Chapter 11 Max
ELEVEN
MAX
“I’m so glad we’re going out tonight.” Skyler wiggles with excitement in the seat next to me in our Uber. “I could use a drink. Or six. The bane of my fucking existence is pushing me to my breaking point, and I’m afraid the show is close to falling apart because of it.”
“What’s his name again?” I ask. “Derek?”
“Dominic, but it should be Domi-dick,” she grumbles. “I swear his sole purpose on this earth is to make my life a living hell. We have this stunt we do together—you know the one where we’re both on the silks and he drops me, but I catch myself?”
“How can I forget? My heart stopped when I watched that, Sky. I still can’t figure out how you didn’t hurt yourself.”
“So many core exercises.” She laughs and pats her stomach.
“On Sunday night, Dominic looked at me and said, sure hope I don’t lose my grip.
And he let me fall two seconds earlier than what we’ve rehearsed.
It took me by surprise, I almost hurt my ankle, and I’m currently plotting his demise. Arsenic might do the trick.”
“What? The balls on him. Now I hate him. What’s his deal?”
“No clue, but he constantly antagonizes me. I wish he would break his leg so I could be free from him. Wait a minute.” Skyler grins. “Maybe I should accidentally push him off the stage so that becomes a reality.”
“I draw the line of retaliation at purposeful injuries. That would bring you down to his level, and you’re better than that.”
“I knew you’d use your teacher’s voice on me. Fine. I’ll behave, but I can’t promise I won’t knee him in the balls tomorrow night.”
I laugh. “Now that I support. Maybe you remind him of an ex or something. That’s why he’s being such a jerk.”
“Please. He doesn’t have enough of a soul to have an ex, and if he did, I pity her. That man is the devil, Max, and I don’t want to spend three more weeks with him.”
“I’ll sit in the front row and boo him.”
“You’re far too nice to do that, but I appreciate you saying it anyway.”
Our Uber pulls up to the stretch of shops and restaurants outside Adventure Oasis, and when I climb out of the car, my mind wanders to Hunter.
It hasn’t stopped wandering to Hunter.
Skyler always mentions how small the theme park world is.
Gossip moves fast, and drama at one entertainment venue reaches the ears of the attractions attendants working at a ride on the other side of the park by midday.
Everyone knows everyone else, and with each step I take, my heart skips a beat at the thought of seeing him tonight.
Is this his kind of scene? Does he have a ton of friends? Is he the life of the party?
I bet he would be.
Did I spend extra time on my hair and makeup before we left the house in case he happens to be here?
Maybe.
He gave me the best orgasms of my life. What’s a girl to do? Not hope she runs into the guy who got her off faster than any man has before?
“Are you okay?” Skyler loops her arm through mine and leads us to the security checkpoint. “You’re jumpy. Did you have another Brian situation?”
“I’m fine.” I flash her a smile, not letting myself scan my surroundings.
I am not taking a deep breath in hopes I’ll catch a whiff of his cologne.
I am not rolling my shoulders back and fixing my shirt to show off my chest. “Just excited. I’m on fall break.
We haven’t had a night out together in what feels like months, and I can’t wait to dance. ”
“That’s my girl.” Skyler drops her purse in the tray for security screening. She winks at the security guard when she walks through the metal detector, and I follow behind her. “How many shots will it take for you to get on the stage at the bar?”
“Too many. I’d be passed out before I made my first move, so I’ll leave that to you. My ass doesn’t shake like yours.”
“But you have such a nice ass.” She swats at my backside and I giggle, jumping on the moving walkway that leads us toward the bar. “And that skirt shows it off. You look like a knockout, Maxine Walters.”
“Thanks.” I spin, grateful for the night air making me feel alive.
The red leather skirt is far shorter than anything I would normally wear out, and I paired it with a black tube top, black leather boots and a headband with horns.
“Hey, did you call the pool company about the umbrella in the backyard?”
“I did, and the guy who worked on our pool says he doesn’t remember fixing anything, but he was in a rush that day, so he can’t be sure. I bet he popped the screw back in place and went on his way.”
“Yeah.” I nod, not liking the answer. I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that something isn’t right. “You’re probably right.”
When we get to the bar, Skyler flashes her work ID. A bouncer gives us wristbands and directs us to the top floor where other theme park employees are congregating. The lower level is packed with bodies on the dance floor, and we head straight for the alcohol.
“Gin and tonic,” Skyler says.
“I’ll take a rum and coke please,” I say loudly to the bartender. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”
“Please. At least you’re looking at my face and not my tits.” She grins and grabs two glasses. “It’s torture to be people’s eye candy, but it’s hard to argue with the tips I bring home to my wife every night.”
“I love that for you.” I dig into my purse and pull out two fives. “It’s not much, but please accept this as my contribution to the wife fund.”
“You’re sweet.” She slides over our drinks then fills a pair of shot glasses with vodka. “An extra treat for being the best patrons tonight.”
“Cheers.” Skyler lifts her glass in appreciation and we knock back the shots.
“That stuff is strong.” I slide the empty glasses back to the bartender who disappeared to help the next customer. The man is looking directly at her chest, and I find another five in my wallet to add to the tip jar on his behalf. “Thank goodness we took an Uber.”
“It’s so much better than what we buy.” Skyler stands on her toes and waves to someone across the room. “I see Delilah. She’s one of the performers in the show. Let’s go say hi.”
We link hands so we don’t get separated, but the crowd has grown. Two men push through our joined palms, making me lose her in the sea of people.
“Sky?” I call out, but the swell of a new song pulsing through the speakers drowns me out.
I spin and face the direction she disappeared in. I try to spot her, but I run straight into a firm mass of an object instead. Warm hands land on my shoulder and stop me from toppling over. I sway on my feet and I reach out, grasping the closest thing I can find.
“Shit.” Half my drink spills on the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see where I was going.”
“Maxine.”
I freeze at the achingly familiar voice. I bring my chin up, and I’m met with dark eyes. A devastating smile and messy hair with a strand that falls across his forehead.
Hunter.
“You’re here,” I say with a breathy voice.
“I told you I’d find you.” His thumb brushes along the curve of my shoulder. My body reacts to his touch immediately, every inch of my skin heating under the press of his fingers. “It’s not hard to do when you’re looking for what you want.”
“I’m sorry for running into you.”
“I’m not.” His eyes flick down to my outfit, and he grins. “You look good tonight.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
I had this idea he wouldn’t be as attractive out of his costume.
Maybe I fell into the guise of the mask and the knife, but looking at him knocks the wind out of me.
His jeans fit his thighs perfectly. His plain white shirt shows off toned arms, more tattoos, and tan skin.
His eyes twinkle, and there’s the tiniest dimple on his right cheek.
God.
He’s so hot.
The kind of man you look at and think there is no way in hell he’d ever talk to you, but here he is. Smiling down at me. Still touching me while my hand rests on his chest. And I don’t know what to do.
“Are you having fun?” I ask, as if he’s a friend, not a stranger who bent me over and used his fingers to fuck me.
“Always.” Hunter spins me around so I’m facing the room and he’s behind me.
He points to a guy with red hair and a wide smile trying to get the attention of a redheaded woman sitting by herself at the bar.
“I’ve been watching my roommate attempt to flirt.
I love him very much, but I’m not sure he’s going to score tonight. ”
“I hope he does. I always liked an underdog story. You’re a good friend for supporting him in this endeavor.”
“I thought so too.” He traces down the line of my arm then back. “Are you having fun, Maxine? Don’t tell me you’re a new Adventure Oasis employee. I thought I knew everyone.”
“Max,” I say. “My parents call me Maxine and… I’m not a fan. I never have been.”
His eyes flash with understanding, like he can relate. With a subtle nod he dips his chin to his chest for the briefest of seconds before returning to meet my gaze with the hook of a smile.
“I’m sorry. Max it is.”
“That’s okay. And, no. Nope. No scare acting for me. I’m here because my best friend and roommate works in the Fright Nights stunt show. I lost her a few minutes ago, but I’m sure I’ll find her eventually.”
“What’s her name?”
“Skyler Buchanan.”
“The blonde, right? Who does the silks?”
I smile. “That’s her.”
“If you track her down, I’d love to thank her for bringing you to my haunted house.” Hunter moves his hand to my face and cups my cheek. “My world has flipped upside down because of it.”
It’s far too romantic of a thing for him to say, but my silly, stupid heart falls for it anyway, and I have to hold back a grin.
“Are you here with anyone other than your roommate?” I ask.
I never considered what his relationship status might be, and I’m hesitant to hear the answer.
“I’m not. There are currently no women in my life, and cheating has never been a turn on for me. What about you, Max? Are you here with anyone other than your best friend?”