a great opportunity for her. To show how invested she is in the school community, how dedicated she is to the kids.” She continued to lay it on thick. “Like extra credit. And her work means a lot to her.”

Well, that part went without saying.

“So you want me to take your place?” It didn’t make any more sense saying it out loud, the request very much of the WTF variety. And I was still no closer to knowing what the subtext was, because
bowling
sure as fuck wasn’t it.

“Yep, exactly. It will be fun.” She paused between each word and nodded her head. “But you can’t tell her.” Her smile evaporating as she got serious. “She’ll just tell you it’s no big deal because she knows you’re busy.” Her hand waved in front of her trying to illustrate her point. “But think of how cool it will be to meet the people we work with?”

Jules threw out another line and I couldn’t help but take a bite.

“Something about this feels really shady. Don’t you think blindsiding her is a shitty thing to do?”

We’d already established I’d do pretty much whatever when it came to Beth. Spending time with her—a given, tell me where and when and it was a done deal. Meeting the people she worked with—sure, see above. I’d have done all of it willingly.

If she’d asked.

Which she hadn’t.

Sooooooooo.

Let’s go over this one more time shall we?

“Blindsiding her?” Jules laughed, her happy-happy not convincing me there wasn’t something else going on. “All I’m asking you to do is take my place on the team. That’s all, nothing at all shady.”

“This has bad idea written all over it, and you know it.” Fuck, everyone knew it. Not to mention that if this blew up in my face, it would be the most epic fall out of all time.

“Fine, I’ll get the cute single dad. It’s probably for the best anyway, and I know he won’t mention it.”

And there it was again. Wasn’t getting ignored a second time, and I didn’t give a shit on whether or not she was serious. Even the hypothetical of her pairing up with this dude was giving me a nervous twitch. Which meant that Jules had snagged herself a two-hundred-pound asshole—me. And all that she’d needed was a bigger net. Well done. God, I hope I didn’t end up regretting it.

“Yeah, that isn’t going to happen. Give me the details.”

“Thanks, Max. You’re such a big help.” She gave me another pop in the biceps, pleased beyond measure that whatever her objective was, had been met. “Dress nice though, huh. Not Meta Gala nice, a couple of steps down from there.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Bullshit, something told me it was very much going to be a
problem
.

Not that I had time to explore what that might be, Beth coming out of the bathroom not a minute later. The conversation was iced as I took a good look at her, the fitted dark-blue dress she was wearing making my balls ache with need.

“I’ll be seeing you tonight.” I lifted her chin and kissed her lips, the fact we had an audience not deterring me. “Your place or mine, I’ll let you decide.”

“Fine.” She smiled, her arms wrapping around my chest as she nuzzled in close. “I’ll call you later.”

“All I needed to hear.” I gave her another kiss, Jules developing a sudden need to clear her throat as my mouth gave Beth something to remember. The
see ya
coming sooner than I would have liked.

It was the first time in a long time I didn’t want to head to the studio, the drive to Angie’s harder than it usually was.

It was a good distraction though, being with the band an awesome way of filing in time while Beth worked. It beat the hell out of sitting around my apartment like a loser, and with Angie once again in the family way, the hours of productivity were going to be reducing soon. Morning sickness, fatigue, moodiness—it was a roll of the dice on what we were going to get. Which is why we were putting in the hours now.

The week was pretty intense.

Holed-up in Angie’s studio while we worked through material. What sounded good, what blew, and getting a solid list together so we could narrow what would eventually make it to our next album.

It wasn’t all work, Joey and Rusty filling the breaks with comedic relief. Their back and forth probably partly due to fatigue, with each day running into the next. It would have been easy to go crazy, the walls seeming to close in, but at the end of each day came my little slice of awesome, giving me exactly the recharge I needed.