Hard Drive Boxed Set

by Tricia Andersen

  She sighed as she punched her pillow then fell back on it. Being with Max was just a fantasy. She never had a relationship. No guy had ever been interested in her. She shuddered. The one time a guy did show interest in her went disastrously, horribly wrong. It damaged her for men forever.

  Chloe kept to herself when she visited her mother the next day. She stared out the window to avoid the concern in her mom’s eyes. “Chloe, what’s the matter?”

  “Nothing,” Chloe muttered.

  “Sweetheart, you’re a terrible liar.”

  Chloe glared at her furiously as her eyes brimmed with tears. “Why did you agree to let Max move in?”

  “Because he offered to help us. We need him right now.”

  “We don’t need Max Thomas. We’re fine on our own,” Chloe spat vehemently.

  “Chloe Elizabeth! What has gotten into you?”

  “Do you think Max will stick around, Mom? Dad didn’t. Why would he?”

  Liz stared at her daughter. “Yes, I do. And why? Because Max Thomas loves you. You haven’t seen what I have, Chloe. You haven’t seen the way he holds you in his arms during one of your spells, how he whispers to you, how he kisses your forehead and silently prays they will end. You don’t see him covered in your vomit, and he doesn’t care that he is. He changes before you wake up. He sits by you without moving until you come out of everything. He adores you.”

  “Yes, well, that’s while he’s here.”

  Liz pressed her lips in a tight, thin line. “Is this because he’s in Dallas? Chloe, are you jealous?”

  Chloe stared at her fidgeting fingers, flustered. “It’s just…Max is so handsome and sweet. And some of these women who go to these things are really beautiful.”

  Liz chuckled as she patted her daughter’s arm. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re beautiful. Everyone loves how caring and sweet you are.”

  “Yeah, but I have this barfing thing too. Not exactly a selling factor for me.”

  “Max hasn’t seemed to mind to this point.”

  Chloe bit her lower lip as her cheeks flushed pink. There was no way her mother knew what she was talking about. She turned in time to catch Liz wink at her before she went back to watch television.

  Pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek, Chloe then walked to her car in the parking garage. She drove home in silence. She took a long, hot shower, pulled on her pajamas, and crawled into bed. Then, she stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

  She nearly scooted off the mattress as her cell phone chirped. She pressed the call button. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Chloe,” Max’s voice came through the other end. “Where have you been? I’ve tried calling. It goes to voicemail.”

  “I’ve been at the hospital. No cell phones,” she hurried.

  “How’s your mom?”

  “Getting better.”

  “That’s great.”

  “So, how did the competition go?”

  “Our guys did really well. Not bringing home any hardware, but we’re bringing home a lot of wins.”

  “Great. So, are you out celebrating?” And with who?

  “No. I’m at the hotel watching film from tonight, looking for things we can work on. Then I’m heading to bed. I’m really tired. Plus, I have to move tomorrow when I get back, remember?”

  She felt her stomach clench. “I remember.”

  “Good. I should be by with the first of my stuff by four o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Rico said he’d help me if I helped him get settled in my apartment. Then we can see your mom and get something for dinner. All right?”

  “Sure. Sounds great.”

  “Great. Sweet dreams, Chloe. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Sweet dreams, Max. Bye.”

  She ended the call then snuggled against her pillow. She didn’t even get her phone put away before she drifted off to sleep.

  The next day, Chloe fluttered around the kitchen nervously as she waited. At any moment, her new roommate would arrive with his things. She had missed Max so much while he was gone. And now, he’ll be around twenty-four seven. What have I gotten into?

  She jumped when she heard a knock at the door. She pulled it open to find Max and Rico standing there. Rico stood an inch or two taller and had far more bulk. His olive skin was marked with several tattoos. He’s cute, but not nearly as incredible as Max.

  Chloe shivered as Max wrapped his arm around her and drew her against him. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hey, sweetheart. How was your weekend?”

  “All right. It was quiet without you here.”

  “I missed you too.” Max let her go. Rico breathed a quick hello to Chloe before following Max upstairs.

  Chloe did her best to stay out of the way while they moved things in. Once all the boxes were out of Rico’s truck, they took off again to move Rico into the apartment. Sighing heavily, she grabbed her purse. She had no idea when Max would be back. It was time to make dinner for one. She paused for a moment. Maybe she would make dinner for two, just in case Max came home.

  The trip to the store was the longest she had ever taken. She just had no heart to shop. Finally, she picked up hamburger, spaghetti noodles, tomato sauce, and garlic bread for a quick supper. It was simple and her favorite. And maybe it’ll soothe my nerves.

  Chloe wasted no time preparing her dinner, watching the noodles boil as she browned the hamburger, the sizzling of the meat filling the kitchen. The scent of warming bread filled her nostrils. Her stomach rumbled in response.

  A frown creased her brow as the front door opened. Max stepped in, kicking off his tennis shoes as he locked it behind him. He grinned as he laid eyes on her. “Hey, Chloe. What’re you cooking? Smells delicious.”

  “Spaghetti. Have you eaten yet?”

  “Nope. I wanted to get home to you.”

  Chloe felt her cheeks burn. Wow. If he’d only say that for forever. “It’ll be ready in a minute.”

  “Great. I’ll go wash up.”

  Max dashed up the stairs for the bathroom. Chloe watched him go. Her heart raced as she returned to the kitchen, taking two bowls from the cabinet and scooping noodles into them. She topped them with sauce and set them on the counter. Then she pulled the bread from the oven, sliced it, and put pieces on plates for each of them.

  Max reappeared in the doorway. “It smells incredible. I’m starving.”

  Chloe flashed him a smile as she handed him his portion. Max took it with a smile. She balanced her bowl and plate in her hands as she followed Max to the living room to eat. The television was the only sound for several minutes.

  Max set his empty plate and bowl on the coffee table. “ How’s your mom?”

  “Getting better every day. She should be home soon. She started physical therapy yesterday.”

  “Any progress with the trucking company?”

  “A friend of Mom’s referred her to a lawyer who said he would take the case. He’s very sweet. He said he wouldn’t bill us until the case is settled and the trucking company pays.”

  “Sweet, huh?” Max eyed her quietly as a scowl crossed his lips. “Tell me more about this lawyer.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Is he just out of school? Is he old? Why is he being so generous?”

  Chloe frowned. Why is he suddenly acting jealous? “He’s about Mom’s age. He’s very successful. And he’s being so generous because he knows we’ll win.”

  “Oh.” Max smiled. “Just wondering. I’m glad to hear he’s willing to help.”

  Chloe returned his smile with a shy one of her own. “How was Dallas?”

  “It was great. We did well. Hard Drive is going to be a real powerhouse soon.”

  “What did you do while you were there? Did you go out?”

  Max’s grin grew wide. “I didn’t go out. The only place other than my hotel and the arena I went was out for steak with the guys and to the weigh in.”

  “Where was the weigh in?”

  “At a club.”

&
nbsp; “Oh. Was it busy?”

  “Packed.”

  “Oh.” Chloe curled herself into a ball as the pit in her stomach grew. She took a deep breath to calm herself. No sense in working myself into a spell over whom Max was with. Even though I’m going to do it anyway. I wish he didn’t get to me.

  Max gently brushed a lock of hair from her face. “I was with the guys. I wasn’t in the club. I had responsibilities to the team, Chloe. The last thing I was looking for was to get laid.”

  “But with all those women there, you certainly could have.”

  “But I didn’t want to. Why would I? I have what I want here.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. Right here on the couch with me. I don’t need anything else.”

  “Max, you can’t be serious.”

  “I am. And now, I’m going to drop it. I don’t want to upset you. I hate those episode things you go through just as much as you do. Until I figure out what they are, I’m not going to tread on ground that might set them off.”

  “You’re getting a medical degree to figure me out?” Chloe giggled.

  Max laughed with her. “Not exactly. Mark is looking into it for me.” He gazed at her tenderly. “I just wish I knew why kissing you set one off.”

  The smile fell from Chloe’s face. “It’s a long story.”

  “I’m a great listener.”

  Chloe shook her head. “Max, I don’t want to think about it. Remembering what happened sets off my stomach. I just would like to let it be.”

  Max nodded. “Of course. I would never do anything to hurt you, sweetheart.” He stood and took the dirty supper dishes to the sink. Chloe sat quiet as she heard the water run. She sighed as she heard the clink of dishes being washed. She wanted to talk to Max, to tell him everything. She wanted to kiss him so badly. But what happened was so horrible, would he want to even be near her when he knew what happened on her prom night? What that son of a bitch did to her?

  Chloe pushed herself from the sofa and wandered into the kitchen. Max was drying the last dish, his broad muscular back to her. The glow from the inset light over the sink glistened off his thick, brown hair. She slid up to his side. “Max, I’m going to go to bed. I want to stop at the hospital to see Mom before I go to work tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good,” he responded flatly. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Ok.” She watched him dry the dishes for several moments as the words he spoke to her played in her mind. She took a deep breath. I may really regret this.

  Like a flash of lightning, Chloe reached out and cupped Max’s chin in her hand. She turned his face toward hers. Lifting herself up on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing the damp towel to her back to hold her to him. Chloe pulled away slowly as they broke apart.

  “Chloe, I didn’t think you could…” Max breathed.

  “I’m not sure I can. Keep an ear out for me, all right?”

  Max nodded silently. She gave him an uneasy smile before running up the stairs to her room.

  Chapter Four

  It was a little jarring, waking up in a new place for the first time. Max sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes. Then, he breathed a silent prayer of thanks. Chloe had slept through the night without incident. It was not the way I wanted to start out my first night living here.

  He slipped from under the covers and shuffled down the stairs to the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee permeated the air. He smiled sleepily as he leaned against the doorframe. Chloe stood at the counter in a snug-fitting tank and a pair of boxers. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight against himself, but he couldn’t risk setting off one of her things again. He sighed. Someday, maybe I can hold her.

  Chloe startled when she saw him, spilling a little of her coffee. Her face turned bright red as she quickly wiped up the puddle. She pulled down another mug and filled it for him. “Sleep well?” she half choked out.

  “I slept like a baby. And you?”

  “Pretty well, actually. It’s easier to sleep in the house when I’m not alone.”

  Max took a sip as he watched her silently. She ran her hand through her long hair as she anxiously fidgeted. Max’s heart swelled. I want to spend the rest of my life protecting her.

  Chloe set her cup down. “I’m going to go get dressed so I can stop at the hospital.”

  “I’ll drive.”

  “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

  It took a bit to get Chloe to open up as they drove, but after a while, she started to chatter. Max laughed as she excitedly ran through her plans for the day. As long as they involved him somehow, he was all right with them.

  Liz was happy to see them together. Overjoyed, it seemed. She gave Max a big hug then grilled him to make sure he was comfortable in the house. Max retrieved a couple of muffins and some fruit so that he and Chloe could have breakfast with Liz. Promising to stop by after work, they both told Liz good-bye so they could get to Hard Drive before it opened.

  The week was perfect—at least until Thursday. Three weeks had passed since the last time Chloe had been sick and between Hard Drive and Liz in the hospital, Max lost track of time. He dressed in his best grubby clothes then booted up his laptop while he waited. He didn’t have long. Halfway through the morning, Chloe began turning pale. A small puddle of saliva pooled at the corner of her mouth, and she became disoriented.

  He scooped her into his arms and rushed her to the bathroom before the vomiting began. Max held her on his lap between episodes, rocking her gently after each time she retched. They sat in silence after the final one. Max just couldn’t take the chance that she wasn’t finished. He was terrified a trip to the ER was in their future.

  Finally, he laid her on her bed before he washed and changed. Then, he sat at her bedside and waited for her to stir. He was never so happy as when she opened her eyes weakly and smiled at him. Standing, he kissed her cheek. Thank goodness she’s back.

  Without a word, he picked up the phone and ordered her favorite pizza. Then, he rushed to the bathroom to get her a glass of water. Once the pizza arrived, and they dug into the cheesy pie, Chloe began to quickly regain her strength. Max smiled. Liz will be impressed with how well I did taking care of her daughter.

  By Friday, Chloe was back to her usual cheery self. Max chuckled as she bounced down the stairs in her pajamas. She was already comfortable enough with him to parade around in her purple froggy boxers and matching cotton tank top. When will she be comfortable enough for me to kiss her again? I mean, really kiss her?

  Chloe frowned when her cell phone rang. She scooped it up in her hand and slipped into the kitchen to take the call. Max watched her departing figure, puzzled. Who could possibly call her at this hour?

  Seconds later, she jogged up the stairs to her bedroom. She returned dressed for work, quickly pecking Max’s cheek. “I’m going to the hospital. They need to discuss Mom’s care with me,” she informed him.

  “I can go with you,” he volunteered. “That way, if you need any help…”

  Chloe smiled at him. “It’s all right. I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll just meet you at Hard Drive.”

  She flashed him one more grin before she slipped out the front door, shutting it behind her. Max scowled. He loved driving to and from work with her. He loved to hear her talk. He loved to hear her laugh. And I’m terrified what happened to her mom will happen to her if she’s alone in the car.

  Max quickly dressed then drove to the gym. An uneasiness filled him. Chloe hadn’t arrived yet. He stepped out of his Mustang and stormed inside. His first stop was Phoebe at the receptionist desk. “Phoebe, has Chloe called?” Max near begged.

  Phoebe’s big blue eyes glimmered at him. Max was well aware of Phoebe’s crush on him. She made it apparent every single day. “No, Max.”

  “Can you let me know if she does? Right away?”

  “I guess.”

  Max stalked off to the locker ro
om. He slipped off his tennis shoes and stowed them in his locker. Then, he glanced at his watch anxiously before he stored it and his cell phone inside as well. Slamming the door closed, he shuffled off toward the gym.

  He stopped short at the ringtone that echoed through the vents of his locker. He ran back, threw the door open, and answered. “Chloe, are you okay?” he demanded.

  “I’m fine, Max. It’s Mom.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “She’s being released tomorrow. She wants to come home. But there’s no way for her to get into the house. The hospital is trying to arrange a care facility, but Mom wants nothing to do with it.”

  “If she can get in, will she be all right in the house?”

  “Yes. There’s the full bath downstairs, and she can stay in the guest room.”

  Max grinned. “Baby, tell the hospital to release her. I’ll make sure she can get in.”

  “Max, how are you going to do that?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. Just get here, all right?”

  He could almost hear her smile over the phone. “All right. See you soon. And thanks. Bye.”

  “Bye.” Max ended the call. Then, he opened his contacts and scrolled through the address book until he reached the number for Roadies. He dialed and waited.

  “Roadies,” a female voice on the other end answered.

  “Tyler, please.” Max waited again in silence. Then, he smiled at the familiar greeting.

  “This is Tyler.”

  “Tyler, it’s Max.”

  “Hey, Max.” Tyler’s tone was flat, with no emotion.

  Max frowned. Tyler was his best friend. Admittedly, they hadn’t talked much over the past few weeks, ever since Max had left Roadies. But Max had been there for Tyler through every breakup, every drunken arrest. Everything. “Hey, I was wondering what you were doing tomorrow morning,” he hinted.

  “Nothing. Why?”

  “Chloe’s mom was in a horrible car accident. She’s been cleared to come home, but can’t get into the house with her wheelchair. Would you come over to Chloe’s and help me build a ramp?”