13. Max
CHAPTER 13
MAX
S omething must be in the water at the gym because I thought Caine was the only crazy one, but it seems to have spread to Drew as well. First, they were assholes to me, and now they’re hitting on me like that’s completely normal.
Okay, Caine is still an asshole. And actually, insane since he broke into my house and fingered me while holding me hostage in my kitchen. Not exactly the same as Drew asking me on a date, but still, I feel like he’s just as crazy.
Yet, the crazy intrigues me in a way that it shouldn’t. And that’s something I don’t have the time to unpack. Especially as I head into work after my pit stop at Uncaged. I hope Caine realizes why I was there—it’s so the next time he tries to touch me without permission, I’ll be better prepared to put up a fight.
Even though it seems like that’s exactly what he wants from me.
“Hey Max,” George calls as soon as I’m inside the front door of The Tavern.
“Hi,” I nod. George has been a bit nicer to me since I’ve proved to him that I can handle myself working here. It’s like I’ve passed some sort of test.
“You’re going to be alone behind the bar tonight, think you can handle it?” he asks and I hide my grimace. I’ve always had someone else with me since I started and I’m a little worried but refuse to show any sort of weakness around here.
“Yeah, I can,” I state firmly. He gives me a look that tells me he’s trying to see through what I’m saying and detect any lie, but I stand my ground.
“Alright.”
As the night continues and I work my shift, I somewhat regret saying I’d be okay alone. I also don’t think I had any other option. I’m not able to keep track of what time it is when I see Danner come in. She smiles at me before looking around, probably noticing my lack of help and frowning.
For such a small town, I swear this place is busier than it should be, especially for some random Wednesday. Though, I haven’t been yelled at or called a bitch, so I count that as a win.
“Hey girl,” Danner greets when I finally make it over to her.
“Hey, are you wanting anything?”
“Just a Jack and Coke, I’ll make it easy on you,” she answers easily, and I quickly pour the drink for her as she hands over cash. “Keep the change, babe.”
My lips quirk in a small smile. “Thanks.”
I turn to the register and my eyes catch on the man walking in and I roll my eyes. I’m surprised to see him alone, but it doesn’t dampen the annoyance at seeing any of them. My irritation ramps up when Drew slides into the one open stool at the end of the bar.
Focusing all my attention on everyone else needing drinks, I try to pretend he’s not there. Until he makes it impossible by calling me over by name, and it makes me want to punch him in the throat.
I’m sure that’s not a move I’ll be taught in any sort of training, but I know it, anyway.
“Maxine,” he calls when I don’t respond the first time, and I’m changing my mind about the throat punch and thinking a junk punch would be more fitting for him.
Stepping toward him, I fold my arms across my chest. “Do not call me that.”
“I called for Max, and you ignored me.” He shrugs.
“I was hoping you’d go away. What do you want?”
“A date would be nice.”
“I already turned you down once today, it might be embarrassing to have to do it again.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Tell me what you want to drink or I’m moving on to the next customer.”
“Bourbon. Neat.”
I can’t help the tiny laugh I let out. “Oh, so one of you does actually drink then, huh?”
I pour the drink, sliding it in front of him when he slaps his credit card down. “Leave it open. I plan to stay here awhile.”
“Great,” I respond dryly, refusing to acknowledge him more than I have to.
I can’t lie though; I’m wondering where his buddies are and a part of me would love it if Caine could show up and put Drew’s face through a wall for hitting on me. I saw how he looked at him when I came to the gym earlier, like he was contemplating murder. I know there’s something about that man that is a bit questionable…unhinged… dangerous.
The same thing could be said about Drew. Both feel dangerous in different ways and instinctively, I know that I should stay far far away.
The last thing I need is more danger in my life. Clearly, I already have enough if Caine feels like he can break into my house whenever he wants. Which reminds me of the new lock I bought earlier that I need to install before I go to bed tonight.
The rest of my shift goes by in a blur of faces, drinks, cash, and cards. My feet are throbbing as the night gets later and it’s almost time to close. Danner stuck around for a while before leaving around midnight to go to bed. The one person that has stuck around the entire night, and is still sitting at the bar with only his second drink of the night, is Drew.
“We’re closing up, you’re going to need to leave,” I tell him as I hand over his receipt, not giving him the opportunity to order another drink. I’m not staying here any later than I need to because he wants to play games.
“Let me walk you home.” It’s not a question.
“Absolutely not.” The last thing I need is for both him and Caine to know where I live. Still not sure how he knew anyway.
“It’s for safety.”
“I’m taking classes for safety; I can handle it.”
“I’d feel better if I walked you home.”
I roll my eyes at his persistence and refuse to argue with him right now because all I want to do is close the bar and go home. Without saying anything else to him, I turn on all the lights and stand by the front door, folding my arms across my chest while tapping my foot.
Drew gets the hint, finishing his drink with one last gulp before standing and walking toward the door. Instead of walking out of it, he steps up in front of me, looming over me and I don’t move a muscle.
“I’ll be waiting outside.” He’s leaning down slightly since he’s so much taller than me and I can feel his bourbon coated breath on my skin, and I work to suppress the shiver.
“Don’t,” I tell him.
He stands up straight, his eyes roam over my body once before leaving and I don’t waste any time closing and locking the door behind him. It reminds me of the other night with Caine. Only less violating. But what I still don’t understand from that night, is why I’m not more afraid. I should be, right? Any normal person would be terrified. But I’m not.
When I’m done cleaning up everything around the bar, I’m sure enough time has passed that Drew won’t still be waiting outside for me. Collecting my things, I step outside, locking the door behind me and I feel him before I see him. So I’m not surprised when I turn around and he’s there, leaning against the wood siding of the building.
“Let’s go,” he encourages. I want to argue more and refuse to let him walk me home, but honestly, I’m tired and just want to go home. So instead of fighting, I don’t say anything and just keep walking.
I try to maintain a fast pace so maybe he’ll give up, but it doesn’t work because his long legs keep up with my strides easily. The one thing I’m thankful for is the fact that he doesn’t say anything. However, I’m very aware of the fact that a man I do not know is walking me home claiming safety, when he could very much be the reason I’m unsafe.
Or he knows about Caine and that’s why he’s doing this.
My mind is tired from all this thinking and worrying. We get to my house, and I rush toward my front door without a word. He follows slowly as I unlock the door quickly, turning back toward Drew who’s standing at the bottom of the small set of stairs leading up to the front deck.
“Thanks,” I murmur with a wave.
“Goodnight, Max.”
Rushing inside, I lock the door and peek out the small window to make sure he leaves. When he does, my shoulders drop as I relax. Looking toward the back door, I remember the messed-up lock and the fact that I need to fix it.
My body and mind are both exhausted though, and I decide to leave the project for tomorrow. Which may be a dumb idea, considering that I know the risk. I know that I could wake up to someone in my house again. But it won’t be the devil from my past, and anything is better than him.
That’s why I drag myself up to bed, accepting that I might be inviting evil into my house once again. And for some reason, I’m not even worried about it.
I don’t hear anything as I get ready for bed and climb into my cool sheets. Even as I start to drift off, I know he’s not here. Which may be the case for tonight, but the voice in the back of my head tells me he’ll be back. Maybe not tonight, but he will be.