Chapter Two
Lucy
Oh fuck.
This is the last thing I ever wanted to happen. Why did I have to tell Sara? Clearly, little old me thought that she would never come face-to-face with him. Why did they have to meet now, of all times?
I have never told Max about my feelings, and I don’t plan to.
It would cause uproar in our family if I did.
Never mind the embarrassment of his rejecting me in return.
Even if the feelings were mutual, which my mind has always suspected they have been, my heart couldn’t handle it.
But seeing him now, standing in front of me, sends my heart on a sprint. The lonely muscle is working overtime.
“Girrrl!” Sara drags out as her eyes rake over him. With that one word alone, I know exactly what she’s thinking. I’m sure she understands what I see in him, by his gorgeous looks alone. He is all man, with a cockiness about him that makes him even more attractive.
I’m fucked.
I’m in a world of my own, lost in the turbulent thoughts bouncing around my head, when I feel a hand tug at my elbow. I practically leap away from the sudden touch, my head spinning in the person's direction.
“Are you okay?” Max asks wearily. “You look awfully pale. And that’s saying something considering how pale you are on a normal day.”
I smile, his usual cheeky banter is coming out to play.
I instantly feel at ease again. There is something about him that settles me whenever he is close by.
Ever since that first day we met, he has always had this effect on me.
Why can’t I be a normal human being and just love him as a stepsister should?
Because I’m not normal. I never have been. Yet, Max has always made me feel like I’m enough.
“I’m fine. Just tired after another painfully long day.” I reply, my voice rising higher with each lie that falls past my lips. I hate lying. Especially to him.
“Well, let’s turn that frown upside down.
” He grins widely, a twinkle shining in his eyes.
He takes the drink I’m carrying out of my hand and sets it on the bar next to Sara.
“We’ll be back in five. I’m taking my sis for a spin around that dancefloor.
” He says to her as he grabs my hand and pulls me along behind him.
I look over my shoulder to see a very mischievous-looking Sara staring after us.
The glance is fleeting as the warmth of Max’s hand preoccupies my attention.
The dancefloor is filled with hot, sweaty bodies grinding all over each other.
This is not my usual scene, considering I never have the time to go to a place like this.
It’s not like I can do a pirouette in here.
Max stops when we’re in the centre of the crowd, pulling my body closer to his.
Does he even realise the effect he has on me?
What he does to me? His beautiful smile takes over all my senses, zoning out everyone around us.
He starts to shake his hips goofily, waving our joined arms between us.
A silent command to join in. A bubble of laughter works its way up my throat at his ridiculousness. God, this man has no shame.
“Come on, Sugarplum. Show me what all those years away have taught you.” I don’t think he has ever called me that. Why, when it comes from his lips, does it sound more seductive?
The dancer in me never backs away from a challenge.
All of those dreaded heel classes might finally come in use after all.
I don’t know if this is some kind of game to him, but if he wants to play with fire, so can I.
I smile as determination settles within me.
He wants me to dance? I’ll show him how I can dance.
Inching closer to him, I begin my very own show.
My body moves in time to the beat pulsing around us.
I trail my hands over my body, gliding them up into my hair as my knees bend and I lower down closer to the floor before coming back up to meet his gaze.
I’m sure that’s lust I see behind his eyes, but I don’t want to overthink it. He is probably just annoyed that his sister would dance in such a way. Dropping my hands back down, I throw my head back, getting lost in the music. Letting my body move in any way it wants to.
After a few minutes, I risk a glance in Max’s direction. His body is still, but the expression on his face speaks a thousand words. His mouth is clamped shut, his eyes are heavy, and a vein is pulsing in his neck from the tension radiating from him. His gaze locked on my body.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, slightly breathless. The heat behind those eyes is back again.
He seems taken aback at hearing me speak, jolting him lightly, as he corrects his expression. That cheeky smirk of his is back in place, only this time it appears more forced.
“Oh, nothing. I was just watching you dance.” He replies calmly before starting to dance again.
Hmm, strange.
“So…” I try to think of anything to say to break this strange tension. “How come you got lumped with giving me a ride home? Did you miss me too much?”
“I always miss you. The house is boring when you’re not in it. The rest of them are dull as hell.” He laughs. But for the first time, it seems strained.
“Ha. You don’t even live there anymore.” I remark, laughing at his eyeroll. “How has it been living with Tommy?”
“He’s the worst of them all. He is stricter than Mum.” He whines playfully. “You should see how he loads the dishwasher, it is a whole other level of OCD. Controlling bastard.”
“All placed in a perfectly precise order? I can fully imagine it. I can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow.” I tell him.
“Then why do you seem so sad about it?” He cocks his head to the side as he examines me. As if he really wants to know the answer.
But that’s Max. He has always been eager to hear what I have to say.
“I’m so used to having my own space. I thought I would have a few more nights here, but I really don’t want to stay on my own once Sara leaves.” I say sadly. Still not over the fact she’s leaving me sooner than I’d hoped.
“Ah. So that’s why you’re leaving earlier than planned.”
“Yep. The lease only runs out in a few more days.” I huff.
“I could stay with you for a few days? You can show me around and relax until you need to leave?” My jaw goes slack. Max and I, alone, in one apartment. “Only if that’s what you’d want, of course.” He adds hesitantly.
This is a bad idea. Would I cope being so close to him for a few days? Before I can think too much into it, words are leaving my mouth without my permission.
“Yes. I’d love that.”
The night passes by in a blur. After our dance earlier and my agreeing to the new arrangement for the week, we went back to our friends and partied like the young free souls we are.
It didn’t take much for me to get to this level of drunkenness, but I know my limits.
It’s late now, or should I say early, as Max comes back to join us.
“Water? Really Luce? I didn’t realise how much of a lightweight you are.” Max says.
“Are you joking? She never drinks, ever. I’m shocked she managed this much.” Sara laughs before throwing a wink in my direction. “I think tonight is the first time I have seen you do shots, Sugar.”
Max looks over to me with a quirked eyebrow.
“What? Like I have the time to do anything other than study and practice.” I huff out.
When I glance up, he is staring at me as if seeing me for the first time. His face softens as he leans in closer. “Where is the fun when it’s all work and no play?” He winks. He fucking winks at me.
No one understands the amount of pressure I’m under. Not that I’d expect anything less. Dancing isn’t just a career choice for me, it’s the dream I am chasing. The one I have always wanted to make a reality.
He has always been my dream, too. But that dream is hopeless.
“My poor feet can’t take any more. After this week and then dancing all night, I need my bed and to be barefoot for at least a week.” Sara moans.
“Me too. But I don’t want the night to end. When we wake up, you’re leaving me for good.” I stick out my bottom lip, pouting at the thought.
“Stop the dramatics. You can’t get rid of me so easily. We’re ride or die, bitch.” She says as she leans in for a hug. I hold her tight, just in case we end up travelling in different circles. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
“Right, let’s go home, you two drama queens. It’s time for bed. I’ll walk you both back.” Max says, interrupting our pity party, wrapping his arms around us in a big hug.
The walk home is hilarious. I’m sure it wasn’t as hard to walk here as it is now. The cobbles are against me. We laugh the whole time at Max, as he comments on how we look like newborn baby giraffes.
We’re not far from home now, but I’m so close to giving up and taking these damn shoes off. Max glances at me, seeing the struggle that is clearly written all over my face.
“Here,” he says as he holds out his arm. “Hold onto me, we’re almost there.”
I feel heat coat my face. The downside of having fair skin and red hair is that my skin always betrays me. I can just imagine the red blotches covering my face and neck right now. I hate how I react this way to him. Just the feel of his strong forearms sends bolts of electricity through me.
Calm it down, Lucy.
You can’t have him.
But God, do I wish I could.
“Home sweet home. Thanks for walking us back, Max.” Sara hollers from the door as she goes straight inside without even a backward glance.
“You’re welcome.” He calls after her before turning his attention back to me, “So, I will see you tomorrow?”
“You will. Are you sure you don’t mind staying here for a few days?” I ask, still unsure if it’s what I want. Or if it’s even a good idea.
Well, it’s definitely what I want, but also something I shouldn’t.
“Yes. I can’t wait. It will be a nice break from the Jackson clan back home.” He smiles, backing away towards the street. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I’ll text when I’m on the way.”
“Okay. Thanks again for this.” I smile sheepishly, nerves getting the better of me now that I’m his full focus.
“Anything for you, Sugarplum.”