Chapter 5
Chapter five
Max
The welcoming sounds of McGurdy's Pub surround me. I should be in heaven. Any place with noise and people is where I'm happy, but today, I stare into my beer like the end of the world is nigh.
She said no.
I can't even remember what I did after that.
It was like I was on autopilot. I apologized, I think, and went to the bathroom to grab my shirt.
What an idiot I was, standing there, half-naked, pressing myself against her.
This entire year, I've avoided her, thinking she felt the same electric chemistry a year ago in The Reading Grounds, and it turns out she's just not into me.
Fucking idiot.
I stood in the bathroom, unsure what I should do next, but the door to the garage closed moments later. I should’ve been relieved, but I could’ve wept like a baby when she walked out that door.
Instead, I finished up the puppy prep and got the hell out of there. I've avoided Sugarplum for the last few days, but I'm white-knuckling it like a junkie, desperate for a glimpse of the woman I love, even if I can't have her.
"Max, you want next game?" Cole claps me on the back.
I glance up to see Hayes and Emmett, with Brooks right behind him.
I shake my head. "Not today, guys." I attempt a smile, but my heart's not in it.
Hayes and Cole exchange looks.
Brooks pulls out the chair next to me and motions to the server for a beer.
Cole sits on the other side of the table, and Hayes and Emmett each take a seat.
Emmett throws a trucker hat in front of me. "Maybe this will cheer you up."
I lift the hat. Betty's version of the DP Construction logo is embroidered in yellow and black. I'll blow your mind if you blow my... circuit, is stitched at an angle on the front.
She's been coming up with mottos for each of us, and I find the entire situation hysterical, but I can't bring myself to laugh.
"Funny," I say, leaning back in my chair with a sigh.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"There's nothing to talk about, Cole." I clench my jaw before taking a long swig of my beer, which is now warm. I push it to the middle of the table.
"We've all been there," Brooks says in his deep voice.
"Oh, yeah? You guys all got the girl. Fuck.
" I don’t want to talk about it, but I also need to get it out.
I've never been this miserable in my life.
I can't eat, and I'm sleeping like shit.
I went to the library the other day, and Archer's wife, Hadley Marie, tried to cheer me up with a few books from my favorite author, but I couldn’t get past the first page.
All I can think about is that I'm supposed to go on living my life without Aubrey.
Cole nods. "Yeah, but they didn't all want us at first." He leans forward, tapping the table to force me to look at him. "Miranda threw me out of her coffee shop and told me she could figure out life on her own."
I eye Cole warily, then shake my head, still not wanting to hear it.
"Violet wouldn't even talk to me. Literally wouldn't speak the first time we met in person. She texted me that she wasn't interested while sitting across the table." Brooks chuckles like it's a fond memory.
I consider what they're saying but stubbornly shake my head again. "Yeah, well, I don't think Aubrey needs time to come around. She made it clear she's not interested."
"Look, Max. You're a lot of fun," Hayes pipes up.
I glower at him. This fucker's woman kissed him out of nowhere in the middle of a sidewalk, and they were married two days later. What advice could he possibly give me?
"You're always up for a joke and a smile," he adds.
"Some might even call you a bit of a flirt," Emmett adds.
I bristle. I like to talk to people, but I never mislead women about my intentions.
"Not in a bad way," he insists when he sees my face. He looks to Cole for help.
"Aubrey hasn't gotten to see that side of you, bud," Cole says. "I mean, she sees it when you talk to other people, but she hasn't had your attention in a positive way."
I know what he's saying. Once I decided I couldn't have her, I've lived this year in self-preservation mode, which has made me a bit of a prick around her.
"So what? I've been a dick to her, and she wants nothing to do with me? Yeah, I get it. I just wish I'd made other choices." Sighing, I rest my forehead on the wooden table.
"Oh, I think she wants to do something with you, man," Hayes says carefully.
I scoff as I lift my head. "Uh, trust me. She's not interested. We ran into each other at your house the other day, and I tried to kiss her. She turned me down. Hard."
"Yeah, I know, bud." Hayes grimaces and exchanges a look with Cole.
"What do you mean you know?" Oh, fuck. My blood runs cold. "Aubrey told Betty? Great, the entire fucking town knows."
I thought I was miserable before, but this takes the cake. And cake makes me think of Aubrey. Her beautiful smile. Her warm energy. And that body. God, that ass. Now there's some cake I'd like to sink my face into.
Fuck.
"No, no. Betty doesn't know." Hayes hesitates, then gives me a guilty shrug. "We have a camera in the kitchen. It's aimed at the back door for security, but, um, well, I saw what happened."
I stare at him. The thought of anyone hearing about what happened in the kitchen is humiliating enough, but now my friend is telling me he watched it unfold? My brain is about to short-circuit.
"Don't worry. I deleted it as soon as I realized what it was, but in the short amount of time I saw..." Hayes shakes his head. "You're wrong if you think she's not into you, is all I'm saying."
I don't know whether to be thrilled or horrified by Hayes’ assessment, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.
"Why would she say no then?" I ask, glancing at each of my friends.
"Well, maybe she doesn't know if she wants anything to do with you," Brooks suggests.
"Speak English, man. What the hell does that mean?"
"I mean, I think you should try to woo her." He looks around at the other guys, who all nod in agreement.
I blink slowly. "Woo her."
Cole nods encouragingly. "You know, like flirt with her. Let her know she's the only one you want."
Holy shit. They're right. She's watched me be nice to all kinds of people. Seen everybody else receive my better side. And the one time I don't treat her like shit, I try to kiss her.
Have I mentioned I'm an idiot?
"I need something big," I say, a little hope bubbling up through my mist of depression.
Then my mind goes blank. I briefly consider texting Hadley Marie to see if the library has any books on wooing women, but I can't think of anything dorkier.
"What about chocolates? Cupcakes?" Emmett suggests.
"She owns a bakery," Cole reminds him.
"The best bakery in town. The place I would go to get said desserts to woo her with," I say.
My chest feels tight. What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Oh, God. Why do I suck at this? I should be able to think of a dozen ways to show a woman how I feel about her, but I've never tried to win anyone's heart before.
My complete lack of experience and general panic about screwing this up mean I'm headed for a crisis of existential proportions.
"Flowers." Brooks’ voice breaks through my panic.
"Flowers? Okay, that's a start." I nod. "I'll bring her flowers."
"No," Brooks amends. "You’re going to surprise her with more flowers than she’s ever imagined."
I nod, his confidence in this plan giving me what I need at this moment. "Yes." I turn my body toward him. "Holy shit! You own a flower shop. Can you help me?"
Brooks grins, but he doesn't rag me about how slowly I'm catching on to his plan. He turns his phone to face me, and I read the text exchange:
Max is finally going to tell Aubrey he's in love with her. We need a rom-com movie amount of flowers. Can you help?
Melody
Yes! Oh, my god! The entire town has been shipping them for a year.
I already have ideas. Send him my way.
Brooks co-owns the Petals & Blooms flower shop in Duhring Park with his parents, who retired to Arizona. But he has a full-time job as a welder and artist, so he hired Melody to run the flower shop. She's also overseeing flowers for the reception hall. She knows her stuff.
Man, do I love this crazy fucking town!
I jump up, ready to run over to Petals & Blooms.
"Hey, Max. She's not going to be home this weekend," Hayes speaks up, stopping me in my tracks.
I clench my fists, turning on him with a measured patience that has Hayes raising his eyebrows in alarm. "If that billionaire fucker came to town, I'm going to challenge him to a duel," I growl. "She's mine."
Cole, Hayes, and Brooks stare at me like I'm insane, but Emmett snorts out a laugh. "There's no billionaire, Max. I was just trying to get you to admit your feelings for her."
"Stop fucking with me. Where is she?" I yell.
The bar quiets at my outburst, but I don't care. I don't want to waste another second.
"Candy got her to take a few days off, that's all," Hayes says in a hushed whisper as the din starts up again.
Good. Aubrey works too hard.
"Where is she spending her days off?" I ask, knowing I can’t wait until she gets back.
Hayes stares at me for a long moment, apparently deciding I'm a man on a mission. "She rented a place Jett recommended. I'll text you the address."
I nod, looking around at the group of guys before me. They’re all happy and in love with the women fate chose for them. I don't know why I resisted for so long, but I silently vow to spend every single second of the rest of my life proving that I deserve Aubrey, if she'll let me.
"Go get your girl, man." Brooks raises a fist in support.
I grin. Oh, I intend to.
And this time, I'm not letting her get away.