4. Max & Nate
FOUR
MAX having to walk away took way more willpower than I thought I had. But the knowledge that I get to see her again tomorrow keeps a pep in my step as I get into my car.
Whilst we haven’t had a chance to have many conversations, every encounter we’ve had is imprinted in my mind. She’s definitely not the type of woman I’m used to. She’s much more reserved, and her emotions are so transparent on her face, not hidden behind fake smiles and pretty words.
Genuine, that’s what she feels like.
I’m sure I’ve seen moments of interest flicker across her face in response to my flirting, but her body language has been more No than Yes, so I’ve not pursued anything. She also seems more like a committed relationship person, and I don’t have anything more than casual to offer her.
I could see Bry liking her, though. Maybe I could invite her over.
Ignoring the slight pang I feel at the image of the two of them together—because that sort of connection isn’t something I want to risk—I push those thoughts out and lean down to grab the length of timber skirting from the floor, taking it through to the empty flat I’m working in.
Another day, another job.
Maybe I should try something else; something with a suit would be cool. A nice three-piece, rather than being covered in dust and crap all day. I could try to sell the houses rather than be involved in building them.
I grin at the idea of telling the guys that I’m thinking of quitting and trying something new. I know I drive them nuts with not being able to stick to something, but I just get itchy for something different.
After a long day on site, I get back to our flat and open the door with a flourish, ready to tell them about my plans for tomorrow.
“Guess wh—”
A tea towel smacks me in the face as I burst into the open-plan kitchen-living space.
“Get your shoes off, Maxi. You aren’t going to clean up your mess, and I don’t want to have to do it,” Bry scolds, exasperated. But to be honest, I should remember by now. Thankfully, the tea towel is at least dry this time.
“Shit, sorry!” Holding my hands up, tea towel still in one, I backtrack slowly out into the hallway and slip off my dusty site boots and leave them in the designated plastic box Bry has for dirty shoes.
Gingerly padding back into the kitchen, I offer up an apologetic smile as I hand back the towel and reaffirm my apology with a quick shoulder squeeze.
“Sorry, bro, I was so excited to tell you about my plans for tomorrow. I bumped into Rosy this morning on my way out. We got talking, and I offered to help her. She volunteers at an animal rescue on the weekends. How fucking cute is that? She said they’re in need of help, so I’ve offered myself up.
You want me to be your wingman and talk you up?
” I ask him, again ignoring the pang of… something that sparks in my chest.
“Rosy? She’s beautiful, but I don’t know if she’d be interested. We’ve been in the lift together twice, but she’s never said anything to me. I only know her name because you always talk about her. You’re not very tactful, so it might come across weird as we’ve never spoken before.”
I frown at his lack of enthusiasm, but I can sort of see his point. Sort of.
Watching my brother, in all ways but blood, focus so intently on the homemade pastry rather than on the idea of a pretty girl has me leaning across the kitchen island, my arms landing with a slap as I catch his eyes with mine.
“I’ll invite her over then, maybe for dinner with us all after a long day looking after all those animals.
She probably gets home too exhausted to cook and just eats a microwave meal, or even worse, just a bowl of milk-less cereal.
” I gasp. I’m laying it on thick, but I’m throwing the metaphorical fishing line right at him…
“Okay, invite her for dinner tomorrow. What do you think she likes? Is there anything she doesn’t eat? You’ll have to find out so I can make sure I have enough options. Maybe a mezze-style meal so she can pick things she likes?”
My bait’s been taken. Now I just need to get her comfortable enough to accept my invitation to come over, while resisting the urge to flirt with her when I’m trying to nudge her towards Bry.
“Sure, Bry. I’ll ask her whatever you want tomorrow and let you know. She’ll love your food; don’t worry too much. More importantly, though, what’s for dinner tonight? I’ve been lugging doorsets all day, and I am famished.”
Just as I take a seat on one of the stools at the kitchen counter, Noah walks in from his room.
“Hey, Maxi, how was work?” he asks me, a smile tugging at his lips.
He didn’t work today, but instead of relaxing in sweats, he’s still dressed in his “professor” attire.
His white-striped shirt is neatly tucked into his dark green chinos, and he even has a brown belt tying it all together.
I love him like a brother, but I don’t get how he can wear this fancy shit when he’s just relaxing at home.
There’s not one person who would agree that wearing a belt is relaxing. That shit cinches you in.
He claps a hand on my shoulder, then continues over to the kettle.
“Yeah, it was good. Boss man is being a bit of a dick and passing on the pressure to meet the deadline. But it’s all good,” I reply, snaking a hand out to grab one of the freshly baked pastries Bry pulled out of the oven.
Shoving it straight into my mouth, the molten lava cheese hits my tongue, and I swear steam blows out of my ears.
“Mmm—fuck, you coulda warned me!” I mumble around the burning hell pit that has opened up in my mouth.
Not wanting to waste the cheesy goodness by spitting it back out, I hollow my cheeks and try to blow out the inferno heat. Noah takes pity on my dumb-fuck self and hands me a glass of ice-cold water, but doesn’t manage to hold back the laugh that erupts from his non-steaming mouth.
Bastard.
“You do this every time, Maxi. You saw me take them out of the oven. Stop stealing them, and just wait for dinner,” Bry scolds, his eyes rolling as he continues rolling out more pastry and stuffing it with some sort of herb-and-cheese mix.
It’s like he just wants to taunt me with all this tasty goodness after I’ve been sweating my balls off all day.
“But it tastes so good, and I’ve been wasting away all day,” I whine, still trying to cool down my mouth with short pants. “Take pity on this poor, starving boy,” I continue, clasping my hands in front of me and fluttering my eyelashes at him.
“Lies.” He laughs. “I packed your lunch this morning, so I know you had plenty of food. You just have a bottomless pit for a stomach.”
He opens a container behind him, removes a couple of pastries, and hands them over to me. I knew he loved me really.
“See, this is why you’re my favourite.” I grin, shove a pastry into my mouth, then groan when I taste the cheese and it doesn’t burn my face off.
Hearing the front door open and close, I spin my chair around as Nate enters from the hallway.
I throw a pastry at him. “Think fast!”
With quick reflexes, he plucks it out of the air, then takes a bite.
My jaw drops. “What the fuck, bro. That was my succulent, cheesy snack. You’re supposed to hand it back.”
He licks his fingers one by one, then shrugs. “You threw it to me, Maxi, so it was mine.”
“You sneaky bastard. Revenge will be bittersweet, you wait.” I cackle, waving my pointed finger as I raise my brow at him.
Nate rarely relaxes his serious attitude or jokes about, so I can’t be mad at his stealthy stealing. Plotting my retaliation will be fun.
Nate drops his sizeable bulk into his favourite high-backed love seat, and swivels it to face us.
“How was the gym today?” Noah asks as he grabs four mugs from the cupboard and places them on the work surface, adding tea bags into each.
“Quiet. Good.”
Nate
I’m not lying to them; it was a good session.
It just would’ve been better if Rosy had been there. Even if we only ever smile to acknowledge each other’s presence, her being there is the best company.
My thoughts drift back to yesterday, and warmth unfurls in my chest. Talking to her and walking back to our floor together may have only been a minor step, but it was a start. Plus, the way she softened under my touch had my heart pounding hard.
Having her eyes on me lights something up inside me that I’ve never felt before, and I’m already addicted to that feeling. I crave being closer to her, inhaling her scent, and finally burying myself deep inside that wet cunt and never leaving.
“So…tomorrow you guys will have to have game day without me. I’ve got a hot date with some farmyard animals and our cute next-door neighbour.”
Max’s words shake me out of my lust-filled thoughts. Scrunching my brow, I wonder if I heard him correctly.
“You’re seeing Rosy tomorrow? How did that happen?” Noah asks, and my gaze fixes on Max.
“Yuuuup,” he says. “I bumped into her this morning. Literally. Her body, my body, boom.” He smacks his hands together.
My body draws tight. Did Max hurt her? Is she okay?
“She told me she volunteers at a farm for rescued animals on the weekend. Which makes her even cuter! Man, you should’ve seen the fluffy cat socks she had on her tiny feet.
I offered my manual labour services. So I’m going to the farm tomorrow, then inviting her over for dinner.
You’re all very welcome,” he finishes, then stands and drops into an exaggerated bow.
I roll my eyes at his antics but try to continue to keep my face neutral as my heartbeat accelerates over the possibility of seeing her tomorrow…here, in our space.
Fuck.
Would she be opposed to never leaving?
“Max, are you sure that’s a good idea? You can be a bit…persuasive at times. What if you pushed her into coming here and it makes her uncomfortable? Four men she doesn’t know? Just make sure you leave the decision entirely up to her,” Noah says, and I can’t help but disagree with him.
Never would have thought I’d be on Max’s side of anything, but here I am hoping he can pull out all the stops to persuade her to come over. Naturally, I keep my thoughts to myself. I’m not admitting to him that I’m on his side. He’d never let me forget it.
“I’m not going to force her, but what’s not to like about us? Don’t worry about it so much. My natural charm will win her over, and she’ll be jumping at the chance to come over.” Max winks.
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Noah mutters, shaking his head as he passes around the mugs filled with tea.
I grunt in thanks as he hands me mine, and I tune out their conversation as I let my mind drift to my gym girl.
Will she forget about me once she sees how charismatic the others are?
Whilst my size doesn’t let me easily fade into the background, I struggle to converse with others; silence is easier.
Max may be the loudest of the four of us, but Bry and Noah still manage to enthral women, and how could they not?
Bry is the nurturing one, always looking out for and taking care of others in ways they didn’t realise they needed. Noah has that natural confidence; he knows who he is, and he gives you the assurance that makes you feel like you can achieve anything.
Honestly, I’m not sure what I can offer anyone.
I know they love me, but I’ve always needed them more than they need me. They keep me out of the darkness that lurks in the recesses of my mind.
But Rosy? She obliterates it, and whilst I crave that feeling, it also petrifies the fuck out of me.