Chapter 11
Max
My apartment feels empty when I finally arrive home. I’m hungry, but I don’t feel like cooking. I head to the fridge to see if I have any leftovers worth heating up. It’s been a long day, and I’m glad to finally be able to relax.
The sight of moldy cheese greets me as I open the fridge, and I sigh. I’m about to order a pizza when my phone starts ringing. For a moment, I’m hopeful that Lila is calling me for some reason, but I don’t even think she has my number. I see Marie’s number on the screen and smile as I answer.
“Hey, little sis. Why are you trying to bother me this evening?”
“Is that any way to talk to your favorite sister?”
“How much?” I chuckle as I open an empty cupboard door.
“How much what?” she asks innocently.
“How much money do you want that Dad won’t give you?”
“I don’t want any money, my darling brother.” She sounds like she’s shocked I would even ask. “Plus, Dad would give me money if I needed it.”
"So if you don't need money from me, what is it you need, darling sister?" I ask her, running my fingers through my hair.
Marie is only my half-sister, but I love her more than life itself.
I never thought that I would enjoy having a little sister, but she keeps me in check, and I love that she seems to have no fear when communicating with me.
She's quite possibly the only person in my life who tells me exactly what she's thinking when she's thinking it and doesn't hold back.
"So, I was wondering just how much you love me," she whispers, and I frown.
"Marie, what is it you want?"
"I told you I don't want anything. Well, not anything with a monetary value."
"Do you want me to charter a plane for you to Europe?"
"No. Why would I want that?"
"I don't know. Maybe you and your friends want to go party or something."
"If I asked you to charter me a plane to Europe, would you do it?"
"No," I say, chuckling. "But you're acting like you're asking for something major."
"It's not really major. In fact, it's not even that big a deal."
"So, if it's not that big a deal, why are you taking so much time to ask me?"
"Fine. Can I come and stay with you for a little while?"
I pause.
"Max," she squeals into the phone.
"I'm here."
"So, is that a yes?"
"I didn't say yes."
"You didn't say anything."
"Exactly. Read between the lines, darling."
"Max, you're horrible. Please let me come. It's not going to be for long. I just really need to get away."
I let out a deep sigh. "Marie, you cannot just come to New York City. I can't be your chaperone. I can't take care of you. You know that your mother and Dad will not be happy with you staying in my apartment all alone. You know I work long hours, and you know—"
"Fine," she says. "I should have known you’d say no."
I pause. "I thought we agreed you'd come for a weekend to look at schools later on this year and then—"
"It's fine. I'll figure something out."
I can tell by her tone that she's upset, but I can also tell that she's hurt, and if there's one thing I can't stand, it’s hearing her hurt. She's a good little actress, but I have a feeling she's not faking it this time.
"What's wrong, Marie?"
"Nothing," she says, gulping.
"Marie, tell me."
"Dad's cheating on Mom," she says softly.
"And does your mom know?" I ask, my heart breaking for her because I know exactly what she’s going through.
My dad had cheated on my mom when I was young, and that's how he'd ended up with Marie's mom. My mom never really got over her heartbreak, though she moved on in her life. She’s now married to a very quiet man named David, and even though they get along and I can tell that he loves her, I know she hasn't given him her entire heart.
"Yeah, my mom knows," she says. "They shout and scream about it every night. In fact, I think Mom has someone herself…" She lets her voice trail off, and my heart breaks.
"Fine," I say. "What are you going to do about school, though?"
"Actually, I'm in the program right now where I don't even have to attend classes in person, so it's perfect.
I can do my work from New York City. I just have to make sure that you have good Internet so I can do some Zoom classes and meet with my—" She giggles.
"What am I talking about? You're an attorney, and you're rich. You have good Internet."
"But I still cannot be here to chaperone you," I say.
"I'm eighteen, Max. I don't need a chaperone."
"You're also my little sister, and you're a high school student, and if I'm going to take custody of you…"
"It's not custody if I'm just hanging out with my big brother."
"To your parents, to my dad and your mom, it will be me taking full responsibility and custody of you. So we need to ensure…"
"I'll be good. It's not like I'm going to sneak out or anything. It's not even like I have a boyfriend." She lets out a deep sigh. "Because guys aren't interested in me."
I press my lips together to stop from laughing.
Marie is absolutely gorgeous, and she's still young enough to have no idea that she is. But I’m not going to be the one to tell her that she could have almost any man she wanted because she’s my little sister, and the longer she stays away from men, the better it will be for me.
"I think that when you graduate from college, you can start dating, and I'm sure that—"
"I don't want to wait until I graduate from college. Are you crazy? You're just as bad as Dad."
I start laughing then. "I'm just saying, you're not missing out on anything by not dating."
"I just don't fit in with these people here in South Carolina. I am meant to be a big-city girl. I want to live in New York. I want to be with you, my big brother, and I mean, you're single, right?"
"As the day is long," I say, and she starts laughing.
"You could totally be in a relationship, but I guess you don't want to commit because there are so many women who want you."
"You sound like my ex-girlfriends, Marie. Have you been talking to them?"
"No." She sighs dramatically. "But I know men like you."
"Excuse me?" I say, frowning. "You know men like me? I sure hope that is just an off-the-cuff comment and not an actual factual statement because—"
"Oh my gosh, I am joking, Max. Obviously, I don't really know any men like you. I'm in high school. I don't know any men aside from you and Dad. I just mean, I've watched a lot of movies.”
I groan loudly. How many women are learning about life from fictional characters?
"What?"
"You're the second woman I have had this conversation with today. You cannot get your information about men from movies and romance books.”
“I’ve had real experience, as well, Max,” she mumbles. “That’s why I’m in this shitty position.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Um… nothing. So, who’s the other woman?"
I frown at her question. I’m not ready to talk about Lila with anyone, not even Marie. I’m still trying to process our relationship with each other because it’s happened so quickly.
"What are you talking about?" I say quickly, trying to distract her. “Also, are you saying you haven’t been dating?”
"You said I'm not the only woman today you've had to tell that they rely too heavily upon movies and romance books to get their information about men. Well, who's the other woman you had to speak to about this? Not a woman you're dating," she says, giggling. "Oh, my gosh, that would be hilarious."
"No. You know I'm not dating anyone, Marie. I was actually referring to my new assistant."
"Oh, my gosh. You have another new assistant? You have a new assistant every other week."
"It's not quite every other week, but this one will last at least a month, I'm sure."
"Why will this one last at least a month?"
"Let's just say there's a little bet that she'll last a month."
I groan as I think about Lila.
"Huh? What are you talking about, Max?"
"My new assistant might not really be the best person for the job, but due to a bet with Kingston, I decided to hire her. She lives with her head in the clouds, and she's totally unrealistic. I just want to make sure that when you get to her age, you are not the same way."
"Oh, my gosh. Is your new assistant, like, fifty or something?"
"No, she's not."
"How old is she, then?"
"I don't know. In her twenties."
"Ooh." Marie sounds excited. "Is she pretty?"
"I don't know. I haven't noticed."
"You haven't noticed if your new assistant is pretty?"
"No, I have not. She works for me, and as such, I—"
"Oh, my gosh. Okay, so she’s either absolutely stunningly gorgeous, or she’s a dog,” she deduces. “Because there’s no way you don’t know if she’s attractive. You just don’t want to tell me.”
“Do you or do you not want to come to New York?” I challenge, changing the subject.
"Why are you changing the subject, Max? Oh, my gosh. She's gotten under your skin, hasn't she?"
"She has not gotten under my skin. I mean, has she gotten under my skin in the fact that she is annoying and doesn't really do a good job?
" I pause. "Okay. I'm being unfair. I don't know if she's going to do a good job or not yet.
She doesn't really have the experience that tells me she's going to do a great job, but I shouldn't judge her before she's actually done anything for me. "
"Okay. When did you hire this lady again?"
"Today," I say, and Marie bursts out laughing. "What is so funny?" I ask her.
"We are talking about your new assistant like you've known her forever. This is just some lady you met today. She's really gotten under your skin, huh?"
"Marie."
"Ooh, now I'm getting under your skin. I want to meet her. What's her name?"
"I don't think you need to meet her. You've never asked to meet any of my other assistants and—"
"Yeah, but it was quite obvious to me that you weren't interested in them."
"And I'm not interested in Lila either." I groan as I realize I said her name.
"Lila, that's a pretty name," Marie says. "I can't wait to meet her."
"Marie, I have to go now. I have work to do."
"Okay, fine. So, can I come up this weekend?"
"No," I say. "That's a bit soon."
"But—"