Chapter 11
Max
Today has been a long-arsed day. I’ve floated around the hotel, getting last-minute things done, but all I really wanted to do was call or text Lexi, but as she so eloquently put it yesterday, we’ve already muddied the waters between us.
That line between business and pleasure has been scrubbed out.
I’ll never let what we have between us affect our working relationship.
Her company will always have the contract for my hotels in and around Glasgow.
I might be a bastard, but I would never break a business contract.
However, if Lexi wants out, then I’d do the decent thing and let her walk away without any consequences.
I’ll do anything to make her life easier; she just needs to say the word.
I tighten the tie around my neck and gaze at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror in my bathroom. Whenever I look at the bathtub now, I see Lexi lying in the water, soaking up the bubbles. My suite was Lexi-free, but now she’s everywhere.
A knock sounds on my door, breaking my thoughts away from her. I’m glad of the distraction because I’m going to have to go out there soon and meet and greet people and do what I do best; talk about my business, be a good host, and provide the best hospitality.
I open the door and Brendan is standing fumbling with his tie. He looks up, helpless, with doe eyes. I step closer to him, take the garment out of his hands, and make the perfect knot. “I fucking hate ties.”
“Me too, kiddo. Me too. You scrub up all right.”
“If you’re fishing for a compliment and hoping I’ll say it back to you then you’ll be waiting a long time.”
I chuckle at my brother’s honesty and ruffle his hair. “I don’t need a compliment; I know I’m the good-looking brother. Are Mum and Dad out there yet?”
He shrugs. “Not been out there yet. Thought we could go out together.”
I take in a deep breath and exhale slowly. I grab my suit jacket from the stand and throw it on. It’s weird wearing a suit after the last couple of weeks of wearing casual clothes around the hotel. Now, it’s all back down to business.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” I throw my arm around my brother’s shoulder and leave my suite.
I don’t know why I have nerves swarming around my stomach; this isn’t my first rodeo. Without blowing my own trumpet, I’m a pro at this now.
We round the corner into the lobby. People are walking into the lounge where the entertainment is happening tonight.
There are drinks and canapes to allow people to try the best bits of the menu in bite-sized bits.
There are little cones of fish and chips with a dollop of mushy peas, bite-sized steak burgers, hotdogs, plus a few other little dishes the chef wanted to try out.
“Good turnout, bro. It looks like everyone has showed up,” says Brendan.
“Now, there’s my boys!”
I cringe before turning around to see my mum and dad approach us.
I lean in and kiss my mum’s cheek, but she pulls me tight to her before doing the same with Brendan. Only he gets the added cheek squeeze at the end, and he playfully rubs it off.
“You did good, son,” says my dad, breaking the scene between my mum and us. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. This one was a lot of work. It was a shell when I bought it, the liquidators had done their worst, but it has paid off.”
“See, Brendan? Hard work is what it’s all about, son.”
“Brendan hasn’t been shy of hard work since he came to work with me.” I stick up for my brother because I’ve thrown him in at the deep end over the last few weeks.
“Who would have thought flat-packed furniture could be a bitch?” says Brendan, making my mum and dad chuckle at his honesty.
“Look, grab a drink, guys. I need to mingle. I’ll be right back.” I wave to Chelsea, the champagne server, and she brings my family a tray of champagne. “Look after my parents, Chelsea.”
I’m glad of the breathing space for a few minutes until I see my good pal, Alan Henshaw. I hold my hand out to him, and he shakes it, slapping my back. “Good to see you, buddy. Now you’ve got this place ready for opening, hopefully we can grab those beers sometime soon.”
“Absolutely. I need a night out. Grab a drink; I’ll be right back.”
If I keep saying I’ll be right back to everyone, I’ll have a cue of people waiting for my return. The crazy thing is, as good as it is to see the lounge filling up and people enjoying themselves, I’m not seeing the one face I really want to see.
I take out my phone from my pocket and look at the blank screen.
There’s no text or call from Lexi to say she isn’t coming tonight.
I should have reached out to her today. She might be too sick to get out of bed.
I could kick myself for being a selfish bastard.
I should have at least sent her a text. I should have checked if she needed any supplies.
I shake a few hands in passing. I grab a glass of champagne and practically down it in one go. I need some liquid courage to get through tonight.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” My mum approaches me from behind with my dad hot on her heels. Since my father retired, the two of them are inseparable. “You look a little out of sorts tonight.”
I grew up around a decent family, a stark contrast to what Lexi and many other people had.
My parents loved each other. They loved us kids.
We wanted for nothing. Yet, I never once strived for the love they had.
The bond they shared. Now, I’m standing here, desperate to see one woman’s face. What has Lexi awakened in me?
“I’m okay, Mum. I’m just tired.”
“A holiday is what you need. You’ve done all the hard work. Let someone else do the work for you.”
“Your mother’s right. Take it from an old man who worked too hard in his younger days. It’s not worth running yourself ragged for.”
I know my dad’s right. I wish he would have a chat with Lexi and show her the right way to do business.
“I know, Dad. This is the last hotel for a while.”
“Where have we heard that before, Lil?”
“Indeed.” My mum squeezes my arm.
Hairs on the back of my neck rise. I look over my shoulder to see the entrance of the lounge.
Walking in with a beautiful smile on her face, in a long elegant black dress, with a friend whispering something in her ear to make her laugh, is Lexi.
It’s a beautiful sight. It’s the same friend from the night in the club.
She spots me watching her. Our eyes meet and she smiles warmly at me, but I know behind that smile she is thinking of every way I’ve touched and caressed her body. I know because it’s all I think about.
I wave her over to us and she walks steadily on high heels. Higher than I’ve ever seen her walk in before. It makes me think of fucking her in nothing but said shoes. Stop it, Max. Tonight, you’re Maxwell and Alexa.
“Alexa, how are you feeling?” I lean down and kiss her cheek, lingering a little longer than I should.
“A bit better, thank you for asking. Max…” She clears her throat. “Maxwell. This is my friend, Mhairi. Mhairi, Maxwell.”
I lean over and shake Mhairi’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Max. Nice place you have here,” says Mhairi.
This one is the opposite of Lex. She’s confident, witty, and wild, but I like that she complements Lexi. They’re obviously close friends. I’m sure Lexi referred to her as her best friend at some point.
“All good I hope.” I wink at Lexi. “Let me introduce you to my mum and dad.” I step back out of my mum’s way and let her get a look at Lexi. “Alexa this is my mum, Lilith, and my dad, Alexander.”
Lexi holds her hand out to my dad and leans in and kisses my mum’s cheek. “Lovely to meet you both.”
“Likewise, dear. How do you know our Maxwell?” asks my mum.
“We work together. Well, I own the cleaning company Max has hired to keep this place spick and span.”
My mum nods with a wicked gleam in her eye. She likes the look of Lexi; I knew she would. Lexi has the good girl next door vibes that every mother envisions her precious son to marry and settle down with.
“What a wonderful job you’ve done. It’s nice to see a woman so passionate and willing to work. Usually, the women Maxwell introduces to us are… let’s just say a different breed.”
“Mum, be nice.”
My mum is the only person who can make me blush. She has no filter and just vomits whatever she wants to say.
“I’m always nice, sweetheart.” She winks at me and Lexi giggles.
Mhairi reaches over and takes my mum’s hand in hers. “Mhairi, the best friend. But I like you. I like a woman who isn’t afraid to say what she’s thinking.”
“Well, my dear, you don’t get to my age without ruffling a few feathers.”
Lexi and Mhairi laugh, and my father and I shake our heads. We know exactly the type of feathers my mother has ruffled over the years. She doesn’t mince her words.
“Let me get us all a drink.” I wave over the waitress and start handing out champagne flutes to my growing circle. It feels nice standing here, not worrying about airs and graces or trying to please everyone. The chatter between my parents, Lexi, and her friend is flowing easily.
“Ah, Max, darling, be an angel and grab your fiancée one of those glasses, please.”
That voice. That nail grinding down the chalkboard type of voice I’d know anywhere. The air around us changes. I can feel my mum’s eyes on me, but most importantly, I feel Mhairi shooting daggers through me, and Lexi looks anywhere but at me. I can see tears welling in her eyes, and I hate that.
“Victoria.” My mum’s voice drips venom. “I didn’t think you’d be here today.”
“Lil.” Victoria shrugs and takes my glass out of my hand. “I wanted to see what the other half was up to these days.”