Chapter Three
Lucy
“Don’t forget about me,” I say around the lump in my throat as I hug Sara goodbye.
“Listen, we are both going to make it to the Ballet. We are going to live together, make a name for ourselves, and love every second.” She leans back to look at me.
“Positive vibes only. You know this. Manifest the good shit.” She cups my face and uses her thumbs to brush away the treacherous tears that escape.
I laugh. “Yes! Manifest the good shit.” I repeat. I just really hope we both make it. “We’ve worked so hard for this. It’s our time to shine!”
“I’ll ring you later, okay? Behave with that boy of yours.” She winks as she gets into the car. Before closing the door, she turns back to me, “Remember, he’s not really your brother. You deserve to get whatever it is you want.” She smiles softly.
My eyes water as I watch her car disappear up the street.
It’s going to be so quiet without her here, but I’m sure Max will make up for it.
He is the type of person that you hear enter the room before you see him.
In our early teens, we were named the gruesome twosome.
All we ever did was joke and mess around, pulling pranks on Tommy and Fallon.
We may have aged, but we will always be the runts of the family.
I am surprisingly hangover-free today, making the job of getting the house presentable more bearable.
I’m also hoping that keeping myself busy will preoccupy my thoughts from fretting over a certain someone coming over to stay.
I need to get thoughts of him out of my head, and keeping myself busy has always been the key to doing just that.
Although I can't help but remember how his hands felt on my skin as we danced last night, the tingle still there.
It feels bare in here without all Sara's shit lying around, that girl is a hoarder. Lord help me if we do end up in Paris together, because the dancer’s dorms are minuscule compared to this. I’m going to have to set some ground rules if it comes to it.
It took me a full three hours to finish cleaning.
So, when I’m finally done, I decide to jump in the shower and freshen up before Max gets here.
I smell of bleach and sweat, not the most appealing scent when the love of your life is coming to stay.
That’s at least one job I won’t have to do tonight.
He never said what time he was coming, but I’m assuming soon.
I sit on the floor under the shower jets, letting the tension melt away down the drain.
I can still smell the remnants of alcohol clinging to my wet curls, gross.
After what feels like forever, I get out of the shower and search for my towel.
Shit, I must have left it in my bedroom.
The number of times poor Sara has had to see my naked bedroom run is far too many to count.
I rinse out my hair as best as I can and shake off like a dog.
Stamping my feet dry on the bathmat before making a run for my bedroom.
At least I know no one will see me this time.
I open the bathroom door and freeze. I’m greeted by a tall figure. One that has his fist raised to knock on the now-empty space. In my shock, I just stand there, not even bothering to cover my modesty. Hands slack at my sides and mouth wide open.
Holy fucking shit.
Max is standing in front of me, eyes blazing as he roams them all over my body. After a moment, I remember the fact that I’m very fucking naked and wrap my arms around myself.
“Max! What the hell are you doing?” I squeal, my voice so high I don’t even recognise it.
“I… I texted you earlier. I assumed you knew I was coming. The front door was unlocked, so I let myself in.” He says, though his eyes haven’t moved away from me.
“Turn around!” I bark out, harsher than I meant it.
“Why are you walking around wet and naked?” He asks, a lilt in his voice like he is trying to hold back the laughter.
“Because I left my towel in my bedroom and thought I was home alone!”
“Wait here, I’ll go grab it for you.” He says as he heads in the wrong direction.
“The other way, dipshit!” I shout, humour coming back into my voice. He awkwardly spins in the other direction, trying to shield his eyes with his hands.
When he comes back with the towel, I’m half hidden behind the door. As soon as he gives it to me, I wrap it around myself tightly and walk towards my room. But Max is still standing, watching me.
“Go and wait in the living room, I’ll be out in five,” I demand before slamming my door shut.
I lean my back against it and slump all the way to the floor, burying my face in my hands, torn between laughing and crying. I can’t believe that just happened.
I go through my after-shower routine at record speed before joining him in the living room.
I’m light on my feet as I make my way to the door.
He is so deep in thought that he doesn’t register that I’m here.
I wait, studying him whilst he doesn’t know I’m watching.
Everything about this man is beautiful. The hard lines of his jaw, his dark, messy hair, and the muscles that are visible through his tight white T-shirt.
But my favourite thing about him is his eyes, they’re a piercing green that sparkle whenever he sees me.
Maybe his looks would mean nothing to me if he were a dick, but he isn’t.
He is kind and charming, funny and caring.
Basically, Max Jackson is every girl's dream man.
“Hi,” I say timidly, taking a hesitant step into the room.
His head shoots around to look at me before jumping to his feet. “Hi. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t even think, I just wanted you to know I was here.” He says, his lips lifting into a small smile.
“Don’t worry. It’s my fault for being an exhibitionist.” I say jokingly, which results in him choking on a laugh.
“Well, as they say. It’s always the quiet ones.” He responds.
“Hey, since when am I quiet?” I ask.
“You have always been the quiet one.” He says, never taking his eyes off me.
“Never around you.” I counter, realising a little too late how flirtatious that sounded. His eyes seem to darken for a split second before he blinks it away.
“That is true. What’s the plan for the rest of the day?” His lips curl up.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. My feet are sore and I’m so tired after last night.” Which isn’t a lie. I may have evaded a hangover, but wow, am I drained now.
“Shall we get takeout and watch films all night?” He asks casually.
“That sounds perfect to me. I’ll show you to Sara’s old room so you can get settled.”
“Sounds good to me. And don’t worry, I have already showered at the hotel.” He winks as he follows me to his new room.
Butterflies set off in my stomach at the thought of him being the one to open the bathroom door naked. Having the chance to see all his manliness in the flesh. Thoughts of water droplets dripping down his abs float through my mind. A girl can dream, right?
The next few hours pass painfully slowly. The awkwardness from earlier lies thick between us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in any way ashamed of my body. It’s more the fact that he has now seen every part of it, and not in the way I’d have liked him to.
I head into the kitchen to make us some drinks whilst Max answers the door to the pizza guy.
By the time I get back, Max has set up a picnic on the floor, with blankets and pillows scattered around.
He has even picked a movie to watch. Could he be any more swoon-worthy?
I love a man who can take control of a situation like this; it’s a major green flag.
The next few days are going to be a lot harder than I could have ever imagined.
“Is that Twilight?” I ask, pointing at the TV.
He laughs in response, nodding his head.
“God, I love this film,” I say, a giddy grin gracing my face.
“I know. I know everything that you love.” He replies smugly.
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
He seems to ponder that for a moment, putting extra thought into his answer.
“Well, I know how much you love to dance, especially on stage. You love the freedom of being here, but also love the comforts of home. How much you love Thai food, but also love to make people happy. That’s why you suggested pizza, because it’s my favourite.
” He raises an accusatory eyebrow before continuing.
“You love to make people laugh, that’s why you’re such a goofball.
You also love company, that’s why you didn’t want to stay here alone.
And of course, the most obvious… You love me. Because I am the best.”
I snort out a laugh at that. He is such a knob. Of course, he had to add that onto the end.
“Yeah, I love how annoying you are.” I mock, rolling my eyes at him. “Now shut up. Edward is on, and he needs my undivided attention.”
“Yes ma’am.” He jokes. Before picking up a slice of pizza. “Mmm, this is so good.”
Fuck, even the way he moans about pizza, is hot.
I feel uneasy sitting here with him, and I don’t know why.
It has never felt like this between us before.
But I have never really spent one-on-one time with him like this either.
Even when we have, our parents have been in the other room or our friends around us when we hang out.
Is it all in my head? Because my feelings for him are so obvious to me, I’m projecting them on the atmosphere?
Maybe he doesn’t feel this tension at all.
“Do you want me to get naked?” He says out of nowhere, making me sputter and choke on the pizza I was meant to be chewing.
“Wh-what?” I stammer out. I cough roughly as I try to catch my breath.
“You’re acting strange. And I think it’s because of what happened earlier. If you see me naked, will that stop you from treating me like I have rabies?” He huffs out dramatically.
The reasonable side of my brain knows he is joking. So why is the other side hoping he is being deadly serious?
“Don’t be ridiculous. I think I’ve shown enough body parts for both of us for one day.”
He studies me, his eyes locked on mine for a beat before he scans the rest of me. Only stopping once his gaze lingers on my legs.
“Lucy? What’s going on? Your leg is bouncing so much it’s like we’re sat on a washing machine.” Shit, I need to get a grip of myself, but the longer I’m sitting here, the more on edge I feel.
“Nothing, I promise. I’m fine, everything is fine.” I chant the same words in my head, willing myself to calm down and accidentally sounding like Ross from ‘Friends’. I pick up another slice and focus back on the film.
This is going to be a long night.